17. Adrianna

17

ADRIANNA

D espite my victory and shifting back, it's impossible for me to shake the blood clinging to my skin. Adding the fact that my estranged mother seemingly contributed to my escape leaves me completely overwhelmed and exhausted.

We run for what feels like hours, my stomach grumbling as the sun inches toward the west. The day slips away from us as we distance ourselves from Kenner. There's only so far we can go, and he's likely going to expect us to rush back to the academy, so Cassian has us running in zig zags across the City of Harrows to make sure we're not followed.

When we take a break at the edge of the city, I feel ready to pass out.

"How much longer, Cassian?"

"I don't know," he admits, pushing a hand through his damp hair.

"Think we've given ourselves enough time to at least consider eating? Because I swear I can't go any further."

His eyes settle on mine, seeing past the blood that stains my skin and reminds me of today's events. He sees something in my eyes because a moment later, he's nodding. "We need to reach out to Beau and lay low until he can let us back into the academy," he states, pulling me into his embrace. I bask in his warmth as his lips brush against my forehead. "Let's stop for food, but don't ask me where to go because everywhere I choose ends up putting you in danger."

He takes a step back a breath later, pulling his cell phone from his pocket and tapping out a message. I gape at him as I pat my pockets, quickly realizing I don't have my own device.

"Are you looking for this?" he asks, pulling my cell phone from his other pocket. Relief floods my veins as I murmur my thanks, impressed that he remembered the damn thing in the carnage.

Looking up at him, his prior words linger in my mind, but the rumbling of my stomach distracts me. I start moving, and Cassian is quick to stay by my side.

"I know exactly where to go," I offer, fixing my hood over my head before I head toward the city walls. I don't use my wolf speed this time; it's impossible. I'm worn out but, thankfully, we don't have far to go.

The familiar door hovers ahead, the chime echoing in the air as I step over the threshold and make my way to my usual booth. I fall into the seat with a sigh as Cassian remains alert, scanning every inch of the restaurant before he drops into the booth across from me.

"It feels like you've been here before," he says, and I nod.

"I have. A lot. Raiden too, apparently," I add, making him cock a brow at me, but I play it off with a shrug. Now that I'm seated in a familiar space, my focus drifts back to him.

"This isn't your fault, Cassian."

His eyes narrow on me for a moment as understanding dawns on him. I see the moment it clicks in his mind. The crinkling of his eyes gives him away before he shakes his head.

"If you say so," he grumbles, and I reach across the table, enveloping his hand in my smaller one.

"I know so," I insist, and he scoffs.

"I know different." His grunt is sharp enough to try and cut me off from going deeper into the subject, but he's a fool if he thinks that will work on me.

"Okay, so explain it to me. Explain what's going through that head of yours."

He purses his lips, avoiding my stare for a beat, but the moment his eyes finally land on mine, I know I've got him. "I was crumbling at Kryll's, panicked that I needed to give you some time and space to connect with your wolf. I probably should have headed right back to the academy with you, but no, I was stubborn and?—"

"You were right," I interrupt, tightening my hold on his hand when I sense him trying to pull away, and he scoffs.

"If I were right, you wouldn't be sitting across from me covered in dried blood."

Cocking a brow at him, I shake my head slowly. "Was it a risk going to Janie last night? Yes. Was it a risk to stay in your old house? Yes. But I can't tell you how much I needed that time." He starts to wave me off, but I remain firm, not giving him a chance to speak. "Truly, and not even just to make you feel better. I can't express what that's done for me, and even now, as I sit here drenched in blood, I don't regret it. I might have only spent a little while with Janie, but hell, the confidence boost is on another level. She helped me in ways I can't explain, and that's thanks to you."

He looks at me. Really looks at me. And with every passing second, I feel him soften.

"How do you even exist?" he murmurs, the corner of his lip threatening to tilt up, but he holds it back.

"To torture you," I reply with a wink, and he rolls his eyes at me.

