“He’s not protecting me.” My answer is part bluster and part truth. Ziv is training me so I won’t need protection. That’s what he says anyway, but I want this male to make his own inference that I don’t need to be protected.
“Interesting.” He hums. “Is that why they have you in the cells?”
The cells?I almost ask out loud. I knew there was something different about my room, but I didn’t realize it was a cell. I shrug lazily. Not committing to an answer is better than the wrong one.
I step to the side again to move past him, and he doesn’t attempt to stop me this time. My bluff might have worked. I feel eyes on my back the entire time I walk the gauntlet of other novices, but I pretend it doesn’t make my skin crawl with unease. I never look back over my shoulder. Hey, maybe I am picking up some lessons from Ziv. Damn it,now he’s in my thoughts again.
KAGE
As I trail behind Briar undetected, I know there’s a chance my concealment may not last long. I hoped she would stay in her room or that Ziv would return early, but neither of those things happened.
When a male steps into her path, blocking her from walking down the hall, I nearly slip from my shadow form, especially when I watch his eyes travel up and down her body. My creature stands her ground, and the male doesn’t elevate to a threat. He does mention the fallen, and it’s clear he and everyone else is curious about why he’s been escorting her around. She doesn’t answer his probing question and cuts the conversation short by making a quick exit.
When I follow her, I’m tempted to sweep the male’s feet out from under him, but it would only alert him and the others to my presence or make them think Briar was somehow responsible. The rest of her venture is uneventful, other than the looks she attracts. It seems I’m not the only one who notices either. I watch her shoulders inch closer to her ears as she fills a tray with small portions of food, then selects a chair that leaves her back in the corner. She does her best to stay focused on her plate, but I see the way her eyes try to take everything in without being obvious about it.
As much as I would like to be closer to her, I stay on the other side of the room, clinging to the shadows that give me the best view of her surroundings. She may think she’s alone, but she isn’t and never will be.
After eating every bite on her plate, she returns her tray and disposes of her trash, then she makes her way back into the hallway. She is moving a little slower, as if she’s either reluctant to walk through the institute or go back to her room. I catch her looking over her shoulder several times, and each instance gives me a trace of satisfaction. I like knowing how aware of me she is.
I’m too busy watching her ass in britches that still don’t fit her well, but are much better than the rags she wore before, so I’m startled when Briar stops abruptly and takes a quick step backward. Mistress Corin steps into the corridor. It takes me a moment to realize she’s coming from one of the restricted libraries. Her reaction to seeing Briar makes me wonder if she was avoiding anyone seeing her leave the dark archives, or if something specifically about my creature alarmed her.
“Why are you roaming around?” Corin peers down her hawkish nose.
“Looking for my room.” Briar allows her hair to swing forward, concealing part of her face while she averts her eyes.
The instructor’s eyes narrow on Briar’s head with suspicion and, if I’m not mistaken, hostility. “This area is off-limits to students,” Corin lies. As far as I know, the library is off-limits to pretty much everyone at the school, with the exception of the headmistress and her top aides. The only reason I even know about the location of this place is because I make it a point to learn everyone’s secrets. It’s easy when you can live in the shadows.
“I’m new. I didn’t realize,” Briar defends.
“That seems awfully convenient.” Corin is sizing my creature up and inching closer. I know her ability comes from nature, but what her distinct talent is, I’m uncertain. Corin looks ready to pounce, and I need to put a stop to it.
I slip back around the corner and shatter my shadow form. It hurts like hell for a heartbeat, but it’s easy to ignore. I make a point of scraping my boot along the stone floor to be heard, then emerge from the corridor.
Briar does a double take when she sees me. There’s a second where I see relief flash across her features, but it’s eclipsed just as quickly with resignation.
“Kage.” Mistress Corin starts to step back but catches herself and holds her ground, rocking forward. “Am I interrupting something?” She glances between Briar and me, as if we planned to meet here.
“My solitude.” I act as if me happening upon them is an inconvenience.
“Neither of you should be wandering around. Head back to the dorms,” the instructor states, dismissing both of us.
“Where are the dorms?” Briar questions softly.
“I’m sure he can show you.” Corin skulks away.
I watch her back as she goes, but I still notice when my creature gazes over at me. “Are you following me?” Her tone isn’t accusatory, and instead, she almost sounds curious.
“Why the hell would I do that?” I find it difficult to outright lie to her.
“I’m not sure, but you seem to be around a lot.” I pretend not to see her lift her nose in the air and take a whiff as if she’s scenting me. Fuck, now my dick is hard. When she tilts her head to the side and narrows her eyes, I start to wonder if she knows that too. Maybe her ability is mental.
“Maybe I should be questioning why you are always around?” I counter.
We have a stare off that lasts all of five seconds before she breaks and looks away first. “If you tell me how to get back to the dorms, I’ll get out of your hair.”
“You mean your cell?”
“I’m capable of finding the room they assigned me if you’ll help me get back to the dorms.” She huffs, sounding ashamed when she begins to fidget. She thinks it’s an insult to be placed in the holding cells.
