Page 29 of The Reign of Blood

“Measly mage? You’re bullshitting me. I heard it was some hot god of a mage who let you win.”

Her jaw drops as her eyes search mine, and I hope like hell she can sense the humor.

“That hot god of a mage definitely didn’t let me win. He fucking wishes he did, but he’s not that lucky.”

I nod, my grin splitting my face so wide my cheekbones start to ache. “Hot god of a mage, huh?” I wag my brows as she gapes at me.

“I was just repeating your words,” she grumbles, folding her arms over her chest as she turns her attention back to the front of the room.

“You can’t take them back now, Dagger,” I push, leaning closer.

“Whatever you say, Brody.”

“No. No. No. It’s ‘hot god of a mage’ from now on,” I insist, and she smirks.

“It’s not.”

“You’re going to hurt my feelings.” I pout, and she turns to look at me with her eyebrows raised.

“Like I already hurt your pride?”

Oh, she’s sassy today. I like it.

“My pride might have been hurt, but my dick was?—”

“Are you done, Mr. Orenda, or are we all going to have to hear about your genitals?” the professor asks, interrupting me, and the class falls into a fit of giggles. It seems I’m on top form with amusing everyone today.

I part my lips, ready to give the all-clear to get on with class, my genitals can wait, but a drill siren rings out, halting me.

“It looks like you’re saved by the bell, Mr. Orenda. Everyone, please proceed to your homerooms. It seems the dean has an announcement to make.”

13

ADRIANNA

“What’s going on?” Flora murmurs as she steps up beside me, and we follow everyone out of the classroom.

“I have no idea,” I admit with a shrug.

I say that, but my stomach is churning, clenched so tight it makes me want to drop to my knees. Something isn’t okay, and fuck only knows it’s going to end up having something to do with me.

Today has felt less eventful than I envisioned it would be. Yes, Vallie has made her usual appearance, and I had the pleasure of dropping Brody to the mat and hearing the sweet sound of him submitting, but that stuff feels naturally par for the course at this stage.

The dean, however, has me concerned.

I’ve lasted this long without Cassian, Raiden, Kryll, or Brody telling someone my big secret, which still doesn’t make sense to me, but that doesn’t mean someone else hasn’t.

Taking a deep breath, I try to keep my body calm and relaxed, but nobody would notice otherwise since they’re all bundled up in small groups murmuring over what it could be. Maybe it’s something to do with the trials or the ball coming up. Maybe I’m just overreacting.

Hopefully, that’s the case.

Stepping into our homeroom, I notice the projector is set up again, just like the last time the dean had some news to share with everyone. I take my seat, my spine stiff as I sit tall in my chair. A beat passes before I’m flanked by Brody and Kryll, who take their spots on either side of me. Raiden peers over his shoulder at me for a brief moment before he faces the front. I can’t tell what that look was, and a part of me doesn’t want to find out.

“What do you think it is, Dagger?” Brody asks, raising an eyebrow at me, and I shrug.

“Nothing is predictable at this place,” I mumble, lacing my fingers together in my lap as he smirks.

“Maybe they want us to go another round in combat class at lunchtime so I can even the score,” he replies, his smirk turning wicked as his eyes darken.

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