Page 106 of The Hunt of Night

“Yeah.”

“No one can go in or out until the lockdown is lifted. To make up for that, a ball has been organized for next weekend as we have had some frantic parents who aren’t too happy with the situation. It also falls perfectly before your next trial. That is all. Have a wonderful day in class.”

She saunters off without a backward glance as four mage professors stand in a circle, chanting under their breath as a flicker of magic dances in the sky. All too quickly, they’re on their way too, leaving us to stare at the magic that now invisibly seals us in.

Frantic parents? What the fuck is this? We’re here to be the future leaders of our kingdom, it’s not a daycare.

“Stupid bitch,” a girl grunts as she walks past, but instead of lowering myself to her level and pummeling her in the face with my fist, I tamp down my rage and pretend she doesn’t exist. I have bigger things to deal with than an upset girl on campus.

“Please let me go and trip her at least,” Brody murmurs under his breath, and I grin.

“I’m good.”

“Yeah, you are,” he breathes, cupping my cheek as he draws my stare to his. “I missed you, Dagger, but I’m glad you’re okay.” He pulls me in tight, tugging my hand from Kryll’s as he wraps me in a warm embrace. I hug him back, basking in his warmth as he places a kiss on my temple.

Before I can speak a word back to him, Raiden tugs me from his arms, enveloping me in his own. He holds me close, resting his face where my neck meets my shoulder as he breathes me in. “Fuck, Adrianna,” he murmurs before raking his teeth acrossmy flesh. A shiver runs down my spine, and I remember Brody’s mention of his need for blood. My body tenses, reliving the pain from Vallie, but it wouldn’t be like that with Raiden. That’s what Brody said. No poison makes a difference.

My lips part, ready to ask him about it, when I’m yanked from his grasp too. Cassian grips my chin, his gaze raking over me as a growl vibrates low and quiet from the back of his throat. All I can do is gape at him until he descends, kissing me with a ferocity I wasn’t prepared for.

I match his need, but he pulls away too quickly.

“When you’ve all stopped being assholes, I would like to see my friend,” Flora hollers, making Cassian roll his eyes, but to my surprise, he takes a step back so we can embrace.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she whispers against my ear, and I smile.

“You too. I can’t believe you helped with the vampires.”

“It was nothing,” she insists as she takes a step back, and I shake my head.

“No, it was everything. I’m sorry I’m only just saying it now,” I insist, and she preens under the praise.

“Where’s my hug too?” Arlo asks, but before I can take a step toward him, Raiden’s at his side.

“No.”

“What?” Arlo questions, rearing back in surprise as Brody wags a finger at him.

“Nope.”

“But—”

“No fucking way,” Cassian snarls, folding his arms over his chest.

“Addi,” Arlo persists, looking at me with wide eyes, but it’s Flora that interjects.

“She likes them when they’re grizzly, Arlo. You have no chance,” she says with a snicker, linking her arm through mine as she starts to tug me along.

“I didn’t really want one anyway,” he grumbles, and Kryll steps toward him.

“I’ll give you one, buddy,” he offers, hugging him tighter than necessary.

“Yeah, thanks,” Arlo splutters, rushing out of Kryll’s hold the moment he has a chance.

“Are you ready for class?” Flora asks, taking me in that direction as the others follow.

“Class? Hell yeah. That sounds so normal,” I muse, eager to get lost in it all.

“You mean boring,” Arlo retorts, and I scoff.

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