"Darling, it's sweet you think I control everything around here, but actually, the order to expel you from the dorms came from above."

My heart starts to race.

Fuck. "There must be…"

To my surprise, I see something not unlike pity in those cold, pale eyes of his. "You proved yourself untrustworthy and the board doesn't want you around their children until you've shown them you've changed. That takes time and consistency."

He's reminding me it's my fault. My consequences. Because telling the police what is going on is a crime in this part of the world. It’s not like I incriminated him or anyone else. In fact, I did my very best so the wyverns would be left out of it.

A little voice I refuse to pay attention to whispers that I didn't have to tell them everyone had been drinking, or that there was probably drugs, too. I should have held my tongue. It's common sense.

Seems I don't have any of that.

"And in the meantime, I'm homeless."

These people are horrible. They must know how desperate they’ve made me. They must know how much it costs to live in this town. This is another punishment.

"Don't be dramatic," he replies with an eye roll. "Look for apartments in southie. I'm sure you can find flatmates."

"Yes. For fifteen hundred, if I don’t mind bed bugs,” I snap. “And waste hours every day—hours I have to spend studying to stay here—on commuting and work."

I'm wasting my time, and losing my temper. To cut to the chase, I ask plainly, "Is there anything you can do?"

"What makes you think I'll help?"

I stare at him wordlessly, as his amusement grows.

"You know," he teases, "when people beg for favors, they usually offer something in exchange."

And here we go. 

"You already had something from me."

"So sure it was me under the mask, huh?" Keller challenges.

I lift my chin.

Honestly, I don't know what gives me that absolute certainty. Sure, I thought I recognized the blond hair, a little wavy, on the longer side under his hood, but he's hardly the only one with blond locks at Rothford. Maybe someone else heard him call me little ghost and repeated it.

And yet, I am positive. He just…wouldn't let anyone else do that to me. I can’t explain it. But I’d bet anything I’m right.

"Wasn't it?" I volley back at him.

Keller holds my gaze wordlessly for a few seconds before replying—and avoiding the subject all at once. "That deal got you your scholarship back. A couple of hours of work for over fifty thousand dollars. You're saying that sweet ass of yours is worth more?"

That’s an answer in itself. I find myself blushing.

"I'm saying," I grit between my teeth, "if there's a way to help, please do it."

He seems to consider my words.