Page 13 of Savage Desire

“I don’t know what to be excited for,” I admit with a shrug. “Whatever I can learn,” I add. The idea of being supernatural is still weird to me.

I’ve been surrounded by supernaturals since I got here, and without my sigil, there’s nothing stopping me from joining the club, but it still feels odd.

“Let’s get out of here then. The quicker we make our way over there, the quicker you can start tapping into the good stuff,” she insists, rising from her seat, and I follow after her.

I slip my hand into my pocket, feeling the outline of my coin hidden beneath the small pouch of sand in there too. They’re two pieces of the same puzzle, but I have no idea what the image is supposed to be.

Just as we’re about to step out of the dining hall, my head twists almost on auto-pilot toward the wolves’ table, but from this angle, I can’t see them through the crowd. That’s probably a good thing.

Slightly disappointed, despite my earlier thoughts of separating myself from them, I head outside, no longer appreciating the slightly cooler temperature. We follow the loop to where the witches’ classes take place, and I take a moment to try and find my solace, attempting to block out all of the madness so I can give my next class all of my focus.

As we turn the corner, I stumble, knocked back by a force I wasn’t expecting, but I manage to keep myself from falling flat on my face. The moment I lock eyes on the cause of my near-fall experience, my blood runs cold as my body stiffens.

Blaze.

His blue eyes pierce into my soul as he tilts his head, a half sneer on his lips as he takes me in.

“Where have you been?” His nostrils flare as he thankfully keeps his distance, and I spy Terence and Sian behind him, who look just as confused by his interest in me as I am.

Clearing my throat, it takes all of my strength to act unfazed as I stand as straight as I can, glaring at him as I fold my arms over my chest. “That’s none of your business.”

My voice doesn’t waver, and I internally high-five myself as I keep my shoulders back and head high.

Trying to maneuver around him is harder than I expect, especially when he doesn’t move an inch. Bryony reaches for my arm, silently trying to aid me, but just when I think I’ve made it, Blaze grabs my arm, freezing me in place.

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” he snarls, his grip harsh as his fingers dig deep into my skin.

“Back off, Blaze,” Bryony snaps, but he doesn’t even bother to turn her way as his eyes burn into mine.

“Fuck off, Bryony,” he bites back, towering over me so all I can see is him.

I gulp, confused by the fact that I’m not completely drenched in fear, but there’s something leaving me on edge. Before I can open my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, he shuffles me so my back is pressed against the stone wall of the academy.

He’s gentler than I expect, but he shouldn’t have his hands on me regardless.

Taking a deep breath, I purse my lips before I part them, words poised on the edge of my tongue, when he beats me to it.

“Where are your bangles?” He scowls, leaving no room for me to breathe as he seems to stretch himself out around me, consuming me, and I can’t take it anymore.

Remembering the limited information Wylder gave me, I tug down, sharp and fast, the move seeming to startle both of us as his grip on my wrist releases.

“I said that’s also none of your business,” I repeat through clenched teeth, ducking a second later as I rush under his arm, only to find Terence waiting on the other side of him, blocking me between them.

I gape at him with wide eyes, my surprise clear, when I spy Sian blocking Bryony from intervening.

Fuck.

“Just answer him for fuck’s sake, Polaris. You’re causing more drama than necessary,” Terence grunts, shaking his head disapprovingly at me, and I see red.

“Screw you, Terence,” I snap, feeling my face burn bright with rage as I shove at his chest, but he doesn’t move, not even an inch.

“Oh, he wishes, Polaris.” I freeze at the close proximity of Blaze behind me, but it’s no longer his back pressed against mine. It’s his chest that’s firmly against me now, his breath against my ear and his hands at my waist. “But you never did, right?” he adds, leaving me confused for a moment before understanding dawns on me.

My cheeks heat, but the embarrassment is lost to the anger already coloring my skin. Refusing to back down to the monster behind me, I tilt my head and glare at him.

“Are we done here?” I ask, my voice even as I silently plead for this to be over.

My pulse thrums as I wait, the sound echoing in my ears along with each inhale of breath from him. “For now,” he finally says, leaving me shocked when his presence vanishes a moment later.

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