Page 119 of The Cursed Fae

“I. Don’t. Care,” I fired back.

His alarmed expression might’ve been comical if I could’ve seen past the mounting anger. My next words came out quieter, colder.

“It is none of your business when and how I use my magic.” I stopped right in front of him, jabbing a finger in his face. “I am not your concern.”

He slowly eased off Tina’s bed, giving me no choice but to retreat or let his legs bump into mine. I stood my ground. This was my room. He had invaded my space, and I refused to back down.

“Who were you with today, Winter?” he growled.

Magic sparked from my fingertips. “Was I not clear?”

Archer ignored the current of electricity crackling around me like a force field, and my rhetorical question. “Was it Laz?”

“I’m not sure how many—”

“Dammit! Answer me.”.

“He’s helping me!” I screamed. “Something you swore to do—then you didn’t.”

His hands clutched my shoulders, squeezing painfully. “Stay away from him. You need to trust me on his.”

“Trust you? I don’t know you, Archer! You’re just some guy I met in a hallway!”

Someone banged on the door. “Keep it down in there.”

Neither of us responded. My focus remained on him, but he seemed worried. I couldn’t have cared less. Let someone file a noise complaint.

I used the distraction to shake loose from Archer’s grip. His gaze swung back to me, his irises swirling at dizzying speed.

“Just go, okay? I can’t deal with this right now. In a few days, if I don’t make that portal, my best friend will have fangs. And there’s some lunatic running around campus, stealing magic. They killed Missy and hurt Ewan.” Panting between sobs, unsure when I even started crying, I added, “I’ve got more important shit than your feelings to worry about. Please, leave.”

Another knock came from the door, this one more frantic.

“Hey, it’s Astrid. Let me in,” she called from the hallway, a note of panic in her voice.

“Tell her to go away,” Archer snapped, eyes darting between my face and the door.

It was one command too many. I lost it. Hands balled into fists at my sides, I let loose a shriek that could’ve shattered glass.

“Get the fuck out!”

“Winter, I’m coming in,” Laz’s voice shouted.

Archer reached for me, terror in his gaze. “Nicasia, please.”

Time froze. He realized his mistake immediately. Blood rushed to my head as the colored drained from his face.

“Don’t open it. I can explain.”

The wooden frame cracked when Laz shouldered his way inside my room, Astrid on his heels. A crowd of students had gathered in the hallway. Panting heavily, Laz stared at me with wide eyes.

“What’s going on?” he asked.

Wasn’t it obvious?

“Who are you screaming at?” He glanced toward the spot where Archer had been.

I shook my head, confused. “No. He was right there.”

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