Page 89 of A Dusk Of Stars

But it’s not the unfamiliarity that’s making me feel as if all my fears about this place are quickly becoming a reality.

It’s the fact that I’m finding myself instantly and deeply unsettled by it.

“Wow, this is creepy,” I hear Alaric say.

“Any other brilliant insights you’d care to share?” I snap before I even realize what I’m doing.

I feel all three pairs of eyes on me. “I’m sorry, Alaric,” I say as I shoot him an apologetic look.

And I don’t want to infect any of them with my own anxiousness, so this is what I choose to offer as an explanation, “Not that it’s an excuse, but I didn’t get much sleep.”

“With the schedule I have you on,” Bane asks with a frown, “how’s that even possible?”

“I really don’t want the third degree, Bane,” I snap,again.

“No need to bite my head off,” he murmurs, lifting his hands in defense.

“Youarebeing unusually rude, Anna,” Raven says.

Damn it. But before I can even open my mouth to say sorry again, Bane cuts in, “This seems to be a group of highly blunt people. I think I like it. But don’t worry about it, Raven.” He throws me a side-long glance as he holds the coffee out for me. “I believe I know how to get her to show some manners.”

I ignore his smirk and take the coffee, if only to force myself to stop with the childish behavior. I take a sip, letting out a content sigh before I throw Raven a look filled with remorse. “Iwasbeing rude, Raven. I’m sorry.”

She gives me her small, tight-lipped smile.

“Bloody hell,” Alaric chuckles, “you’re really on a roll today, Anna. Soon you’ll be running out of people to apologize to.”

I blow a laugh through my nose, throwing him a grateful look.

There’s a moment of silence during which I feel relief at the fact that this might be the end of all the drama I’ve managed to stir up.

That would only leave the effect of this godawful place on me, I think as my eyes sweep over the silent trees once again.

“Still,” I hear Bane say, “you didn’t answer her question.”

I have to fight not to let out a groan.

“She didn’t?” Raven asks, the fact that she's addressing him surprising me a little.

“She didn’t,” he explains innocently. “You were askingwhyshe was being so unusually rude.”

“Was she really?” Alaric asks with this suspicion in his voice.

I throw Bane a scowl then let out a sigh. Just don’t get into how you’re feeling about this place and they’re bound to drop it. “Again,” I start, “not that it’s an excuse, but I spent all day yesterday juggling going to classes, doing homework, training,chasing Professor Tanyth to make the crystal for me, and working the shift at the Library.”

“Here’s an idea,” Bane starts in a serious voice, “quit the job no one’s forcing you to do and you might actually stop being too overworked to get a good night’s sleep.”

“What’re you talking about?” I ask with a frown. Then, softer, “It’s my dream job, I’m not letting it go for thisvery temporary, stupid Aurora shit.”

“Your dream job?” he echoes. “Really? Didn’t you say it was to be closer to magic that you wanted the job for in the first place?”

He remembers that? “I did.”

He throws me a sideways glance. “Youaremagic now. How much closer to it can you get?”

“Well,” Alaric says begrudgingly, “he’s got a point.”

It’s at the very next moment that Bane puts his hand out, making us all stop midstep.

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