Chapter 6: The Branded Invitation
(Scarlet's POV)
Ethan didn't loosen his grip on the switchblade. He merely tilted his head, his eyes tracking me as I pushed open the heavy oak doors.
I stood on the threshold, holding my textbooks against my chest like a shield. I had stripped off the pristine Crestwood uniform and changed into a set of old, grey sweats that had seen better days. My gaze bypassed the chaos of the room-the spilled liquor, the terrified teenagers-and locked directly onto Ethan's face.
"Are we having class today?" I asked, my voice cutting loudly through the thumping bass of the stereo.
He twirled the knife effortlessly between his fingers, the metal catching the strobe lights, before he tossed it carelessly onto the mahogany coffee table.
The clatter was a signa
