Why does it feel like he’s asking for permission to kiss me?
I look him over like I’m seeing him for the first time. Sitting this close, I realize just how broad his shoulders are. How strong his arms look. How much I really wouldn’t mind it if he were to kiss me. At least with Amund, I wouldn’t have to worry about feelings forming on either side. He’s a hunter. I’m a berserkr. We’re completely incompatible.
Forcing myself to swallow, I manage to nod. “Yeah.”
Instead of kissing me, Amund reaches for my face, brushing something wet away with his thumb. His touch is startlingly gentle for someone who hunts my kind.
“Don’t cry.” When he speaks, his voice is rough. “I hate seeing you sad.”
When did I start crying? I blink, feeling the wetness along my lashes, but another tear rolls down my cheek. Amund wipes it away again. His hand lingers longer this time, cupping the side of my face.
“Sorry,” I say hoarsely. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Nothing is wrong with you.”
His earnest words send warmth spreading through me.
Barely a breath separates us.
My gaze lowers to his lips. Is Amund a rough kisser? He looks like he would be. Finding out would be a bad idea, right? But right now I can think of few things I want more. I want those strong arms wrapped around me, not to capture me but to keep me close. I want to feel his lips press hard against mine. I want that familiar rush of dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin.
I want to feelgood.
Before I can kiss him, the lights in the cafeteria cut out.
We’re left side by side in sudden darkness.
“Do they just… turn off the lights when the dining hall closes?” I ask in disbelief.
“No,” Amund says stiffly. “Stay here. I’m going to find out what happened.”
“Okay,” I tell him. “Be careful.”
He gives me a look like I’m being ridiculous, and then he leaves. While I wait, I look around the darkened cafeteria, letting my eyes adjust. The world starts to brighten, taking on an ambient glow. Still no sign of Isaac or Tala anywhere. Two girls studying nearby quickly close their books and rush outside.
I’m left sitting in absolute silence. A shudder traces down my spine as I look around the empty dining hall. No one else is here. So why are the little hairs on my arm standing on end? Itfeelslike something is close by. Or someone.
“Isaac?” I call out weakly.
A pair of glowing eyes opens in the darkness, staring straight at me.
Everything happens at once.
A wolf lunges at me.
The vial slips from my fingers and shatters on the floor.
Screaming, I scramble away from the table as claws slice the wood.
I have to get out of here—but the berserkr is between me and the main door. It’s the same one that chased me through the seer school. The killer stands on his hind legs, his misshapen body silhouetted against the glow of the exit sign. I run in the opposite direction, feet flying through the empty dining hall. There’s another door on the far side.
The killer follows me, taking his time.
I burst through the door.
Now I’m in the kitchen, no exit sign in sight. I can hear the creature getting closer. Closer. He must have known where this door led. He must have known I’d be trapped. A shaggy silhouette appears in the door window before I duck behind one of the long kitchen counters. Hopefully he didn’t see me, but I’m not so sure.
The killer walks into the kitchen, his claws scraping the floor with each step.
