Don’t drool all over him, Dev. You’re here for a reason. Think about the test.
Still, I seemed like a lovestruck twelve-year-old while I stared at Ronan, at his hand holding mine.
Damian cleared his throat from behind me. “Are you going to keep standing there, blocking the entrance for the rest of us?”
“Oh, sorry,” I blushed, moving aside. Ronan still hadn’t let go of my hand; slightly reluctantly, I pulled my hand away. His touch had been electric, like static racing over my skin, and I missed his touch the moment he let go.
“Is she one of yours?” Alec asked while he entered the house, again talking about me as if I wasn’t there.
One of his. That was what they had meant back at Joe’s Diner. Whoever Ronan was, he represented the last group of species present in the Academy; the last group of the wicked.
But what was he? And more importantly, was I like him?
“Hmm.” The way Ronan said the word, it seemed like a melody from a song, a caress of the wind. What was it about this guy that put all my senses on edge?
All the guys I’d met today were extraordinarily attractive, but none of them had the same effect on me as Ronan had. I wanted to grab his shirt with both hands, pull him closer and—”
“Stop mesmerizing her.” Cassie moved in front of me and blocked my view. “I know you’re doing it.”
“I’m not.” Ronan did his best to sound affronted, but the smirk on his lips gave him away. “Okay, so maybe a little. But I can’t help it.” He moved to the side, back into my view, and then strode closer toward me.
He grasped a strand of my hair, and let it slip through his fingers. “I had no idea our newest recruit would be so gorgeous.”
Gorgeous. He thought I was gorgeous.
My heart rate equaled the speed of a freight train, and this time it wasn’t because of any impending tests.
“Enough.” Cassie moved in front of me again. “Not now, Ronan.”
“Fine.” Ronan shrugged. “Not now, but later.” He winked at me, and part of me hoped that was a promise he would keep.
You’re ridiculous, Dev. You’re like a freaking lovesick puppy!
“So, is she one of you? A Mesmer?” Christian stared darkly at Ronan, clearly not amused by the latter’s presence.
Ronan pursed his lips. “I’m not sure. She’s not in any of your houses?”
“No,” Christian replied, and he almost sounded sad that I wasn’t.
“Hm… Tell me, Devina.” Ronan’s tone made me turn and look at him, gaze into his eyes. “Have you ever been able to make someone do what you want them to—even if they didn’t seem inclined to do it at first?”
“Uhm… I don’t know?” I racked my brain trying to think about it, but I couldn’t find any examples of that. “Maybe?”
“Are you good at manipulating people into doing what you want them to do?”
“She’s not.” Cassie sighed. “She’s horrible at it. She’s not manipulative at all.” She gave me a faint smile, as if she was proud of me. “So, I sincerely doubt she’s like you.”
There was silence for a few seconds as all of them looked at each other, unsure of what to say next.
It was Damian who eventually spoke, disrupting the silence. “If you’re not like any of us, and you’re not a Mesmer like Ronan, then what the hell are you?”
Chapter Eight
I didn’t even know how to begin to answer that question, but a clock chiming from inside the belly of the house saved me from having to conjure up a reply.
“It’s time.” Alec gestured at the door at the end of the room. “Good luck.”
They all looked at me expectantly. I glanced over my shoulder, at the door leading to the outside world. A world that had, up till today, been devoid of creatures capable of freezing an entire room simply by snapping their fingers. Sirens, vampires, they were the stuff of imagination, not suited for everyday reality.
I could try to make a run for it, but most, if not all, of the people in the room could easily overpower me and stop me.
No, I had no choice but to face whatever was waiting for me on the other end of that symbol-engraved door.
Straightening my back, lifting my chin and taking a deep breath, I walked toward the door. One step. Two steps. Three steps.
Cassie grasped my arm when I passed by her. “Devina. Before you go…” She looked at me with tears glistening in her eyes. “I want to tell you that I’m sorry. If they would’ve allowed me to tell you, I would have. You don’t know how many times I wanted to tell you.” She grabbed my hands and squeezed them. “You’re my best friend, Dev. You’re my sister. Whatever happens in there, you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. Remember that. You’re strong.”
She seemed sincerely sorry. I wanted to tell her that I forgave her, but I just wasn’t ready yet. I hadn’t expected she would be capable of hiding an entire part of herself from me. And even though I understood that she wasn’t allowed to tell, I still needed some time.
“I love you,” I said, giving her a quick hug.
Cassie hugged me back fiercely, showing she understood that no matter what happened between us, I loved her, and I trusted her with my life. Even if I wasn’t happy with her now, those things never changed.
I let go of Cassie and walked further toward
