Page 32 of The Reign of Blood

“Do I get a thanks?” he asks, as if sensing his name in my thoughts. This time, he definitely earns an eye roll, but I say it anyway.

“Thanks, Arlo.”

He places his hand on his chest, fluttering his eyelashes as he sways. “The fucking princess just thanked me.”

“You’re insufferable,” I grumble, turning away from him as he snickers.

“And don’t you forget it.”

How could we?

Moving farther along the line, Flora steps in closer. “How did Bozzelli find out, and why does everyone seem to be gaping at you except the four guys I think we should sit with?”

That’s such an observational question right there. Damn.

Sighing, I glance at her. “I think she found out the same way they found out… through Cassian’s father.” There’s no use denying it. It’s not like that part really is a secret. Who he has in his grasp, however, seems important, especially since it’s my mother—the same woman who was apparently seen on campus. Or was that a lie? A way for them to announce my presence without mentioning Kenner at all.

“I hate him,” Flora declares, making my eyebrows rise as I reach across the serving tables to grab my food.

“Do you know him?”

“No, but that’s not the point,” she retorts, making me grin.

Loaded with our food, we turn for the table I’ve dreaded ever since Cassian demanded it. I lead the way, ready to turn away if I get the slightest inkling that something has changed. Brody and Cassian are seated next to each other as usual, but across the table, with their backs to us, are Raiden and Kryll. Instead of sitting right next to each other, there’s a spot free between them.

It seems odd, but I don’t think too much of it as I place my tray down beside Kryll just like I did this morning.

“We shifted around for you to sit between us,” Raiden explains, not lifting his gaze from his food as Kryll smirks up at me.

“I’d rather not,” I bite before I consider whether it’s worth it or not.

“I’d rather eat my lunch in peace without your presence causing a scene,” Cassian interjects, glaring at me, and I scoff.

Fuck this.

“Then I can sit elsewhere. I’m here becauseyoudemanded it, remember?” I cock a brow at him in challenge as I reach for my tray, but Kryll stops me from lifting it off the table.

“Sit down, Princess.” My eyes narrow at him. He’s never called me that before. I don’t need him to start now. He must sense the irritation because he quickly continues. “Come on, Addi. Park your ass. I won’t bite, I swear it.”

It’s not really him I’m worried about, and he knows it.

Breaking our stare-off, I peer at Flora, who is sitting beside Arlo. She nods for me to take the seat, and with great reluctance, I do.

The second I sit down, Raiden is up on his feet, lightning fast. The flurry of commotion quickly settles when Raiden pins a guy to the ground behind me. He’s wearing a red cloak, confirming his origin as he snarls and snaps up at me.

“Fuck off, Sean,” Raiden growls, slamming him into the floor before standing tall and dusting his clothes off.

“Did you not hear who she is?” the guy retorts, making me frown.

Confused, I glance at everyone else at the table, and it’s Brody who offers an explanation.

“He was about to go for your throat.”

My eyebrows rise in surprise. Well then.

“I heard perfectly well,” Raiden states, drawing my attention to the two vampires.

“Then we take her out,” Sean yells, rushing to his feet before jabbing a finger in my direction.

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