the time the Uber driver arrives, I have recovered from the nausea. But I’m more depressed than I was yesterday when I arrive at Bloodstone. The sun hasn’t set yet, so it’s a familiar manning the gates. I asked the driver to drop me off at the front to avoid going through the security check.
The familiar on duty, Mr. Goodwin, gives me an overall glance, but mercifully, keeps his expression devoid of disapproval. I know he must be thinking the worst about me, but as long as he doesn’t display his thoughts, I’m fine with it.
I have absolutely no desire to get out of my small dorm apartment for at least two days. Fuck my duties and fuck my mother. The first order of business is taking a shower and erasing for good any traces of Saxon from my skin. Then eat something, because I need food to get rid of this damn hangover.
But all I manage to do in peace is to shower. There’s a knock on my door as I head to the kitchen in my bathrobe. I panic for a second, thinking Saxon tracked me down already. But then I remember the sun is still out. Oh shit, then it must be my mother. Even worse. The last thing I want is to listen to a tongue-lashing from her, but it’s not like I can avoid her forever. Might as well get this over with.
So certain that I will find Isadora Leal outside, I don’t bother looking through the peephole. Big mistake. It’s not my mother standing in the hallway. It’s Calvin Belmont, looking smug as shit.
Damn it.
“Hello, Aurora.” He smiles slyly, displaying his flawless white teeth, which go hand in hand with his perfect coiffed hairstyle and preppy clothes. Barf.
“What are you doing here? How did you get past security?” I pull the lapels of my robe closer together.
“Oh, wow. Is this how you treat all your guests?”
“Only the uninvited ones.”
His cocky smile wilts as his fake warmth is all spent. “I’m sorry. You’re right. It was rude of me to simply show up.”
What a pitiful attempt to show remorse. He can’t hide the arrogance in his eyes for even one second.
“You still didn’t answer how you got in.”
“I came with your mother. She’s in a meeting with the principal now.”
Of course, Mom dearest had to be involved.
“May I come in?” Calvin asks.
I’m tempted to shut the door in his face, but that won’t do me any good. Besides, rebelling won’t change my fate. As much as I’d love to say to hell with traditions, if I don’t accept my engagement to Calvin, most likely, my training to become the next High Witch will cease immediately, and I’ll be kicked out of the coven. I’ll be forced to align myself with those rogue mages, selling potions and taking any assignment I can find. That’s a pretty bleak future.
With a resigned sigh, I open the door wider and move out of the way. “Sure, since you’re here.”
He takes an overall glance of my living room and kitchen, before turning around. “It’s my understanding you’re not happy about our engagement.”
Straight to the point. All right then. At least he doesn’t waste time with inane chitchat.
“No, I can’t say that I am.”
His eyebrows arch. “Why? I come from one of the most powerful magical families in the country. Our children will be unstoppable. I’m also not bad to look at.” He smiles in an arrogant way, and I can’t help comparing him to Saxon.
Sure, at first sight, Calvin can be considered attractive with his all-American preppy looks, but it’s impossible to admire his appearance once one catches a glimpse of his ugly heart.
Claiming attractiveness is something Saxon would say, but the difference is that his cockiness is sexy. Calvin’s comment only rubs me in the wrong way. He lacks the charisma Saxon has. A strange flittering feeling spreads through my chest, followed by a pang. What the hell is this? Do I miss Saxon?
“I’ve made you speechless. Does that mean you agree with me?” He invades my personal space, touching my arm. I must have zoned out for a second because I didn’t see him approach.
“Nope. I don’t agree with you.” I step back, but Calvin has me trapped between him and the kitchen counter.
Anger flashes in his eyes as he narrows them. “That’s too bad. Like me or not, you will be my wife.” He grabs my jaw in a rough grip, tilting my head up.