Page 99 of The Serpent’s Shadow

Dagny went rigid. “Sven Torfen! You know the rules—”

He was already streaming past her, headed right for me.

I pretended not to notice him, head bowed, because I knew it vexed him to no end to not be the center of attention. My former bully could certainly stand a little teasing as payback for all he’d put me through.

With my head stuffed in my book, I turned the page. From the top of my vision, I could see his jeans, bulging from thick thigh muscles and . . . other things between them.

He shifted his stance. Put his hands on his hips, annoyed.

When he cleared his throat, I blinked and looked up innocently at him. “Oh, Sven. Sorry. Didn’t see you there.”

His hands moved from his hips to his chest, arms folding. “Don’t bullshit me, little menace. Where is he?”

I cocked my head in confusion. My confusion was not fake, unlike the coy expression I’d just been sporting. “Who?”

“Arne!”

My pressed against the cushiony seatback. “Iceshaper Arne? How the hell should I know?”

His dark eyes narrowed—bottomless abysses flecked with red and orange hues. His wind-swept hair stayed perfectly slicked against his scalp. I studied every inch of his delectable face, finding myself disappointed I hadn’t taken more time to explore it over the past weeks since my return from captivity.

“What do you want with him?” I pried, after he’d stayed silent for too long and the quiet became uncomfortable.

“I was following him for a week, every day since you returned. Then he vanished.” He made apoofsound, pantomiming a smoke-bomb going off into nothingness. “I’m sure you have something to do with it.”

My nostrils flared, nose wrinkling. “Well that sucks. But I don’t have any idea.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“That also sucks.”

I hadn’t seen Arne in days, either, though I hadn’t gone looking for him. Ever since I told him what he might do to win me back . . . well, perhaps he was off making good on his promise.That would be a first.

Sven pushed my outstretched legs off the loveseat and sat down across from me. I let out a dismayed scoff as my feet thudded to the ground.

The asshat had no manners.

Hands on his knees, he leaned closer, examining my face much too intently. Sven was a predator at his core. It was something I found incredibly sexy but also alarming and worrying, especially ifIwas the one in his crosshairs.

The man had just admitted to stalking another student, day in and day out. That should have been a red flag. “Why were you following him?” I asked.

“To make sure he wasn’t fucking with you.”

My eyes widened expectantly, in a “well-isn’t-that-ironic?” way. “Here I was, worriedyouwould be the one fucking with me. Considering your track record.”

Sven rolled his eyes and sat back, staring up at the ceiling. “Really? This again? I thought we were past that.”

“Sorry, I didn’t get that memo,” I said playfully. “You never told me you’re not a bully anymore, or explained why you’re soft for me now.”

Honestly, this was one of the longer conversations I’d ever had with Sven, and seeing him flustered gave me great satisfaction. Especially after the boredom of my studies.

I wanted to keep him talking, if only to hear him talk.

Gods, I’m so lost.

“Softfor you?” He snorted incredulously. “Let’s not get carried away, Ravinica. You’re still a pain in my ass.”

“Okay. Well what have you been doing in the interim, while unable to find Arne?”

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