No, abrasive was the way his voice teased my senses.
“I heard what happened in the dining hall,” he continued.
“And?”
“It’s a bad idea.”
“You know what’s a bad idea? Letting someone like Tamina into this Academy. The fact that you’d train Phages like her to be Hunters says a lot about this place.”
His expression pinched. “I don’t disagree. But all establishments require funds to operate.”
“Oh, I get it. Say no more. That makes the abuse of innocent creatures okay, then.”
“You have every right to feel that way. And you’re not the only one. But rules and covenants exist for a reason, and blood debts are never paid lightly. We have no idea what Ruspin did to be bound to Tamina like that.”
“Whatever it was, it can’t possibly warrant being humiliated and beaten daily. No one has the right to own someone else.”
“Are you sure your personal experiences aren’t coloring your judgment?”
Heat rushed to my cheeks, stinging as if he’d slapped me. “You don’t know me, Master Vitra, so please keep your assumptions to yourself.”
“I see I’ve touched a nerve.”
“No, you’re simplygettingon my nerves.”
He tipped his head to the side, that enigmatic smile back on his luscious lips. “Are you always this argumentative?”
“Are you always this attentive to new students?”
His eyes narrowed. “As your mentor, it’s my job to make sure you’re safe.”
The mentor I was supposed to be cultivating a relationship with, the one that I needed to use at some point, and dammit, I was blowing it. I ducked my head and exhaled. “I’m sorry. It’s been a long day.”
He sat up straight and looked down his nose at me, as if he was trying to decide what to do with me, as if I were a problem. I’d seen that look too many times for it to bother me, but for some reason, right now it did. And I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from saying something I’d regret.
He sucked in his cheeks, his eyes lighting up. “So you do have some self-control.”
“What?”
“I can speak to Tamina and dissolve your deal.”
The sudden twist in topic threw me for a moment, but I recovered fast. “No! I’m not backing down on this. And if that’s the only reason you wanted to see me, then we’re done.” I made to stand, but he placed his hand on my thigh, holding me in place. Heat spread beneath my skin, and I bit back a gasp. There was no more denying that this man was somehow bypassing my curse. No denying that I liked it either.
“I don’t recall dismissing you, Miss Onyx.”
The command in his tone both repelled and excited me, leaving me momentarily flustered. And he wasstilltouching me. Surely that was inappropriate. I should point that out, right?
Yeah. I should definitely point it out.
I arched a brow, gaze dipping to his hand on my thigh, then rising to his face.
He slow-blinked and withdrew his hand, leaving me hollow.
“You should reconsider your deal with Miss Vayne. Once you step onto Coral Isle, you are no longer under Nightsbridge protection. I will not be able to help you.”
“The arena is on Coral Isle?”
I’d been so caught up in playing the part of someone in pain that I’d neglected to ask for details about my upcoming rendezvous with psycho bitch.
