Magic Secret (Half-Blood Academy #2) - Meg Xuemei X Page 0,6

me to find out about?

A stab of jealousy shot to my head, and nausea rolled in my stomach.

But then, a key fact slid into my mind, and I gloated. Even if he had other girls, they couldn’t touch him without suffering dire consequences.

The next instant, I was disgusted with myself.

I’d changed since I’d crossed the gates of the Academy, yet I couldn’t blame that place for ruining me and turning me into this Marigold. If I hadn’t had darkness already inside me, no one and nothing could have brought it up to the surface.

I jumped out of the Jacuzzi without bothering to dry myself.

Wrapping a towel around my chest, I stormed after the Demigod of Death.

CHAPTER 3

__________________

A variety of dishes had been spread across the oak dining table on the other end of the open suite. That was where the delicious smells had come from.

I didn’t see any mistress or a crew who might have made the food. I’d wronged Héctor. He’d called someone to prepare food for me.

The demigod had said he would take care of me. Providing for me and bathing me were his old-fashioned ways of doing just that.

The past three years, it had mostly been me playing a mother hen’s role—taking care of my coven members and shouldering our burdens. The role reversal was refreshing, though it had thrown me off balance for a second.

My grateful gaze slid to Héctor, who headed toward the door.

I guess he heard me, even though I’d padded downstairs barefoot, because he snapped his attention my way. His eyes bore into me.

Water dripped from me to the Persian rug, soaking it.

I stepped off the pricey decor and onto the marble tile.

“Uh, sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean to ruin your expensive carpet.”

“I don’t care about the rug,” he said roughly. “But I asked you to wait inside for a reason.”

“I don’t care about your reason,” I said with my usual defiance, which had annoyed the hell out of the other demigods. “I’m not going to hide behind anyone, not even you.”

Surprise flitted through his darkened eyes.

Evidently, he hadn’t expected me to contradict him, possibly because of our sweet moment in the Jacuzzi, but most likely because no one dared to oppose a demigod.

Maybe Héctor was the same as the other demigods, born to rule and take privileges for granted. They expected absolute obedience from their subjects, and they considered everyone in their realm their subjects.

I nearly sneered, even though it was Héctor in front of me. I was subject to no one.

Yet the harsh reality started to sink in.

I didn’t know much about the Demigod of Death. That sweet, sexy hunk in my dream could be just another asshole in real life.

I trained my defiant gaze on him and lifted my chin.

“I’m sorry for snapping at you, lamb,” he said softly.

“Marigold!” an outraged voice roared from outside.

Damn, it was Zak! Why was Zak here? And where was Axel?

“Cookie!” Axel shouted next.

“Fuck off!” Héctor snarled at them through the door.

Lightning and a burst of wind rumbled and crashed into the door, blasting it open.

The force caused my hair to fly all over my face. A lock got into my mouth, and I spit it out.

Héctor moved, trying to reset the door to fend off the invaders.

Zak and Axel, both in demigod armor, charged in through the space before Héctor succeeded.

“What the fuck?” Héctor growled, glaring at them.

Zak and Axel ignored him and fixed their utterly stunned gazes on me.

I stared back, gripping the top of my towel to prevent it from dropping.

Zak strode toward me, but Héctor shifted and planted himself in front of his path, preventing him from reaching me.

“Don’t go near my lamb,” Héctor warned.

Axel took advantage of their confrontation and dashed toward me. He’d always seemed more devious than his cousins.

“Cookie, are you all right?” he called, checking me all over swiftly before pulling me into his arms.

I struggled to break free, and when he wouldn’t let me go, I pounded his chest with a rapid fist. It had no effect on his hard muscles. Then his familiar scent of male, wild wind, and burning stars blanketed me, caressing me and calling me. I lolled my head against his broad shoulder and let out a sob.

Despite my fury, I’d missed him. I hadn’t even realized it until now.

To be honest, I was disappointed in myself. Being soft toward the Demigod of War wasn’t what I’d had in mind. I’d been determined to knee both him and Zak in the