Page 64 of Legend

I reared back. “What the hell? No, I’m not fucking one of them, but even if I was, it wouldn’t be any of yourgrekkingbusiness.”

He clenched his teeth and a muscle ticked in the side of his jaw. “You even sound like them now.”

“I don’t know why you’re so angry right now, but this isn’t the Devon I know. This isn’t you, and I’m not going to talk to you when you’re like this.” I turned from him and started to walk briskly down the corridor. Before I could turn the corner, a hand snatched my arm and spun me back around.

“You can’t leave.” Devon looked manic, as he held my arm in a vise-like grip. “I told you I need to talk to you.”

I tried to shake off his hand. “Let go. You’re hurting me.”

He squeezed tighter and pain shot up my arm. “Not until you listen to me.”

Before I could throw a kick, a blur of motion came from around the corner, a massive fist punched through the air, and Devon was knocked onto his ass. I stumbled back and hit something huge and rock-hard, peering up and over my shoulder to see Commander Vyk glowering at the man on the floor.

It took me a moment to realize that he’d knocked him out, and another second to mutter about men being ridiculous, before I stomped away. I needed to be away from all guys, and I needed a drink.

Chapter

Forty-Nine

Vyk

Iopened and closed my fist as I stood over the human captain, seeing red and trying to steady my breath. I tasted blood, but it might have been the metallic scent of it from the flecks of crimson dripping from the human’s mouth. My nostrils flared as I breathed it in, and my heart pounded in response.

The primal beast within me wanted more. I wanted to feel his flesh beneath my fists, hear his bones crunch, watch his blood spill. I wanted to punish him for touching her. I wanted him to beg for forgiveness.

He groaned as he started to stir, rolling his head slowly even though his eyes remained closed. I felt like groaning along with him as the red blurring my vision faded.

This was not good.

I had attacked a guest of the Academy. I had attacked the human envoy sent to pass judgment on the exchange program. I had attacked the very man I had promised not to torment.

I watched the captain move, but I did not offer to help him stand. I did not trust myself. Not after I’d seen him grabbing Fiona. Not after I’d heard the pain in her voice as she’d told him to release her.

He had hurt her, and I regretted nothing. Correction, I regretted not punching him hard enough that he would stay down longer. I was going soft. In my peak form with Inferno Force, one punch would have knocked him out cold for half a day. Still, his jaw was red and would no doubt bruise vividly, even if it was not broken. That would have to be enough. For now.

I gave him a final dismissive glance and stepped over him. I had better things to do than coddle a human who had proven that he was not worthy to be walking the halls of the Drexian school. I needed to find Fiona.

I’d acted so quickly, so impulsively, so instinctively that I had not stopped to think how punching her former colleague might upset her. I’d been blinded by rage that the captain was hurting her and consumed by a possessive fury that he was touching her.

It was unreasonable to think that Fiona was mine. One kiss did not make her mine, but I did not care. I knew in the core of my being that she belonged to me. She belonged by my side. She was mine. And no puny human was going to touch her—ever.

I stopped and pressed one palm against the cool stone wall, sucking in a greedy breath. Where was I? I had stormed through so many passageways that I had to take a moment to get my bearings. The only sound was my ragged breathing and the distant sound of crashing waves.

The Restless Sea.

I was near one of the open-air walkways that connected the towers. I forced myself to continue forward and take halting steps across the walkway as the wind whipped my face.

The cold air sobered me, and I gripped the low stone walls as I dragged in a salty breath and stared across the turbulent surface of the water. The natural forces that surrounded the school—the sea, the mountains, the wind, the storms—were a good reminder of greater things beyond the walls.

I crossed the rest of the way and hesitated at the bottom of the tower. I had not planned to come directly to the female tower, but my feet had taken me there. I did not even know if I would find Fiona in her room, but I needed to try. I needed to explain.

With a burst of resolve, I bounded up the twisting staircase until I reached the landing that held her quarters. I knew which room was hers. I knew who lived in every room. It was my job to know where everyone in the school lived and how to find them. But I had taken special care to remember Fiona’s room.

I didn’t allow myself to linger before knocking, rapping quickly on the heavy door. I waited, almost relieved that she might not be there. I had not rehearsed what I wanted to say, and I had learned that the female was not one you wanted to spar with unless you were well prepared.

“Not here,” I said under my breath, as I turned to leave.

Then I heard the door glide open. “It’s you.”

---