Page 33 of Martyr

“Really? So he just permanently tied someone to the three of you without even asking?” He grimaced and sent Nix a look. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Nix felt the same way.

Beck nodded then frowned. “But the Sacrifice can’t—”

“Actually,” West interrupted before he could finish, “if you’re so eager to play doctor, Yejun’s been complaining of amigraine since this morning. You should pay him a visit with that tea he likes. He’s in his studio, last I checked.”

Whatever silent warning he’d given, Beck clearly understood it, even if Nix was left in the dark.

Sacrifice?

What did he mean by that?

And why was he trying to foist the professor off on Yejun?

“Are you two close?” Nix hated that he asked it, but he couldn’t help it.

West snorted. “Don’t get jealous, babe. There’s really no need. You’ve gotten further with June than Beck ever has. Unless we’re counting in dreams, that is.”

“That’s not—” Beck blew out a breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I implore you not to listen to him, Nix. He merely likes to tease me.”

“He,” West bent some so his face was next to Nix’s and pointed at Beck, “has a crush, but he’s too much of a coward to make a confession. What do you think? Should he man up, or take it to his grave?”

Nix blinked, suddenly extremely uncomfortable. No matter what he said, it definitely would be twisted and taken the wrong way. Beck also seemed like he wished the floor would open up and swallow him whole.

To save them both, Nix found himself shaking West off and stepping toward the door. “I assume you came here to get me, right? Not stand around gossiping like children.”

“Guess my boyfriend’s not in the mood to play,” West said to Beck with a shrug. He grabbed Nix’s hand, loosely lacing their fingers, almost as if daring Nix to pull away, even though he kept all his attention on the professor. “I’ll talk to you later, Beck. You can thank me for the Yejun tip later.” He winked and then pulled Nix across the room and out the door.

“I didn’t get to say bye,” Nix complained as they headed down the hall, trying not to notice all the glances they were getting from lingering students. This building tended to be full of active classes this time of day, so there was no chance of avoiding their stares as they moved to from one floor to another.

“You don’t need to,” West said. “Beck is cool, but don’t wander off with anyone, yeah?”

“Do you not trust him? You seemed close.”

“We are,” he agreed. “And I do. But trust only goes so far. Beck is a nice guy, but his father is a complete asshole. He’s also our biggest obstacle at the moment. His goal is to stop Lake from taking the throne, which means he’ll do anything he can think of to make that happen. Including use you.”

Nix grunted. “That would be stupid. Lake isn’t going to give up a crown for me. I’d just end up dead.”

“Exactly.” West pulled them outside, but instead of going to the parking lot, he started them down the east path. “I prefer you breathing, Nixie. Cold bodies aren’t my thing.”

“Gee,” he drawled, “how romantic.”

West laughed. “Is that what you want? Romance? Don’t take this the wrong way, babe, but you hardly seem the type.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Romance, huh?” He hummed and thought it over. “I could try. Can’t make any promises, but if it means you like me more or at least as much as you like June? It’ll be worth the attempt.”

“You’re ridiculously competitive.”

He grinned, and teasingly parroted, “So I’ve heard.”

Nix rolled his eyes. “Where are we going?”

“The gym.”

A rush of unease settled over him and West noticed.

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