Page 128 of A Dusk Of Stars

Then it occurs to me — that I don’t have to. “Fine, take it all with you. I couldn’t care less.” And I grab some clothes out of the drawer he hasn’t managed to pack yet and move to get out.

But his body is now filling the doorway and his eyes coming to fix on me, and against my will, they’re taking my breath away.

For a second, we just look at each other, his chest falling up and down.

“I know what happened,” he says in a serious, but soft voice. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out, huh?”

So it was him who gave Lorcan those bruises. But I don’t care.

I just gesture for him to let me pass.

“You know what hurts the most?” he demands as he tries to get in my face. I retreat back into the room. “That you didn’t even want to hear my side of the story.”

Hurts, that’s what’s echoing through my mind as I stare him down. Yeah right. The lying, manipulative bastard.

“It’s a story I’m no longer interested in,” I reply flatly.

He follows me with cautious steps, his body tense as if he’s expecting me to dart around him. As he should.

“He lied to me, too, Anna,” he insists as he holds a hand out. “Trust me, I didn’t know you were the reason he blackmailed me into coming here. He told me that the Academy was bleeding money and that my presence would get the investors interested again.”

“I don’t believe you,” I tell him defiantly, ignoring the hand and instead motioning for him to get out of my way again.

A muscle in his jaw jumps. “I’m not dragging you to fucking prison,” he grits out. He moves for me so fast, I can’t stop him from grabbing me by the elbow and pressing me closer to him.“I’m taking you somewhere safe,” he leans to whisper in my ear as I try to break my arm free. “You’re in danger, Anna.Please.”

It’s the fact that he’s still daring to call me by my first name and that I actually fucking miss him so much, I want to die, that makes me snap.

“Get your fucking hands off me,” I warn as I look up to throw daggers at him.

His nostrils flare in anger. He lets go of me and takes a step back. “I guess I’m not making myself clear enough,” he grits out as he folds his arms. “You only have two options here, Anna. You’re either coming with me,right now, or you’re getting your ass tied to the bed until you get your wits about you.”

I let out a bitter laugh as I make bolts of electricity start shooting out of my entire body, crackling and snapping their heads in his direction. “Go on, I’d like to see you try.”

Surprise flashes through his eyes. He takes a step back.

“Now let me pass,” I tell him in a voice threatening to fall apart.

He does. Stopping in the doorway, I turn to look at him. “And if I see your face ever again… you’re a dead man.”

***

It’s dark outside and everyone else seems to still be at the Ball, so there’s no need for me to sneak around. I just rush down the Tower stairs and step outside, turning right to slip into the Lycan Forest, where Serra will be waiting for me by the entrance into one of the caves.

It’s before I even reach the entrance into the forest that I sense him.

Frowning, I turn around to find Lorcan slowing to a stop in front of me. It surprises me, my level of indifference at seeinghim, especially considering what kind of reaction he got out of me just earlier today.

Then again, there’s something very important I have to do right now.

He folds his arms, his eyes darting behind my back. “Lycan Forest, Miss Novak?” he asks with suspicion in his voice. “Planning a stroll?”

I give the busybody a little smile. “What else?”

He just observes me for a moment, his eyes narrowing and his lips pressing tight. “It might not be the best idea right now.”

“No?” I ask softly.

“No,” he says with a shake of his head. “Those stolen magic supplies I mentioned earlier today? Someone at the Academy seems to be working on some really dangerous magic and I’m afraid it’s got something to do withyou. So why don’t you let me accompany you back into the Main Hall?”

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