Zodiac Academy 2: Ruthless Fae

I HADN’T SEEN either Lionel or Darius since my return to the party and I was hoping that would continue to be the case until we could get out of here.

I skirted the edges of the ballroom, sipping from a glass of champagne and trying to avoid attention. It was a little easier to do while Darcy was nowhere to be seen; one Vega Twin alone could pass as just another girl at a fancy party.

“You don’t look like you’re having much fun,” Caleb murmured in my ear and I flinched as I turned to find him standing beside me.

Damn sneaky, speedy Vampire.

“I’m getting the distinct impression that Fae just don’t know how to party,” I said, faking a yawn which turned real half way through.

“I’m sure I can liven things up for you,” he purred.

“I’ve already had that offer from one of your friends and it ended with his psycho father laying into me. So I think I’ll pass.” I started to walk away but Caleb caught my arm and pulled me towards him.

“Sorry sweetheart, but your little reprieve from our arrangement has come to an end,” he said with a smirk which revealed his growing fangs.

I opened my mouth to protest but he whirled me around, using his Vampire speed to move us until he had me pressed against the wall in a shadowy corner.

He brushed my hair away from my neck gently and leaned in without any further hesitation.

“Wait,” I breathed, my heart pumping a little faster from his proximity.

He hesitated an inch from my flesh. “Why?”

“Because… this is too easy,” I said, thinking quickly.

Caleb laughed, his breath dancing over my skin. “Why would I have any complaints about that?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be a big, bad predator? Wouldn’t you prefer to work for your meal?” My mind was whirling with an idea which might be a little insane but also just might result in me keeping all of my blood and power in my body tonight.

“Go on,” he offered, inching back so that he could look down at me, interest lighting his navy blue eyes.

I placed my palm on his chest to hold him away. “Let’s make it a game. I’ll run from you and hide. If you can’t find me within fifteen minutes you don’t bite me tonight.”

A smile hooked at his lips. “But I could just bite you right now,” he said. “What else do I get for winning your game?”

“Are you afraid you’ll lose?” I taunted.

His eyes flashed and I knew I’d hit the right button with that one. Of course he wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to prove himself able to beat me in another way.

“You’re just delaying the inevitable,” he teased.

“We’ll see. But you can’t use your Vampire speed,” I added, prodding him in the chest.

“Alright,” he said with a grin. “No Vampire speed.”

“I get a two minute head start.”

Caleb’s smile widened and I couldn’t help but smile back. The champagne was buzzing in my veins and my magic was sizzling with the excitement of this game. He was probably going to catch me anyway but at least this way I had a chance to escape.

Besides, I had some tricks of my own up my sleeve which he didn’t know about. I’d been slinking through the shadows and hiding from the cops for years; finding me wouldn’t be an easy task.

“What are you waiting for then?” Caleb asked, stepping back to release me from the prison of his arms. “Run.”

My heart leapt with excitement and a laugh escaped my lips as I turned and sprinted out of the room, ignoring the few party goers who noticed me. My stilettos clicked loudly on the marble floor so I paused for half a second to pull them off and carried them as I fled.

I ran down several long corridors and found myself back by the huge door which led out to the cool night air and the grounds beyond. I took a step that way then paused. That was where he’d expect me to go. I glanced up at the wide stairwell which curved away to my right. Sneaking around the private rooms of Daddy Acrux’s house was probably a terrible idea but there was a good chance Caleb would think I’d be too chicken-shit to do it.

With a surge of madness I turned right and pounded up the stairs. My hand landed on the golden bannister as I hauled myself up and up faster. I fisted my long skirt in my hand and turned left at the top of the stairs, heading down the corridor we’d taken earlier to meet with the Celestial Council.

I took a left, hit a dead end, whirled around then took a right instead. I kept running, winding through hallways at random before snatching at a door handle and pulling it wide.

I found a huge office awaiting me, the scent of smoke and hard liquor hanging in the air. I hesitated and for a moment I was sure I could hear footsteps coming this way from somewhere out in the corridors.

I quickly pulled the door shut behind me and scampered into the room. Another door stood ajar in the far corner and I ducked my head inside but only found a little closet stacked high with old, leather bound books. They had titles like Beating the Acursed, Advanced Predictive Charting and Binding a Strong Will.

I backed up and the sound of footsteps reached me from beyond the door.

My breath caught in my chest and I scrambled back across the wide room before ducking under the huge oak desk.

