Is he trying to recruit me for a cult?I’d read that was a big problem happening these days. Dark times and all.
Titus said something derogatory at the end of the table, and the feedback in my left ear intensified.
Drex’s dark eyes darted around nervously.
He dragged a trembling hand through his short dark hair and leaned closer. “I’ve only studied up through Calculus III. That was the highest math course my school offered. I need help with Thagorean—pleasetutor me.”
He hasn’t taken linear algebra, differential equations, or algebraic structures? Thagorean used all those basic principles.
I shuddered in horror.
How can you get through a day without knowing linear algebra? How do you live?
“I can’t,” I said, barely remembering how to speak.
Drex shook his head with desperation. “Please,” he begged. “I’ll help you during the circuitand will help you deal with Titus and his cronies—please—I’m a quick learner, and I just need the basics. Otherwise, I’ll be last and...” he trailed off.
You’ll be dead.
“I’m so sorry.” I shook my head and looked down at the textbook, the weight of his desperate gaze burning through me.
Memories played of his eyes glowing red, hand outstretched while boys screamed. I shivered and swallowed thickly.He’s evil.
“Please,” he said louder.
I didn’t look up.
“Why are you talking to the bitch, Drex?” Titus’s obnoxious voice carried loudly through the library. “Do you two abandoned mutts recognize the bitch in each other?”
That doesn’t even make sense?
“See, I’ll help you with him,” Drex said. “Please. I can protect you.”
I shook my head and didn’t look up.
No one protects me but me.
Drex made a pitiful noise.
Nyx said soothingly, “You don’t owe anyone anything. You’re allowed to prioritize yourself.”
I grimaced.
“However—” Nyx hissed. “I will bite the Titus kid for you... right now. You won’t need to worry about him ever again.”
“No,” I whispered and grabbed at her invisible body.
Nyx made a dramatic noise but didn’t struggle. “You stifle my creativity,” she said as she nuzzled her face against my palm.
I breathed out as softly as possible, “Killing people is not creative.”
“Don’t knock it until you try it, kid.” Nyx slithered around my neck, her tongue brushing against my cheek. “I’m an artist. The ways I can make a person scream with violent terror.”
Unfortunately, that was the last time someone spoke to me for hours. Everyone settled into studies, and no one spoke.
Time moved at astrangepace.
Poignant music drifted through the stacks, candlelight flickered, fire crackled, and wax dripped. Everything was drenched in warm shades of red.
