Page 70 of Shadowed Fate

My head snaps back to him, eyes wide.

He smiles, all teeth and danger.

I clench my jaw, torn between the urge to tell him everything and the need to keep my secrets close. "It's nothing," I lie, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I'm fine."

Marius' dark eyes narrow, seeing right through my bullshit. "Liar," he whispers, his tone a mix of amusement and, something else. Something that makes my pulse quicken. "But don't worry, little bird. I'll get it out of you eventually."

His fingers brush my cheek, feather-light yet electric.

A shock surges through me at his touch.

"I see you,” he murmurs.

The feeling that someone is watching me makes me tear my gaze from Marius.

Laria is staring at us, a knowing smirk playing on her lips, twisting her mouth, and for a moment I wonder why I ever thought she was beautiful. I see her more clearly now. Her pale eyes glitter with malice as she takes in the scene.

But I have enough to think about without worrying about what Laria’s going to try next.

When class is dismissed I bolt from my seat, nearly toppling my chair in my haste.

My feet carry me swiftly through Grimstone's winding corridors, the old stone walls a blur as I pass. The dining hall looms ahead, the noise of chattering students spilling out into the hallway. I can't deal with more people right now.

I veer left, taking the stairs two at a time, and find the hallway that leads back to my room.

I burst through the door, slamming it shut behind me. The silence envelops me like a warm blanket. I lean against the door, eyes closed, exhaling slowly.

"Rough day, darling?"

My eyes snap open. Callen lounges on my bed, looking like sin personified. His black hair falls in artful disarray, those otherworldly pale blue eyes fixed on me like a cat stalking its prey.

"What the actual hell, Callen?" I splutter, my heart racing. "How did you…”

Why do these men keep sneaking into my bedroom?

He smiles like the Cheshire cat, flashing his perfect, gleaming teeth. "Is that any way to greet your prince?"

I feel an involuntary throb between my legs. Damn Fae allure. I force my voice to stay steady. "What are you doing in my room? And you’renotmy prince."

“Play your cards right, and I could be.” Callen stretches languidly. "I thought you might appreciate some company."

I snort. "And if I wanted to be alone?"

"Then you'd be missing out on all this." He gestures to himself with wave of his hand.

I roll my eyes, but can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. "You're impossible."

"Impossibly charming, remember?"

I move further into the room, dropping my bag on the floor. "You still haven't answered my question. How did you get in here?” Maybe if one of them tells me how they’re doing it I can figure out how to stop them. Like plugging a hole so vermin can’t get in.

Callen's eyes glint. "A prince never reveals his secrets."

"That's magicians, Callen.”

He laughs, the sound rich and beguiling. "Come here," he says, patting the bed beside him.

I hesitate, torn between wanting to keep my distance and the magnetic pull of his presence. I feel it tugging at me, every time he’s near.

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