Page 35 of The Hunt of Night

15

ADRIANNA

After the best sleepover ever, the weekend finally arrived and passed by in such a blur that it feels wasted.

It’s not, I remind myself. One thing I learned while becoming a hermit was that last week’s mess was wreaking far too much havoc on me, and the only person who can stop it is little old me.

Even without a pep talk from my father, I’ve got a new mantra that echoes in my mind.

No more fading out in classes.

No more losing sight of what’s important.

No more free falling into dark thoughts and feelings.

Focus. That’s my new mantra. Just focus.

I gave myself the weekend to get over myself, and now here I am, Monday morning, all sweaty and panting from my early morning run. I anticipated Raiden or Cassian making an appearance and spoiling my mood, but to my surprise, it was a complete success on my end.

The perfect start to the day. Accomplished.Focused.

Stepping into the shower, I hurry through the mundane task of washing the workout away before I dress in my gray combat pants and long-sleeved tee. Fixing my cloak in place, I’m slightlyimpressed with myself for remembering to bring my fresh clothes into the communal bathroom with me.

Another sign that today is going to be a good day.

I’m just finishing up twisting my hair into a crown braid when the door opens and Flora sticks her head in.

“Hey, are you ready?”

“If I say no, can we watch the final season ofThe Officeinstead?” I pout, silently pleading. We really did watch that much at our sleepover, and now she’s prolonging the inevitable, even though she has a new series lined up for us after this—something calledBrooklyn 99. I’m taking her word on it being good.

“But once you’ve watched it, you know you can’t rewatch it, right?”

I roll my eyes at the same line she’s given me all weekend. I threatened to watch it alone, but we both know I would never. “The alternative you’re giving me is to never watch it at all.”

She ignores my pointed look, waving for me to follow her out into the hall. Arlo is waiting against the wall, knee bent and foot propped behind him. He doesn’t see me. His eyes are fixed on the sassy red head right beside me.

I bite back my smile, turning for the stairs. Stepping outside, I’m relieved when I’m not bombarded with any of my Kryptos or professors eager to drag me into an unnecessary meeting and piss me off. Instead, the three of us fall into a comfortable calm that adds a spring to each step I take.

MyKryptos. I shake my head. They’re notmyanything, and I need to remember that. Especially since I’ve managed to avoid them all weekend.

“What drama are we anticipating this week, ladies?” Arlo asks, smirking as his gaze settles on me. I glare at him, but that only seems to make his grin grow wider. Ass.

“We’re anticipating none. We’re focused completely on what we’re at the academy to do and what we want the future to look like,” I reply, pleased with myself once again, but the nod he gives me tells me I’m either full of shit or delusional.

As we pass the fountain and head toward the academy building, the pathway fills with more students. My stomach grumbles, reminding me I need to eat.

Heading into the dining hall, I immediately feel four sets of eyes fall in my direction. I’m acutely aware of them. From where their gazes touch my skin to the way they make my heart react. My head pleads with me to turn toward the food counter, while my body leans toward them.

Despite my efforts, I turn in their direction, casting my gaze over each of them one at a time.

It’s like I’ve been starved going so long without seeing them, and now I’m finally being nurtured again.

Brody’s blond hair is messy, matching his crazy personality. His eyes shimmer with a jolt of excitement that I feel running down my spine. Cassian sits beside him, jaw tight and eyes narrowed at me. At this stage, I’m aware this is his default look, and it really shouldn’t be so hot. Kryll peers over his shoulder, his stare assessing while his features work extra hard at giving nothing away. The smallest tell I can find is the shift of his twitchy tattooed fingers as he clenches them on the tabletop. Raiden, the usual aggressor, looks pale, distant, and almost…small in his seat.

I turn away, quickly reminded that I hate him right now, but before I can go to choose my food, an arm drapes around my shoulders.

“Good morning, Dagger. I’m glad you’re no longer hiding. Now, come on, I have food for you.”

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