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My glamoured boots clunked against the scratched wooden floor as I jumped sideways, cutting her off. “Ms. Gowdy, I believe I asked for a word?”

My honeybee cursed and stumbled back a step as I crossed to the door, slammed it shut, turned the lock into place, and lowered the curtain over the rectangular window built into the it. Miko, good girl that she was, remained where I left her, chin raised, a sigh heaving from her as I twisted my ring, deactivating my glamour.

“Thank you for that,” she intoned, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples. “I don't know how no one else sees a grotesque masquerading as a TA, but for me it's like watching a television shift in and out of static between channels.”

“Luckily for you, we're all alone so I've no need of wearing it.” Miko gasped, as I quickly stretched out a wing and drew her into my side, my breath's coming easier now that I was touching her. I pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose with the back of a claw, loving her biting inhale.

“Was it really necessary, to single me out in the middle of class like that?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

My hand slid to the small of her back, then nudged her with my wing, prompting her to start walking. “Of course I did.” I darted past her and into the hallway, enabling my glamour. “What sort of TA would I be if I asked you to stay after class under false pretenses?” Jogging backward a few feet in front of Miko’s lackadaisical pace, I tsked. “Such salacious thoughts will get you in trouble, lassie.”

She picked up the pace, grumbling to herself, and before I knew it, thoroughly distracted just from staring unblinkingly at her, we were more than halfway to the library. I formed a face splitting smile, jittery excitement zooming through my blood as her eyes narrowed to sexy little slits.

She’s so easy to rile.

I slowed, maneuvering to her side, all too aware of the bounce to my steps. There was just something about her…I didn’t know how to define it, but I wanted to be around her all the time. Am I developing an unhealthy obsession?

Marv scoffed. “Yes.”

No, I pondered further, blocking out Marv, because I’m already thoroughly obsessed so there’s nothing further to develop.

“Is there even such a thing as unhealthy obsession?” Freddy questioned. “The way I see it, you’re providing a service. You know, keeping the creeps away.”

I don’t know how to respond to that statement, demon.

“Same here,” Marv agreed.

Miko tapped the toe of she shoe. “Are you planning on following me everywhere now? Wait, don’t answer that; I have my suspicions.” She quieted for a moment, the lull in conversation itching at my skin. “How are you a TA? And why? I would think you’d have much better things to do than teach a bunch of humans about architecture.”

I chuckled, stretching my neck. “The system isn’t that hard to manipulate. Let’s just leave it at that.” I wanted to take my own suggestion and stop talking, yet my tongue and vocal cords betrayed me. “Bleedin’ humans think they’re top of the food chain because of their technology. Pffft,” I threw my arms out dramatically, “but low and behold, add a little magic and I get allll the access I need.”

“Murder would have done the trick too, and that would have been much more fun," Marv muttered.

Freddy blew a mental raspberry and I ground my teeth. “That’s what I’m always saying! But nooo, we don’t murder humans if it isn’t absolutely necessary.”

Miko’s sneakers swished over the grass faster, causing my cat ears to twitch, but it was no bother keeping up with her.

“You didn’t answer my second question,” she reminded me.

My gaze skimmed over the fingers clenched around her thick black backpack straps, tensing against the immediate urge to loosen her death grip and hold her hand in mine as we walked. “That’s correct,” I replied, using the same phrase she had previously.

Although, I wasn’t fully convinced she wasn’t working with the witches, gauging by her reactions to my words the previous evening, it might be settling in that she might not be my enemy after all. That didn’t mean my brain, which was very much always plotting against me, wasn’t manipulating me into believing the mate bond existed just to watch me fall for her and then rip her out of my grasp.

I sprinted several paces ahead of her, releasing a laugh, admittedly sounding a bit unhinged even to my own ears, as I spun in rapid circles and wished I could spread out my wings in the blazing sun’s rays. Still, I wouldn’t let that get me down, the determination to tune out Marv and Freddy as their voices stabbed into my brain knew no bounds.

My not-mate trudged steadily along. I licked my lips, gaze focusing on the enticing flush decorating her cheeks and a drop of sweat sliding down her throat. What I wouldn’t give to clean that glistening trail of moisture with my tongue. Fuuuck. I wonder if she tastes even better than she smells.

Freddy giggled. “Mmm, I’d like a taste as well. It’s been ages since I’ve⁠—”

Absolutely fucking not, Freddy. Piss off.

My head canted to the side, worry churning in my stomach as her shoulders slumped and she wiped the back of her hand across her brow, blowing out an unsteady breath.

Huh, maybe it isn’t a blush after all? Are humans meant to be so sensitive to changes in temperature?

Shrugging internally, I bolted closer and she growled, veering around me at the last second. I groaned, the sound a direct line to my ballocks.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Grotesque?”