Mala…
While the rest of the students complain about the cold and never-ending snow, I drift through the next few weeks in a rosy bubble of joy.
Cormac taught me the tunnel patterns, which ones had security cameras, and which ones didn’t. We take different routes each time to meet and I wear a big hoodie, pulled over my head and hiding my face. I change the way I walk through the tunnels, how I move.
The cloak and dagger part of our equation isn’t as titillating as one would expect for someone in the Spy division. I don’t want to know what will happen to us if we’re caught. Rumors abound about the Dean’s punishments for unapproved relationships, but I can’t stop. I won’t. And even though I know the secrecy pains Cormac, he still meets me every time at the door of his cottage, hands cupping my face and kissing me hungrily.
He wanted to keep away from me so badly, but he’s drawn to me, too, like the tide to the moon and I’m so happy that he’s not fighting it anymore.
“Your friends still haven’t demanded to know where you’re going?”
We’re lying on a thick quilt in front of the fireplace, naked. Even though the wind whistles through the old window panes, the fire and Cormac’s huge body combined feel like a blast furnace.
“Willow, Tatiana, and Mariya might be in the Spy division, too, but they value our friendship more than getting an answer,” I say, running my fingers through his thick hair. “They know I’m happy, and they’re satisfied with that.”
I’m fascinated by his long hair. Though he seems so indifferent about it, pulling it back with an elastic when it gets in his way. It’s a thick chestnut brown, silky and when he’s inside me, I hold onto fistfuls of his hair like it‘s the only thing keeping me from flying away. I tug especially hard as I’m coming, I hear his low groan and I know he enjoys it.
“You know, if you’re really that fond of my hair, I can just cut it off for you…” Cormac’s long fingers expertly flip a knife, bringing it up teasingly.
“Don’t you dare!” I gasp, “I will murder you if you cut a single inch, that’s just-” The knife he’s idly spinning is exquisite. It’s obviously very old, with an elaborately carved bone handle and a blade and trim of Damascus steel. “Oh… it’s so pretty,” I sigh. “Where did you get it?”
“It was mySeanair’s,my grandfather’s.” He holds it up to the firelight so the flicker of the flames dances along the elaborately crafted steel. “He gave it to me before he died. It’s been in my family for generations. It’s my most prized possession.” Hewatches me as I gently run a finger down the blade, feeling the tiny ripples hammered into the steel.
Someone pounds on the door and I jump, cutting my finger. “Shit,” I hiss, watching the blood spill from the little slice.
“Go into the bathroom,” Cormac whispers, cupping the back of my head. “Stay there. There’s medical supplies under the sink.”
Nodding, I slip silently into the bathroom and shut the door as I hear the impatient voice of Professor Fukumoto. “MacTavish, open up! It’s important.”
Oh crap oh crap oh crap Professor Fukumoto?
There could be no one worse to catch us, aside from Dean Christie. I know Fukumoto is just as ruthless.
Finding his med kit, I open it as quietly as I can, trying to wrap my finger while listening at the door.
“Lauren Birch is dead.”
I suck in a breath of air so fast that it nearly chokes me and I close my eyes, focusing on my breathing.
Not Lauren.
She is one of the few women in the Leader’s Division and she is amazing; strong, and focused. She picked me for a Challenge last spring and we won. I remember how she laughed and toasted the rest of us with champagne.
I hold onto my bloody finger and sob silently, waiting for them to leave.
When Cormac opens the door, I’m sitting on the floor, staring blankly at the wall.
“Oh, baby…” He picked me up, carrying me to the bed and rocking me like a child.
“What happened to her?” My voice is flat, my thoughts are flying through my brain, somehow not able to stick together long enough to make sense.
“She was attacked outside the student housing building.”
“How?”
He pauses for a moment, and his arms tighten around me. “She was stabbed.”
“That- okay, that doesn’t make sense!” I writhe free from his hold and pace the little room. “No! Lauren’s strong, and smart. There’s no way-”
