"I'm headed outside for a walk."
Dorian scoffs. "Sure, you are." He jerks his chin at Ethan. "Did you need her help? Are you too weak to take me on your own?"
Now it's my turn to scoff. "Ethan is a hell of a lot bigger than you. Physically, you're no match."
He spins around and glares. "I'm the strongest person in this academy. He's nothing."
Behind him, Ethan's mouth curls with amusement. Is he right? Is Ethan waiting for his moment?
I stagger backwards as Dorian moves into my face instead, but hold my ground as the ocean eyes meet mine. "Maybe he needs a reason to prove himself?" he whispers. "I saw you leave the cellars with him yesterday. If you weren't plotting, I bet you were fucking."
I harden my jaw, refusing to reply. The witch energy crackles between us the closer he moves and he steps forward, chest almost touching mine. "I'm disappointed in you, Eloise."
I follow Ethan's lead and don't react or respond, but Dorian tipping my chin with his fingers is enough for me to lash out at him.
Dorian catches my wrists and his eyes darken as he tightens his grip. "I can feel the blood in your veins. One day, I'll taste you and drink in your magic."
"Get your hands off me.”
With a laugh, he pulls me closer, and my arms press between us. We're here again, trapped in the hatred that spurs a desire I loathe.
Dorian's eyes widen as he's yanked away from me, revealing Ethan holding his shoulders. "Leave her alone." My chest tightens at the glittering darkness in Ethan's eyes.
Dorian shrugs him off. "Don't touch me."
"Or?" snarls Ethan. "Back off before I fucking hurt you."
Dorian gives a harsh laugh and pushes Ethan in the chest again. "Try me," he mocks.
As Ethan's expression grows more aggressive, I step forward, rubbing my sore wrist.
"Don't. He hardly touched me. I can look after myself, Ethan."
"Surely you haven't waited all this time to become a necromancer's bitch," continues Dorian.
"What the fuck?" asks a familiar voice.
I look over my shoulder at where Oriana and her two friends watch the display. As I do, I miss Ethan’s next move and Dorian flies backwards, landing on the floor below the wall opposite. I'm unsure what pleases me the most—somebody else showing power over Dorian, or the shock on his normally arrogant face.
Ethan strides over. "I'm no Zeke Grenfell. You can't bully me, little prince."
Dorian pulls himself up, with his mouth open to retort, and immediately Ethan slams him backwards.
Ethan's physical form is superior to Dorian's, but the force he's using is beyond the human we're supposed to be reduced to. His hand remains on Dorian's chest and he leans forward to say something in Dorian's ear.
"Yeah? You're welcome to her. The witch will screw us all over. She's leading you into her honey trap."
Ethan steps back and crosses his arms again. "Walk away before I hit you hard enough to leave a mark for days."
Dorian would heal quickly with vampire blood, but at this point I believe Ethan is capable. He straightens again and steps forward to spit words in Ethan’s face before turning back to walk in my direction.
I side-step Dorian, but he pauses. "You'll regret this, witch. And so will he." Leaving his whispered threat, he strides away and shoves his way through the gathered crowd. "What the fuck are you looking at?"
Oriana continues to stare at me and her expression sinks into annoyance. "No wonder you wouldn't tell me," she snaps.
"I thought she was elemental," says Sapphire beside her. "She used fire."
"And shoved her way into Dorian's mind once before," adds Oriana, eyes hardening further. "You're the trinity witch."
All eyes in the hallway are on me and my heart thunders in my chest.
"Does that matter?" I ask.
Zeke catches my eye, where he stands a few feet behind Oriana. He's looking at me differently too, but not in anger, as if seeing me through different eyes. His mouth is parted and Kai beside nudges him.
"You're the Thornbrook witch?" he asks hoarsely. "No wonder nobody mentioned your surname to me."
What does that mean to him? Is this the conflict Ethan spoke about?
"Eloise. Come with me." Ethan says and catches my hand. I blink down at where his fingers grip mine.
"I'm fine."
"I said, come with me," he says, voice dropping in warning.
Kai shoves his way through Oriana's group. "I suggest you do as he says. You think you have issues with Dorian? You need to watch your back carefully now."
I stumble as Ethan