My heart raced as I pressed my back to the underside of the desk and heavy footsteps entered the room.

I bit my lip as adrenaline surged through my veins, sinking deeper into the space beneath the desk and willing my thundering heart to slow.

The footsteps drew closer and I fell deathly still as I spotted a pair of legs clad in a deep blue suit. That wasn’t Caleb; it was Lionel Acrux and if he discovered me here I would have a lot of explaining to do.

He took a seat in the wing backed chair behind the desk and I shrank aside as he crossed his ankles three inches from my hiding place. The sound of him cracking his knuckles broke the silence and he let out a huff of irritation.

“Is it done?” he asked suddenly and it took me a moment to realise he was on the phone. “No. I don’t want excuses on this, if you’re not capable of executing the plan then there are plenty of people ready to take your place. I’ve already had to deal with a disrespectful Heir tonight and I warn you I’m in no mood to tolerate further failure.”

In the silence that followed, I could just hear the tinny voice of someone replying but I couldn’t make out any of the words or even whether it was a man or a woman on the other end.

“I trust you to see to this as a matter of priority,” he snarled. “Contact me the moment you’ve got something productive to tell me. And don’t keep me waiting long unless you want to feel the wrath of my Dragon Fire.”

Something slammed into the desk above my head and I flinched, my heart jolting violently.

Lionel released a long sigh laced with a growl before getting to his feet again.

I didn’t move. I didn’t even dare to breathe as he prowled around his desk and headed for the door.

He hesitated on the threshold like he sensed something wasn’t as it should be and a shiver of fear fled along my spine.

Lionel left, pulling the door closed with a sharp snap and I finally released my bottom lip from its hold between my teeth. I’d bitten down hard enough to draw blood and the metallic taste of it filled my mouth.

I inched along, meaning to get the hell out of there but the door opened again, this time remaining open as someone else stalked in.

I leaned forward to get a look out from beneath the desk and relief filled me as I recognised Caleb’s black tux and polished black shoes.

“One minute to go,” he murmured and I stilled. “You almost got away.”

My heart pounded in response to his words. Did he really know he’d tracked me down? Or was he just hoping that he had?

Magic tingled through my fingers as I considered my options. If I really only had to escape him for one more minute then I should probably run for it. I was fast and without his Vampire speed I could probably outpace him for long enough to win this game.

Caleb moved around the desk to the back of the room and I shifted forward on my hands and knees. The door was in sight but I’d lose a few precious seconds as I got to my feet.

At the far end of the room, the door that led into the little library space still stood ajar. I called on my air magic and sent a gust of wind towards it.

The door closed with a sharp snap and I leapt to my feet as Caleb was distracted. I ran for the exit and raced out into the corridor.

Caleb laughed as he took chase and I couldn’t help but laugh too.

I shot down the long corridor, the marble floor cold against my bare feet. I could hear him gaining on me and I threw a glance over my shoulder.

“No cheating!” I cried as I spotted his lengthening fangs.

He laughed as he ran faster but he didn’t use his Vampire speed.

I rounded a corner and grabbed the closest door handle, wrenching it open as I tumbled inside. I found myself in a small room with a round mahogany table at the heart of it. Decks of cards and gambling chips were stacked neatly in the centre of it and four chairs were tucked beneath it.

I ran to the far side of the table, putting it between me and the door just as Caleb burst in.

He was smiling widely, his golden hair a mess of curls which caught the light from the corridor outside as he stalked towards me in the darkened space.

“Got you, sweetheart,” he announced, pausing on the opposite side of the table.

“Not quite,” I countered. I placed my free hand on the back of the closest chair, still holding my stilettos in the other. “And you’re almost out of time.”

Caleb smirked as he took a step to the left and I shadowed him, keeping the table between us.

He laughed darkly and my heart thudded in response.

“I almost couldn’t find you,” he said and I could tell he was surprised by that. Each time he took a step to circle the table I mirrored it to keep him away.

“Next time you won’t,” I said confidently. “This house is stupidly big. I took a wrong turn.”

Caleb moved left again and so did I. I was getting closer to the door and I couldn’t help but glance at it. Caleb noticed.

“You’re not running again,” he growled before pouncing up onto the table.

I shrieked, stumbling backwards as he leapt towards me. I threw my shoes at him and they bounced off of his chest making him pause in surprise. He barked a laugh then lunged at me, faster than was humanly possible.

