It didn't feel overly dangerous to take this risk, just a little naughty, and keeping my men on their toes was a fun game. I hadn't run off or lied—Rafe knew exactly where I was going—and knowing that prince, he'd be on my ass before I was halfway to the library.
The halls were actually quite deserted as I ran through them, and the thrill of the chase only increased when I was sure that someone was following. Turning back a few times, I didn't see anyone there, but I felt their eyes. That heavy stare.
My palm reader buzzed consistently on my wrist, but I didn't check it. One misstep and Rafe would have me—I really hated losing to him. A small group of seniors were just ahead on the path, a few halls from the library, and I had to slow to get around them. As I sidled past, I glanced back more thoroughly, blinking at the shadowed figure ducking into a classroom.
It was definitely a male, tall and broad, but why was he hiding? Rafe wouldn't hide from me... He would haul me over his shoulder and drag me back to his room.
"Violet!" a familiar voice growled, and I swung startled eyes on Rafe. "You're in so much trouble, Cinderella."
He must have noticed my expression then because his playful anger faded into something serious. "What did you see?"
"Someone was following me," I got out through my clenched jaw. "At first I thought it was you, but... it wasn't."
"Uriel," Rafe bit out, and then he took off along the hall.
I was right on his heels.
He thought he could take Uriel on, and maybe he could—I'd yet to see anyone fight like Fallen Angel. But I would never underestimate my sensei. Rafe and I together would have a much better shot.
"Which room?" Rafe asked, when it was clear no one was in the hall any longer.
Moving back a bit, I stopped at the spot where the dark figure had disappeared. "Here," I said.
This door led into a chemistry lab, and as Rafe eased open the door, the light from the hallway spilled into the entrance, showcasing the high tables and lab equipment.
As he stepped inside, he turned to me, lifting his hand to give the universal signal for "get the fuck behind me." Wrinkling my nose at him, I shook my head. Just because I understood that signal didn't mean I was blindly following it.
Our silent argument was a waste of time, so we compromised by entering the room side by side. When we reached the middle, I was the one now telling him to go right and I would go left. The room was huge, more of a lecture theater than a classroom, so it made sense to split up.
Rafe shook his head, but I didn't give a fuck, already moving on silent feet toward the panel near the lecture podium where the lights were controlled. Uriel was a pretty big man, so there weren't many places he could hide in here. Especially once the lights were on.
Knowing Rafe, he probably had cat-like night vision. I, on the other hand, preferred a well-lit fighting space. I flipped the switches and the overhead halogens flickered to life. Moving quickly, I made my way to a table nearby. One that had a lab coat draped over the chair and would be the most logical hiding place I could see.
When I reached it, I slowly lifted the long, white material, my eyes straining for the slightest movement. My position was vulnerable, allowing someone to reach out and grab me from under the table, so I turned my body a different way to reduce my risk.
Lifting the last of the coat, I struck out, only to find the table was empty.
A hand landed on my shoulder as I turned away, and with a silent cry, I struck out, slamming my palms into a rock hard shoulder. Rafe's face appeared before me, and I halted my next strike.
"Nothing?" he said softly.
I shook my head, confused by his lack of reaction. I'd hit him a good one, but the boy didn't even act like he'd felt it. Typical.
"He's gone," I said, relaxing. "Maybe it wasn't even anything. I mean, I saw a shadowy figure disappear into a classroom. Maybe it was a teacher."
Rafe nailed me with an exasperated expression. "Or maybe it was Uriel disappearing into the secret passageways and you almost got yourself fucking kidnapped again because you didn't listen to me."
I jabbed him in the chest. "Hold up, dickhead. I didn't get kidnapped last time; you did. I came to your rescue willingly."
He opened his mouth to argue, then the truth of what I'd said seemed to register. "That still doesn't give you the right to take chances. Not any more. You know why?"
I crossed my arms, setting my face into a smooth, expressionless mask. "I'm sure you're about to tell me."
"Because now you have to stay alive for more than yourself, Violet; you have to stay alive for me and Jordan as well. It's a huge fucking responsibility, one we expect you to take seriously."
"What do you mean I have to stay alive for you?"
Rafe wrapped his arms around me in a sudden, desperate movement. "If you die, then so the fuck do we. So stay alive!"
