Page 79

"Never mind. Tell him I'll text him."

Something suspiciously close to amusement flickers across Halvern's face. "Of course."

I tap the back of Marius's head as I turn toward the door, grinning when he swears at me for interrupting whichever victim he's found for his charms.

"Come on, cous. Let's get the fuck out of here."

So he's a brilliant musician, wears that medical band like something in him can go wrong at any second, clearly has no money, and somehow manages to look fucking gorgeous while sitting alone in a crowded room.

The guys are rowdy around me, but I can't concentrate. I haven't been able to concentrate properly since last night.

Since the alley. Since Rowan wrapped himself around my waist and held on while we cut through the city. Since the pool, and everything he couldn't hide in the water.

Fuck, maybe Halvern's right.

I've told myself Rowan was flagged because of timing, a scholarship student arriving just as the Legacy Gala turned the entire academy into a security headache.

Now I'm starting to wonder if that's the whole story.

But every time I think I've got Rowan figured out, he goes and does something that makes even less sense than the last thing. Ignoring my messages is apparently the latest addition to that list.

The part I can't get past isn't that he left campus.

After I had him shaking in my arms, after he came apart under my hands, after making damn sure I was the only thing in his head for one goddamn second, he still felt the need to go chasing something.

Or someone.

Girl? Nah, not with the way he was kissing me. I mean, it could be, but I don't like the idea, so fuck that.

A guy?

I like that idea even less.

Still, the thought of someone else getting his attention, of someone else making him leave campus in the middle of the night after everything that happened between us, twists something ugly loose in my gut.

Rest assured—if there is someone, they're about to have a very bad day. Or a very bad life.

I pull up my multi-slate and fire off a quick message to Dad.

tempest confirmed. halvern wanted me to tell you personally. says he couldn't get hold of you

Three dots appear.

I know. He talks too much

I snort. That sounds about right.

I look up from the screen and find Rowan exactly where I left him, picking at the cheapest thing the canteen sells like he's trying to stretch every credit he has.

Why did you really come here, little mouse? Why now? And am I the only one noticing?

Because Rowan is more than just prey. I mean, yes, he's prey, because in my world everyone who's not predator is prey. But fuck me, I'm drawn to that messy hair and those large eyes. To that small, freckled nose. To the way his hands control the Noctis while the rest of him looks completely lost in his own thoughts.

But, still. Questions, questions, fucking questions.

I bring up our thread and decide I want to rile Rowan up. And myself, perhaps. Fuck, just thinking about what I'm about to propose has my dick hardening. I've never been a patient man, and he's driving me fucking insane.

i've been thinking. i'd like to take you out somewhere romantic. just the two of us