Page 25 of Dead Wolf Walking (Bad Moon Academy 1)
This room is gigantic. At least as big as Aunt Lou’s house. It’s a lot more elegant than her home too. The far wall is covered in windows and the drapes covering them let in enough light that I can make out most of the details. Black and white marble covers most of the floor, the two colors swirling together in an abstract design. I’m sure it shines when it’s polished. There’s a square shaped wooden dance floor next to a stage. Wood covers the walls, but it’s not cheap paneling. The wainscoting is delicate and stained java.
Surprisingly, there are high-top and low-top tables with chairs and tablecloths, almost like they were preparing for a party that never happened. I spin in the middle of the floor, staring up at the six-tier chandelier shaped like a pyramid.
Why are they hiding this place?
A whisper of something tingles against my spine, making my throat pulse with panic for a second when I recognize the tale-tell sign of the dead coming out to say hello. Stopping mid-spin, my eyes land on a small orb of light floating near the stage where a band would be stationed. A ghost, or at the very least, an echo of one. I won’t know until I touch it. Clenching my fingers and slowly making my way toward it, I keep my gaze trained on the sphere. I haven’t seen one of these in over a year.
Mom’s visits don’t count; those are entirely different.
Turn around.
Ignoring the rational side of my brain, I reach out and brush my fingers against the sphere, sucking in a breath when the tips of my fingers go numb from chill.
A bad one then. The bad ones are always the coldest.
I hesitate, leaving my hand hovering in front of it. What can it hurt? I’m sure to get some sort of answer if I—
“What are you doing?”
I drop my arm and spin. He’s wearing a beanie, but I’d recognize those sharp features anywhere. There’s no disguising Draco.
“Exploring,” I say, lifting my hands as though it’s obvious.
With a tsk, he takes a few steps closer. “I thought this floor was closed off.”
“Ah. For renovations, I heard.” No sense in lying to him or pretending like I didn’t know.
The sparse light makes it hard to get a read of his eyes, but his body language is relaxed. He’s not a professor, so it doesn’t matter what he thinks, but I’d rather avoid a tense confrontation with him. Especially since our last meeting left me so off kilter.
“Is that the story Carter’s telling?” He glances around. “How long have you been here?”
“Only a few minutes. I didn’t break anything if that’s what you’re worried about.”
He hums. “Break whatever you want.”
“What, no Little Red?” I don’t miss the nickname. I’m only surprised he’s dropped it all of a sudden.
“You want me to call you Little Red?” he asks with a wicked grin, stepping closer.
Normally, I’d move back to keep the distance between us, but I don’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me scared. Besides, I’m not scared. I’m annoyed.
“Not particularly.”
There’s a moment of silence. He stares at me so intently it almost feels as though he’s stripping me bare and shifting through all of my dark secrets.
With a slight narrowing of eyes, he eases closer. “It’s fitting.” He lifts his hand and lifts a piece of my dark auburn hair.
I grab his wrist and squeeze until he releases my hair. “You don’t get to touch me.”
Pulling his hand from my hold, he takes a step back. “Is this about earlier?”
“What gives you that impression?” I ask with narrowed eyes. “It’s about everything. Why did you bite me?”
He glances away and the light casts shadows over his sharp cheekbones. “Your soul called out for help.”
I scoff. “The real answer would be nice.”
His gaze swings to meet mine. “That is the real answer.”
