"Come on," Luca muttered under his breath, his tone steady as he urged his other four friends along. He wanted Bella out of that room. All of them did.
Killian shot a glance back at the table, his jaw tight, but he followed Luca's lead. Cassian's eyes, dark and unreadable, stayed on Maren for sometime before he turned. Rafe was last to turn.
Bella turned too and began to follow, relief curling through her chest like a fragile thread. It wasn't over, but at least they were walking out together.
"Dismissed," Maren said, her voice carrying finality.
The boys were halfway to the door when it came.
"You, Miss Rivers. Stay behind."
The words froze Bella mid-step. Her heart lurched.
She turned slowly, her eyes darting from Maren to Mallory to the rest of the committee.
The boys all stopped at once.
"What?" Luca's voice was sharp, protective.
Maren didn't look at him. Her gaze pinned Bella like a hawk's talon. "I said she stays. Alone."
