Page 60 of Mortal Shift
“No, I’m not,” I said slowly, watching the shiftiness in her eyes. “Vamps and shiftersdon’tget along, and you’re hiding something.”
She laughed, high and tight, and despite her best efforts, the sound was forced. Yeah, she was definitely hiding something. I gave a startled laugh of my own.
“Cole? You like Cole?”
“You don’t have the first idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah, I do, and I’m right. You’re pissed that he’s my mate and not yours. I’d say you should set your sights a little higher, but…” I eyed her heartless, sadist face, and shook my head. “You’re perfect for each other. And you’re welcome to him. Because me and Cole? It’s never going to happen.”
Chapter Twenty-One
The next evening rolled around far too quickly, and the stares and whispers had started following me around the hallways again. Not that I was spending much time in the hallways. Every waking second was spent in the library. Sometimes, I even studied.
But mostly, I spent my hours hunting through blueprints and ward logs for the academy, looking for another hole. I didn’t find one, but it didn’t matter. Because tonight, I was leaving this place, even if I had to march straight out of the front gates. Still, hopefully it wouldn’t come to that. I already knew where there was one weakness. I just didn’t know if it had been patched or not. Tonight, I was going to find out.
I told no-one of my plans, not even Ling. But when the rest of the academy was busy partying in a few hours, I wasn’t going to present myself to whichever psychotic fang led the vamps and wait for him to drink the life from me. I was going to get over that wall, and I was going to check on my mom. And if it meant I happened to miss my appointment with Doctor Fang, well, that was just tragic.
I glanced up sharply as the library doors swung open, quickly piling a less incriminating book on top of the one I’d been reading, and then my shoulders drooped in relief.
“Oh. It’s just you.”
“Just?” Ling arched a brow. “Good to see you, too.”
“Sorry, not what I meant.” I palmed my temple and tried to blink the gray text from my vison, but hours of staring at printed words paired with a mini heart attack had done a number on my retinas.
“Relax, I’m just messing with you,” she said, sliding into the chair beside me. “So, how’s the search for another hole going?”
“What? I’m not searching for— What makes you think— Aw, dammit. How did you know?”
“Because you’re you.”
“Hm, that’s not a whole heap of actionable advice.”
“True. But I did bring you snacks.”
She dumped a backpack on the floor and tossed me a foil-wrapped package that was pumping out heat.
“All is forgiven,” I said, as I unwrapped the sandwich. Hiding out didn’t allow a whole lot of time for meal breaks. Or any, actually. I spend a moment savoring the taste, then frowned. “What else is in the bag?”
“A disguise.”
“Um… I think it’s going to take more than a fake mustache to stop people recognizing me.”
“It’s not that kind of disguise.” She reached into the bag and pulled out a skimpy silver top that shimmered in the library’s dim lighting, and a pair of strappy shoes. “You need to dress like you plan on turning up to the party if you want to avoid suspicion.”
“Oh. That’s really smart. But, um…” I glanced over the two items again. “I don’t think I have anything that goes with that top.”
I unscrewed a bottle of water and took a gulp, glad I had Ling helping me out.
She laughed. “That’s not a top, it’s a dress.”
Water rattled the wrong way down my throat and I choked and spluttered. Ling shook her head mournfully and slapped me on the back.
“Didn’t have you down for a prude.”
“Prude?” I gasped. “That thing’s going to reveal more of me than it hides!”
“That’s kind of the point, yes. Now shut up and put it on.”
