I stroked Xavier’s fingers in mine. “It’s okay. I promise.” I looked out at Talon. “After that night in the woods where you came to me and apologized, then we hung out peacefully, I talked to the dean about therestraining order.” I smiled out at him. “I wanted you to be around me.”
He stared at me, stunned for several moments, before he uttered earnestly, “I want that too. A hell of a lot.”
Xavier actually smiled as he looked between us then. He was also probably picking up on the fact that I wanted all the bad blood done with, a thing of the past, and to move on, leaving all that negativity behind.
We walked in comfortable silence then until we made the turn into the half-full cafeteria.
I noticed Isabella and four of her friends gathered by the entrance doors chatting away.
As soon as she caught sight of us, her eyes narrowed and she nudged her friends.
Then they started talking loudly so even those without sensitive supernatural hearing could hear—namely me.
“Whore for the Dark Prince.”
“Greedy little bitch wanting all three of them.”
“All used up by three dicks. Talk about being ruined for other men.”
“Orpheus will spit her out soon enough and it’ll be supreme.”
A snarl came from Talon. “Slut-shaming skanks,” he ground out.
The next thing I knew, he was bolting forward, wanting to go at them.
I threw out my arm, stopping him with my celestial strength.
Our eyes locked and I shook my head.
“Alena, I can’t just allow—”
“They thrive on this sort of response. Don’t let them get to you.I’mnot.”
Before he could confirm he’d stand down, Xavier shifted his weight, then raised his hand in their direction.
He closed his fist and uttered firmly,“Sileo.”
Hush.
In the next moment, their mouths were sealed shut.
Talon chuckled. “Much better.”
Off my concerned look, Xavier told me, “It’ll wear off in ten minutes, beautiful.”
“Enough for them not to bother you while we grab our food,” Talon pointed out.
Well, I couldn’t really argue with that.
It was definitely for the best.
As we made our way over to the counter, Xavier told me, “You might want to consider a strike against them. Isabella, specifically.”
I stared up at him in surprise. “You, the most peaceful and diplomatic being of all, is actually suggesting an offensive?”
“He only attacks when necessary,” Talon said.
Xavier nodded. “And I believe it’s warranted in this case. She won’t stop and now she’s brought in others to further her abuse.”