Dancing With Raven (The Young Shakespeareans Series) by S.G. Rogers Page B

do to ease their transition would be greatly appreciated.”
    “Why, of course,” Raven managed. “I think they’ll fit in perfectly here.” True. The blond twins had always been perfectly groomed and hopelessly chic. No doubt everyone would be impressed with their royal pedigree, too. Whether or not Felicia and Fletcher had an enjoyable matriculation at Performing Arts Prep didn’t concern him, however. The twins were there to discover the Leap Day child, and would shadow him until he inadvertently revealed Tori. This is the worst of all possible developments!
    Felicia gave Raven’s arm a squeeze. “I just love it! The three of us are back together again.”
    “Inseparable,” Fletcher said.
    “Well, I’ll leave you to it, then,” Birmingham said. “I’m off to visit your father, Raven. Why don’t you text him and let him know I’m on my way?”
    What a cool customer. “Yes, sir, I certainly will.”
    After shaking hands with Mr. Ashley, Birmingham left. The secretary called Felicia and her brother over to her desk to give them their class schedules and a map of the campus. Fletcher lingered to speak with Raven a moment.
    “You ought to give your father a ring right away, old chap. He won’t want to have any family secrets lying about when my grandfather arrives.”
    “We haven’t any family secrets, but I’m sure my father would appreciate a little notice. Nobody likes uninvited guests. Speaking of which, I suppose your grandfather had to make a huge donation to get you and Felicia into the school at the last moment.”
    “Certainly. Of course, your father had to do the same in order to get you enrolled midyear, especially with your poor school marks.”
    Raven laughed. “Same old Fletcher. You might get over that inferiority complex someday. Perhaps you should ask the secretary for a map to your behind. I don’t think you could find it with both hands.”
    It was Fletcher’s turn to chuckle. “Oh, I don’t need a map to find that . In fact, I don’t need a map to find a great many things.”
    He winked, turned on his heel, and joined his sister at the secretary’s desk. Raven whipped out his cell phone and texted his father:
    Lord Birmingham on his way to the house right now. Grandkids here at school with me for remainder of term.
    After he sent the text, he hesitated only a moment before devising a text message to Tori—cryptic, in case the Fletcher or Felicia pinched his cell:
    All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. I have every confidence in your acting ability, Tori. Be careful.
    After the text was sent, he stashed his phone into a pocket and assumed a new, precarious role of a lifetime—that of a daredevil tightrope walker. If he slipped up, however, it would be Tori’s life at stake.

Chapter Ten
    Slings and Arrows
    T ORI T HOROUGHLY E NJOYED the sensation her new hairstyle created at school. It was almost as if she’d become an entirely different person just by altering her look. Although it was a little odd to see heads turn as she walked past, she had to admit the attention was thrilling. Perhaps some good had come from Xavier Saltare’s cruel rejection; the pain had forced her to step out of the rigid box she’d fashioned for herself over the years. Certainly much of the credit went to Misty for suggesting the change, but if Tori had been happy with herself she wouldn’t have agreed to it. Her free flowing hair seemed to be a metaphor for her state of mind. She felt unbound—and somewhat daringly sexy. Jenny and Deborah were impressed.
    “I wouldn’t have told you to cut your hair for a million bucks,” Jenny said. “Now that you have, I can’t believe what a difference it’s made.”
    “You were gorgeous before, but now you look like a star,” Deborah said.
    The effusive praise made Tori’s face flush. “I don’t know about any of that, but I do feel different. I’m glad you like it.”
    A strange text from Raven arrived on Tori’s