Academia of the Beast: A Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast(21)

Lennox shrugged. “Let me think about it.”

“Of course, sir,” he said. “I will go tell the party planners that the plans have changed.”

“Very well,” Lennox replied. There was no way he was going to try to throw a ball right after Conall. No, he was going to do something better. Something forbidden. And now, he had an exotic date to show off.

“I’m done as well, sir,” Lin said, standing from his spot at Lennox’s feet. “I will make your new suit by Sunday.”

“Have it ready by Saturday,” he said and took off his black dress shoes to put on another more comfortable pair.

“Of course, sir.”

Once Edan and Lin were gone, Lennox’s mind went back to the woman that now slept in one of his best rooms.

Lennox wasn’t sure what he wanted or expected of the beautiful, frail thing he’d rescued, or why he’d rescued her at all. The whole point was to kill her, yet she still lived.

When Byron demanded an audience with him nearly a week ago, Lennox had a mind to send the man straight to the debtors’ prison. However, the young man had shouted out his business in the Kingdom Court in the center of Elastria where his palace now stood as a school for children and teens of all ages.

“Witch! I have found a witch,” Byron had shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in attendance.

Smug, Byron knew the gravity of his claim, and had gained what he wanted, just a few moments to speak to the prince—the hunter of the family.

It took only a few moments for Lennox to learn what kind of man Byron was—a disgraceful one that would rather gamble and drink his girlfriend’s savings away and then turn her in once the money was gone.

He lowered his eyes to the window sill where his hand rested. The red glow of his family ring confirmed that there was indeed a witch within the area.

Lennox rubbed his freshly shaven chin. There was one thing he wanted more than anything.

To be free from his prison.

Maybe that’s why he didn’t let her perish in the storm. A tiny sliver of him hoped that she could end the curse.

He turned away from the window, walking across his wooden floor to the door. Such wishful thinking could be toxic. The odds of this girl being the one his clan had been waiting for were slim.

He put on his shirt, covering the tattoos that covered his entire back and arms—the ink that hid his scars—and looked at himself in the full-length mirror.

Glancing down at the handwritten note Conall had left him about taking care of the castle, Lennox grinned, picked it up and tore it in half. If Conall thought that he could control him, he was sadly mistaken. People seemed to think Lennox was worth saving, despite his evil deeds.

He almost felt sorry for the girl he’d saved. A look in the broken mirror showed otherwise, his wicked grin reflected back.

Who was he kidding?

Prince Lennox knew why he kept her alive—he just wanted to see the little witch suffer.

***

ALLYN FOLDED HER hands in prayer. It was a habit, though she’d never gotten anything out of it.

She pursed her lips, the rage she’d been keeping at bay on the brink of escaping. She sat in the bathroom with the door locked. Not for her safety. But, for theirs.

Ghosts or not. She’d seen real evil. She knew that whatever had cursed them was nothing compared to what festered within her soul.

Did Prince Lennox know who she was? Was this all a sick game? And then she thought of Conall. Where was he in all of this? Could he speak up for her and save her from whatever Lennox had in mind?

The entire kingdom knew Lennox to be cruel, a womanizing, rich boy that did whatever he wanted without consequence. Always looking for a fight, his face was splattered on the papers every winter, breaking rules, throwing lavish parties, and defying the king in every way. No one could tame Lennox.

What chance did Allyn have?

“Allyn. Please open the door,” Calinda said from the other side.

“No.” Allyn sat between the porcelain toilet and the claw foot tub, her face buried in her hands.

Calinda showed that waiting behind closed doors was nearly a courtesy and that she could easily glide through them.

Allyn jumped, startled by Calinda’s sudden presence. She rubbed her eyes with her hands and came to her feet.

“You cannot hide in here forever.”

“What is it?” Allyn asked, bitterly. “Is it time for my execution?”

Calinda opened the door and held an arm out toward the bedroom.

“No one has told me about any executions,” Calinda said.

Allyn held out her arms. “So, why am I here?”

Calinda tilted her head. “I can’t say that I am certain, but I have my suspicions.”

“And, those are?”

“I think I’ll keep them to myself until I am certain,” Calinda said. “Now, let’s get you cleaned up and dressed. Prince Lennox wants to properly meet you.”

Allyn stepped aside as a younger female ghost came inside and started running her a bath. She didn’t look at her, going about her business of pouring oils and perfumes into the tub.

“Not too much, Maisie,” Calinda said. “Prince Lennox is sensitive to perfumes.”

Maisie nodded and turned off the water to let it out. “Sorry, mom. We don’t get many girls around here,” she said, finally sneaking a glance at Allyn.