Alarm bells rang through me, and my instincts went on high-alert at his warning. “What? Why?”
“I saw Darian.”
“No,” I whispered, my heart plummeting into my gut. “There’s no way.”
“I don’t know where he’s been,” Tobias said, jaw tightening. “But he’s back.”
Immediately, everyone around me tensed. They even knew this news wasn’t good.
“Your ex?” Slater asked, eyes narrowing.
Zuko’s expression darkened. “Why the fuck does his name causethatreaction in you, pretty little poison?”
“Protect her,” Tobias said simply, not answering their questions.
“I will,” Koa murmured immediately.
“I’ll protect her with my life,” Slater added with a tight smile. “No matter what.”
Zuko said nothing, but his jaw flexed in a dangerous way that also turned me on.
Dimitri sighed. “We don’t have time for this. But…yeah. No one’s touching her. She’s our classmate, squadmate, whatever.”
“Glad we’re clear.” Tibby let go of my wrist.
Before anyone could say anything else, April popped up beside my brother. Her short, curly brown hair was tied halfway back, and her brown eyes were filled with awe as she stared at Tibby. I’d first met the prissy vampire in my mother’s office when Jesper was briefing her about something. I’d also seen her a few times hanging around my brother like a fly.
I didn’t fucking like her one bit. Learning Darian was here, then having this bitch pop up? No neurotoxin could soothe me now.
“Hey, Tobias!” she said brightly, bouncing on her heels as she clutched his arm. “You want to partner in combat today?”
Irritation flashed across Tibby’s face. “No.”
I took that as permission and smoothly stepped between them, tugging April’s hand off his arm. “He’s not interested,” I said, flatly.
April blinked, clearly not processing it. “Hands off.”
I smiled sweetly. “Oh my gosh, of course.” I let go of her arm and patted her cheek softly.
April immediately froze, then gasped and clamped both hands to her stomach. “Oh Fates… what the,oh, what did you…oh,no!” She turned and bolted.
“What the fuck did you—” Raze asked.
April let out a huge, disgustingly wet fart as she kicked into vampire speed and out of sight.
“Did she just…?” Eleanor covered her mouth. “Oh, girl, that’s rough.”
“Gross.” I made a face.
Tibby snorted. “You’ve got to stop making girls shit themselves when they flirt with me.”
“Maybe,” I said innocently. “But not her. She’s annoying.”
“She’s unfortunately in my squad,” Tibby added, “and doesn’t get the hint. She’s trying to get all sweet with me. She’s pretty but, yeah, annoying.”
“You’re welcome.” I smiled brightly.
“I owe you,” he said, grinning. “Just don’t do that to the siren triplets, yeah?”
