Page 31 of The Hunt of Night

The dirt is gone, but the heat touching my skin remains. I can still feel Cassian everywhere, and now it’s mixed with Brody’s heated stare. The shower was exactly what I needed, but my reflection doesn’t seem any different as I look myself over.

My hips are mottled with fingertip-sized bruises and my ear is still red from Cassian pushing my face into the ground.

I love it.

I don’t love the fact that classes are done for the day and I don’t know what to do with myself. Usually, down time like this would instantly have me considering a run, but I think I’ve already worked up enough of a sweat for the day. I need to head back to my room and consider some alternatives.

Feeling fresher than earlier, I fix the towel around my chest as tightly as I can, silently berating myself for not grabbing clothes before stepping in here. It’s either the towel walk of shame or putting the filthy clothes back on, and that’s not an option. Icoulduse my magic to clean them and dry them, but it feels like a waste.

Thankfully, I make it back to my room uninterrupted, letting the door click closed behind me with a resounding thud.

I freeze in place; my jaw slacks as I gape at the vase that sits proudly on my desk. It’s not the same one, but the dozen red roses that stand tall inside it look familiar.

What the fuck?

My nostrils flare as my fingers ball into fists, gripping the towel like my life depends on it.

I need to get dressed before I overreact. I need to check my fucking room to make sure no one is here because I sure as fuck threw them through my window last night. I know I did.

Using my magic, I drop the towel and swiftly slip into my underwear, a white top, and a loose pair of black joggers. I do a quick scan of my small space, confirming no one is hiding under my bed or tucked in my walk-in closet, before I finally let my shoulders sag, releasing the built-up tension.

My gaze circles back to the bright roses beckoning me closer, and my lips purse as I try to contain the desire to touch them.

I fail.

Hovering by them, my index finger runs over the delicate petals, making my heart sing as my earth magic flares to life.

Fuck.

My chest aches with a tension that only worsens with every second I stare at them.

A lot of shit went down because of Raiden, and these link back to him. They offer him access to my room. I don’t know how the fuck he managed to get inside here after I tossed them out in a fit of rage last night, but here they are.

My instinctive reaction is to toss them to their same demise, but the magic swirling inside of me pleads with an intense fury not to.

I’m torn.

Again.

At the hands of these men.

Raiden. Cassian. Brody. Kryll.

All so different, yet all equally under my skin. There’s no denying it any longer.

Four men, even more feelings.

They’re my fucking kryptonite. Just like Nora, my father, and even Flora, but in a different way altogether. I can’t explain it, which is probably because no matter what I do to fight it, I find myself back here time and time again.

My kryptonites.

My kryptos.

My utter downfall.

Grabbing the vase, I take a step toward the window, struggling to control my emotions as they threaten to consume me. I shouldn’t feel like this. Not when I’m alone. It’s ridiculous.

I just need to throw these stupid thornless beauties out of the window and put an end to it.

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