He caught my waist and I squealed as he pushed me back against a heavy bookcase which stood along the wall. My hands landed on his shoulders like I was going to push him off of me but I didn’t.

“Cheat,” I breathed as my heart pounded.

“Only a little,” he admitted.

Before I could say anything else, he leaned forward and kissed me. My heart leapt, my skin tingled and my traitorous body gave in to his demand. I was supposed to hate him. I was supposed to be shoving him off of me and slapping him and telling him to stay the hell away from me.

I definitely shouldn’t have been pulling him closer, my hands fisting in the material of his shirt, my lips parting to admit his tongue.

I could still taste blood from where I’d bitten my lip and he obviously could too, a groan of desire escaping him as I felt a soft tug on my magic from the welt on my lip.

Why am I always a sucker for the bad guys? And why does it always feel so good?

The heat of his kiss lit me up and I gave up on any thoughts of pushing him away. It wasn’t like I was giving him my heart anyway. Just a kiss… or maybe two…

Caleb’s hands slid into my hair and I arched my back, pressing my body against his.

His grip tightened in my hair and he dragged my head backwards, breaking our kiss as he moved his mouth down my neck, teasing with the idea of biting me, his fangs flirting with my flesh.

My body was alight with his proximity and I moaned, urging him on. I didn’t want this to stop even if I really should have.

Caleb withdrew just enough to look into my eyes and the heat I saw in his gaze made my toes curl.

“You wanna play another game, sweetheart?” he asked, his voice deep.

“What do I get if I win?” I breathed.

“I think this game will have two winners,” he promised.

My gaze roamed over his face hungrily but then I glanced at the open door. This really wasn’t the best place for us to be making out… or doing anything else either.

“I can sort that,” he said, taking one hand off of me and casting magic at the door. A long vine curled across the carpet before pushing the door closed and winding itself around the handle to lock it. An orb of orange light flickered into existence overhead as we were plunged into darkness, casting shadows over his stunning features. He aimed his palm at the ceiling next and I felt a wave of magic wash over me. “Silencing bubble, so we don’t have to hold back,” he explained.

I looked into his eyes, wondering if I was really going to do this with him. Heat was curling its way through my body, lighting me up with desire for this beast before me and I decided to act on it before I had the chance to question my decision.

I caught his mouth with mine and shifted my hands to start unhooking his shirt buttons.

I could feel him grinning as he kissed me harder, driving me back against the bookshelf and shoving his knee between my thighs.

I pushed his shirt off of his broad shoulders and looked at the perfection of his muscular torso for a moment, running my hands down his chest.

He drove me back against the shelf more firmly, kissing me again. I devoured the taste of him, his hands sliding over my breasts through the thin material of my dress and making my nipples harden in response.

I placed my palms on his chest and pushed him back, propelling him around so that he was pressed against the shelf instead of me and a dark laugh left him.

“Do you wanna be in charge, sweetheart?”

“Well, I am more powerful than you,” I teased.

His eyes lit with the challenge in my tone as I took a few steps back and pulled on the knot at the back of my neck. My dress fell from my body like a spill of oil and pooled at my feet, leaving me in nothing but my black panties.

“Holy shit, Tory.” He gazed at me hungrily and I stepped back again biting on my bottom lip as I looked at him.

“Take your pants off,” I commanded.

Caleb’s smile deepened and he held my eye as he kicked his shoes off and unhooked his belt. I twisted my fingers through my hair as I watched him, my pulse rising as he revealed more of his muscular body to me.

When he was down to his navy boxers, he advanced on me again.

I smiled, backing up as he stalked towards me until the backs on my thighs met with the games table.

He was upon me in a heartbeat, his hands gripping my thighs as he lifted me up and sat me on the table. His mouth pressed to my throat, stubble grazing across my skin in the most delicious way.

His kisses moved lower, passing over my collar bone before making it to the swell of my breast. His mouth landed on my nipple, his tongue flicking against it and making me moan in pleasure. His hand found my other breast while he spread his other palm across my lower back to hold me in place.

I locked my ankles around him, pulling him closer so that I could feel the full length of his arousal grinding against me through the lacy fabric of my panties.

His mouth found mine again and I pushed my fingers into his golden curls as my breasts skimmed against the firm lines of his muscular chest.

My muscles were tightening, my heart pounding and my body aching for more of him.

I grazed my fingertips down his chest, feeling every ridge of his abdomen before reaching the waistband of his boxers.

