#Chapter 210: Ruby Red

Audrey “Audrey! Wait!” Edwin’s voice echoed down the bond, but I didn’t—couldn’t—stop. I needed air, needed to breathe. My feet carried me forward, tears blurring my vision as I pushed past startled students and faculty. Finally, I came to a door leading outside, and the cool morning air hit me like a brick wall. It was all I could do to stagger off to the side and breathe deeply, my lungs struggling to take it all in. Mr. Black had sabotaged me yet again… But why? Was he still trying to get back at me for what had happened last year, or was this something else? Suddenly, Edwin burst out into the courtyard after me and grabbed my wrist before I could slip away again. “Audrey—” “I don’t want to talk,” I choked out around the lump in my throat. “Just leave me.” Edwin frowned, his grip tightening on my wrist. “No. Tell me what happened.” I turned to face him, my chest heaving with sobs I could no longer contain. Despite the warm, sunn