"Daily," he adds, easing the remaining tension that lingers as I release his hand.

"You're welcome," I tease, but the look he gives me is filled with awe.

"You're incredible, Addi."

My cheeks heat under his intense stare and compliment. "I'm not, but I am resilient," I reply, looking anywhere but at him, and to my luck, Pearl finally appears.

Her eyes widen the moment she takes me in. "Do I want to know?"

"Probably not," I admit, and she offers me a tight smile.

"I thought it was Raiden with you. I can get you something else if you don't?—"

"That looks amazing, thank you," Cassian interjects, taking the closest plate from Pearl's grasp as she sets the other one before me.

"Thank you," I add, and she nods, but the tightness doesn't leave her face. "What's going on?"

She twists her lips nervously for a moment before she sighs. "Have you seen the media coverage?"

"Media coverage?" I ask, looking as confused as I feel.

"I thought as much. I'll leave it here for some light reading while you eat," she offers before sauntering off without a backward glance.

"What was that about?"

I shrug at Cassian's question as Pearl places the papers on the edge of the table, and disappears again. Suddenly, my hunger isn't as important anymore. But before I can get my hands on the tempting sheets, Cassian nudges my plate, silently insisting that I eat.

It takes all of my strength not to give in to the paper, but I manage to resist the urge and eat, as if a part of me knows I'm going to need the fortitude once I've read those words. I dig in, eating every morsel until there's nothing left. My fork has barely touched the plate before I reach for the paper.

Dread settles heavily in my gut as I scan the words, reading them three times before I can muster the strength to put them down.

"Care to share, or shall I read it too?" Cassian asks as I try to wrap my head around the situation.

"The media is aware that the campus is on lockdown and has shared it with the kingdom. That's fine, I guess, but it seems my speech about The Council has led to a bit of an uproar. Apparently, there's incriminating evidence against the council, which has the people rising up."

"Addi, that's amazing."

I shake my head at Cassian's delight. "They're hailing me a leader while some are calling me a liar. The kingdom is divided, people are up in arms, innocents are dying in the chaos, and the frenzied vampires are worse than ever."

He tilts his head, staring at me for what feels like forever before he speaks. "Your speech has caused quite a stir, Addi, but wasn't it supposed to?" My breath lodges in my throat as he gives me a knowing look. "If people are fighting in your name, that's their decision. That's something the heir of the kingdom would receive."

Fuck.

I blink and blink again, lost to his words, as I try to make sense of it all.

"I don't want people to die on my behalf, Cassian."

"I know. Good people never do. But this should prove to you that you're fighting for the right thing." Wow. "You look concerned."

"I've caused a mess."

"No, you caused change."

His words linger, trying to give me strength as I attempt to wrap my head around it.

"I don't know if that sounds positive or not," I admit, and he shrugs, tucking into the steak in front of him with a sense of calmness I could only wish for.

"Positive or not, you're making waves in the kingdom, but they're not for you. They're for the people, and that's being noticed."

"What's being noticed? Ah, the blood, apparently." I startle at Beau beside us, a questioning smile on his lips.

"Good to see you too, Beau," Cassian grumbles, and Beau gives him a pointed look.

"Sorry about the delay, and sorry to rush, but we need to move. I was in the middle of something," he states, pointing over his shoulder toward the door.

It's only then that I notice something about him, too. "Is that blood?" I ask, aiming my finger at his throat, and he shrugs.

"You're not the only one taking names," he says with a grin, but the twist in my gut doesn't let me join in with the humor.

"Explain," Cassian states, rising from his seat and dropping a few bills on the table to cover our meal, and I follow suit.

Beau leads us toward the door without an answer, and I manage to wave at Pearl before we slip outside. The second we do, he turns to us with a darkening expression. Finally, he sighs, taking a step back as he speaks. "I can tell you, or I can show you."

It's not really a question when he already knows the answer.

"Show us."