I pushed my hand beneath the soft material and wrapped my fingers around the hard length of him.

Caleb groaned against my lips as I began to move my hand up and down, a tingle running along my spine as I felt just how much my touch affected him.

His hands made it to the sides of my panties and he peeled them down as his heavy breathing broke our kiss. I lifted my ass to let him remove them and he stepped back, forcing my hand off of him as he tossed my underwear aside.

I watched as he pushed his boxers off revealing every inch of him and my mouth dried up with desire.

He shot forward with his Vampire speed, scooping me up and moving me backwards as he lay me beneath him on the games table. Poker chips and cards scattered all around us and a surprised laugh left my lips.

He grinned as he kissed me again, hard enough to bruise my lips but still not enough to tame my desire.

My hands explored the curve of his shoulders and I arched my back off of the table so that my nipples skimmed his flesh.

Caleb shifted, moving between my legs, our kiss breaking for the briefest moment as he looked into my eyes and pushed himself inside me.

A moan of pleasure escaped me as he filled me and I tipped my head back, my eyes falling closed as I absorbed the feeling of his body merging with mine.

“Fuck,” Caleb breathed as he started to move, slowly at first but building in speed as I urged him on.

My nails were digging into his shoulders and I was glad that he’d cast the silencing spell because I was making enough noise to be heard in the party downstairs.

Caleb kissed me again then pulled back, pressing his palms to the table on either side of my head as he looked down at me. I reached out between us, exploring his chest with my hands for a moment before he snatched them into his grasp and pinned them above my head.

I writhed beneath him as he smiled darkly and increased his pace, pushing me towards the edge.

My body flexed and tightened beneath him, my back arching as he drove me on and I cried out as he wrung a wave of pleasure from my flesh.

He slowed down a little as I caught my breath, releasing my wrists and kissing my neck.

I panted beneath him for a moment before rearing up and rolling him beneath me so that I could sit on top of him instead.

Caleb groaned with desire as he looked up at me and I changed the pace again, riding him towards his climax.

One of hands reached out to caress my breast while he pushed his other thumb down on the spot at the apex of my thighs, exactly where I wanted him.

I tipped my head back, my hair brushing along my spine as my muscles began to tighten around him again.

I could feel him losing control too and I bit my lip as I moved a little faster.

Pleasure rode through my body and I cried out just as he came apart beneath me, my name spilling from his lips. I collapsed forward onto his chest and lay panting in his strong arms for several long seconds as he trailed his fingers through my hair.

“You don’t know how much I’ve been wanting to do that,” Caleb breathed in my ear and I smiled as I turned to press a brief kiss to his lips.

“I think you made it pretty clear,” I teased.

I climbed off of him and retrieved my clothes from the floor, pulling them back on again as Caleb followed me and did the same.

He kept his eyes on me as he pulled his pants back on and moved forward to retie my dress again for me, his fingertips brushing across my neck and sending a shiver along my sensitised skin.

He buckled his belt and located his shirt while I ran my fingers through my hair in an attempt to tame it. Caleb waved a hand through the air and I felt the silencing spell dissolve around us.

I pushed my feet back into my stilettos and we stood looking at each other with our clothes back on and a secret between us.

“I like playing games with you, Tory,” Caleb said as he moved towards me.

“I didn’t entirely hate it,” I admitted. “Sorry I’m not more… horsey,” I added with a smirk, unable to help myself.

“That fucking rumour,” he growled, but there wasn’t really any anger in his tone after what we’d just done.

“I heard you like it when they shove their horn up your-”

“Shut up. I just showed you exactly what I like.” He snorted a laugh. 

“Mmm… Maybe I’ll let you show me it again some time.”

Caleb’s eyes twinkled with amusement and he caught my cheek in his large hand, kissing me again. There wasn’t as much heat in it but it still made me feel a little weak at the knees. Maybe making nice with one of the Heirs wasn’t the worst choice I’d ever made.

“Caleb?” a harsh voice came from the doorway beside us and fear darted through me as I pulled away from Caleb in surprise. 

Darius stood in the hall, the vine which had secured the door burned to a crisp on the ground from his magic. He was scowling at the two of us and seemed even more intimidating than usual. His gaze took in the cards and poker chips all over the floor alongside the less than perfect state of my hair and I was endlessly grateful that he hadn’t turned up five minutes ago.

Caleb didn’t release his hold on me but turned to look at the other Heir with a hint of irritation in his gaze.

