On and on they went, Morrigan’s guards trying to help and Link stuck at the back of the group. I met his gaze and let him see how crushed I was that this was happening to me.
Again.
Two of the reporters grabbed me when I didn’t answer and I snapped.
“Freeze! Silence!” I let out a slow breath when it was finally quiet, staring out at the people with hate. “What is wrong with all of you?” I nodded to where the grown men put their hands on me. “What is seriouslywrongwith you vultures that you think you can just touch anyone you want?”
I made a show of taking their hands off of me and stepping away but still staying on camera.
“It’sdisgustingthat you think it’s acceptable to touch me.” I focused on the one who grabbed me first. “Because I’m ‘tainted goods,’ right?” I shook my head. “You’re tainted. You’re beyond toxic. No woman is ‘tainted goods’ for owning her own body. I’meighteen years oldand you just touched me like you had some right.”
I shook with rage when he snorted.
I got in his face. “I could end you. You’re frozen with my magic and helpless like you thought I was because you’re physically stronger than me and a big man, right? Look into my eyes and see that you aren’t the predator or strong one here, so maybe the men in our society should start having some self-preservation instead of their antiquated ideas.
“Because I will be filing charges against you. Howdareyou touch me? And if you would me—how many others that couldn’t fight back?” I smiled when worry filled his eyes. “Let’s find out, shall we? I bet there’s a pattern, you pig.” I let out a slow breath and glanced around at the others. “All of you disgust me. I’m ateenager.
“A college freshman and Conrad Hanson is mid-thirties.” I stared them down. “What is wrong with you sickos? Did I seduce him? Why are none of you asking if I’m okay? A man that old—almost twice my age announced we’re dating, and… I don’t even know what else. Apparently more from your questions.
“And none of you ask if I’mokay?Did he pressure me? Is it eventrue?No, it’s if I’m worthy of a councilman’s son. You’refine with a fifteen-year age gap when she’s a teenager? Why are you not disgusted? Do none of you care about the women in your life? We’re just able to be claimed like mares and now his brand is on me? Do you hear how sick that is? How wrong—”
I had a lot more to say, but Link had broken my magic by then and grabbed me, circling us away. I threw power into it again and was glad there was space between us.
“Stop doing that,” he growled as he stormed towards me. “I’m not the enemy! I’m trying to help and not blow this up worse or—”
“Stop putting your hands on me!” I screamed and shoved away from him. “I get to decide who touches me and where I go!”
“You’re right,” he whispered, instantly switching gears when he realized what was going on with me. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I just pulled you away so they couldn’t follow.” He glanced around and frowned.
I didn’t know where we were either, which worried me. Where had my magic taken us that was safe?
“We can’t stay here, Bev. I’m not—I’m just taking you to Aunt Marilyn’s where you’ll be safe,” he whispered. “Please, let me take you—”
“To a councilman’s estate?” I chuckled darkly. “Yeah, I figured that’s where you were taking me.” I snorted when he couldn’t hide his shock. “I don’t know he wasn’t in those sessions, Link. Do you? I don’t trust—”
“Okay, okay, I won’t take you there, but don’t say hurtful things when everything is shit,” he whispered, sounding tired. “I’ll stash you at my apartment while I handle things. People don’t know where it is and it’s protected. Please, that’s a good compromise, okay?”
I didn’t know why he wouldn’t just take me home, but Link was clearly trying, so I nodded, moving towards him. I was glad when he didn’t touch me, just setting the circle. I blinked whenthe lighting changed and we were in what looked like a stock photo apartment living room.
Clearly, he didn’t spend a lot of time there.
“I’ll be back. Just hang here until—until we figure out what’s next,” he begged but was gone before I could respond.
I swallowed loudly and glanced around, feeling like the walls were closing in on me instead of better. I was suddenly sitting and I felt like my chest was on fire. My bag was clutched to me and somehow I knew the answer was inside of there, but I couldn’t focus over the mumbling.
Who was mumbling?
Emma appeared, one of the few people who could circle to me with the protection Mrs. Reid put on me. Her eyes went wide and then filled with tears. She held her hands out in surrender as she moved closer, treating me like a scared animal who might run off.
And she wasn’t wrong. When I realized I was the one mumbling and I wasn’t even sure about what… She wasn’t wrong.
2
“Bev, you’re hurting yourself,” she whispered. She nodded when I frowned. “You’re bleeding. Look at your arms.”
I hissed when I did. My forearms were all cut up from my nails. I’d been scratching myself while mumbling and apparently enough to do real damage, gross skin and blood under my nails. “I can’t stay here. Link was—I don’t trust them right now, Emma.”
“Okay, fair. I’ll take you anywhere that’s safe.” She froze when I flinched away from her. “Conrad put his hands on you?”
