Page 58

Blaire put a hand over her face, resting her elbow on her knee, mumbling quietly, “Is it even real?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, if we’re both fighting it, then clearly these are not our true feelings.” She frowned at Riley. “Lukas doesn’t even know me. I don’t know him.” At least not enough to be in a relationship. But she didn’t know. How much did you need to know someone to be with them if you liked them?

Riley looked down and sighed. “Just give it time… it’ll work out. Somehow.”

“Yeah, I don’t see what you’re seeing, apparently.” Blaire stood to get ready to leave.

Riley shrugged. “It’s not for me to say… but I wonder if he’s fighting it because he feels resistance from you. I think you’re fighting it because he’s kept his distance. You both need to talk through this.”

Blaire’s forehead wrinkled as she looked at her in question.

Riley added as she crossed to the door and took hold of the handle, “And I think your trauma and humanity hold you back from accepting him.”

Blaire stood still. Riley’s bluntness surprised her. She didn’t know if any of it was true, but it made sense. The idea of being with a Vasirian made her keep her distance, but that was the least of the concerns.

After everything she’d been through, she didn’t allow herself to get close to people for worry about their connection to the Wilcox family, outside of Charlotte and her mothers, and definitely not the opposite sex in a way that broached the lines of friendship. Even before her mom died, before being forced to go to Magnolia Heights, she was too focused on sports to really pay attention to boys. And now, faced with a guy—a guy to whom she felt a growing attraction both mentally and physically—she didn’t know what to do. Lukas hadn’t hurt her or demanded things of her the way Caleb had, but it still didn’t stop the intrusive thoughts from creeping in that he wouldn’t do it if they got together. Caleb wasn’t always a monster. Only when he had Blaire where he wanted her did his true colors come out. Would Lukas be the same? She needed to talk to Professor Sinclair about this at their next meeting.

“You coming?”

“Ah, yeah.” Blaire went out the door with Riley following behind her.

She had a lot to consider. Her new friend’s words replayed in her mind as they hurried to meet Aiden and Lukas.

16

TENSION

The dampness from the rain that blanketed the area for the past two days left a chill in the air. Blaire regretted her outfit choice as they stood in the long ticket line at the theater in the cool breeze of the night. She couldn’t remember the last time she had the opportunity to see a movie outside of the home, but it was nice. It gave her a sense of freedom she didn’t have before starting at Blackthorn, but she still felt nervous. Could they really keep her safe outside of the academy walls?

“Hey… I’m going inside to use the bathroom before the movie starts,” Aiden said, looking at Blaire. “Do you want me to get you anything from concession? I’m going to go ahead and get mine, and figured I could grab yours, too.” He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck.

Riley shot Aiden a look as Blaire shook her head and put a hand on her forehead. “Dammit, I got distracted before leaving and forgot my purse. I’m not even going to be able to get a ticket.”

“I can take care of it, and your ticket. It’s no problem. That’s what I meant, anyway.”

“Oh… um, I don’t really want anything, but thanks,” Blaire said with a smile.

Riley sighed and shook her head as Lukas glanced over at her.

“Alright, I’ll meet you guys inside. I gotta piss. Can you grab my ticket for me?” Aiden asked Lukas, slipping him a handful of bills.

Lukas shrugged. “Yeah, I got it.”

“Not the visual I wanted, bro…” Riley scrunched her nose up in disgust at her brother as Blaire laughed.

Aiden went into the theater as the line moved forward.

Blaire glanced back toward Valley Center Plaza, in the direction of the academy. She wasn’t going to let Aiden pay for her ticket. “I don’t have time to go back to get my purse, do I?” It would probably be ten minutes if she ran, another ten back. Not counting the time to get into the dorm to get her purse. No way she would make it.

Lukas stepped up behind Blaire. He stood so close to her that his body heat radiated through the sheer fabric of her shirt on her chilled skin. Leaning his head over her shoulder, he whispered into her ear, “I’ve got you too.” His deep timbre reached deep inside her.

Blaire tensed, swallowing hard when his breath brushed against her cheek. Four simple words sent her stomach into a free fall. She let out a stuttered breath, closing her eyes. She had to calm down, but with his unique scent invading her senses, it proved a difficult task.

Riley nudged Blaire, snapping her out of her daze, oblivious to the swarm of murder hornets Lukas released inside her belly.

“I’m really excited about this movie. I’ve heard a lot of good things.”