Page 78 of Validus Vale Academy 1
I shake myself, forcing a smile. "Yep, no problem."
“OK then. You go eat. Think you’ll be up for more training tomorrow, or do you want a Sunday lay-in?” he asks as he walks me to the office door.
“Let’s train,” I reply, giving him a small wave and crushing down the desire to throw myself into his arms for a hug.
“Sounds good, pulu.”
Walking to the cafeteria, I make a mental note to find out what "pulu" means.
???
The usual unspoken and spoken bullshit assaults me as I pick up a turkey sandwich from the lunch buffet. “I hear she made a pass at Cosmo Drakeward, can you believe her nerve?” —Skinny bitch, who does she think she is, stupid dud—
—What the fuck does she think she’s wearing?—looks like a clown—
“Jordan isn’t going to stand for that. It’s going to be so entertaining, seeing her get what’s coming to her.” —Glad I’m not the one Jordan’s hating on—
It’s all water off a duck’s back, because I’m currently dissecting the word ‘Feniks’.
Sin, kin, ski, ink, inks, skin, fine, knife…
Since none of the Defectivum students are around, I spot an empty table at the back of the room and take a seat. I’m starting to make short work of my food when a strange hush comes over the cafeteria. Looking up, rows of faces are turned in my direction.
Someone is standing behind me.
“Make her move, Cosmo,” a falsely saccharine voice whines. “She’s in our place.”
Oh great.
A hand slams down onto the table beside me, rattling my tray. I know it’s Cosmo by the heavy gold watch on his wrist. Without a word, I start gathering my things. There is absolutely no point in getting into a ridiculous battle over this. I have more important things to worry about than canteen turf wars.
As I move, Cosmo meets my gaze. His cold, haughty face shows no emotion, but when Jordan tucks her arm around his waist, he can’t hide a flinch. “I’ve had enough of you crawling around my fiancé,” she snarls. “Keep away from us or I’ll make you regret it.”
Fiancé?
“Just leave it, Jordan,” Cosmo sighs wearily. “She’s not worth the trouble.”
Jordan tosses her hair and giggles. “You’re so right, baby. She’s completely worthless.”
As I turn my back and move away, I hear Cosmo say a dismissive "Whatever."
Yeah. Whatever to you, too, Cosmo Drakeward.
He and Jordan Singleton-Smith are engaged? They deserve each other, a perfect match made in hell.
35
Fuck.
I’m an ass. Urging Theo to train on a Sunday?
I should've just let her sleep in, let her rest. Isn't that what she needs most after the week she's had?
No. An instant corner of my brain is convinced that what she truly needs is to be able to protect herself, for her well-being, and her survival. Shit, I hardly know myself at the moment. I need to stop with this starry-eyed bullshit and get my act together.
I text, asking if she can meet me outside Defectivum in twenty minutes. No reply. After smoking what feels like a dozen cigarettes, I’m too wound up to keep waiting. What if something’s wrong? She passed out yesterday due to the energy echo.
Screw it. I jog across campus and head straight to her dorm. A couple of nervous remedial witches scatter as I enter Defectivum.
