Page 19 of Sold to the Devil
The group sniggers and it's Cameron who answers me this time. “Don't let Hicks' cliché witch look fool you. She's a shapeshifter. A jaguar, to be precise.”
My eyebrows raise in surprise. A shapeshifter?
I ask if she's the one running their faction, and all my new friends nod in agreement. I thank them and make a mental note to go see her as soon as possible to question her about the words my blood whispered into the silver cup earlier.
Once we're done eating, the group stands up and I follow. I wander behind the others, trying to memorize the route. Until a hand lands on my shoulder and I jump. Arthur laughs at my reaction before raising his hands innocently.
“It's just me, my little lady.”
“You scared me, you idiot!”
I punch him lightly in the chest and he huffs, pretending to be hurt. He lowers his voice and looks around, making sure the others can't hear us.
“What was that on the train?”
“What are you talking about?” I frown, confused.
“You know what I'm talking about,” he rolls his eyes. “What happened between you two?”
My eyes widen when I realize he's talking about Mattheo holding my hand and I shrug.
“Nothing. We had our assignments yesterday and I assured him I wouldn't need his help. We haven't spoken beyond that.”
“So he just went from a huge asshole to a nice guy overnight?” He raises an eyebrow, a doubtful pout tugging at his lips.
“Well, Tom told him to leave me alone. Like you tried to tell him the other day.” I add, shrugging my shoulders again.
“Wait, Tom talked to him? And he just listened? That's weird. Be careful, Aelys. If you need anything, I'm here. Even if you just want to complain about my idiot cousin.” He smiles and I laugh, nodding my head.
“Thank you, Arthur.”
We arrive in front of the two dormitory buildings, the one on our left obviously the boys' one while the one on the right seems to be the girls' one. We stop and I'm about to ask the others where I can find Professor Stevens, but a blond boy cuts me off as he approaches us, his eyes fixed on me and a charming smile on his lips.
“You must be Aelys Hewloc, the new girl, right?”
“Yes?”
I reply politely, holding back a grimace at the lustful glint in his eyes as he eyes me up. I remind myself that I'm not alone, knowing full well that Mattheo must be watching this exchange very closely, along with everyone else in the group.
“Pryce Payne, but you can call me whatever you want, babe!”
He winks at me and this time I don't hold back my grimace of disgust.
I see Nancy roll her eyes as she pretends to throw up, and I try not to laugh. I suddenly feel a hand grab my arm, and I'm pulled back. Mattheo steps in front of me and crosses his arms over his chest, glaring at Pryce. I stiffen, unsure of what to expect.
“What do you want, Payne?” He grunts, his bicep muscles tensingfurther.
The blond one takes a step back, clearly scared. He swallows, his eyes flicking from Mattheo to me.
“Stevens asked me to show her dorm, that's all…”
Mattheo raises an unimpressed eyebrow and snorts disdainfully. “Did he, now?”
“What- he- he did, I swear!” He exclaims, his panic growing in intensity.
Uncrossing his arms, Mattheo takes a threatening step forward, causing Pryce to recoil again and tremble in fear.
“It's funny, you see, I already know where her dorm is. So why would he tell you, huh?”
