“Yes.” I nodded. “It was uneventful, but I ran out of time.”
David didn’t seem to buy it, as he slowly shook his head.
“Yeah,” he said. “I will be shamefully honest—it’s quite spooky and I didn’t last long.”
Someone moved to the desk next to him.
“Hi, David.” The student smiled, and David gave her a polite nod and gave me a knowing look.
“Too bad you don’t have that delicious liquid courage this time,” I said, remembering the Halloween party we’d gone to right after we’d each arrived. Though, this time, I welcomed the conversation. I was curious and David had become a friend.
“That is certainly too bad.” He gave me a wink before turning to the girl, who had still been talking. I applauded him for his inability to be rude, even when it was apparent he didn’t want to have a conversation with her. I was positive that had to be the contributing factor as to why the girls wanted his attention—it couldn’t have been because of thehe offed his parentsrumor.
I clutched the grimoire closely to my chest and walked to my locker. I tasted the bitterness seeping from it, unequivocally justifying why it was locked away in the basement. It sent chills down my spine.
A bright white rose was elegantly taped to my locker, complete with a tasteful black ribbon tied in a bow. I leaned in, taking in its fresh floral scent, but another aroma was hidden amongst its pedals and stem. An earthy oil scent?
Exciting awareness alerted me before I felt Ender’s breath against the bare skin on my neck.
He took a slow, deep breath through his nose. “The smell of roses and sandalwood. And a rare, beautiful rose. Like you.”
I turned to face him. He held a bouquet of white roses, his hazel eyes entrapping my gaze, making my heart flutter. This was a new gesture. A man had never brought me flowers—though there had never been any men in my life before Fives. He had matched my scent—according to him.
“What professor did you charm to have these made, or have you been practicing?” I asked jokingly. In time, he would be able to create them himself. They were the rarest natural occurring rose—blue was the rarest, but they did not grow by natural occurrence.
“Charm?” He gave his best one-sided grin. “I don’t have any of that.”
I laughed. If it hadn’t been him giving me the roses, I would’ve been uncomfortable. Instead, him knowing my scent did something wild to me.
I shifted the books I held, needing to unlock my locker. His gaze dropped to the books, his lips instantly turning down. The imaginary enamored bubble surrounding us popped, overtaken by questions and fear.
He glowered at the book. “What is that and why does it feel like death?”
“It’s a grimoire from a dark mage line.” I finished opening my locker so I could shove the books inside. “David gave it to me.”
I felt Ender’s anger as I shut the door, hoping to leave the stagnant, dreadful feeling emitting from the book.
“Why would he give you that?” He scowled, the flowers still in his hand. Somehow, he looked dangerous when upset … and hot.Ugh.
“Because he knew I was looking into dark mages. I assume after the attack and when everyone found out what I was, he understood why I was looking, even if he doesn’t know about my mom.” I shrugged. “He probably thinks I’m just trying to defend myself against dark mages but not the entire story.”
Ender physically relaxed, but I could stillfeelhis anger. He didn’t like that I had been given a dangerous book. It didn’t need to even be opened to know it held dark secrets.
“Be careful, Selene.” He stepped closer, the flowers creating a small barrier between us. “That book doesn’t feel right.”
“I know.” I swallowed. “But it might have answers that could help prevent someone else from dying.”
His expression lightened and he wrapped me in a hug, careful of the flowers and protecting me from getting prodded by the thorns. I sighed, leaning into his chest. He understood.
He pressed a light kiss to my forehead as he handed me the flowers and left, heading to the men’s locker room. It was too bad I couldn’t follow him.
Chapter Forty-Three
Selene
Inmytrainingsession,no one wanted to spar with me. Head Trainer Murphy moved Vivian into my group, and Priscilla was going to work with us.
Mage lights floated in the air surrounding the training field. The sun was setting even though it was only two o’clock in the afternoon. They illuminated the area well, but I wouldn’t be surprised if training would be moved to the gym next week. It was the start of an eight-week snow period this weekend.
