Page 76 of Her Rabid Beasts

“Bangles.” He leans down and flicks the silver jewellery around her left wrist. “You get prettier every time I see you.”

Minnie scoffs and covers her bangles with one hand. “Andyouget ruder every time I see you!” She stomps past him and Stacey and I follow, giggling.

“Geez, Min!” I hiss excitedly as we leave the village, showing our bags to the guards at the exit. “You’ve got the two baddest tigers in the place lusting after you!”

“Yeti is a dick,” she says, though I note her cheeks are definitely flushed.

As we leave, that same tall guard follows us at a distance. I suppose I appreciate the extra security, but I find it odd because they usually walk in pairs.

The back of my neck prickles and I cast another look at him. He saunters behind us like he has all the time in the world. My eyes are drawn to the long line of his legs and the breadth of his shoulders, lit behind by the village fairy lights. His silhouette is intimidating, and it makes me uneasy.

I know that a lot of the guards here are under Scythe’s payroll, but would it be so hard for my father to sneak one of his own in here? My heart races as I consider this. But to nab me from inside the school directly would be almost impossible, considering all the protections I’ve put in place myself.

Henry clucks softly under his breath from where he sits on my shoulder, reminding me that he’s another form of protection as well. And a single animus? I can handle the bastard if he tries anything dumb.

We pass the animus dorm and both of my friends halt.

“This is my stop too,” Minnie admits softly. She points to her rainbow overnight bag to indicate her things are in there. “See you after your meeting tomorrow morning?”

“Yup!” I try to hide my unease as I hug the two of them, then watch as they practically skip into the animus dorm. Rock music pumps from the stereo system in the rec room and the urge to follow them makes me take an actual step towards the door. Two of my mates are no doubt up in their rooms while Savage lies in solitary. I wonder what they’re doing. Do they jerk off thinking about me at night?

With Savage still in the shu, I’ve got no possible action tonight. Looks like it’s just me and my vibrator of choice, and I’m really keen to get out that lion’s head one.

Only once Minnie and Stacey are safely inside do I sigh and hurry to the anima dorm, looking behind me and shivering in the cool nighttime breeze. Cicadas chirp in the night and the fresh smell of eucalyptus sharpens my mind.

And that lone guard is still following.

Frowning, I make it to my dorm, get out my ID card and practically bash it against the sensor.

“Aurelia!” Christine says happily, not unlocking the door. “We’ve not chatted today.”

“Let me in, Christine,” I say, tapping my card again. “It’s late.”

And dark.

“Oh, hello friend!” Christine says cheerily.

I whip around to see the intimidating guard right behind me. He raises a gloved hand to Christine in greeting but says nothing.

My heart pounds in my head.

“Why are you following me?” I demand. “I’m here now. You can go.”

In the dark of the night, he’s nothing but a lurking beast staring down at me from his great height. He must be as tall as Xander. I break out into a sweat. I can literally see nothing of him, his own skin, or features. Not even his eyes. Every inch of him is covered by his uniform. His hands rest on his automatic rifle strapped in front of him with the ease of someone who’s held one for many years.

He cocks his head as if asking me a question. I shake my own, unclear of what the hell is going on. But the way he is staring at me has my body quivering.

Wait a minute.

“You can go now,” I repeat, trying not to show my panic.

“Goodnight, good sir!” Christine pipes. “We can chat about your dating life tomorrow night!”

With no other option, he inclines his head and strolls off. I watch him until the shadows of the night swallow his body.

I feel him leave like a physical sensation. It makes my shoulders sag in relief.

“Creepy,” I say to the gargoyle, trying to hide my trembling and the sudden suspicion I have.

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