Page 71 of Fire of the Fox

He nodded, warmth tugging at his mouth again. He glanced over my shoulder at the dorm, then back at me. His gaze was searching, like he was looking for a reason to not leave yet, either. Part of me so badly wanted to lean across the console and claim his mouth again, but the other part knew better.

Doubt and insecurity made me wonder if the kiss on the boat was a lapse in judgment on his part. Who knew how long it had been since his last hook up. He could’ve been taking the chance to fulfill some of those urges. I knew he wanted me physically, but I couldn’t be as sure when it came to him wanting me on a deeper level. As much as I wanted to give in to the temptation to stay with him, I knew it was best to leave. I needed to regroup with myself and evaluate how I was feeling after tonight. He probably needed to do the same.

With a final goodbye, and sadly no kiss, I climbed out. He waved, and I returned the gesture before heading to the dorm. My entire body buzzed with the need to turn back around and run toward him, but I kept that desire in check.

Smiling like a fool, I pulled open the front doors to the dorm as my phone buzzed in my back pocket. I dug it out as I glanced through the door’s glass to see if Rune was still out there. He was pulling away from the curb, and the happiness I felt only spread further until I was bathed in its glow from head to toe. He had waited until I made it all the way inside before leaving.

Feeling on top of the world, I finally looked at my phone to read the text. My mood instantly soured at the name lighting up the screen.

Dax.

I scoffed, reading his text.

We need 2 talk. Im a dick. I want 2 make things right btwn us. Meet me @ the creek u luv behind ur dorm. I got donuts - ur fav & made a picnic.

Donuts. It was almost laughable how little he truly paid attention.

I didn’t want to deal with Dax and his drama, but if I knew anything about Dax, it was that he would keep bugging me until we finally put an end to whatever was going on. I had to put him in his place and explain to him in clear terms that I wanted nothing to do with him anymore. Any chance we’d had at reconciling went out the window when he grabbed me like I was his property, something I’d definitely make him pay for tonight should he cross any boundaries again. I wasn’t weak anymore, and I could take care of myself without fear of him.

Turning on my heel, I went back out the way I came and made my way into the trees behind campus. I was quickly becoming frustrated with how this perfect night was turning out, and my footing turned sloppy as I stomped through the dark woods. After nearly face-planting over a fallen tree limb, I forced myself to stop and take a calming breath. I didn’t need to go into this with a mind clouded with anger. That wouldn’t solve anything. Dax and I could talk like mature adults and resolve this civilly over donuts.

While I worked to calm my boiling rage, I started to notice how dark the woods were. Moonlight barely broke through the treetops, making everything eerie shades of black and gray.

Swallowing hard, I remembered Rune’s warning.

Don’t go anywhere by yourself in the dark.

I was already halfway to the creek where Dax should be waiting, which meant I wouldn’t be alone soon enough. Even so, to be smart about this, I decided I’d better call Rune to have someone aware of my location in case something happened.

I dialed his number, and it had just started to ring when the shadows in front of me began to shift. Coming to an abrupt stop, I swallowed hard and glanced down at the screen of my phone. It said we were two seconds into the call.

He had answered.

Looking back up at the shadow that now looked like a man, I slipped my phone into my back pocket with the mouthpiece up and said a silent prayer that Rune could hear. It was risky to stay here with Jonah alone, but this also gave me a chance to get the answers I’d been seeking. It was an overdue confrontation, and should it take a turn for the worse, Rune would have the information he needed to get here.

My eyes narrowed on the Fae. “Jonah.”

He laughed, the sound deep and ominous. “Bria. Fancy running into you here.”

My heart was racing, and I fought against the terror that was threatening to take over. I wouldn’t get scared. I had to be strong and stay smart so that I could get my explanations.

Swallowing my fear, I asked, “What are you doing in the woods behind my dorm?”

There. Now Rune knew where I was should I need help. At least he would if the call was still going. Too bad I couldn’t whip my phone out to check.

“I told you I’d be coming back. You should’ve expected me sooner or later,” Jonah said.

“Oh yeah. I’ve been super excited. Figured we could watch movies and make friendship bracelets together.”

He glared at me. “Your sarcasm isn’t cute.”

“Neither are you, yet you keep showing up.”

Smirking, he nodded. “I do. It’s because I have something I need to do, and it starts with this.”

I didn’t even see him move. One second, he was fifteen feet away, and the next he was right in front of me, swinging his arm fast and hard. His fist cracked into my cheek, and the force of the blow sent me crashing to the ground. Pain erupted in my cheek, and I cried out from the searing heat that exploded there. The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth. I glared up at him as he towered over me, and the jerk actually threw his head back and laughed.

Fighting through the pain, I pushed myself onto my hands, ready to fight this bastard, but he moved too quickly for my eyes to track again. He kicked my hands out from under me, and the loss of support knocked me back down. My head smacked on a rock that jutted up from the earth, sending a wave of dizziness rushing through me. Something warm trickled down the side of my face.

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