Privilege 4 - Sweet Deceit by Kate Brian Read Free Book Online Page B

shaky knees and fell into step with Kaitlynn. "Well. That was harsh."

    Kaitlynn said nothing. She tucked her package under her folded arms and quickened her steps.

    "So, want to stay up together and study this?" Ariana said, lifting her own package. "We can quiz each other."

    "I can't believe they just did that," Kaitlynn muttered, staring straight ahead. "I can't believe they just booted Adam like that. They didn't even give him a chance."

    "Right. Which is all the more reason for us to study together," Ariana said, struggling to keep pace with her roommate. "Two heads are better than one and all that."

    "Whatever," Kaitlynn said under her breath. "Right now I'm thinking it's every man for himself."

    Ariana stopped in her tracks, stunned. Did Kaitlynn not realize that she wouldn't have finished three-quarters of her scavenger hunt list if not for Ariana's help? Where was her thank-you? Where was the acknowledgment of her friendship? Kaitlynn speed-walked ahead so that soon the chasm between them was too wide to cross. It was all Ariana could do to keep from hurling her handbook at the girl's retreating head.

    "She's an interesting one."

    Ariana looked up to find Jasper pausing next to her. He narrowed his blue eyes at her and offered his hand. "Jasper Montgomery," he said. "Of the Louisiana Montgomerys."

    "Ana Covington," she replied, briefly grasping his hand. "Of the Texas Covingtons," she added in a slightly mocking tone.

    He held her gaze for a long moment--so long that Ariana felt a blush rise to her cheeks. She started walking again.

    "I'll stay up and study with you, if you like," Jasper said, matching her pace.

    "Thanks, but I'm good," Ariana replied.

    "I've no doubt you are," Jasper said in a teasing way. "But the offer remains just the same."

    Ariana pursed her lips. There was nothing that disgusted her more than a double entendre from a boy she barely knew. But when she looked up at Jasper to tell him off, there was no leer in his eyes, just a joking spark.

    "Maybe another time," she said. "Right now I'd like to get some sleep. I'll wake up early and study then."

    "Suit yourself. Me?" he said with a smirk as they reached the door to Privilege House. "I'll have this thing memorized by first light."

    Jasper waved his electronic key in front of the lock and held the door open for her. Ariana paused. There were a thousand comebacks on her lips, but for some reason she didn't feel like dropping them. Maybe she was just exhausted from the scavenger hunt. Or still thrown from Adam's unceremonious fall. Or frustrated by Kaitlynn's refusal to trust her. Whatever the case, she felt thrown and off her game. And suddenly all she wanted to do was get away from Jasper as quickly as possible and put this whole exasperating night behind her.

    "Thanks," she said as she slipped past him into the dorm.

    "Pleasure's mine," he replied with a grin. COWS

    Something was after her. Something lurking in the woods. Ariana heard a crack, a creak, a moan, and then something reached for her in the dark, its cold and slimy fingers trailing over her bare shoulder. Stifling a scream, she ran. She ran as hard and as fast as she could, feeling the thing gaining on her in the pitch-black night. Breathing down her neck. Panting hot and wet and evil. She tried to run, but her legs wouldn't move. They were too heavy. Impossibly heavy. She looked down at her feet and they were mired in muck. Ankle-deep in muddy, rocky sludge.

    And the thing kept gaining. Fear gripped Ariana's heart. She held her breath and struggled forward. Pushing and pulling and grasping and straining until finally she pried her feet free. With one glance back over her shoulder, Ariana flew forward and slammed right into the side of . . .

    A cow?

    The huge brown animal looked back at her, sniffed in a bored, indignant way, and let out a loud moo.

    Ariana sat up with a start, her hand on her chest. Her heart was pounding a mile a minute, but she was safe. Safe