Page 55 of Satanic Shadow
When we graduate and get off this island, I want to keep them in my life. I want them to sleep over at my apartment and binge movies while eating junk food. I want Poppy to read all of my romance books while Mel tries to communicate with my dog by staring at him for hours.
After we return to our rooms, I get ready for bed and pace. Overthink. Listening to Poppy’s words but in Dane’s voice. The more I think of what he said, the angrier I get. I want to punchsomething, to shove my fist into a wall so hard the plaster breaks and cracks the skin on my knuckles.
I scream into my pillow, punching it repeatedly with both fists while the shadows on my walls watch. The little girl with a balloon is tugging on a lady’s skirt and pointing before the large silhouette ushers them away. The dog is barking, and an old man has his head slanted while he peels what I assume is a piece of fruit.
Everything about today has annoyed me. From me being disgusting, to him cornering me in the changing room and asking me who I really am.
Then his demand to come to his room at midnight.
I don’t share.
What a ridiculous thing to say.
First of all, I’m not his. He’s also made that abundantly clear to his friends.
Secondly, I don’t want to be his. He’s Dane Dalton. His mere presence infuriates me. And don’t even get me started on the way he speaks to me when his tongue isn’t down my throat. God, can he be any more of an ass?I don’t share.
On top of all that, my tattoo has started burning, and nothing, not even pressing a cold, wet cloth to it, has made any difference.
I pull off my nightdress and throw it at the dresser before marching over and shoving it into a drawer, opening the second one, and pulling out a wool sweater and a pair of shorts.
Finding someone to knit me clothing was a struggle, but one of the professors already had a boxful of items she’d made, and all of them fit me like a glove.
Waving to the shadows, I leave my room and head down to the food court. It’s late, but supper is still on until lights out.
Me:I’m going down for something to eat, if either of you want to join.
I know for a fact the twins will be otherwise occupied, but the offer is there.
After I grab a tray and fill it, I sit down at the furthest away table from everyone else, especially the person who won’t stop running around in my mind. I can feel his eyes on me, see him muttering under his breath.
The lonely, disgusting human. The outcast. The odd one out.
Talk about feeling unwanted. Dane sure knows how to make someone feel good. I didn’t even expect him to be here, given the late hour.
Despite my aggravation towards him, I can’t seem to take my eyes off him while I eat my supper. The piece of toast feels like cardboard—and tastes like it too. But I keep crunching it between my teeth and forcing myself to swallow while I give him the death stare.
He’s speaking with Orsen, who holds an ice pack to his face. I’m not an expert lip-reader, but he’s complaining about Mel, and how Dane’s made him look weak in front of her. Dane, being the supportive friend and good person he is, tells him to get a grip and to stop bleeding on his shoes.
I look away when his eyes find mine.
I sip on my glass of water, sighing as one of the professors announces that all students should be back at their dorm rooms in ten minutes. Lights will be out, and all the teachers will be off duty until the morning. If anyone is caught sneaking out, then they’ll be punished and potentially sent to the dungeons.
I’ve not had a bedtime since I was twelve.
To make my night that little bit more unbearable, Valin sits down in front of me with a tray of food, blocking my view. “Good evening.”
I drop my toast onto my tray. “Goodbye.”
He chuckles, leaning his elbows on the table. “You have quite the attitude on you for being powerless. Brave, but also stupid.”
“What would you prefer I do? Hide from you all and drop to my knees when told to?”
His eyes glint with excitement, and the taste of toast turns sour in my mouth. “Don’t put images in my head, little girl.”
I screw my face up at his attempt at a pet name, then shove my tray forward and wipe my hands together. “I think I’ll be leaving now. I hope you choke on your food.”
He blanks out my comment. “I know you saw me in the library. Did you enjoy the view?”
