Page 96 of Savage Desire

Time stills as I hide away in the toilet stall, staring blankly at the ceiling as I replay the memory again and again. Even if I didn’t call him Daddy in my vision, I know it with all that I am that he is my father. The warmth in his eyes, the fierceness in his voice, the love in his tone. It was him.

Of all the things for me to remember and of all the times for me to remember it, I’m blown away. It’s like a piece to the jigsaw in my mind has found its rightful place. Like the corner starting piece. Now I just have to figure the rest out.

The bell rings in the distance for the second time since I’ve been in here, confirming I’ve missed an entire lesson. I’m not sure if there will be consequences but there’s no use worrying over it now when it’s already done.

I needed a minute after the combination of the memory and watching Bianca hit the mat from my kick. It was too much. A shiver runs down my spine. If I struggle after kicking someone I dislike, how the hell am I supposed to take down my blood kin when the time comes?

I sigh, counting backward from five. The second I reach one, I jump to my feet, forcing myself to get up and get on with it.Unlocking the stall door, I instantly find the mirror sitting above the vanity across the room. My reflection is… horrifying.

My hair is matted and disheveled, sticking out in every direction, while my face is red and a little swollen. It must have been from where Bianca managed to make contact with my cheek. A bruise looks to be forming on my shoulder and I tug my jacket down carefully to see the same mottled color all down my arms too.

Fuck.

As if seeing it finally confirms its there, a dull ache vibrates through my body and I realize how badly I was beaten. I may have won in the end, but it wasn’t without pain.

Turning the faucet on, I give myself a moment to splash some water in my face before I reach for my sand to redo my hair. “Capillus.” It’s barely more than a whisper, but it’s the pick me up I need as my hair fails back into a neat ponytail.

At least I look a little more put together now. It’s just a shame that I don’t feel it.

Taking a deep breath, I repeat my father’s words once more before I turn to the door. The second I step out into the hallway, I’m overwhelmed by the flow of students hurrying by. It takes me a moment to realize they’re all heading in the opposite direction of the dining hall where everyone should be going at this time.

My eyebrows gather in confusion as I fall into step with everyone and the two girls beside me huddle in close to one another. “What do you think the assembly could be for?” the blonde girl asks, and her friend shrugs.

“I don’t know. Maybe someone else triggered the curse,” she mutters in response, and I freeze, my steps faltering. The person behind me has no warning and comes barreling into me, but we both manage to stay upright.

“Watch yourself,” the guy grunts as I nod, terror settling deep in my gut as I maneuver myself to the side, pressing my back against the closest wall as I try to calm my sharp breaths.

An assembly?

Someone’s dead?

Was it me? Is it Bianca?

Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck.

My fingers tremble as I pin my bag to my chest, my face tingling with fear and anxiety as my gaze darts up and down the hallway for any sign of distress.

Just breathe, Polaris.

Nausea burns up my throat and the distress and worry over being sick again grows stronger, when a hand lands on my shoulder, jolting my attention to the new arrival.

Stormy eyes meet mine as I look up at Blaze. “What’s going on?” My jaw falls slack as I stare at him, speechless despite the turmoil inside of me. “Don’t make me make you tell me,” he warns, his fingers flexing on my shoulder, and I whimper.

I either find the strength to tell him or he’s going to realize his compulsion isn’t working on me.

Taking a deep breath, I exhale slowly before I settle my eyes on his. “Is there an assembly?” I ask, and he nods once, tight and sharp. “Why?”

He shrugs. “I’m not sure. Why does it matter?” he grunts while his eyes tear me apart, peering deep into my soul just like Tatum does, and I can’t stand it. Not from him. Not when there are so many things he thinks I don’t know but I do. Yet even more that I don’t recall.

Abort. Abort. Abort.

The quicker I get to it, the quicker he’ll leave me alone. “Is it because I killed Bianca?”

My words hang in the air for what feels like an eternity before he shakes his head. “That’s what you’re worried about?”

“That’s what I’m worried about,” I breathe, and he sighs, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little before he leans in closer so we’re nose to nose.

“You didn’t kill anyone, Amica Mea.” He runs his fingers down the column of my throat. “Forget about this conversation between us, but know you didn’t cause anyone any harm they didn’t deserve, and know that you’re strong, resilient, and powerful. Be confident.”

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