17. Flint

17

FLINT

I pace back and forth in the hallway outside Violet's room, debating whether or not to knock. I feel an urgent need to check on her, to make sure she's okay. But I don't want to seem overbearing or intrusive.

Finally, I take a deep breath and rap my knuckles against her door. There's a moment of silence, then I hear movement inside.

The door opens, and Violet stands there, looking surprised to see me. "Flint? Is everything okay?"

I nod, trying to appear casual. "Yeah, I just wanted to see how you're doing. Mind if I come in for a minute?"

She hesitates for a second, then steps back to let me enter. I walk in, noticing a newly painted canvas propped up on her dresser. It's a stormy seascape, dark and turbulent. "Sure, I'm supposed to be on my way to a lecture, though. "

"I won't be a long. That's incredible," I say, gesturing to the painting. "You're really talented."

Violet smiles softly. "Thanks. It helps me process everything, you know?"

I nod, understanding. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm taking it one step at a time."

"Probably wise. Caine discussed the ritual with us, we're working on it."

"I know, I spoke with Thorne."

I smile. "Good. He will get this right. He is meticulous."

We lock gazes, and she smiles. "I trust him. All of you. I've been dumped in this new world, and you three have been there for me. I'm grateful."

"I'm glad that we are helping you adjust," I murmur, feeling this conversation is a bit lame and flat. "Can I walk you to class?"

"Sure," she says and, to my surprise, slips her hand into mine as she opens the door.

I grin down at her and let her lead me out before I close the door behind us. "Do you have time to swing by the dining hall?"

"Yes, I need to make time."

"See, you're learning already."

She giggles, and we walk down the hallway. She leans her head on my shoulder, and I smile, kissing the top of her head. I'm not sure what this is between us right now, but I'm not letting it slip through my fingers.

As we walk down the hallway hand in hand, I can't help but feel a surge of protectiveness towards Violet. She's been through so much, and yet she's still standing, still fighting. It's admirable.

When we get to the bottom of the stairs, I guide her outside. She looks up at me with a frown, but I smile and say, "I've got somewhere else you might like to go."

"Where?"

"The Blood Bar. It's a vampire hangout on the edge of the campus."

"Oh?" she asks curiously. "Sounds intriguing."

"I can't tell you much more about it as I've never been inside, but I think you might like it."

We walk in comfortable silence for a few minutes, following a winding path through to the back of the grounds. Caine is waiting for us as we arrive, and she smiles shyly up at him. He takes her other hand and brings it to his lips, kissing it quickly before letting her go.

"Want to check it out?"

Violet hesitates, biting her lip. "I don't know. What's inside?"

"Lots of different kinds of blood," Caine says and opens the door.

Violet gasps and stumbles back as, I'm guessing, the scent of so much blood hits her in the face. Her fangs drop, and my cock goes hard as I remember her feeding on me. Caine is also mesmerised by them, and I see the wheels turning in his head.

"Fuck this," he states and shuts the door. He takes her hand and drags her away around the back of the building, drawing me along with them.

"Caine," I snap as he pushes her up against the wall and offers her his wrist.

"Feed from me, snowdrop. I need to know what it feels like," he whispers seductively to her.

She mewls and tightens her hold on me. "Are you sure?"

"Fuck, yes," he rasps as she grips his arm and presses her lips to the inside of his wrist.

I let out a low growl, turned on like fuck by this.

Violet hesitates for just a moment before sinking her fangs into Caine's wrist. He lets out a hiss of pleasure as she begins to drink. I watch, transfixed, as her eyes flutter closed, and she pulls long draughts of his blood.

Caine's free hand comes up to cradle the back of her head, encouraging her. His eyes are dark with desire as he watches her feed. I feel a twinge of jealousy, remembering how it felt when she fed from me, but I can't deny how erotic the scene before me is.

After a few minutes, Violet pulls away with a gasp. Her lips are stained red, and her eyes are bright. She looks between Caine and me, desire clear on her face.

"Thank you," she whispers to Caine. He nods, looking a bit dazed.

"How do you feel?" I ask her softly.

"Strong," she says. "Alive." Her gaze locks onto mine. "But still hungry. "

"Do it," I croak, and she pulls me lower, her hand cupped at the back of my neck before sinking her fangs into my jugular. I groan at the sharp pain that quickly transforms into pleasure. My arms wrap around her waist as she drinks deeply, and I pick her up and press her against the wall, my cock digging into her as I grind against her.

