Nathan smirked and grabbed my hand as Chloe put her arm through mine on the other side. Apparently, they thought it might take both of them to hold me back. I was afraid they were right.
They steered me to seats in the back corner, where it would be hard to see Jet when the seats filled. For his part, he hadn’t even looked up when we entered the room. He’d appeared lost in thought. He was probably trying to decide which girl he was going to pick.
Professor Austin entered the room, “Okay, class, let’s get started. We have much to cover before winter break in the next few weeks.”
He shuffled some papers on his desk and then approached the podium.
“I heard that Instructor Storm gave quite the lecture the other day. Are there any questions before I move on?”
Damn it, with everything going on, I didn’t get to ask my parents about a shortage of D’s wine. We needed to have another meeting this weekend to discuss everything.
I was surprised to see Jet raise his hand.
“Yes, Mr. Lockley?” Professor Austin asked.
“Is it true that there’s a shortage of Dionysus’s wine?” he narrowed his eyes.
Great minds, I thought, rolling my eyes.
“Yes, it is,” Sophie butted in, “My friend Kristine confirmed what Instructor Storm told us. There won’t be any more made unless a solution is found.”
Everyone gasped, panicking all over again at her words.
“This is the first I’ve heard of it, but I’m sure the Council would tell us if it were true. There is no need to panic.” Professor Austin mumbled, not meeting the eyes of the class.
I wondered if it was from guilt or if he genuinely didn’t know. I’d bet it was the former if I had to guess.
Sophie mumbled something under her breath but didn’t say anything loud enough for the class to hear.
I tended to believe Oren, especially since our bonding. The Council didn’t want our people to know. I could understand it to a degree because I knew it would cause widespread panic.
“Everything will go on as usual. Initiation first, then groups petitioning to become a Faction.” He said in a calm voice.
“Nothing changes.”
The blonde, Alice, spoke, “I can’t wait. Those who expect to be Nexus will begin choosing the best, strongest Passives to join our Faction.” She smiled at Jet, who looked at her with his usual blank expression.
Sophie leaned up from Jet’s other side to address her. “You better start looking somewhere else because he’s already spoken for. When I’m Nexus-” Sophie’s voice died off as Jet slowly turned and narrowed his eyes.
“I don’t belong to you or anyone else.”
Well damn. I didn’t get scared easily, but that look he gave her caused the hair on my neck to stand up. That man was deadly without any abilities. I couldn’t imagine how he’d be with them.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I just… I meant… I know howamazingwe would be together.” Sophie stumbled over her words, trying to save face.
Jet stared at her until she dropped her eyes and faced the front of the class.
“Dumbass.” Chloe coughed out.
Sophie turned and gave her a hateful glare.
“Maybe my Nexi will want to grab him…up.” Nathan wheezed out the last part when I gave him an elbow to the gut.
“YourNexi?” Sophie frowned.
“Yes, mine.” Nathan clarified.
“Just because she knows her status already doesn’t mean she’s the best choice,” Sophie gritted out. Suddenly, she smiled and fluttered her lashes, “I could be your Nexi.”
