There’s an actual shock at the contact, and we both pull our hands back at the same time.
“What the hell was that?” I ask.
“You tell me. You’re the witch.”
“I didn’t do that.”
His eyes widen a fraction, almost as if he’s suddenly realizing something. He abruptly stands, pushing the chair back so hard it screeches against the wooden floor.
“I have to go.”
Without giving me a chance to reply, he whirls around and zooms out of the library, becoming a blur. He ran away and I want to know why.
I sense two female regulars staring at me, and I don’t like it. I’ve been here for two months and I’ve worked really hard to avoid gossip. I’m required to spend a year in this godforsaken place, attending classes with the bloodsuckers and studying with the headmaster. I can’t allow my personal life to become fodder for fork-tongued bitches.
“What are you staring at?” I snap.
They look away, shrinking in on themselves. Shit. They’re the meek kind. I feel sort of bad for biting their heads off, but what’s done is done. I shove my belongings in my bag and head back to my apartment. I’m supposed to attend a boring Keepers training class, but I’m not in the mood to hear Hanson, the instructor, yap about honor and gratitude. I’m not a regular, I don’t need the brainwashing.
I’m determined to forget the last few hours, but it seems destiny has other ideas. A fancy envelope was shoved under my door, and it bears the insignia of the coven of witches. Hell. What now?
I rip the envelope open, and then pull out the invitation written in gold letters. My jaw locks tight. The elders are throwing a ball, and in my experience, they never organize those parties without an ulterior motive. I can guess what they’re celebrating this time. My engagement.
Damn everything to hell.
8
Saxon
It’s been five days since I last saw Aurora and I can say with absolute certainty it’s been fucking hell. I feel achy, irritable, needy. It’s pointless to remain in denial. I have to accept that Solomon’s assessment about my condition is accurate. Aurora is my mate and now I’m fucked.
I’ve avoided everyone in my household, which was easy to accomplish. My mood has been so foul, I’ve been dolling out insults left and right. Ronan and Manu were smart to give me a wide berth. Of course, my reprieve from their well-meaning meddling must come to an end.
After hours in the gym, and then a run through the woods behind our house, I return to the mansion to find Ronan waiting for me on the steps of the back patio. The outdoor lights are out, and the new moon provides zero illumination. All I can see is the ember butt of his cigarette.
He takes a big drag, holding the smoke inside for a few seconds before releasing it in symmetric circles. I ignore him as I veer toward the door, but he stops me in my tracks with a question.
“All right. I’ve let you sulk in silence long enough. What’s eating you?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Sax. Let’s not do this. You’ve been in an awful mood since the High Witch and Aurora came to visit.”
“You know why I’m upset. They failed.” I glance away, staring at the pitch-black forest.
“We’re all upset, but you’ve been … off.”
I whip my face toward him. “What do you mean by that?”
He flicks the cigarette stub away. “I don’t know. I was hoping if you told me what else is bothering you, I could help.”
“No one can help me.”
“Dramatic much? I don’t like this mopey version of you. I want the old Saxon back.”
“You mean you want the sexy back?” I half smile, but it does little to make me feel better. This mate thing is serious shit.
“That was a pitiful but valid attempt at a joke.”
“Where’s Manu anyway?” I ask to change the subject.
“Dealing with missing Lucca the only way she can.” Ronan snorts.
He doesn’t need to elaborate. Whenever Manu is upset, she tries to break her own record of how many humans she can fuck in one night. Is it a healthy habit? Probably not, but Ronan always gets uber upset when it happens. Sometimes I think he’s in love with her, but he’s such a hard male to read, I can’t be sure. And there’s also the deal with the other female in his life, the one he never talks about.
“Well, I’m going to hit the sack. Sunup will be here soon.”