Page 110 of Bonds of Magic
“What about him?”
“You need to look into him too.”
“Look into him?”
“As Hans’s potential poisoner,” I said. “That’s why you were asking Autumn and Orlando all those questions, isn’t it? Because they were physically close to him before the choking started?”
“From what I understand,” Isaac said, “Autumn repeatedly touched food on Hans’s plate. And Orlando poured him some wine.”
“Sheridan did too,” I said. “Right before he left. He wasn’t even sitting at Hans’s table, but he went over and refilled everyone’s wine anyway. Strange, don’t you think?”
“Certainly something to investigate,” Isaac agreed. He rubbed a hand over his face, the most tiredness I’d ever seen him express. “It’s been hard enough keeping the Council from taking over the school after Erika’s death. After an attack on a faculty member, I’m not sure we’ll have any choice.”
“Maybe it’ll be for the best?”
“I never pegged you for an optimist.” He gave me a sidelong look. “The Council has disapproved of our acceptance of paranormal students from the start. They’ve been looking for an excuse to meddle, or even to shut Vesperwood down, for years. I agree that added personnel could help to ensure student safety, but I doubt that it will end there. Now, if there’s nothing else—”
“Actually, there is.”
I filled him in quickly on what I’d learned from Teresa, including my inclination to believe her, and my doubts about the wisdom of that choice.
“I left it open-ended as to whether I was working on your orders,” I finished up. “But she’s not stupid. She’ll figure it out soon, if she hasn’t yet.”
“Thank you, Noah. I appreciate all that you’ve done for me regarding this matter.”
After Isaac left, I was alone in the refectory. My eyes moved around the room, and landed on the table where Cory had sat. I was helping Isaac, yes. But my motives had changed. I no longer simply wanted to defeat Argus. I wanted to keep Cory safe. Whatever it took.
I hadn’t seen him leave tonight. Just as I hadn’t seen him leave combat class. There was no reason to worry, but I found myself walking through the halls towards his room anyway.
I’ll check in quickly, I told myself.Make sure he’s alright.
But I’d said that last night, and look what had happened. I couldn’t control myself around him. I was helpless.
Fear threaded through my gut. Caring for Cory was dangerous, because it gave me a weakness that any enemy could exploit. If I had any sense, if I really wanted to keep him safe, I’d stay as far away from him as possible.
It’s physical, I reminded myself.Attraction. Nothing more than that.I care about him the way I care about my other students.
But even I could hear the lie in that.
I’d made a promise long ago that I’d never let myself care again. That I’d never open myself up to that weakness. Never put anyone else in danger.
I needed to stay away—but no sooner had I reached Cory’s door than I was knocking on it, turning the knob, pushing inside.
“Noah?” Cory looked surprised, setting a book down on his nightstand and getting out of bed. “What are you—”
I closed the door behind me and pulled him in for a kiss. It caught him off guard—he gasped as my lips hit his. I walked him backwards to his bed, and he sat down with a thump when his calves hit it.
He looked up with wide eyes, his chest heaving, his lips plump and pink. I wanted him so badly I couldn’t think straight. All the desire that had built up through the day, from seeing himbut being unable to touch, erupted at once. I didn’t want to hold back anymore.
But the way Cory stared up at me, like he wasn’t even sure this was real, made me realize I’d handled this poorly. Just because I wanted him enough to ignore my better judgement didn’t mean he felt the same. At the very least, I shouldn’t have forced him into a kiss before even saying hello.
“Sorry,” I said, my voice thick with desire. “I should have asked.”
“I don’t mind.” He flushed as he smiled. “I was surprised, is all. I wasn’t sure you actually—I mean, I didn’t know if—if we would ever do this again.”
We shouldn’t, said the voice in my head, but I didn’t care. Not with Cory right here in front of me.
“I thought about you all day,” I confessed. “I couldn’t stop watching you. Combat was torture. I don’t know how to be around you and not be with you. It’s hard to control myself.”
