Page 33 of Promised in Blood

I guess that explains her sudden freakish strength then.

He takes a seat, his dark eyes boring into mine. “And our lessons? How do you think they are going?”

I shift uncomfortably in my seat. This feels like a test that I am not at all prepared for.

“You are always so suspicious of my motives, Xavier. It is a simple question, is it not?”

I chew on the inside of my cheek while I take a minute to think. Test or not, I guess all I can give him is the truth. “I, uh, think she’s doing great. She can already tune into your mind, can’t she? And from the little I know about your power, that’s some kind of epic feat.”

His eyes narrow, and he leans forward and rests his elbows on his desk. “You think you know little about my power?”

Shit, did I fail already? I suck on my teeth, thinking. “I guess I feel like I don’t know a whole lot about you at all if I’m honest.”

I brace myself for his ice-cold stare, the one that makes me feel entirely worthless, but he simply hums to himself. “You are correct; she is doing well,” he finally says. “Her powers are growing exponentially, and that is a very good thing.”

“Yeah. The sooner she gets a handle on them, the sooner the poor girl can get her rocks off. She’s like a pressure cooker right now.” I bark out a laugh, but he doesn’t join me. Composing myself, I blow out a long breath. Is it hot in here?

“And you, Xavier? Are the lessons helping you at all?”

What the hell does that mean? Does he think I need lessons too? Is that why he asked me to help him? I bristle. “Are they supposed to?”

The heat of his gaze has a bead of sweat running down the channel of my spine. “Notsupposedto, but that is not what I asked.”

I glance at my watch. Where the fuck is Ophelia? He’s still staring at me, his expression unreadable while he waits for my answer. “I guess that helping Ophelia learn how to tune people out and listening to you teach her, in particular…” My skin heats under his scrutiny, and I inwardly curse myself for being such a fucking idiot. But it’s true—in teaching her, he has taught me too. I clear my throat. “Well, I guess that’s helped me sharpen my own skills, you know.”

He tilts his head. “How?”

Jesus fucking Christ, what does he want from me? Does he take some sick pleasure in making me squirm?

“I want you to simply answer the question, Xavier. And no, I take zero pleasure in your discomfort.”

“I fucking hate that mind-reading thing you do,” I snap. Ordinarily, I don’t, but right now…

“So you know a lot more about my powers than most. Now answer the question. How have you honed your skills?”

“I can tune Axl and Malachi out more easily. I can communicate with only Ophelia if I want to, even when they’re in the room with us, but I know they haven’t learned to do that yet. I can just…” I search for the words. “I can close the world out a little easier too. Does that make sense?”

“Perfect.” I’m sure his lips twitch in a smile, but before we can go any further, the hurricane that is Ophelia Hart blows into the room.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she blurts, all smiles and pink-haired sweetness.

“I do not tolerate tardiness, Ophelia,” he says, his tone mild enough, but it still carries a strong warning.

She keeps on smiling at him anyway. “I know, but Dr. Underwood wasn’t happy with my test grade, and he wanted to give me the opportunity to retake it after Thanksgiving break.” Ophelia perches sideways on my lap, and I wrap my arms around her, burying my nose in her hair. My cupcake. “I missed a few classes when I first started living here, remember?”

I smirk. Those first few days after we bonded, we barely let her leave our beds.

He watches her intently. “I recall all too well. The house shook all the way down to the foundation.”

“Well, that’s not happening again any time soon, is it?” She huffs, blowing some hair from her eyes.

In seconds, Alexandros is on his feet and around his desk with her jaw cupped in his hand. “If you want to come so desperately, Ophelia, then arrive on time for your lessons.” The dangerous rumble in his voice sends a shudder down both our spines.

“Yes sir,” she purrs.

His right eye twitches, and he rubs his thumb over her bottom lip, tugging it down until her mouth opens, and then he stares at her like he’s contemplating what to do with her gorgeous, wide-open, expectant mouth. I know what I’d like to do with it.

But he releases her and steps back. “Xavier is going to take today’s lesson.”

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