it up with the professor. The two of them stared at the giant, perfect fireball resting in Rage’s palm.
I hadn’t seen Rage since my near-death experience, or Justice for that matter, and I took a moment and stared at the beautiful boy who’d carried me from the beach to the hospital wing. My gaze flitted to the orange and red sphere and stayed.
Yep, I was one hundred percent done with this book-reading business.
I marched up to the desk nearest where they stood and slammed the giant textbook down with a loud thwack. They both jumped, Rage far less than the professor, and then turned to me.
“I’ve read it,” I announced, grinning like a loon. “Front to back, three whole times. Now, teach me some magic.”
Rage’s eyes warmed as his gaze roamed over my face. Then, his attention slowly drifted down my body, and his eyes hardened into ice when he glanced at the fine scar on my arm.
Master Carn cleared his throat and looked to Rage, and I almost lost it when he—Prince Rage—nodded. Even the teachers took orders from him? The fireball in his hand dissipated, and then he said to the professor: “I’ll go practice in the back.”
Wasn’t he going to say a word to me?
We’d had that big fight where he admitted to hating me and all my pack for one wolf’s betrayal—which wasn’t even true—then I almost died, and he saved me, carrying me all the way to the castle. After all that history, all I got was a look? That man was infuriating. If I knew how to make fireballs, he’d be dodging them right now.
“I’ll be right back,” Master Carn said. “We need water.”
In case I set the building on fire?
Yikes.
With the professor gone, I refused to play Rage’s game. I crossed the room, but my steps slowed when he kept his back to me. I owed him a debt of gratitude even if he was a bastard. Reaching out, I grabbed his shoulder and tried to turn him toward me … to no avail.
Seriously?
“Hey … Rage!” I called, waving my hand in front of him. “I want to talk to you.”
He sighed, and I almost stomped off. But when he turned and faced me, my rehearsed speech evaporated, and my mouth dropped open, stunned by the emotion in his eyes. They were glittering with … rage.
“Yes?” he growled.
Why was he mad? At me? And now that I looked closer, he looked exhausted.
“Thanks…” I shook my head, trying to clear the shock, and then mumbled, “You know, for saving me.”
He nodded stiffly. “I take my charge over the safety of the alpha heirs seriously. It’s a job bestowed on me and one I need to prove worthy of if I want to rule someday.”
Oh. So that’s why he saved me.
“Okay…” I wasn’t sure where this was going anymore. “Well, why are you acting so pissed at me? Other than your usual hatred…?”
He clenched his jaw and forced a swallow before answering, his voice tight with fury. “I don’t hate you, Nai. I do wish you’d tell me if you have any inkling as to who attacked you. I want to make sure this island remains a safe haven.” The fire was back in his eyes. “For you—and all of the heirs.”
I wanted to tell him Nolan, but I was even less sure now after we’d talked this morning. And I was still 64.5% certain Rage would kill him. His coiled body seemed ready to attack.
“I wish I knew,” I said, lamely. “But I really don’t.”
Rage sighed, his eyes again falling to my injured arm. “Well, I’m… glad you're not dead.”
His halting words registered, and I grimaced. Wow. “That’s so sweet. They should hire you to write Valentine’s Day cards.”
I’d totally buy that. Not.
He rolled his eyes but said nothing.
“Okay, well, this was constructive,” I muttered, turning to flee this bizarre convo. I could take a hint.
Rage cleared his throat, making me pause before rubbing the sides of his temples.
“You’ll need to push the professors to train you. You’re here a year early, and they’re setting you up for failure by making you read books. If you don’t pass the practical mid-year exam, then you can’t come back to finish the rest of the year. You’ve got two and a half months to prep, so step it up.”
My eyes bugged, and I stepped toward him, seething. “What! They can do that?”
I’d assumed each year had some kind of practical elemental exam, but I didn’t know