Page 114 of Wings of Ashes
Then again, maybe everyone stared at her because she wore a large male’s button-down shirt instead of the official uniform.
Or maybe it was the fact that she looked like an entirely different person. There were no other redheads at the academy,other than Ryker. His spiky dark crimson hair reminded her of black ink mixed with blood.
The new golden amber color of her eyes was also rare and uncommon amongst any shifter species that she read about.
Maybe Thierry could do some research and help her figure out what she was. What her parents had been.I don’t…remember much before the age of ten. That was when her parents went missing, and Elle’s family took her in.
“Wow, everyone is staring at you,” Bael whispered into her ear as they strode down the hall. Again, she swore she felt the heat of his hand lingering just above the curve of her ass under Ryker’s stolen button-down. “Or they are staring at Professor Hard-As-Rock and wondering what he is doing in a dorm building.”
Walking with Bael and Thierry caused an obnoxious level of attention. Like clockwork, each female student, who spotted the men, was overcome by a swoony, lustful expression that twisted into vicious jealousy when they noticed Nix with them.
Great.Nix wondered if this little “show” would result in another painted “WHORE” somewhere in relation to Nix. Then again, what would they paint? All of her belongings were burned.I guess I’m officially living in the house with Bael and Ryker.
She had been told when she started at the academy that there were “no other rooms.” That was part of why she had lived in such a tiny, broom-closet of a dorm room. Those with power and connections got first pick of dorm rooms. Nix was a powerless orphan with no money, other than what the Oadess family paid on her behalf.
“P-Professor,” one girl in the hall squealed as they walked by her. “Why are you withher?”
Nix ground her teeth and walked faster. “I told you two not to walk directly behind me.”
The incubus clucked his tongue. “But we have a better view of your ass up close.”
“Everyone knows you don’t like each other,” Nix said, keeping her back to them but knowing their super hearing would pick up a mere whisper. “It’s suspicious for you to be walking next to each other.”
“I think we have crossed the don’t-like-each-other line,” Bael remarked. “After all, his dream-dick was in my dream-mouth—”
Bael cut off, and a loud banging sound occurred after Thierry shoved the incubus into the wall and continued walking away from him, at Nix’s side.
Nix rolled her eyes at the group of girls who rushed over to “help” Bael stand. “You pushing a student into lockers is even less normal,” she whispered to Thierry. “Are you not concerned about what people will think? Rumors that could affect your job?”
“You are twenty years old and my mate.” Thierry calmly told her, “If anyone tries to get between us, they will find a stone fist in their jugular.”
Nix’s eyes widened at the suited, glasses-wearing man. “You are surprisingly violent under that sophisticated, cold exterior.”
“I know, his violent side is the only side of him I respect,” Bael said when he appeared at her side again. Dusting off his blazer, Bael asked, “So, what were the ‘important things’ you needed to do this morning without us?”
“I am going to visit a…friend.”
“You have friends?” Bael asked.
She elbowed him.
“I like your violent side, too,” Bael huffed after rubbing the section under his ribs that she had injured.
“I’d like to be left alone with my friend,” Nix told them as they rounded the corner and drew closer to Elle’s dorm room. She had questions for her “almost” sister.
“You want us to stand outside? Are you embarrassed about being mated to an actual gravestone?” Bael questioned her, gesturing to Thierry.
Thierry pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
Nix still did not know if Elle had known the illusion potion was poisoning her over the years. She also did not know who had broken into her room the night before and tried to kill her.
Does Elle know anything about the student disappearances?
Nix shooed Bael and Thierry to stand around the corner of the hall as she knocked on Elle’s door.
Elle’s soft giggle sounded from inside the room, followed by the rustling of clothing. “Hurry,” she told someone.
After a minute, the door swung open, and Elle emerged, smiling like a smitten kitten. When she saw Nix, her smile ripped from her face. Paling, Elle opened her mouth but silently sputtered as she absorbed Nix’s new look.
