The real reason I’m out here at sunset is due to a rumor floating around about a possible Death’s Teeth sighting, though there was nothing scheduled. I came out to see if there wasany merit to the claim, hoping that my demands to investigate Avernia’s new student hadn’t caused them to grow suspicious of me.
The Director is supposed to be ornamental. She doesn’t pick and choose when to host gatherings. Not without Incarnate’s approval or attendance.
The fact that she might be going around me doesn’t exactly bode well, especially for the woman in front of me. I haven’t reported any real news to them about the new attendee, so it’s possible they’re growing restless. If that happens and they set out to find answers on their own, I won’t be able to save her.
Elle shakes her head, her shoulder slumping. “I don’t know. I just… The Primordial Forest freaks me out is all. Don’t you think it’s creepy?”
I shrug. “I was raised in it. Things are far less terrifying when you know them from the inside out.”
Our gazes connect, something passing quietly between us. The tendons in my neck pull taut, my fingers itching to touch her again.
“Tell me more about this group,” she says after a moment, breaking the spell. “Visio Aternae. Why are they so special?”
“They’re the only ones at Avernia trying to doactualcommunal good. The other student organizations focus on their own goals and projects, but Visio Aternae expands past that. It’s about looking at the future and building a community for everyone.”
“Is that why I can’t join? You don’t think I can be a team player?”
My eyes find hers. “I’m not sure your presence would bring about the sort of attention those students are used to.”
“Rude. Are you implying I bring negative press?”
“Not intentionally, perhaps. But given how the school feels about your family, it’s sort of the natural expectation. Are you unaware of the stuff Pythia says about you online?”
A small smirk tugs at the corner of her mouth. “Reading up about me?”
“I make it a point to learn what I can about all my students. Helps me be a better teacher.”
She laughs, tilting her head back.
My throat constricts as the sound caresses my ears.
“No wonder you’re such an honest guy. You’re a terrible liar.”
Offense pulls at my features. “I am not. And I told you—I’m not that honest.”
Her eyebrows arch, wrinkling the Band-Aid on her forehead as she gives me a look.
“Fuck,” I breathe, chuckling as I push to my feet. “Guess I walked into that one.”
“You’re very easy,” she agrees, hopping up from the bench.
“If that were true, our relationship would look a bit different right now.”
Overhead, the clouds congregate directly above us, shrouding our clearing in shadows. Elle’s gaze darts around the area, as if checking for potential beasts that might crawl from the foliage to attack.
Or something far worse.
“So what are youreallydoing out here?” I ask. “Don’t say exercising. You’re not dressed for it.”
She hesitates. I swallow as her eyes trek over every inch of me, my soul torn between arousal and unease.
Fuck, it could be a crime how badly I want her. My entire body vibrates under the weight of her speculation as if my sole point of existence is to be seen by her. Like my reason for being alive is just for thepossibilityof more.
Finally, she shrugs. “I was trying to get to know the school a little. It’d be nice if I really understood the hatred for the Anderson bloodline, don’t you think?”
“Ah, so you’ve brushed up since our chat on the first day,” I say. “Not everything has concrete, rational reasoning though. And I’m not sure you’d find many answers out here. Have you checked the Obeliskos archives?”
“Yes. They’re boring. I’m not surprised you recommended them.”
