Page 67 of The Hunt of Night

“That’s not what I’ve been told.”

“And what is it you’ve been wrongly told?”

She stands tall, running her hands over her dress as she blinks profusely, only confirming the bullshit that spills from her mouth. “That she knocked a wolf unconscious outside the main academy building. A whole audience saw.”

“That was me.” I say the words slowly so she understands, yet she shakes her head like it’s me who needs the gentle approach.

“Covering for her won’t negate her punishment,” she promises, causing me to pull my brows together in confusion.

“I’m trying to figure out this little vendetta you have here.”

“I don’t have a vendetta,” she insists, wetting her lips nervously, but Fairbourne nods subtly behind her. Pity he can’t open his mouth and put her in her place instead of leaving a student to do it.

“Well, what would you call it? Is it because she’s the former king’s daughter? Is it because she’s simply a fae, or does her strength leave you feeling threatened?”

That’s the straw. I know it. I’ve pushed until I can push no more.

“Excuse me?” she bites, venom laced in each word.

“Oh, you’re excused,” I retort, folding my arms over my chest as I give her a pointed look.

She waves me off, slipping behind her mask of indifference, as a malicious grin spreads across her face. “It doesn’t matter. I have the perfect consequence in place anyway. I’ll kill two birds with one stone.”

“What does that mean?” I can’t hold back the question. I can see the chaos swirling in her eyes, and I know it involves Addi.

“You may follow me,” she orders, rounding the desk, and I scoff.

“I’d rather not,” I grunt, but she continues to wave me along. I hate the fact that my intrigue pulls me to trail after her.

“Summon the students,” she murmurs to a member of staff I don’t recognize, and they scurry off. Brody and Raiden hear the same words, and instead of getting answers from me, they take off. I know they’ve gone in search of Addi, and I would have done the same.

Following her outside, I’m not surprised to see the masses gathering already by the time we get there. Fairbourne remains beside me, but his lack of protection over Addi is wearing thin on me, so I don’t even bother to acknowledge his existence.

I spot Addi first, then the guys, and I leave Bozzelli’s trail to join them.

“What’s going on?” Kryll asks, and I shake my head.

“Fuck if I know,” I admit, hating that I don’t have the answers to the concern growing in Addi’s gaze.

Bozzelli doesn’t waste a beat, though, drawing everyone’s attention to her in the next moment. “Good afternoon, students. It has been brought to my attention that there are people here on campus who feel they should know more about what’s happening outside of our protected walls to better understand the dangers we face. After some consideration, I agree withthis statement, and what better way to gain knowledge than to receive it firsthand,” she offers.

I frown. Where the fuck is she going with this? It has nothing to do with what we were discussing in her office. She’s playing games, but I can’t figure out the rules just yet.

“Where is she going with this?” Raiden asks, but I don’t have the answer, so I continue to stare the dean down expectantly.

“Field trips will be prepared for each class to take turns experiencing the frenzied vampires that roam the streets at night. We’ll begin this evening with Professor Thornhill’s homeroom.”

“That’s us,” Flora blurts, and I startle at her arrival, unsure when she and Arlo joined us, but nonetheless, she’s right.

We’re up first.

Bozzelli’s eyes settle on mine, the corners of her mouth tilting up in a wicked grin as she delivers the blow she intended.

“Do make sure you don’t get yourselves injured, won’t you?”

28

ADRIANNA

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