A Phantom Enchantment by Eve Marie Mont

suddenly fired, and I abandoned any pretense of remaining calm, lurching into a run down the alley. An intersection lay just fifty feet away, and my adrenaline drove me to the corner where I veered left and screamed as someone slammed into me from the opposite direction.
    Actually, it was two people. One had gotten knocked to the ground by our impact, and the other stood over him, looking startled. There was a brief melee as I tried to rein in my momentum, and the guy still standing struggled to help the fallen guy, who was cursing loudly at me. In English.
    I apologized for my clumsiness as the two of them brushed themselves off and moved under the light of a streetlamp. I nearly fainted with shock and relief.
    â€œOwen?”

C HAPTER 5
    O wen and Flynn were a little drunk. Well, Owen was a little drunk. Flynn was hammered.
    â€œWhat are you guys doing here?” I asked.
    â€œOur train got in a few hours ago, and we wanted to surprise you!” Owen said.
    I looked at my watch. “A few hours ago?”
    â€œWell,” Owen explained, “we decided to get some food first.”
    â€œAnd some drinks, it would seem,” I said, smiling. “I am so happy to see you guys, you have no idea.”
    Owen knit his brows in confusion, and I promised to explain later. Other than the furrowed brow, he looked exactly the same—sweet and comforting as a puppy dog. I threw my arms around him in an enormous, grateful hug. Then I hugged Flynn, who smelled of wine, smoke, and Froot Loops.
    â€œWhat have you done to yourself?” I said, running my hand along Flynn’s scalp. He had shorn all his gorgeous, raven-colored hair so he was nearly bald and a little scary-looking.
    â€œWhat? You don’t like it?” he said.
    â€œIt’s . . . different,” I said, taking a few moments to assess his new look. “So what was your plan then? To scale the walls of the school and break into my dorm room?”
    â€œActually,” Owen said, “we were waiting at the gate for the last half hour, hoping someone would come along. But then Flynn had to . . .”
    â€œTake a piss,” Flynn said.
    â€œThank you,” Owen said. “I was trying to be polite, but yes, we were looking for a place for Flynn to relieve himself with a little more dignity than this alley.”
    Flynn’s face looked pained. “We didn’t find it.”
    I laughed. “Okay. If I can find my keys, I can sneak you guys into my room. Wait till you see it; it’s gorgeous!”
    My keys had fallen to the very bottom of my purse, which I rarely carried. I’d have to find a better spot for them from now on, especially if I was going to make these late nights a habit. We tromped up the five flights of stairs, and Flynn was practically gasping by the time we reached my room. He quickly found his way to the bathroom.
    â€œWow, you weren’t kidding,” Owen said, checking out my new digs. “This room is amazing!”
    â€œAnd check out the view.” I walked him over to the window and pushed it open to reveal the night sky.
    â€œWow. This is ridiculous, Emma,” he said. “I feel like I should shout something over the rooftops. Bonjour, Pa-ree!”
    I peered down at the street and saw what seemed to be a red scarf, tied around the gate. I clutched my neck and realized my scarf was missing. It must have fallen off while I’d made my crazed dash down the alley.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Owen asked, seeing my worried look.
    â€œNothing. Just . . . when I was coming home tonight, I thought someone was following me.” Then I explained about my scarf.
    â€œWhy were you on your own?” he asked. “Where’s Elise?”
    â€œOh, you know Elise,” I said, trying to sound casual. I didn’t want Owen getting jealous. “That girl loves the nightlife.”
    â€œWho’s she out with?” he said, his voice a little edgy.
    â€œJust