12. Raiden

TWELVE

Who in the ever loving fuck is this girl and why is she everywhere? Never in all of my life has someone been so damn present. There's no exaggeration in it, either.

E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.

Yesterday, when Cass and I were talking about our plans for the coming week, I could sense something was different immediately. Her scent filled the air, all vanilla and musky, and ever since, I can smell it everywhere I go.

Big green eyes, curly blonde hair that looks too damn soft, and a toned body that is firm and soft in all the right places. Then she frowns, with her snipped ears and fucking fae abilities, and my mind is conflicted.

If she were a vampire, this entire issue would be completely different, but it's just my luck that she's as far from a vampire as possible. She's the fucking enemy.

Fuck. I can't blink without her infiltrating my vision. There's no getting away from her. That's why we need to talk. She needs to leave. Today. I've got too much riding on this entire academy venture and I don't need the distraction. Especially not one as sinful as her with her sensual looks, snarky comments, and pouty lips.

I spot Cassian ahead and bound toward him with the same ferocity as I had when I stormed away from Fairbourne's office.

His eyes widen, then quickly narrow as I approach. "You don't look like you've had a talk," he states, tucking his hands into the pockets of his jeans as concern dances in his eyes.

"What do I look like?" I push, knowing his wolf nature is eager to take over. That's why his hands are stuffed in his pockets, because he knows I don't like to be touched, and his instincts are screaming at him to fucking hug me.

"Pissed as usual, but not in the victorious way you love or the furious way like you did before when she got one over on you," he states, eyes narrowing as he continues to assess me.

My jaw clenches as I frown at him, but it does nothing to shake him off. It never does.

"Nope, still not getting a read."

The voice gets under my skin instantly, just as he intended. I turn to the source to see my least favorite mage to ever exist. "Fuck off, Brody," I grunt, and his smile grows, much to my annoyance.

"Nah, you love me too much for that," he retorts, clapping me on the arm with a wink, and I want to wring his fucking neck.

Stepping into the classroom, I have no idea what's next on the timetable. I'm too caught up in origins distracting me to give it my full attention. A fact I need to change as soon as possible. Starting now.

I turn to Cass as I walk through the rows to take my seat. We haven't been in here yet, but the layout is the exact same as every other class we've been to so far. Seat assignment has been the same all morning, I'm going to assume this afternoon is the same. Stopping by the seat I'm assuming is mine, I glance at Cass. "Cass, please just?—"

He shakes his head from farther down the row, not even letting me finish. "I'm not dealing with his shit. I have enough going on." His grunt is final as he sinks into his seat, head down and body tilted away enough to double his efforts at labeling himself off limits.

Asshole.

Guilt burns inside of me, knowing things are a mess with his father, but fuck, there's nothing he can do about that right now, so why not distract himself and handle this instead?

"Maybe I'll ask her what happened when she gets here," Brody hollers. When I glare back at him, he wiggles his eyebrows.

"Why the fuck are you here again?" I snap, aware that a few people are peering at me because of my outburst, and that fact only irritates me more.

"Because you love me," he sings, ruffling his hair.

"That's definitely not it." My hands clench on the desk as Kryll takes his seat, leaving one between him and Brody for the irritating blonde hell-bent on making my life painful.

"Because we're building a future, and despite how annoying he is, he's useful," Kryll explains, the words very true, but already leaving me questioning myself.

"I'm more than useful," Brody insists, and I scoff.

"Please, I'm sure we could find another mage to do the exact same thing, but without making so much noise."

"Where would the fun be in that?"

"Nowhere. That's the point," I snap as my eyes latch on to my walking nightmare as she enters the room. Quickly diverting my gaze, I find Brody grinning at me.

"Definitely didn't get to have that word you wanted. Noted." He winks, turning his attention to Addi as she slips into the spot next to him.

I turn away, somehow even more pissed than before as I consider why my closest friends are the way they are.

People aren't my thing, mostly because I'm above them, better than them. There's no use denying it or wasting time pretending that I'm not. But if I want to change how this kingdom operates, changing our surviving into thriving, then some concessions have to be made.

This kingdom will be most optimized if we unite the origins. A fact that was hard to swallow, and the only people who know I believe it are Cassian, Kryll, and Brody.

We met years ago, when the vampires were on the rise and I watched the actions of my father, taking in as much as I could from him. We're all completely different, from entirely contrasting backgrounds, but it works. Despite how annoying some of them may be, I trust in them more than anyone else.

Brody is the youngest, most irritating, and the best at peopling. He has a level of charisma that I can't deny, even if I despise it. His potion making abilities are undeniable and his incantations are actually his strongest suit, which means I was totally lying out of my ass before when I said someone could take his place. They really couldn't. I just need to learn how to shut him the fuck up.

