Page 71 of Coveted

The apple of his throat bobs. “Something like that.”

Dammit, now he thinks I was flirting with him.

I definitely wasn’t.

Before I can call him an asshole again, Lucan turns and walks away, carving a path through the room.

Out of curiosity more than anything, I follow.

How can he reach the roof? The building is all turrets and towers.

Through a rickety side door, we climb steps I never knew existed. The staircase spirals up and up, a strong wind moaning through gaps in the mortar like spirits.

At several landings, I peek through the doors into the main building. I even recognize a few landmarks like paintings and statues, which makes me proud. Darkbloom is starting to feel like home, lunatic traditions notwithstanding.

The staircase narrows as we near the top.

“Is this where you bring girls?” I ask Lucan’s back.

“Only the ones who royally piss me off,” he says.

I screw up my face. “What did I do to piss you off?”

“You left your phone in your dorm room. Did you even bring the stun gun?”

“Of course not,” I say.

“What do you mean, of course not? The killer might be down there, Sadie, waiting to grab you in the dark and snap your neck. You seem determined to put yourself in danger.”

“The rules said no phones though.”

“Rules don’t apply to you,” he says.

I scoff. “Except the ones you set?”

“Apologies for trying to keep you alive.”

“Apologies for trying to enjoy being alive,” I say.

“Enjoy yourself with safeguards in place, for the sake of my blood pressure.” Lucan stops at a heavy iron-strapped door at the top of the stairs. “At Altar, you ran off and nearly got yourself kidnapped. At least stay armed at all times.”

“Gee, I wonder why I ran. Maybe because you wanted to watch me sit on a glass surface.”

“Fair point,” he says. “I’ll make sure I hold onto you next time. When I won’t let you go, remember it’s for your own good.”

My pulse flutters with anxiety and something deeper. He might not be joking.

Do I really want to be up here with him?

“I didn’t know I’d be invited to the feast,” I say. “None of us did.”

“You’re gorgeous,” he says. “Of course some sleazy shithead wanted to invite you.”

“And what? You’re the only sleazy shithead allowed to look at me?”

“Yes.”

He opens the door, cold night air hitting my face.