“Thanks. I’d rather have them threatening me than fangirling. I never know what to say.”
Xinyi squeezed my arm. “Don’t worry, I’ve got you. I’m used to maneuvering fans. My family ran a very successful hostess club back in China, so we had all sorts showing up in the club, behind the club, trying to catch the hostess when they’re not working.” She shook her head, sighing. “You’d be surprised the lengths some of them will go to get close to their idol.”
“I’m no one’s idol.” I winced.
“But your parents are and that means you are by affiliation.” She gave me a grim smile before bumping her hip against mine. “Cheer up, maybe you can benefit from this. Get some of these fangirls to do your homework or even...” She wagged her eyebrows. “Finding some gorgeous love slaves to meet your every need.”
My nose crinkled up as we stopped before the open cafeteria door.
“What?” Xinyi glanced up at me. “Not into noncommittal hookups? That’s okay. More for me ahhh—”
A tanned slender hand shot out, grabbed Xinyi by the back of the neck, and jerked her up against the curvy body of its owner.Xinyi grinned, tilting her head back to peer up at her vampire lover.
“Oh, Iris, I didn’t see you there.”
“I’m sure you didn’t, brat.” Iris leaned down and kissed Xinyi passionately before turning her attention to me. “So you’ve decided to greet the masses?”
I grimaced, glancing over her shoulder. “How is it in there?”
“You’ll be fine.” Iris gave me an encouraging smile. “I’m sure they won’t even notice you.”
Sucking in a deep cleansing breath, I stepped through the cafeteria doors.
Everything stopped. The whole room full of witches, werewolves, vampires, and human servants went silent. Their eyes all locked on me.
Suddenly, they were coming toward me, all talking at once. My feet stumbled back, the desire to run roaring its ugly head. Thankfully, Xinyi and Iris were there to manage the situation.
“Get back,” Xinyi snapped, hold her hands up to ward off some of my deranged fans. “Ow, did you just step on my foot? These are Jimmy Choos, I’ll have you know! How would you like it if I stepped on your face?”
Unfortunately, Iris ended up having to hold Xinyi back from causing a scene, leaving me on my own. There were so many people talking at once, I couldn’t make out what any of them were saying. Something about my parents. A new era. Study groups? It was getting a bit overwhelming.
I smiled and nodded to each of them, my hand creeping to the hidden pockets of my pants, my fingers curling around the hilts of my daggers.
A warm, large form pressed against my back, and the familiar scent of pine filled my nose. My eyes closed briefly, breathing him in. The effort it took not to lean back into Tate was more than I wanted to admit.
“Alright, everyone!” His voice went deep and growly like it does when he’s about to do something particularly spicy in bed. “I’m sure Jack wants to eat her lunch without everyone screaming at her. So, go back to your tables. Act like the immortal beings you are.”
There was a collection of groans and then, slowly but surely, the crowd dissipated. Iris had Xinyi in a princess carry, the little woman trying to kick the head off a rather large werewolf. When Xinyi saw Tate, she tapped Iris. “Why don’t we give them a minute?”
Iris nodded before Xinyi called out pointing a finger. “To the table, servant!”
Iris rolled her eyes and smiled, carrying Xinyi away from us.
Not turning to face one of the very people I was avoiding, I took another deep breath. Which was a huge mistake. It only resulted in me breathing in more of delicious aroma, which spread warm tingling feelings throughout my lower extremities.
“You okay?” Tate stepped around me, his hands on my shoulders as he looked me over.
Not knowing how to act around him, I brushed his hands off. “I’m fine. I didn’t need your help.”
Tate arched a brow, his silver stud in it glinting in the light. “Sure looked like you did.”
“Well, I didn’t,” I reiterated, pushing passed him, hoping he’d leave it at that.
He didn’t.
His presence pressed down on me all the way to our normal lunch table. “What were you going to do if I hadn’t come? Slice them up?”
I shot him a glare.
