It wasn’t her fault, it was the magic,I tell myself.
Ocean shrugs. “I haven’t seen her,” she admits, following my line of sight before taking a tentative spoonful of her porridge.
My concern is abruptly interrupted as the doors swing open and a tall, pale, blond-haired vampire steps into the room. My heart beats so loudly, I’m sure it makes the floor rumble too.
He looks like he hasn’t slept as he glances around the space, but it doesn’t take him long to find me in the crowd. I feel torn as a part of me begs to run to him, to wrap my arms around his neck with the desire to fix it all, but I squash it down before it gets too vivid.
It’s not my fault I can’t do that anymore. It’s his. Not that I really did that to begin with, but now I have to fight against the desire because of his stupid actions. I wish his betrayal had changed how he looked to me, how his presence made me feel, but it seems I’m a glutton for punishment because it doesn’t.
I consider drowning him in a bucket of cold water, but decide against that too.
Rage quickly boils inside of me as my view of him is obstructed by a redheaded bitch who drapes her arms around his neck. Before the green-eyed monster can run free inside of me, I turn away, opting to aim my glare at the tree in the center of the room instead.
At least the tree doesn’t burn me with heartache.
I barely think the words into existence before a flash of purple flames dances around the tree in question, only to vanish a moment later, leaving five new additions in its place.
The Sanctum.
“Good morning, students. It looks like the perfect weather for our next Institute Game, wouldn’t you say?” Anya declares, throwing her hands out wide, expecting a cheer of some kind, but everyone just blinks at them.
“Fuck my luck today,” I mumble, and Ocean scoffs.
“Fuck your luck every day,” she corrects, and I huff in agreement as movement beside me catches my attention.
“What’s this about fucking? I thought you were just going to kiss me better, Petal?” Rion declares, louder than necessary, as Thorne shakes his head while taking the seat across from him.
Before I can reply to Rion’s brazen antics, Thorne clears his throat, leveling me with a stare.
“I think they’re trying to kill you,” he states, and I gulp, unable to deny the fact, but definitely not self-centered enough to believe that it’s their only motive. I don’t get to express anything, though, as another voice sounds from behind me.
“Or make your powers appear.”
My pulse quickens with panic as the familiar voice washes over me, but I keep my head down, refusing to look at Kael. But pretending he’s not there doesn’t eradicate the warmth of his body heat behind me.
Dammit.
My cell phone vibrates in my pocket, making me frown as I move to retrieve it from my pocket. Everyone with my number is here. A brick hits my stomach as a text sits idle on the screen. Pressing my thumb against it, I’m not surprised when it comes from an unknown source, but it still doesn’t stop the shiver running down my spine.
Unknown: Are you ready to come home now, Little Weapon? Just say the word, and I can put an end to it all.
16
THORNE
Iwatch Elodie’s face drop as she blinks down at her cell phone. Her throat bobs with uncertainty as she glances around the room, and it sets my nerve endings on fire.
Something’s wrong, and I need to know what.
Swiping a hand down my face, I try to fight the agitation inside. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen that look on her face before. It’s always been concerning, but now it feels like I can’t breathe if I don’t erase it.
I part my lips, ready to find out what’s going on, but I’m drowned out by the shrill sound of Cordelia from The Sanctum addressing the room.
“That’s right. Today, we get to embark on another trial. Rest assured, although we’ve had some difficulties with the last two, we’ve gone to great lengths to ensure this experience will run smoothly.”
I internally scoff at their crap. I know we will be safe becauseI’veensured it. As long as they keep the game in The Vale instead of making one of their little mini worlds that feel like I’m in some kind of hallucination, then we’ll all be fine.
“After much consideration, we have ensured that today’s trial will take place right here in The Vale. Isn’t that exciting?” Anyaadds as if reading my thoughts, and my muscles ease with the slight relief it offers, but it’s short-lived when my gaze returns to Elodie, only to find her still frozen in place, blinking at her cell phone.