Kryll is nothing like Brody. Mostly. He's almost worse with people than me. Not because he doesn't like them, he was just a nomad for so long that he doesn't know how to interact with others, and really doesn't care all that much for trying now. I've never seen anyone shift like him. It's effortless, almost freeing to see, but completely deadly, and he knows it.

Cassian, on the other hand, is my complete opposite. I'm closed off, he's warm and welcoming. I act first, ask questions later, while he wants to understand the ins and outs of everything before making a decision. Our similarities are just as strong, but none of them come down to who we are and what we want, it all relates to our heritage and origins.

Family isn't all it's cracked up to be, as a vampire or a wolf. Everything is laid out for you, especially when you're highly regarded within your origin. They say money gives you freedom, but in my instance, it has resulted in anything but. With the wolves, they say family gives you strength above all else, but in Cassian's case, all it's done is squash who he is for the betterment of the greater good, which someone else gets to decide.

The professor still isn't here, and I'm a glutton for punishment. Before I can talk myself down, I glance over my shoulder. Blonde braids meet my vision, but they're quickly interrupted by another blond who is nowhere near as enticing to look at.

He wiggles his eyebrows again, getting under my skin.

"You know your reaction is what brings him joy," Kryll states, twirling a pen in his hand as he looks at me. Addi had been looking down at her hands twisted together on the table, but she looks up the moment he speaks.

"It's going to bring him to his death sooner, too," I threaten, hoping she will take the warning as well, but Brody's laugh makes it impossible.

"I'm glad you've got jokes when you're still this mad," he boasts, making my eyes narrow.

Jokes? These aren't jokes. My blood is simmering, my brain scrambled, and it's all because of that fucking girl. I glare at her, slightly startled that she's already looking in my direction. Her eyes widen at my scowl, likely wondering what she did now. Simply existing, I think, but manage to keep it to myself as Brody continues.

"So, no talk?" Brody pushes, glancing between us.

"After classes at the fountains," she murmurs, getting involved in a conversation that has nothing to do with her.

"Seems specific," Brody adds, turning to face her with his cheek resting on his palm.

"She was negotiating, but I will make all the final decisions," I bite, continuing to scowl at the side of his head when he doesn't bother to turn and look at me.

"Sounds about right."

I'm quickly forgetting all of the reasons I find him useful right now. Killing him feels like the better option.

"Raidy? I was waiting for you to come find me at the medical center. Where were you?"

My body turns to stone at the sound of Vallie's voice, but I keep it together, refusing to let my annoyance surface as I take the opportunity to retreat from Brody and his bullshit. Vallie is standing on the other side of my desk, hands on her hips as she pouts, and I immediately wish I could deal with Brody's drama instead of hers.

Her pulse quickens as she gains my attention, reminding me how pure her origin is. To be born from vampires is nothing like being turned by one. Blood runs through my veins, as it does hers, and it irritates the fuck out of me. Just like she does.

"Why would I come find you?" The words are like acid on my tongue, but I don't care. I'm way past worrying about how I'm coming across now. Today is a mess, and she's half of the fucking reason thanks to her penchant for the dramatics.

"Because I was injured!" Her exasperation is clear, but I sigh, slouching in my chair slightly as I wave my hand dismissively.

"The point of being at the medical center is to be healed, right?"

Her eyes narrow, not appreciating anything I'm saying as she starts to tap her foot. "Well, yeah, but?—"

"So why would I be there?"

"For me."

She means it. She actually fucking means it, and it takes everything I am to refrain from placing my head in my hands. Vallie is a difficult subject, one I would love to throw in the trash, burn into cinders, and never have to look at again, but life has distinct plans for me that are not by my design. So, for now, I have to play along, not push back too hard, and not snap her damn neck for irritating me.

"Good afternoon, students. Please, take your seats." I'm saved by the professor as she saunters into the room, eyeing Vallie, who dramatically rolls her eyes and takes her time moving to her seat.

"Remind me why she has to be here again?" Brody whispers, knowing I can hear him, and I know Vallie likely can, too.

"Vampire politics," Kryll grunts, matching my own thoughts.

"I hate them." For once, I agree with Brody.

Tell me about it. Try living it. He actually has a nice family, barely any rules in his life, and a desire for a good time at all times. Maybe he annoys me because I'm jealous of the luxuries he has. But that would be ridiculous because I'm jealous of no one.

Ever.

All I have to do is get through this afternoon, have the grand chat with the damn fae, then it will all be laid to rest. I can go back to focusing on what's important.

There will be no more stressing. Just focusing on winning the crown. One step at a time. I can go through the motions, especially if it places me at the top as the heir to the Floodborn Kingdom.

My gut twists, a telling sign that I'm really not going to be that damn lucky.