Swear Your Fealty

"You shouldn't read those," a familiar voice said, rousing Violet from her thoughts.

She looked up sharply, startled to see her roommate, Daisy Fairchild, standing beside her bed, her brunette hair still slightly disheveled from sleep. However, Daisy's keen eyes were locked on Violet's screen, her expression completely blank as she peered over at the article.

"Why?" Violet asked, her tone defensive. She clutched her device closer as if shielding it. "Why shouldn't I read them? You think I'm affected by it?"

"Aren't you?" Daisy challenged, one perfectly arched brow raised in skepticism. Her head tilted slightly to the side, giving her an inquisitive, calculating air that unsettled Violet.

There was something about Daisy—the way she spoke, the way she looked at one as if she could see straight into their soul—that always put her on edge. The girl was too smart for her own good.