“I’m busy,” he said flatly, a clear demand for Darius to leave.

“My father and the other Councillors want to speak to all of the Heirs before we leave. They sent me to look for you,” Darius said, ignoring his friend’s irritation. “Your sister and Lance are already waiting outside for you,” he added to me, his tone dismissive.

Caleb sighed and turned back to look at me but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Darius. He looked my way, meeting my eyes and I almost flinched from the anger I found there.

“I haven’t finished yet,” Caleb said, his eyes roaming over me but I was still trapped in Darius’s gaze.

“Well stop playing with your food and get on with it,” Darius demanded.

Caleb growled in response to the command but he leaned in to brush his mouth against my neck. I didn’t bother to try and fight him off but I released my hold on his shirt so I was no longer pulling him towards me.

“We can pick this up later, sweetheart,” Caleb murmured. “But I need my strength if I’ve gotta face the Councillors.” His teeth slid into my neck, and his hand pushed into my hair as he held me in place.

The strange sucking sensation pulled at my gut as he tapped into the well of power that lay within me, drawing it into himself.

Darius’s gaze stayed fixed on us the entire time and I couldn’t help but look back at him. His eyes were like two burning pits of rage and I wondered briefly if Caleb was breaking some rule of theirs by being less than awful to me.

Caleb withdrew his fangs from my skin and brushed his fingers over the wound, healing it for me. I looked up at him in surprise and he smiled ruefully.

“See you downstairs, sweetheart,” he murmured, leaning forward like he was going to kiss me again.

I ducked aside with a taunting grin. “Not if I see you first,” I warned playfully.

He chuckled darkly. “I look forward to catching you again then.”

Caleb moved to join Darius and the two of them turned and walked away down the corridor without another glance at me.

“What the hell was that about?” Darius asked him in an undertone.

“Lighten up, Darius. We were just playing a game. And you have to admit I got a damn hot prize for winning it.”

Darius grunted in response and the two of them turned a corner, leaving me alone.

I turned the other way and headed back towards the stairs to find Darcy and get the hell away from the Acrux Manor. Hooking up with Caleb Altair had not been on my list of things to do tonight but it hadn’t been the worst thing I’d ever done either.

I tried to wipe the smirk from my face as I remembered the way his hands had felt on my body and navigated my way back through the sprawling manor. The place was seriously massive and I hadn’t realised quite how far I’d run in my bid to escape from Caleb. I took a few wrong turns before finally finding the stairs and heading down to the huge door that led outside.

Darcy and Orion were standing out on the gravel drive, looking in opposite directions to each other.

“Hey,” I called as I moved to join them, wrapping my arms around myself against the chill of the evening.

Darcy glanced at Orion then hurried toward me with a taut expression. I raised a questioning eyebrow at her and her cheeks heated a little in response.

“Where have you been?” she asked, eyeing my hair with her mystical twin senses tingling.

“Oh, I erm-”

“With who?” she demanded, her eyes widening.

I glanced at Orion awkwardly and he rolled his eyes before stalking away from us further down the drive.

“It’s not a big deal,” I said as Darcy waited for her answer expectantly. “Seriously, it was just a bit of fun.”

“Well I’m guessing this bit of fun has a name,” she teased.

I sighed in defeat, ready to admit to yet another Tory’s bad choice in men moment. “Caleb.”

Orion turned to look back at me with a raised eyebrow and I cursed his damn Vampire ears. I should have realised he’d still be listening in. Nosey asshole.

“But Tory, he’s an Heir!” Darcy spluttered before she could stop herself.

I dropped my eyes guiltily and she quickly reined in the saucer eyes and battered down the judgement.

“I mean, I get it, he’s stupidly hot and everything,” she hedged quickly. “I’m just worried about you. What if he’s up to something?”

I snorted a laugh. “Don’t worry about it Darcy, I’m not falling for him. It was just a mutually beneficial moment of madness.”

“Okay, good,” she said with relief. Then her eyes sparkled with mischief as she dropped her voice. “So how was it?”

Orion cleared his throat and I scowled at him.

“I’ll tell you later when there are less nosey Vampires using their bat ears around us,” I said.

Darcy giggled in response, looking over at Orion who didn’t even bother to pretend he hadn’t been listening to us.

We were interrupted as the four Heirs spilled out of the house and I looked around to find Caleb smirking at me. I returned his smile for the briefest of moments before looking back at my sister.

