Thorn’s hand found mine in my lap, and he squeezed. I glanced at him and gave him a thankful smile. He always sensed when I needed comfort. “It’s not only the vampire,” he said. “I’ve noticed the demon that rooms with you has taken a liking to you. His peppermint scent is all around you.”
“It is?” I sniffed the air to find the hint of peppermint that had been following me around all day and bit back the smile. “It’s a nice scent.”
“Be careful around the shadow demon,” Lachlan said, and I jerked my head up to meet his warning gaze as he rubbed the scruff on his cheek. “He’s a cool dude, but he’s dangerous. He kills those who look at him wrong. You can’t forget that.”
“Of course he’s dangerous,” I snapped as if I were spewing acid, but I couldn’t sit here and listen to anyone bad-mouth Damien. “He’s a demon, but I feel safe around him.”
Lachlan put his hands up in the air in surrender. “I’m not trying to upset you. I don’t actually know him all that well, but the rumors aren’t very pretty. I just wanted you to be aware.”
“Rumors are nothing but that. Get to know him before you judge him.”
Thorn squeezed my hand, and I turned to him. “Wren, Lachlan didn’t mean anything by it.”
I frowned just as a hand snaked forward and grabbed a piece of my chicken.
“Thanks for sticking up for me, little bird.” Damien’s lips brushed the lobe of my ear before he disappeared back into the shadows.
My ear tingled where his lips had been, and I squeezed Thorn’s hand.
“Granted, that powerisuseful,” Lachlan noted before he started to eat his chicken leg.
“Does he just stalk you the entire day?” Thorn grumbled, pulling his hand away to pick up his chicken.
“Probably,” Trixie answered for me. “He was watching her sleep last night.”
“You saw that too?” Kian asked.
My jaw dropped. “You both knew about that?”
“I’m sorry, what?” Thorn asked, and the air around him dropped a few degrees. “Nobody thinks that’s a little unhealthy?”
“I don’t mind.” I shrugged, grabbing my chicken and biting into it.
Thorn shook his head and continued eating his chicken, but I had a feeling he’d have more to say when we were alone.
Being at the academy was a culture shock, but it was also a humbling experience. There were all kinds of supernaturals intermingling, and the amenities were amazing. Not to mention, knowledge was everywhere. It was the first time in my life that I had access to whatever I wanted to know about, and it was exciting.
“Did you hear about the werewolf that finally turned up?” some girl asked rather loudly to another girl at a nearby table.
“Yes, oh my gosh! It just happened. Nate found the guy in the Bestial Forest just before noon!” a familiar voice gushed. “He was bruised and bloody. Barely breathing, apparently!”
My ears picked up on the gossip, and I glanced over to the table in front of us to see the blonde girl from Crystology sitting next to Grayson again with another friend of hers. My body stiffened at the onslaught of pain pulsing through my chest as Grayson met my gaze, and Thorn threw his arm over the back of my seat, calming the fire scorching my heart.
“Rumors say humans did it,” the other girl said, sending a splinter of fear straight through my gut.
“That girl sitting next to the asshole is Mirella. Lachlan and I got the short end of the stick being roomed with them,” Thorn whispered in my ear. “She’s just as much of a bitch as he is.”
“What about what she said? A werewolf was found in bad shape?Humans?” I hissed the last word like it was a plague because humans were the true monsters.
“Don’t worry, Wren,” Trixie said, concern filling her eyes as she pushed her plate away. “The headmaster is a fucking firedrake.Number one in the hierarchy.He could wipe the humans out entirely if he wanted to. Also, my sister’s the academy witch, and she has wards up that don’t allow for humans to cross.”
“She’s right,” Kian joined in. “Humans don’t stand a chance against this academy.”
“Rumors are nothing but that,” Lachlan added with a wink. “Didn’t you just tell me that?”
My shoulders slumped as I forced out a sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right.” He grinned.
