Page 18 of Vicious Knight

Isabelle is in the middle of telling me about the best restaurants on campus when I spot Thorne walking down the path across from us.

The sudden sight of him makes my nerves scatter, as if little sparks of electricity are dancing beneath my skin.

In the daylight Thorne Ivanov is a million times more handsome and striking than in the moonlight.

He’s the kind of handsome and striking that demands the undivided attention of everyone with eyes. And he gets it.

Every girl within my line of sight is looking at him. With the exception of Isabelle because she’s so focused on what she’s saying to me.

Two other guys walk on either side of Thorne. Both are as tattooed as he is, wearing full black, and exude the same badass vibes that tell you they’re worshiped here.

The tall blond one looks like Thorne, so I assume he must be Caspian.

There’s too much similarity in their faces for him not to be. The other guy has olive skin and Italian features. He has the same tough guy exterior but there’s a touch of humanity in him that makes him look more approachable than either of the Ivanovs.

I’m about to look away when Thorne sees me. His stare is so riveting and commanding I find that I can scarcely breathe, let alone turn my head.

Those piercing eyes bore into me, rooting me to my chair. My nerves become a frazzled mess and my brain turns to gloop.

Isabelle’s light laughter breaks the spell. I look at her and realize she’s watching the obvious silent exchange between Thorne and me with fascination.

“Looks like you already made friends with the big guys.” A sly smirk tips her lips.

“Oh, no.” I quickly glance back at Thorne. He’s moved past us now and the world has started functioning again.

Isabelle’s smile becomes more captivated when I look back at her. “Sure doesn’t look that way to me.”

“Honestly, I’m not friends with any of them. I ran into Thorne last night when I was trying to find the dorm.”

“And what did you think?” Mischief lights up her eyes.

I don’t know her well enough to tell her that Thorne reminded me of a cross between the Joker and Hannibal Lecter. Or that I’m not immune to his looks.

Isabelle leans closer and lowers her voice. “Just to clarify, I think the Ivanovs are all hell spawn.”

I suck in a breath. “Can you say that about them?”

“I just did. I thought that might help you trust me with your answer.” She winks at me and sits back in her chair. “So what did you think, other than the fact that he’s hot?”

“I felt the hell spawn vibe.”

She laughs. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

“I take it you know him from high school too.”

“I do. He was so much worse than he is now. That’s what I hear anyway. I’m not sure I believe it. I think he just has more control and power over the things that interest him. You know, like a psycho when they get a new fixation. It’s never the same as what previously got them going.”

I laugh, unable to help myself. “How do you know that? Do you know many psychos?”

“Unfortunately I do, and I suppose I can admit to spending all my time watching way too many shows like The Mentalist, Law and Order and NCIS.”

I continue laughing. “I like those shows too.”

“Then you’ll know what I mean. The Ivanovs are all bad news. It’s entirely up to you but I’d give Thorne a miss. They call him the crazy one and he has no end of girls chasing him.”

“Believe me I have no desire to get mixed up with a crazy playboy.” Not that I’d have a chance, even with his offer to show me his dick piercing.

“Good. I had a friend who was completely in love with him. He did not let her down gently. You saw Carrie, right?”

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