“Can I have a word for a moment, Roxy?” Darius asked as he drew closer to us. The other Heirs kept going and they moved past us to join Orion as he started walking further down the drive.

Darcy looked between us uncertainly and I gave her a reassuring smile before she hurried after the others.

“So?” I asked, unsure whether he was pissed at me or not. It was nearly midnight after all so his nice guy act was about to go pop.

He took my hand and pulled my arm around his as he glanced back at the manor. He started walking, drawing me along with him and I let him as curiosity prickled at me.

“You shouldn’t have spoken to my father the way you did,” he said slowly and I geared myself up to go on the defensive.

“Well he didn’t really give me much choice.”

“What was it you called him again?” he asked.

“Ummm, I don’t really recall…”

“I think you said something about an oversized iguana,” he prompted and I snorted a laugh.

Darius tried to resist laughing too but he couldn’t really hide his smile.

“You’re lucky he didn’t kill you for that. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone insult him in all my life,” he added.

“Well, maybe they don’t… to his face,” I hedged and his smile widened for a moment before falling back into a frown.

Darius slowed me down before we could get any closer to the others who were waiting by a huge water fountain which stood beyond the drive. I glanced up at him and the look in his eyes pulled me up short as he gripped my arm tighter.

“Don’t ever do anything like that again though,” he warned. “I diverted his attention this time but he won’t ever take that kind of attitude from you a second time.”

I wanted to make some snide comment but he was looking at me so intensely that I only nodded. I had no intention of ever seeing Lionel Acrux again anyway. I certainly wouldn’t be accepting anymore invitations from him.

He stared at me for a long moment as if he was trying to figure me out and I dropped my eyes before he could. I didn’t want Darius Acrux in my head. 

My attention snagged on a deep red stain on the sleeve of his pristine white shirt and I pointed it out.

“Are you bleeding?” I asked.

“No,” he replied forcefully before looking down at the offending stain and waving his hand to clear it away with his water magic.

“Well that was obviously blood so-”

“I said no, just drop it,” he snarled.

I flinched back but he didn’t release me and my heart started beating faster.

He sighed heavily and shook his head before letting me go. “Sorry, I just… I’m not bleeding now. It’s not an issue.”

“Okay…” I took a step back, wondering why I was even talking to him. This was the guy who had tormented me for weeks and he was clearly going to snap right back into asshole mode after tonight. But something about this nice version of Darius kept drawing me in despite my reservations.

“Come on, let’s catch up with the others and get back to the Academy,” he urged, offering me his arm again.

The anger which had risen in him a moment ago seemed to have gone so I tentatively accepted his arm and we started walking down the driveway and away from his family.

“Careful,” I teased. “Someone might think we don’t even hate each other if you don’t release me soon.”

We made it to the edge of the pooling light which lit up the front of his house and he drew me into the darkness beyond it.

“I never said I hated you,” he murmured, his voice deep as he tugged me around to face him.

I looked up at his striking face, the moonlight highlighting his strong jaw and pulling my attention to his mouth for a moment.

“Well I really feel sorry for anyone you do hate,” I muttered, pulling my arm out of his grip. He resisted for a moment like he wanted to keep hold of me but gave in when I tugged a little harder.

“The things I’ve done to you… you know it isn’t personal, right?” he asked.

I looked up at him for several long seconds, wondering if he seriously bought into that horse shit or if it was just what he was trying to sell me. I wasn’t really sure what I saw there but I definitely didn’t buy his excuses.

“Is that how you justify it to yourself?” I asked bitterly, our little bubble of peace well and truly burst now that we were standing in the cold air of the night.

Darius hesitated and I gave him an eye roll dramatic enough to fell a small tree. I turned away from him, looking for Orion and the stardust which would take us back to the Academy but his fingers curled around my wrist before I could escape.

“Do you hate me, then?” he asked quietly and for some strange reason it sounded like the idea of that didn’t sit well with him.

I forced myself to reply in a steady tone, holding his eye as I spoke. “No,” I said and a glimmer of relief spilled through his eyes, almost halting me there but I wasn’t quite so blinded by him as to give him a free pass for all his bullshit. “To hate you, I’d have to care about you. And I don’t give one shit about you,” I said coldly.

I shook his hand off of me for the second time and stalked away towards Darcy and Orion. He didn’t follow me and I was glad. Because I had the horrible feeling that that might just have been a lie.