Page 94 of Resurgent

There’s a beat of stunned silence.

“Matt,” I snap, but to absolutely no one’s surprise, he’s smirking down at me, one hand still on the handle.

“Quick confirmation,” he says, eyes locked on mine. “You’re only going as friends?”

“Yes,” I say immediately. “We all are.”

“And you’ve told him that?”

“Yes. We’re on the same page.”

“Did he say ‘friends,’ or did you say ‘friends’ and he agreed a little too easily?” Emily asks, but Matt’s eyes stay locked on me, looking for anything I’m not saying.

When he seems satisfied, he nods once.

“Okay.”

“That’s it?” Sasha asks. “No speech? No threatening his life?”

“I don’t need to,” Matt says. “She can handle him herself.”

“Handle him how, exactly?” Sasha teases, raising her eyebrows dramatically in my direction, though I know it’s only to get a rise out of Matt.

“Like the cute little puppy she can play with until she’s bored and leaves to chase its own tail,” he says smugly.

Emily grins. “Oh, I like this version of you.”

“Do you think he’s still out there?” Sasha whispers, as though that’s the part of this that would make him uncomfortable.

“Obviously, he’s still out there.” Matt says, hands up as he pants and pretends to be a dog.

“Can we let him in now?” I ask, slapping his arm to get him to knock it off.

"Only after you tell me if you want this showing or not showing," Matt says, bending down in front of me, Hunter's sheathed dagger in hand.

"Not," I say, pulling my dress to the side for Matt to secure the spelled strap around my leg as Emily whispers something about bets on if I'll get pricked by Theo or Matt's gift first.

Once he's sure the dagger is secure, Matt slowly opens the door to reveal Theo once more. Hands in his pockets now, his eyes lift the second the door opens—and land right on me.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

“Yeah,” I say. “Sorry about that. We’re ready.”

Matt steps out beside me, all easy posture and sharp eyes. “We’re all going together,” he adds, casual but pointed.

Theo’s gaze flicks to him, something unreadable passing through it before he nods. “Yeah. Of course.”

“Good,” Matt says, just as easily.

I shoot him a look. “Matt.”

“What?” he says innocently. “We’re all friends, remember?”

Behind me, Sasha chokes on a laugh.

Theo glances between my friends as they all follow me out into the hall before he leans down and half-heartedly whispers, “You know, I don’t mind an audience, but you could warn a guy.”

Emily makes a strangled noise, and I can practically feel the daggers Matt’s imagining stabbing him with right now.