Page 14 of The First Year

Immediately, an image of Patrick popped into my mind. “That’s Patrick. He’s the king of brownnosing and ass-kissing. He’s practically made it a profession.”

“That sounds like him.”

“And yet, you are still tempting fate being out here.”

Her shoulders sagged. “I can’t find my way back to my dorm room. My head is all fuzzy. I need to get to bed, but I can’t find the damned thing.”

Tingling washed over my arms and down the crown of my head. She was vulnerable in this moment, and I had a feeling she didn’t do that very often—get vulnerable with another person. “How about I help you find your bed?”

She stepped back. “Now, you’re the creep.” She laughed.

No wonder Odin was taken with this feisty sprite. “I swear, I only meant to help you find your room. I bet you’re in one of those dreadful solitary confinement rooms since you’re new.”

“I am. And yes, it’s awful.”

“There’s only one floor with those rooms. Let’s go find it and get you to bed. Just you in the bed, to be clear.”

She giggled. “That would be very nice of you…”

Oh. I’d been so struck with her presence I’d let my manners float away with the evening wind. “My name is Evander. I think you’ve already met my roommate Odin.”

“You have roommates? That’s…less depressing.”

“Come on. Before you get in trouble. You’re undead on your feet.”

We had begun walking, more like speed-walking when she stopped. “Was that a bitten-by-a-vampire joke?”

“Maybe,” I shrugged.

“That was actually funny. Thank you. Everyone ignores the one thing that brought me here.”

We took the stairs and soon found Roxy’s room. I made a mental note of which room number it was in case Odin wanted to visit her. Wait, he probably already knew it.

Remember it for us.

My damned wolf.

“This is it. Go get some sleep. First day of classes for you.”

She was halfway through the doorway when she looked at me over her shoulder. “Thank you for helping me, Evander.”

“You’re welcome.”

The warmth in her voice washed over me. My wolf sent images of tucking her in bed and making sure her den and nest were safe and warm. Even of changing into my beast and lying on her floor beside her bed, to chase away any nightmares or anything else that might try and get her.

I stepped back at the rapid influx of visuals, surprised and shocked.

My wolf had never done anything like that before.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No. Um, actually, yes. I have to go before I get caught. I’m too cute for detention or demerits. Good night, Roxy.”

I turned to leave, but she stuck her head out the door. “Hey, I never told you my name.”

So, I did the only thing a man like me could do. I whirled around and winked at her. “You didn’t have to.”

Chapter Eleven

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