He pulled my head down, and I kissed him hungrily, flicking my tongue against his lips until he opened his mouth to mine. He slid his hands under my shirt, massaging my back. He moaned, and heat shot through my core. I deepened the kiss.
He held me with one arm and rolled us over using his other. His elbows pressed into the couch on either side of me. His eyes roved over me ravenously, looking at me like a blind man who was seeing for the first time.
“You know I love you.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “Right?”
I nodded. “But not as much as I love you.”
“More.” He lowered himself and kissed me slowly, passionately. I gasped and arched into him. His lips slipped onto my chin, then my neck. I clamped my hand against his head, twining my fingers through his hair. His blue eyes practically glowed with excitement.
I dragged his mouth onto mine, wrapping my legs around his waist, clutching his back, pressing our bodies together. I moved my mouth from his, kissing his chin, his neck, nipping at his earlobe.
He slid his arm under me, clasping my hips, pulling me against him. I gasped, and he covered my mouth with his, sliding his tongue against mine, biting my lip. My fingernails dug into his skin.
I arched my back, and he slid his hands down my arms, entwining our fingers.
Laughter echoed inside of my head followed by Malcolm’s voice. Skipping class this morning?
My chest tightened, and my face was impossibly hot. “Oh, God. They’re watching. Always.”
Cody pulled the blanket over us, then slid to the side. “Shoulda thoughta that.”
I grabbed my bag, turned invisible, and unable to face the dragons, teleported to the bathroom.
While I showered, I wondered if they watched me in here, too? Hopefully, they just made sure the Nephilim didn’t come in. The thought of being under constant surveillance gave me the willies.
When I finished my shower, I walked to the door, made sure nobody was watching, and turned invisible. As soon as I stepped into the hall, Malcolm lifted his head, sniffing the air, then looked right at me. He smiled, showing his fangs and walked alongside me to my room. He kept looking down, smirking at me.
“Oh, shut up.” I fought the urge to punch him.
He laughed and opened my door for me, then leaned closer. “Stay away from Val if you can. Your power, anger, and lust combine for an even more intoxicating aroma.”
I slammed the door shut in his face and heard his laughter through it. Before I’d even removed my invisibility, Cody had his arms around me. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” I turned to face him. “I was enjoying myself, too.”
“Someday we’ll be alone.”
I tried to imagine that future, but I doubted it existed. If the Nephilim had their way, I’d be guarded and imprisoned until I died of old age—if that could even happen. If the other beings had their way, I’d be fighting one monster after another until one finally killed me, or I’d stand by evil’s side and watch the world burn.
As soon as Cody and I stepped into the hallway, we were surrounded by dragons. Arianna replaced Val as one of my guards. The other students stepped to the side as we walked by, throwing looks of confusion and annoyance our way.
When we stepped outside, I was struck by the beauty of the morning. Frost coated every blade of grass, every pine needle. The air smelled crisp and cool. My breath plumed out in front of me. I shoved my hands into my pockets, wishing I would’ve grabbed my gloves.
Cody walked on one side of me, and Arianna strode along on the other, looking like she wanted to say something.
“What?” Curiosity got the best of me.
The boys will tease you—even in my head her voice sounded lyrical—but there is no need to be embarrassed.
Heat rushed up my neck and flooded my cheeks.
They do not desire to copulate with humans. It means little for them to see you mating.
My entire face burned. “We weren’t …” I let my voice trail off.
Malcolm stopped walking and lifted his face, sucking in a deep breath. The others followed his lead.
Cash looked over his shoulder at me. “Good thing Val’s not here.” His voice was gruffer than normal.
“He’d eat her alive.” Tye smacked him on the back, and they started walking again.
I repositioned my backpack just to give me something to do. “Do they mean that?”
“Val is a creature of instincts.” Arianna looked at me over the top of her sunglasses. “He has difficulty controlling his base urges, but he vowed to protect you, and vows are sacred to dragons. We do not make them or break them lightly.”
Chapter 8
Noble And Righteous
Thursday morning, I sat in class, trying to figure out why the Nephilim hadn’t turned up yet. They showed no sign of backing off. Diana and the dark-haired one stood in the hallway this morning, watching my every move, but they didn’t follow me across campus.
I wondered what they were up to. Whatever it was couldn’t be good.
Where are they? I thought to Malcolm.
He shrugged his massive shoulders. Enjoy the reprieve. We’ll deal with whatever comes next.
It was good advice, but unfortunately, I couldn’t take it. I sat on the edge of my seat, bouncing my leg up and down, staring at the door, waiting for the inevitable.
Creative Writing ended without the Nephilim showing up and without me having heard a word of Professor Fisher’s lecture. I waited for the other students to leave before getting up. I wanted to talk to my
