43. Adrianna

43

ADRIANNA

" I think that was the longest day of my life."

Like, hands down. It's gone on forever, and I've lived through some shit. One lesson fell into another, each one stretching out longer than the last, like a never-ending vortex hell-bent on melting my brain.

Bozzelli's little announcement did nothing but piss me off. What's the point in organizing a lockdown and arranging a ball for the week after? Those people we're trying to keep out will be right back on campus in a flash. That's probably her intention. I don't think it was Bozzelli who pulled the trigger on the lockdown, especially when it's to "keep us safe." That's not her usual approach. She probably likes all the death, it means less competition. Whoever called the order isn't seeing eye-to-eye with her, which only reminds the bitch that she's not as in charge as she likes to think she is.

"Imagine what the past few days were like when you weren't here. It was even worse," Raiden mumbles, his head downcast as we leave the main academy building. There's something off with him. There's something off with all of them—except Kryll—and I can't help but worry that it relates back to me.

I was off with Kryll in the dragon kingdom, realizing how much I like them and how important they are to me, all while they were stuck at the academy, probably over all my drama and bullshit.

I internally roll my eyes at myself. Self-doubt doesn't look good on me; it doesn't feel good either, but I can't deny that I'm out of my element with these guys.

"She's not even sorry about it," Brody sings, a grin spreading across his face as he winks at me.

"Of course, she's not," Cassian grumbles, jaw ticking as he stares straight ahead, and just when I start to talk myself out of the worry threatening to consume my thoughts, it's back again.

"What's everyone's plan for the evening?" Kryll asks, and I release a breath.

"We're doing that now ?" I ask, peering at the four of them.

"Doing what?" Brody asks, eyes crinkling with curiosity.

"Making evening plans together?" My heart skips a beat, uncertainty tingling down my spine as time seems to come to a stop.

"I've been waiting forever for this," Brody replies, hands raised high above his head as he tilts his face back and grins up at the sky.

"Count me out. I actually don't feel the best. I'm exhausted," Raiden states, turning to me. He offers me a timid smile as he presses a featherlight kiss to my cheek before strolling off without another word. I watch him head straight for the vampire building and my gut twists.

"What's going on with him?" My chest tightens with worry, confusion rooting itself deep in my bones as I watch his every step. He's not even using his vampire speed like usual.

"He's weak. He has been since the night that frenzied fuck got ahold of him. It's just progressively getting worse," Brody admits, scrubbing the back of his neck.

"Weak?" The word feels foreign on my tongue, especially in relation to Raiden.

"The blood thing." A memory of him bleeding out, his blood coating my fingers, flashes to the forefront of my mind, stealing my breath as I turn back to my vampire, earning one last glance at his back before he disappears around the corner.

"Oh…" I manage, at a complete loss. "Should I…"

Should I what? Fuck.

"You shouldn't be doing anything. You only just got back. Besides, he has to come to you. Raiden is all about his pride, and we both know he'll blow a gasket if we make him feel anything other than regal." The corners of my mouth tip up at Brody's assessment, but it doesn't stop the pain from twisting in my heart. I don't like the stress that comes with these men.

"How am I supposed to focus on anything when he's like this?" I ask. I'm not stupid. I know Brody's words are accurate. Raiden needs to come to me. Fear clings to my body at the thought of it, but I'd try…for him, I'd try. That doesn't stop the tension from clinging to me as I wait for him to come around.

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to help me with some more research…" Brody offers, and my teeth sink into my bottom lip. That could be distracting enough, but it doesn't ease the emotions swarming inside of me.

"Are you sure he's okay?" I ask, folding my arms over my chest, and Cassian nods.

"I'll go and get him some stuff from Janie's."

"But we can't," I blurt, and he's standing toe to toe with me a moment later.

"I can do what I want, Alpha. Besides, I think I'm the last person you want to be around right now." He lifts a hand to cup my cheek but stops a breath away.

"Huh?" I frown at him, desperate to understand. His gaze narrows as he searches my eyes until he realizes I have no clue what he's talking about.

"My father," he grunts.

"Is a dick. We know this," I state slowly, and he shakes his head.

"He's the one who hurt you, Addi."

"And?"

"And nothing," he bites, his jaw clenching tighter.

"And everything. That was your father, not you."

"I know, I just?—"

"You just what?" I cock a brow at him, the tension reaching its peak between us. It came out of nowhere, but now it's everywhere. It's always zero to one hundred with this guy. He stares, and stares, and stares, until I relent. Lifting my hand to his cheek, I can sense Kryll and Brody watching us, but they opt to keep out of it. "Go and help him if you can, but your dad mangling my arm and being a cunt is not your fault. Not now, not ever."

He gulps, his jaw flexing beneath my touch before he tilts his head to press a kiss to the center of my palm. "Okay," he rasps, repeating the motion once more before disappearing after Raiden.

I sigh, turning my attention to Brody and Kryll. The latter offers me a soft smile as he takes a step toward me. "I've hogged you enough. I'll share. For a little while at least," he breathes, tilting my chin up to plaster a kiss to my lips. He steals my breath, pleased with himself, before he disappears, too.

"And then there were two," Brody muses, reaching for my hand, and I nod. "Ready to get smart?" he asks, and I cock a brow at him.

"I am smart," I retort, and he rolls his eyes.

"Of course. I meant smarter."

"Of course you did."

"I did," he insists, squeezing my sides and making me giggle. He has a way of easing the constant stress that bubbles beneath the surface, and it's exactly what I need.

"Bring it on, oh, wise one."