Page 23 of The Reign of Blood

“So much.” I scoff. There’s so much, it’s ridiculous. The concern on her face is instant, and before I can think better of it, I place my hand over hers as we head downstairs. “If you have time to schedule in some ofThe Officesoon, I’ll catch you up to speed.”

“You’re on,” she replies with a grin, and my gut twists.

I need to decide how much sharing I’m open to, but it might be good for me to get some of it off my chest. Especially to someone who hasn’t been a total ass to me since I got here.

As if sensing my thoughts, one of them appears on the pathway as we step outside of the fae building.

Auburn hair shimmers in the sunlight and black ink flashes across any exposed skin that you can see. His gaze snaps to mine instantly and I sigh, despite the desire to take a moment and openly stare at him.

“Are dining hall escorts becoming a thing now, Kryll?” I cock my head at him, my eyebrows raised, and he simply shrugs in response.

“It’s possible,” he offers, and I shake my head in disbelief, moving to walk around him.

“I’m good, but thanks.” I’m not thankful, not even a little bit, but the urge to dole out sarcasm is too strong.

Before I can completely escape him, his hand falls to my arm, just as Flora’s had done a moment ago. I glare down at the connection, eager to use my magic, but instead, I sink my teeth into my bottom lip and tilt my gaze to his.

If I keep reacting with anger every time someone comes near me, I’m going to look like the troublemaker, and I’m still adamant that’s not the case. I solve everything with actions, not words, but that doesn’t always look good from the spectator’s point of view.

“In what way do you meanyou’re good? Because if you meanyou’re good, as in ‘you can walk your sweet ass to the right table without prompt,’ then I’m going to possibly high-five you like a good girl. However, if you meanyou’re good, as in ‘you’re going to sit elsewhere,’ then we’re going to have a problem.”

Blinking at him, I consider my options. Where I sit is truly not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I’ve seen some of the bigger picture that surrounds me now, and I can acknowledge the error of my ways when it comes to worrying over shit that really doesn’t matter. If sitting with them gives me a little reprieve, then I’ll take it.

I’m here to be a leader, to own my birthright. Part of that means sometimes being civil to others even though you want to throttle them. They may see it as me falling in line, taking their command, but more fool them because that’s far from the truth.

“I’ll meet you there, Kryll. At the table I’m summoned to,” I state, my tone placid as I pull my arm from his grasp. He nods, a smirk touching the corner of his mouth, before he strolls off without a backward glance.

Hmm.

I remain frozen in place until Flora nudges me with her arm. Shaking my head, I fall into step with her and Arlo and follow after the shifter that has left me puzzled.

There was no further manhandling, no dizziness from being transported against my will, no anything. He listened, took me at my word, and now, I get to escort myself. The fact leaves me more lightheaded than the quick transport would have.

I remain quiet as we head into the academy building; only the mutters and clattering of the other students in the dining hall pull me from my thoughts. My gaze drifts toward the table in question as I head toward the food. Four sets of eyes peer in my direction, and although a part of me wants to turn and hide from their stares, I opt to look right back at them without faltering.

Hoping to appear as though I’m refusing to waver under their presence, I take the opportunity to see them properly.

Kryll, the surprisingly relenting shifter, has his blue cloak swept to one side. His muscles bulge beneath the black t-shirt molded to him beneath it as black swirls mark his skin. The cut of his jaw is tighter than it was earlier by the fae building. I don’t know whether it’s a public show of the harsher side to him, but that just seems ridiculous. Whatever side he shows the campus is exactly what he shows me, right?

Raiden sits beside him, his face now turned away from me. His back is ramrod straight, making the vampire’s red cloak hang effortlessly off his shoulders. His dark hair is styled to perfection, and even with only a slight view of his side profile, I can see that his nostrils are flared and his lips are pressed into a firm line. I don’t know what has him so pissed off, but he’s irritated for sure. His inability to hide his emotions is almost amusing sometimes.

The purple-cloaked mage across from Kryll smirks at me as my eyes dance over him. He may have gotten a little heavy on Saturday, the conversation taking a different route than usual,but his charm and playfulness still lurk beneath the surface. Does he know about Cassian and me? What would he say about that? It’s not that I didn’t want to fuck him; I just didn’t want the undertone of commitment that came with it. His blond hair and bright blue eyes draw me in, giving me a chance to forget the chaos as his aura of calmness and carefree vibes leave me intrigued.

Lastly, my gaze draws to my newly named nemesis. Cassian. The green cloak over his shoulders irritates the hell out of me. It has the ability to make his eyes shine brighter while making him look fiercer and I sort of hate him for it. The cords in his neck are tense, his eyes narrowed as he glares in my direction, waiting for my next move, and it almost makes me want to go back on my word with Kryll just to piss him off. He’s as harsh on the inside as he exudes on the outside. I haven’t seen a different version of him, despite the fact that he’s now touched me more than once. I need to lose the claim to him, which means losing a duel. The thought of losing pains me, but if I want to put an end to this, then that’s what I have to do.

“Let’s go, Addi,” Arlo calls out, pulling me from my appraisal of the four assholes consuming my thoughts.

Whirling around to Arlo, I find Flora and him a few steps ahead, selecting their food. I hurry to join them, opting for eggs and bacon, hoping the high protein will help in today’s combat class.

With my tray loaded, I turn to my friend, feeling slightly guilty over how quiet I’ve been so far today. Despite that fact, I still consider her safety. “Are you guys going to sit at the fae table? I don’t want to keep drawing you into this drama,” I admit, nodding toward the table I’ve been summoned to.

Flora shakes her head. “Girl, you’re my friend. Drama or not, I’m not leaving you to fend for yourself with those asshats.”

Arlo smirks at her as she flicks her hair over her shoulder and leads the way. I stare with wide eyes as she takes off, slightly impressed with the boost of confidence she’s exuding compared to usual, before I quickly remember to move with her.

Nearing the table, I eye the spot I usually take to the far left near Raiden, but after this morning’s discussion with Kryll, I find myself swooping to the right and taking the seat directly beside him. No one speaks, enhancing the sound of the wood scraping across the floor as Flora and Arlo adjust their seats, too, sitting directly across from me.

“That’s not your spot.” The grunt comes from the tense vampire on the other side of Kryll. I don’t bother to turn in his direction as I focus on the food in front of me.

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