“What I want is for you to actually try to stay alive,” he bites out. “If you die, this will break them, and unless you try harder, you’re not going to make it. There’s no escape for you.”
I glare at him. I don’t need to ask to know who ‘them’ is. It’s sweet that he cares about his friends, but it’s hard to think about that when I feel like slapping his stupid, annoyingly attractive, but completely arrogant face. He’s so close now, and his scent reaches me, heady and intoxicating. Desire makes my body heat, and I curse internally.Stop it, Shade,I singsong to myself in my head.You hate this man, remember? It doesn’t matter that he's your fated mate.
“I am trying to stay alive,” I defend. “It’s not my fault my magic is broken.”
A muscle tightens in his jaw, and his gaze slowly roves over me before he inspects my shadows. “We’re all broken,” he eventually says, his voice low. “That’s why we’re here.”
At once, his shadows release me, and I drop to the floor, unable to land on my feet. My shadows disappear, and Kenzie gasps, rushing over to me.
Without another glance at us, Knox turns, and the large dome dissolves around us as he starts to walk away. The rest of the students come into view crowded around the dome, and I sag on the mat. The students part as Knox approaches, and as he passes them, he snarls, “Everyone back to work.”
Chapter Fifteen
~ Shade ~
Inever thought I’d like running. And to be fair, I still hate it, but that afternoon as we endure a jog through the academy forest following Thane’s instruction, it feels good to have the blood pumping through my veins and the rush of the wind in my ears. My shadows didn’t reappear for the remainder of Offensive and defensive maneuvers, but there’s an aching pressure in my skull that hasn’t eased, and a sense of urgency that makes me feel unsettled. I know I need to remember something. Something important from my past, but every time I try to reach for the memories, they slip away like sand sliding through my fingers. And honestly, it’s freaking me out, because it’s giving me such a bad feeling. Not to mention that I’m still pissed off at Knox for what he did.
Kenzie jogs beside me, neither of us talking. Partly because I’m breathing way too heavily to hold a conversation, and also, because she’s thanked me multiple times for helping her, and I’ve already explained I’d do it again in a heartbeat.
I focus on sucking air into my burning lungs as we follow the winding path through the dark trees of the forest. As usual, we’re running far behind the group, and the rest of the students are no longer in sight, obscured by the twisted trees. Thane pops into view, jogging beside me like he’d been there the whole time, and I yelp, almost tripping over my own feet before correcting myself.
Gasping, I clutch at my chest, slowing my pace as my heart thrums wildly. “Crap, I think you just gave me a heart attack.”
Kenzie looks as startled as I feel. “Professor,” she blurts, her cheeks going pale.
Thane dips his head, acknowledging her, before he turns his focus back to me. “I highly doubt I gave you a cardiac episode. Let me guess, this is your excuse for getting out of running today?” There’s a hint of amusement in his voice, but I don’t answer. Usually, I’d be looking for any reason to end this torture, but not today.
I barely register half of what he’s said because my head is still throbbing, and I keep running, staring off into the distance.
Thane frowns, and he looks inquiringly at Kenzie to fill in the blanks.
“Something happened during our morning class,” she explains looking uneasy.
“During your morning class?” Thane repeats. His frown deepens, and he’s thoughtful for a moment before he instructs Kenzie, “Please rejoin the others.” It’s not a request.
Kenzie peers at me, but I give her a small nod, and she follows his order, increasing her speed and vanishing around a crop of trees up ahead.
The moment she’s gone, Thane turns to me again. “Stop and look at me, mate,” he growls.
I keep running like I think I can outrun the urgency that’s pressing in my mind.
Thane easily keeps pace with me, briskly walking now, because one of his strides equals multiple of mine. “Shade.” His voice is filled with concern as he says my name.
I suck in another labored breath. “You want us to run, don’t you? Building endurance and all that. So that’s what I’m doing,” I wheeze. “Running.”
“There are many things I want,” he replies, his husky voice vibrating through me, “but since when do you follow my orders?”
My mouth goes dry, and when I don’t answer, he reaches out, effortlessly plucking me from the ground and carrying me bridal style. I squeak, flailing my limbs, but I’m too exhausted to put much effort into struggling. His heady scent reaches my nose, and I have to fight hard not to relax against him.
“What are you doing?” I protest.
“We’re not going anywhere until you tell me what happened,” he growls.
“Put me down, Thane.”
Ignoring me, he strides from the path, taking us into the trees. My heart starts to pound harder. Have I wanted Thane to pick me up and ravish me in the forest? Well, yeah of course I have. But now isn’t the time. Is it?What can’t I remember?I feel like banging my head against a tree, but I don’t think that would help matters.
When the path is no longer in sight behind us, Thane stops. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?” my mate growls, and the vibration from his chest reaches to my bones.
