The Queen They Buried

Chapter 7

The school day blew by. Aubree’s high school had evening study sessions, but she’d gotten a pass from her teacher to skip

them.

She grabbed her bag, ready to hit the store for some groceries to cook dinner. Needed fuel for a late-night gaming sesh at

the internet café.

But right outside the school gates, someone stepped in her way.

It was Emery.

His face was twisted, eyes flashing with disappointment and anger. “I thought cutting off Dad was bad, Aubree, but this? Didn’t think you’d go this dirty.”

Aubree frowned, totally lost. She took a step back. “What’re you even talking about? If it’s nothing, just… let me go, okay?”

Emery’s jaw clenched, like he was biting back a yell. “Why’d you post that video on the school forum? You know how much this’ll wreck Carmen?

“She’s at Rithol Art School, training, and called me crying her eyes out. Says she doesn’t even know why you’re mad at her, and you’re out here ruining her. That’s cold, Aubree.”

‘Cold?’ Aubree let out a sharp laugh, then smirked. This was too much. They all knew about the forum drama—the lies trashing her name-and didn’t care.

But the second her comeback hit Carmen? Boom, she’s the bad guy, no questions asked.

“Emery, is your brain just for decoration?” she snapped. “Only people at the Wilson family party knew about that video. You think those big shots would mess with the Wilsons? So, who leaked it, huh?

“If I wasn’t getting slammed online first, you think I’d post that video for giggles? And FYI, that video’s legit. It’s the truth, isn’t it?”

Emery blinked, thrown, but rallied fast. “You’re always ticking someone off, Aubree. That forum post? Probably just payback from someone you annoyed. Carmen would never do that.”

Aubree rolled her eyes so hard it stung. She was done with this Carmen fanboy. “Buzz off,” she growled.

But Emery wasn’t dropping it. As she turned to leave, he grabbed her wrist. “You’re coming with me to apologize to Carmen. Now. I’ll sort out the truth later, but you’re fixing this.”

He wouldn’t let go.

She glared at him. “So, you don’t even know what went

mouth-probably to bring up Carmen’s dumb staircase fall-but Aubree shut it

the Wilson family. Carmen was

You all rushed over to make sure everyone knew Carmen was still the Wilson princess. Bryan even sent a lawyer’s letter to the

to back me up?

mad I cleared my name because it might make Carmen

1/3

Chapter 7

deal? Heart made of glass? She cries over this? Then what about me? I’ve

sister, fine.

playing favorites, and then

a word, because he knew she’d hit the nail

to speak, wanting to claim the family cared about her too, but their icy vibes from before left him

a deep breath, he said, “C’mon, just

at him like he

broke in. Alvin, decked out in a crisp white shirt and black pants,

eyes flicked toward them, brows low and

uncle, who’d been MIA for three years, rolled up to grab him from school. Thought maybe it was some uncle-nephew

car, going nowhere,

hit him with.”Alvin, you

glare burning holes, Alvin dragged himself over to

Alvin, sure, but they weren’t tight enough to just hit

was her golden ticket

hand free and stepped up

curious, though. ‘What’s the story with Aubree

quick looks as they

20

Turner, and

as Aubree took off, Emery’s phone

are in. Mind swinging by to grab ’em?”

out and landed in the hospital, Emery had the

a grin. “Alvin, thanks for the save. I’m gonna

door. That was when Aubree spotted a shadowy figure chilling inside,

his face-just a hand, knuckles sharp,