Page 66 of Beauty's Monstrous Demons

Damn, I was trying to avoid being trapped in a room with her. My blood pressure begins to rise so sharply, my ears ring, and I force myself to breathe evenly. I dislike people or monsters knowing that I’m upset.

“Did he?” I ask, since I only have males in my dorm. Very slowly, I close the door, unhappy as it clicks shut. “I don’t know why he’d be worried.”

“Well, Adares states that it’s been several weeks since you’ve returned home,” she says.

Ugh, that motherfucker.

“I’ve been staying with friends,” I explain. “I believe that I also explained that at one point to my roommates.”

I actually can’t care less if I did or not, but I may as well cover my ass.

“It’s easier for me to get to class, shower, and study where I’m currently staying,” I add.

“And where would that be,” Therese asks, leaning forward on her forearms. “Please, feel free to tell me.”

“Where was this concern when I was placed with two grown men and a teacher for my living situation?” I ask.

I can’t very well tell her that I’m living with Phenex or why I feel more comfortable with him. I’m stuck between a rock and an even harder place.

“You know, that’s fair,” she says, nodding. “You’re not the first person to raise concerns about this. One of your professors also called me, Professor Gorsch. It was done in error, but now we’re a bit stuck.”

“Can’t I just be stuck in my current arrangement?” I ask her. “I’m unable to do anything right at this point at the dorm. I memorized my roommates’ morning schedule so I could get up earlier to shower. I didn’t want to be in the way. I was yelled at for being up too early. I can’t win.”

“Are your roommates like this about other things?” she asks.

“Adares doesn’t think very highly of me,” I sigh. “I work a job where I’m out late, which means that I disturb them when I come home. He believes I’m doing nefarious things.”

“Even if you were having sex with half the football team, it wouldn’t be any of his business,” Therese says, sniffing indignantly.

“For the record, I’m not,” I say quickly.

“No, but my point is that he needs to get his nose out of your business,” she says. “I only called you in here because I’ve had a teacher ask about your safety before this, and the idea that we could have lost a student was worrisome.”

“I am not lost,” I reassure her.

“So where exactly are you staying?” Therese asks inquisitively.

I almost fell for the act. Dammit. Stonewalling her, my face and body gives nothing away until someone bangs on the door.

This is either going to save me, or fuck things up more. Uhhh, someone help me from well meaning adults.

CHAPTER 15

SAMAEL

I’ve had a bad feeling about this meeting with Therese from the moment Lorelei texted us. Phenex has a pinched look on his face, rubbing his chest as he makes grunts of pain.

Something just isn’t right.

“I can’t sit here and wait. I’m going to see her. Ah, I’m also probably going to make our relationship public,” I say, wincing.

“Do whatever you need to. She feels really odd through the bond. I don’t like it,” he says. “She’s freaking out.”

As he nods, I disappear before he can say anymore.

In reality, she and I aren’t hiding. Anyone with eyes can see the way I hold her hand or kiss her goodbye as we go in different directions for the day. I’ll also take her to eat around campus, though it’s just to watch her eat.

My mind is racing as I beat my fist on the door. I can hear her voice, and I need to get in.

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