The warmth hits like sunlight pooling under my skin, sliding along my veins. My chest hums. Fingers tingle, and a low buzz hums behind my eyes. Thoughts fray at the edges, loose threads I can barely grasp.
I catch myself tracing the curve of my jaw, brushing a thumb along my collarbone without thinking. A flicker of daring sparks in my chest, crawling down my spine—it all feels… possible.
Excitement coils in my stomach, sharp and sweet, daring me to step over the line.
***
"I can do this. I'm a badass Wrath. I'm not scared of showing off a little skin. I can flirt." The potion bubbling in my veins is feeding into my confidence.
I look at my outfit in the bathroom mirror, run my hands over the smooth material. We’re right outside of Professor Gabriel’s office.
I've changed back into my school uniform technically, minus the jacket. My white button-up is unbuttoned and tied right below my breasts, which are lifted by Tabby's borrowed push-up bra.
Universe, I love that girl and her lack of boundaries.
I have on thigh-high socks, and I'm taking a chance on wearing the heels that have been rotting in my wardrobe for the first time. I'm a little wobbly, but I don't have far to go.
I part my red hair and brush each side up into a high pigtail. I finish the look with some pink lip gloss.
“This look is going to drive the professor wild,” Tabby whispers.
“Of course you’d think that, Tabby. You picked out the outfit.” Cleo retorts, still the most sober of us all.
“This will work. Every professor's fantasy is of a naughty schoolgirl. How could he resist?” Tabby snarks back in response.
I tighten the pigtails and stand up straight. “This will work.”
Then I sink back down to the floor. “Oh, who am I kidding? I'm going to throw up. I can't do this. The potion’s not strong enough.”
The door swings open with a crash. Holly stumbles in, her laughter spilling into the room like broken glass. My stomach lurches; feet scramble for purchase, heels clattering against the floor. I flail, arms windmilling, and tip forward—Cleo’s hands catch me just in time before I hitthe ground.
"Good, you're ready. You need to go right now. The coast is clear."
"I can't do this, Holly."
"You can, and you are," she replies.
"It's never going to work. He's going to laugh as soon as I walk in. Hell, he'll probably give me detention or send me to Dean Bellows just for this."
"Look at me, Arwen." She grabs my face with both hands, turning my head towards her. "He will not give you detention. He will not laugh at you. You are his unfinished bond. And you look hot as hell. He's not going to resist you. You can do this. You have to do this."
She's right. We are getting closer and closer to my exile. We need to know if bonding will manifest my sin power.
"You're right," I say, resigned. "Check to see if the hallway is empty one more time. I don't need to add to my already long list of gossip."
I place my phone into my pocket and tuck my bag into the cabinet under the sink so I can change back once I've completed my mission.
"All clear. Good luck, girl." Holly gives me a knowing smile.
31
Thou Shalt Not Attempt Sexy Without Supervision
Arwen
Iknock on the professor's door and walk right in. Holly has been monitoring his classroom, and he should be alone.
He's standing up, facing away from me, staring at the window and finishing a phone call. "... I've gotta go, someone just walked in."
