Page 107 of The Hunt of Night

“No, normalcy is exactly what I need,” I reconfirm, and Brody’s hand comes down on my shoulder.

“Whatever you say,Princess.”

“Do not,” I warn, giving him a pointed look, but his grin widens.

“I can’t help it,Princess.”

“You’re annoying,” I grumble, rolling my eyes at his bullshit, but his hold tightens, forcing me to look at him.

“And you’re my fucking Dagger.”

42

BRODY

It feels like an eternity since I last laid eyes on her. I’m too scared to blink in case she disappears again. Kryll and our girl were off living their best lives while we were dealing with the weight of the academy in their absence. Next time, I call dibs on vacation time.

I know she was injured, and I’m certain there’s a part of me that’s jealous I wasn’t the one to heal her, but I’ll get over it. Eventually. There’s definitely a piece of me thatisjealous right now, though. There’s no denying it. The mere mention of another ball has us diving into another dance class, but this time, she’s not my partner.

Cassian crowds her space instead. He looks down at her with a sense of awe, which I know reflects in my eyes too. She’s everything. I’ve known it all along, and now the others are finally catching up.

“Brody, participate or get out,” the professor snaps, pulling me from my thoughts. I glare at him, my dance partner sighing as I hold out my hands.

“Surely, you can pair me with someone better,” she states, hand on hip as her lips twist, and I roll my eyes.

“You’re not my first choice either, Vallie. Actually, you’re not even my last choice. That’s how vile you are. Get the fuck over yourself,” I say, irritation coursing through my limbs. Of course I got paired with the she-devil herself.

I know I need to be the bigger person and see past her shit so I can focus on the class, but that’s easier said than done.

“Are you okay?” Addi’s at my side in a beat, ignoring the snarling vampire in front of me as she puts her hand on my shoulder.

“I’m good,” I breathe, nodding for extra confirmation, more for myself than anyone else, but she sees right through me.

“Are you sure?” Her gaze shifts to Vallie for a brief moment before circling back to me, and I nod.

I should tell her now, mention the phone call she missed while she was away, but I just want to bask in her presence for a little longer. I want to enjoy a moment with her without my father tainting everything once again.

Shit, I could have sent it in a message already, now that I have her number, but I’m not about that kind of thing. I want to be able to read her expression as I speak.

If she senses the swirling in my mind, she doesn’t utter a word. Instead, she leans up on her tiptoes, planting a kiss to my cheek before she sashays back off to Cassian.

I watch her go. Every step. Earning another grumble from my unwanted partner.

“Get over yourself, asshole,” Vallie snaps, and I snicker.

“Oh, wow, Vallie. Your words wound me.” I plant a hand to my chest and take a step back, eager to put some distance between us.

“Brody, if you’re not going to do this, then I?—”

“I am, Professor. You just happen to have partnered me with the worst person possible,” I state, giving him a pointed look.

His chest rises and falls with a heavy breath as he looks between us. “You’re my best dancer, Brody.” I grin at the statement, my shoulders rolling back as I stand taller. “Fine, choose your partner.”

“Wait, what?” Vallie says with a gasp, but she goes ignored as I point my finger at the one I want.

“I should have known,” the professor grumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose as he sighs again. Apparently I’m a handful today, but I want my girl, what can I say?

“You’re screwing me over, asshole,” Cassian growls, eyebrows furrowed in irritation, but my smile doesn’t waver.

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