Page 74 of Blood & Betrayals

“Don’t get used to this, big guy,” I say firmly but lean down again, nipping lightly at his lips. I sit up, resting my butt at the top of his thighs, and demand, “Show me your wings.”

Connor chuckles but lifts his shoulders and upper back off the bed. I get distracted for a moment by the strong flex of his abs, but only until his wings burst from his back. I gasp and plunge my fingers into them, desperate to touch such beauty. The downy, soft feathers beneath the strong outer layer caress my fingertips, and I drape myself over his chest, curling intohim. His body is the hardest pillow, but this is the most comfortable I’ve ever been. Suddenly, exhaustion hits me. I suck on his neck, pulling a groan from him.

“My big guy.”

“My succubus.”

I nuzzle into his neck and everything goes black.

Sunlight streams through my window, and I frown at how hard my mattress is. I poke the pillow, trying to make it softer, but I am hit with the scent of clouds. I slowly open my eyes. My head pounds, the light piercing and the hangover sitting heavily on me. My body rises rhythmically with Connor’s soft, deep breaths. Normally, I would find it soothing, but my stomach is not a fan at the moment. Carefully I climb out of bed, trying not to jostle him, but he continues to sleep like the dead. I stand beside the bed and stare at him. There’s something almost comical about this over-the-top masculine figure sprawled out on top of my pink floral sheets. Then it hits me.

There is a man in my bed. A man Isleptwith. Oh, gods… What have I done?

I shove off my dress from last night, quickly pulling on yoga pants and a sports bra. I’m yanking my hair into a high ponytail as I step over people passed out on the floor of our dorm, and I am out of Kelpie within moments.

The second I’m outside and running, I start to feel better. The familiar burn in my lungs is the most comforting feeling in the world. It even eases the lingering symptoms of my hangover,though seeing Connor in my bed has more than sobered me up. I push the image from my mind and run, barely considering my route. Usually, I go between the campus and the forest, taking different paths depending on my mood. Today, I’m concentrating less on the direction and more on the toll on my body. I push myself, allowing the discomfort to distract me.

Music blasts in my ears, drowning out my gasps for breath when I finally drop into a quick walk to take a break. I wasn’t aware that I had entered the forest, so intent on outrunning my thoughts that I didn’t bother to notice.

It’s a foggy day, the thick mist between the trees gray and oppressive. Now that I am focused outside myself, I can sense those malevolent eyes on me again. I slow my pace and pull my earbuds out. I peer into the shadows, trying to find the source and instinctively knowing that is where it will be. The gaze is angrier this time, more dangerous, and I don’t know how long it has been on me. I want to run, but my legs are like lead, and my body is nearly vibrating as adrenaline floods my system.

A powerful wind slams into me, making me stumble. A phantom foot kicks me in the chest, and my lungs seize as all the air is forced from them. The invisible attack is all I need to make the decision between fight and flight. My body bursts into motion, and I take off in the other direction. I pant as I sprint toward the mouth of the forest. I refuse to look back, but I can feel the eyes still on me. The presence is not retreating but following me, maintaining the same speed and distance behind me. It’s toying with me.

Behind me, I hear a twig snap and leaves rustle. When the fog thins at the forest’s edge, I finally risk a look behind me. Nothing. There is nothing there, but I don’t stop running until I slam into a wall of muscle. Large hands wrap around my arms, steadying me, and I look up to see Rafe’s usually angry expression set into one of concern.

“Summer?” He shakes me a little. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”

With his hands on me, I’m aware of how violently I’m shaking. My lungs burn as I try to pull in oxygen, but I can’t seem to get enough. Terror courses through me, and I just stare up at him.

Rafe’s eyes flick over my shoulder, and a fresh wave of panic washes over me. I wait for his expression to turn to terror, readying myself to run, but he simply narrows his eyes and swings me into his arms. His wings spread from his back. They’re not white like Connor’s. They have a gray hue that looks almost dirty. He meets my gaze and nods once before launching into the air with me.

Rafe carries me away from the forest. I wrap my arms around his neck, looking back at the trees over his shoulder. I see a group of unicorns flee from the area where I stopped, and even with the growing distance, I can hear their frantic breaths and beating hooves. The slowest is yanked back into the forest, and I turn my face into Rafe’s neck as the animal screams. The cry cuts off mid-note, and the sudden silence is even worse. I don’t raise my head, but I can still feel the malevolent stare. It sits on my shoulders like the weight of the realm.

A few moments later, Rafe lands on the roof of Kelpie Hall. He sets me down with a gentleness I didn’t know he was capable of.

I swallow, my throat dry. “D-Don’t t-tell C-Con,” I stammer out, slowly releasing the death grip I have on his neck.

Rafe nods and steps back, his features set in hard lines. “What happened?” he asks, crossing his arms over his chest. He is willing to let me keep it from Connor, but clearly, he is expecting an explanation.

I shake my head, looking away from him. “Nothing.”

It probably was nothing. I was imagining things. Absently, I rub my stomach, remembering the brutality of that kick. The intent behind it was nothing less than pure hatred, filled with vitriol I thought I only felt toward myself.

“Summer,” Rafe says, his voice gruff, like he hasn’t spoken in a few days. “You were shaking.”

“It’s fine. I should get back inside. I wasn’t even supposed to be out for a run…”

He scoffs. “Okay, you’re right. Let’s just go get Connor and let him know what happened, shall we?” he says and starts toward the door.

I grab his arm. “No.”

Rafe turns back to look at me expectantly.

“Nothing happened, I promise. I overreacted.”

Rafe gives me a bored look. He obviously knows I am lying, and he’s waiting for a different answer.

“I have never pushed you to talk about things. I’m hoping that we can come to an agreement. We both know Connor is the best of us, but you and I have a different perception of the world. Sometimes things suck, and sometimes we seek to avoid burdening others with the suckage of our lives. So how about you and I agree to bail the other out from time to time and then never speak of it again? Sound good?”

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