Page 48 of The Hunt of Night

Thanks for that.

Sneaking a glance at Kryll, I raise an eyebrow, but he simply shrugs, no wiser to what his brother wants from me than I am.

“Do you want me to come with you?” Flora asks quietly, and I shake my head. That would only paint me as weak in front of everyone, and that’s the last thing I am.

“I’m good, but thanks,” I breathe, fixing my cloak around my body as I step toward Tora. He waves for me to follow him, coming to a stop a few steps away from everyone else. Once I’m close enough to him, he reaches for my shoulder, making me frown, but the touch isn’t harsh.

“It’s so I can keep our conversation private,” he explains, and I nod, gulping back my uncertainty.

I never know how to feel around him. On one hand, he’s Kryll’s brother, which should make him safe, but on the other hand, he’s a professor, a little ruthless, and under Bozzelli’s leadership. Keeping him at arm’s length is the best option, but it’s a little difficult when he’s standing this close, looming his unspoken power over me.

“Why would it need to be private?”

“I mean, it’s for your protection, not mine, unless you would like everyone here to know whether you’re in full health or not.” He cocks a knowing brow at me and I fight back an eye roll.

“I’m fine.”

“I’m sure you are. How many fingers am I holding up?” he asks, raising three fingers on his free hand.

“Three.”

“Great. Follow the tip of my finger,” he orders, moving it from side to side, and I sigh.

“Is this necessary?”

“I’m making sure you don’t have a concussion,” he explains, and I scoff as my eyebrows bunch together.

“You probably should have done that yesterday.”

“I did, and youdidhave a concussion.” The pointed look he offers me could murder a man, and even I have to refrain from shrinking beneath it.

“I’m all healed now,” I grumble, dampening my embarrassment at the fact that he did this yesterday and I have no recollection.

“So it seems,” he states, dropping his free hand.

“Can you contain yourself during today’s lesson?”

“Me? I’m not the one hell-bent on causing a scene at every opportunity.”

“Well the groups are the same as last time we had to work in teams,” he explains, and I blink, confusion clouding my thoughts for a beat until I remember the team I was on last time.

Kryll. Raiden. Grant. Vallie.

Ah, fuck.

“Containing myself feels like you’re asking a lot of me.”

“Good,” he states, releasing his hand from my shoulder as he takes a step back.

“You’re confusing,” I grumble, and he grins.

“You’re a handful.”

I narrow my stare. “Are we done?”

He nods, but his eyebrows furrow just a fraction, stopping me from stepping away just yet.

“Stay close to Kryll,” he breathes, his words a whisper in the wind so no one else can hear him now that his privacy magic is gone.

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