Page 7 of Laid Bare

Now I just have to hope the council will give me the chance to prove it to everyone.

A scream of rage pierces the air, the name one I know well. “Thaddeus!”

The surrounding crowd snap their heads in the direction of the raging fae, my eyes following along to find out what the hell is going on. There’s no reason I know of for her to be acting like a bitch. It’s not like her life is in peril.

Fucking drama queen.

Thaddeus storms through the throng of supernaturals, the cruel twist of his lips causing my heart to jolt. The telltale shimmer of ice starts to encase his body, highlighting the anger radiating off him. Damn. He shouldn’t look this upset. I shift from foot to foot, wanting to intervene but knowing I shouldn’t. This isn’t my problem. Dealing with Miss Izzicle and whatever is going on is his business.

“Fuck off, Veronica.” The tone of Thaddy’s voice is one I haven’t heard from him before. Danger lurks in those three words, sending an unpleasant shiver down my spine.

Miss Izzicle charges right behind him, not caring about the spectacle she’s making of herself. She reaches out, latching a manicured hand on his bicep and stopping him in his tracks. Right in the one empty spot, leaving their drama on full display for everyone to witness.

“I’m your fae-damned girlfriend, Thaddeus. How dare you walk away from me when I’m talking to you.”

“Talking?” He chuckles mirthlessly. “More like screaming and demanding. But I’m done, Veronica. Done.”

“What?” Miss Izzicle stumbles back a step but catches herself, trying to brush off her misstep.

“You heard me. I’m done. We’re over.” Thaddeus stalks closer, pointing a frozen blue finger in her face. “You’re a fucking teacher, Veronica. A teacher. You think I didn’t hear you cheering for her death? You’re supposed to teach, to mold. To help students find their way. But here you are, no fucking better than everyone else here but a select few.” He waves his hands around, calling out every other person here. “But no. You held me back from keeping my student safe. From protecting her just likeyoushould have. So, we’re done, and you’re gone.”

“Gone?” Miss Izzicle rushes forward, latching onto Thaddeus’ tux jacket. Her bottom lip trembles as she peers up at him. “You can’t do this to me. Don’t send me back. Please.”

Thaddeus brushes her off and steps back. “I warned you the last time you started bullshit that if you continued, I’d send you back to Faerie. You just used up your last chance. Goodbye, Veronica.”

Before Miss Izzicle can say another word, the floor beneath her opens and she disappears from view.

That feeling to rush forward and comfort him hits me again, but before I can move, Axel grabs my hand, holding me back. I glance up at him in question, but he gives a small shake of his head like he knew what I wanted to do.

Shit. He’s right.

I stay rooted to my spot, watching with a breaking heart as Thaddeus’ shoulders heave before his sigh goes off like a gunshot in the silent room. He seems to get himself together and spins on his heel, marching over to our little corner of relative safety. His lips tilt in a small, self-deprecating smile, but he doesn’t utter a word. And neither do we because really, what just happened is self-explanatory.

Thaddeus just ended his long-standing relationship.

And this time, there’s no denying that it’s all my fault.

At some point,Axel stepped away from our corner while we were waiting, only to come back with towels and a few bottles of water in his hands. The guys worked together to get the blood cleaned up from my shoulders, while I returned the favor cleaning them in return.

The entire time, Luka and Axel were oblivious to the glares of everyone in the gala as they fussed over me. But me? I was aware of every single stare, pointed look, and snarl in our direction. Or maybe they knew and just ignored it like I should have.

But it’s hard when you’re hated by so many for something you have no choice over.

My impatience starts to get the better of me as I grit my teeth, my gaze not once leaving the room behind the dais.

It feels like we’ve been standing here for hours waiting for the council to come back with a decision. But really, it’s only been twenty minutes at the most. But I guess when your life is hanging on the line, time flows differently. I just wish they’d hurry up. I want to go home and be done with this shitty night.

Part of me expected people to start leaving since it was perfectly clear that the gala was over, but maybe that’s just me downplaying their bloodlust and need for violence.

After another grueling thirty minutes, the door opens, and everyone in the room collectively holds their breath, waiting for the verdict. But instead of the council, Titus—the dragon bastard—waltzes through the door like he doesn’t have a care in the world.

Hell, I don’t even know when he actually went back there and joined them. But it’s obvious he did or how else would he be emerging from what I feel is the council’s inner sanctum.

“Curiomancer, your presence is requested.” My body tenses, and fear quakes through my limbs at the thought of walking through that door but not walking back out.

“Luka…” I whisper, my words trailing off as he seems to understand what I’m asking without voicing the thought. Wrapping his arm around my shoulder, he heads toward the room with Axel trailing behind us, not allowing more than a few feet of distance between us.

I fully expect Titus to stop my mates from coming, too, but surprise renders me speechless when he steps aside, letting the three of us in. Maybe it’s because they're my mates. Or maybe it’s because he doesn’t want another fight. But either way, I’m grateful, though I don’t voice it out loud.

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