Page 60 of Moon Cursed

Chapter Six

It was a long, creepy, quiet walk back to my clothes, and then to the castle.

Badr followed behind me, not saying a single word—though I felt his eyes boring a hole in my head the whole way there.

The castle had never been so still. My wolf ears told me no souls were about—sneaking, scurrying, or listening—and even so, it’d never been so loud.

My heart banged a chorus in my chest, clamoring to be heard over the roaring in my ears.

Getting my fates on my side wasn’t part of my plan when I came to the academy. The fact was they were all strangers to me, and a stranger was a wild card. I didn’t need any wild cards in the deck when it was already stacked against me.

But plans change.

Badr knew everything, and what he knew could bring the whole house of cards toppling down on me before I, or Hope, have a chance.

I couldn’t let that happen. I had to prove to him that my side was the only side, but he had a point. Why should he believe me without a shred of proof?

Honestly, him asking for and waiting for proof was a big improvement over our last interaction. The bastard skipped all that and called me a liar before bashing me over the head and burying me alive. If he’s finally willing to listen, I needed to make him hear me.

“Where are we going?” Badr demanded. “You’ve got your phone in your hand. If you need to call someone or show me something, do it now.”

“I’m not going to show you anything as important as this right out in the open.” My shaking hand held my phone tighter to my chest. “We’re going to my chambers. Edric reinforced the place to be worthy of a wind wolf’s standards. We won’t be overheard.”

“Meaning no one will hear when you and your boyfriend jump me.” Badr stopped dead. “Nice try, Volana. I’m not falling for your trap.”

“Trap? What the hell are you talking about, Divan? I’m not the one skulking through the woods at night, covered in manure!”

“It’s mud,” he gritted.

“This isn’t a trick or a trap. Edric isn’t even up there. He’s too busy trying to save the projection equipment that your buddy destroyed. I’m trying to end the war between us, so we can focus on the war that’ll save our lives.”

“It’s not happening. Tell me your supposed proof here, or forget the whole thing.”

“No.” Never had my voice carried more steel. “You’re the one who turned things nasty and violent between us, Badr. You attacked me. You tried to kill me. So it’s a real fucking joke you acting like I’m the threat in this twosome.” I threw out my hand, pointing at the staircase that led to my chambers. “You’ve already put too much of my life and my plan at risk. You arenot”—I felt my eyes shifting—“putting her at risk too. So get the fuck upstairs, or get the fuck out.

“Your choice.”

With that I stormed up, taking the stairs two at a time. It was inconceivable to me that Luame believed that insufferable, stubborn jackass was my soulmate. Or that she’d stop my heart for good if I blew up the bond between him and me right then.

“Even though it’s fucking tempting!”

“What are you rambling about?” Badr barked, stomping up the stairs after me. “Give it a rest with the voices in your head, and let’s get this over with.”

Stifling a scream, I strangled the air—wishing it was his neck.

The two of us flung ourselves into my room. As usual, I smelled the air, making sure no other scent barring mine and Edric’s lingered.

Edric did spend an entire day and night sealing up every crack, vent, and hole in our security, but that didn’t stop someone from picking the lock and walking through the front door—which a metal wolf like Ash could easily do.

I didn’t smell anything, so I went straight over to my laptop and desk. “Give me a sec. I have to call Lucia.”

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