Finale (Academy of Stardom, #4)

by Bea Paige

Dax narrows his eyes at me. “I might not be York, but I know that look, Kid. What is it?” “I want to be here for Lena, not some stranger she barely knows.” “You are, Pen, but you’re one person and you can’t do it all,” Zayn points out. “That’s my point. I’m going to call Madame Tuillard tomorrow. I’m giving up my spot at the Academy⁠—” For a beat silence descends, then Dax narrows his eyes at me. “The fuck you are!” he exclaims, the sudden fury in his voice making me jump. He strides over to me and grips my shoulders, ducking his head to look me in the eye. “You are not giving up on your dream. No fucking way.” “It doesn’t seem so important anymore,” I counter, telling him a half-truth in the hope he’ll leave it at that. I shrug my shoulders as though it really doesn’t mean anything to me to leave my dream behind when, truthfully, it absolutely does. It fucking kills me, but it’s nothing compared to this feeling I’m carrying with me now. York was right, I do need vengeance. I may not have loved my mother, but Lena did. David’s broken her. Day by day I’ve watched her withdraw into herself, and I want payback.