Caine watches us intently, his breathing heavy. When Violet finally pulls away from me, she looks between us with hooded eyes.

"Well, well, I knew you were a little slut, but this takes the cake," a vicious voice hisses.

"Briar," Caine snaps, turning to face her, his cane sparking with ice magick. "Get the fuck out of here."

Briar gives us a cool smile, but behind it, I can see she is going to use this to gossip about Violet. She gives Violet a smug wiggle of her fingers and saunters back around the corner and out of sight.

"Shit," Violet groans, still wedged between me and the wall.

"You did nothing wrong. We offered it," Caine snaps, not angry at Violet but at Briar spying on us.

Violet looks between us, her expression full of worry and lingering desire. "I shouldn't have... This was reckless." She pushes gently against my chest, and I step back, letting her feet touch the ground again.

"Don't let Briar get in your head," Caine says firmly. "You needed to feed, and we were happy to provide. "

I nod in agreement, even as I try to calm my racing heart. "He's right, Violet. There's nothing wrong with what just happened."

She takes a shaky breath, running a hand through her hair. "Maybe not, but it complicates things, doesn't it? And now Briar's going to spread this all over the academy."

"Let her," Caine growls. "Anyone who matters won't give a damn about her petty gossip."

I can see Violet isn't entirely convinced, but she nods slowly. "I should get to class," she murmurs, straightening her clothes.

"I'll walk you," I offer, not wanting to leave her alone just yet.

She hesitates. "No, I should go."

As she walks away, Caine catches my arm. "Keep an eye on her," he says quietly. "I'm going to check on Thorne."

I nod and turn from him, jogging to catch up with Violet as she makes her way back to the Academy's main building. It's clear by the time I catch up with her, that Briar has already started the rumour mill. Students are whispering and pointing as we pass, some looking shocked, others amused or envious.

Violet keeps her head high, but I can see the tension in her shoulders. I want to reach out and take her hand, to show everyone that I stand with her, but I'm not sure if that would make things better or worse right now .

"Ignore them," I murmur as we walk. "They'll find something new to gossip about soon enough."

She gives me a tight smile. "I hope so. I really didn't want to start drama on my first day of classes."

"You didn't start anything," I say firmly. "Briar did. She's a little cunt."

We reach the lecture hall for Supernatural Ethics and Violet pauses, taking a deep breath. "Thanks for walking me," she says softly. "I should go in alone, though."

I nod, understanding. "One of us will be waiting for you when you get out."

"No, that's not necessary?—"

"One of us will be here," I cut her off firmly.

Looking defeated, she nods and disappears into the hall, but not fast enough to avoid the huge douche headed my way with a loud, "Way-hay, Flint! Here you got some of the new vampire pussy already. Nice work, my friend. I'd have her fangs in me anytime."

"Fuck off, Bruce," I growl at the warlock. "It's not what Briar is gossiping about."

"But she fed from you. Man, the rush from that alone, fuck. I'd have burst my balls in my pants. Put in a good word for me? I'm a willing vamp feeder when they look as sweet as that."

I roll my eyes and see Violet hovering in the doorway. I shake my head at her, but she avoids my stare and turns to move deeper into the hall. I reach out and shove Bruce against the opposite wall, startling him. I lean in close, my voice low and dangerous. " Listen carefully, because I'm only going to say this once. Violet is off limits. To you, to everyone. If I hear you talking about her like that again, or if you so much as look at her wrong, you'll be dealing with me, and trust me, you don't want that."

Bruce swallows hard, nodding quickly. "Okay, okay. I get it. Sorry, man. I didn't realise..."

I step back, releasing him. "Go before I decide to kick your arse from here to the middle of nowhere."

Bruce scurries away, knowing he can't beat me even on his best day. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my anger. I hate that Violet had to hear that, that she's already becoming the subject of pathetic gossip. She deserves so much better after everything she's been through.

Placing my hand over my neck where Violet bit me, I stifle my groan of frustration. If Briar hadn't shown up, I'd probably have taken my shot with Violet. Maybe it's a good thing that this blew up when it did, or things would be so much worse if Briar had found us fucking as well. If Violet would've had me. For all I know, she'd have kicked me in the balls.

Sighing, I lean against the wall, eyes fixed on the hall door, waiting for Violet to come out so I can protect her from the viciousness of Academy gossip and the dicks who don't know when to shut the fuck up and move on.