"You wereconditioned?What, like some fuckinglab rat?Is that what you're telling me?"
Oh, my gods. Their curses are turning them into toddlers on the verge of a tantrum about every little fucking thing. How am I supposed to get anything done?
I spot a cluster of legacies coming closer on the opposite side of the hallway and don't want them to overhear. "Baelfire. Relax."
His sharp, angry breathing doesn't calm. "Who conditioned you, Maven? Tell me. Tell me right the fuck now, or I'm?—"
"Calm down," Silas snaps, also noticing that we're being watched, but that just earns him a sharp shove and a snarl from Bael.
The other quintet is looking our way now, and I realize it's tattoo-headed Brooks and his matches. The last thing I need is for that moron to think our quintet is having a weak moment and decide to waste more of my time, so I push myself onto the very tips of my toes and plant a kiss on Baelfire's lips.
He's sowarm.
Immediately, his trembling stops. His big hands naturally clasp my waist to hold me against him even as I pull my mouth from his. It's difficult to breathe since I can't seem to think about anything but those big, warm hands on me, but I force myself to give him a small smile.
"Be good for me and rein in your dragon, and perhaps I'll reward you later," I whisper quietly enough that only his shifter hearing will pick it up.
He swallows thickly, looking torn between frustration and want. "I need to know who hurt you."
Plenty of people. Especially people I was stupid enough to care about.
But instead of saying that out loud, I squirm, all too aware of the apprehension curling down my spine from being pressed against him like this. Baelfire notices and quickly releases me. Brooks' quintet has already moved on from this hall.
Silas studies me before sighing. "I do want answers about you, but not as much as I want you safe. So let's change the conditions. I agree to help with thisexposure therapyif you really insist on it, but only if you move into the quintet apartment."
I consider that. Earlier, when I was desperate to get the lingering sensation of ghostly maggots and invasive hands washed from my body, I'd wound up at the quintet apartment without thinking about it. I hardly need protection, but I can admit that it feels more secure and comfortable in the quintet apartment.
Plus, legacies might gossip about a keeper not staying with her much stronger matches. I don't want more attention than I'm already getting.
"Fine."
Silas opens his mouth as if he's prepared with another argument but pauses when he registers my answer. "Really? So easily?"
"Would you rather I keep putting up a fight?"
"No," he says quickly, one corner of his mouth lifting. "You've put up more than enough of a fight in all aspects of this quintet. I'm just pleased to win, for once."
"Fuck, yes. I'll help move your things from your dorm," Baelfire offers, his smile dazzling. How shifters can handle bouncing between strong emotions all the time is beyond me. "I mean, I can help after we finish breaking this changeling's kneecaps or whatever. Speaking of…how the hell are we finding this thing?"
Making sure no one is watching, I lead them to one of Everbound Castle's most private alcoves. It's the same one where I tried and spectacularly failed at rejecting them the first time.
I slip my gloves off and tuck them in my pocket but then hesitate, realizing I'm nervous.
It's a foreign feeling.
Furtively, I glance up. They're both watching, waiting to see me truly cast for the first time. They know where I came from, and against all odds, they're still behaving like they want me, even without a stupid bet in place.
But what if they get to know the real me andthenopt to hate me?
Get over it. It shouldn't matter to you anyway.
But it does. I was an absolute bitch to them, trying to make them hate me and move on, but they never did. But if they grow disgusted with me now...
Silas's face softens, and he leans to catch my eye. "You're worrying, but there's no need. I already know your magic is different. I felt it."
Baelfire looks between us curiously. "Different how?"
Better get this over with.
