35. Addi

THIRTY-FIVE

Morning comes too quickly, and before I know it, I'm dressed and standing in front of the mirror wondering who the fuck is looking back at me. I'm exhausted, I can see it in my eyes, but the color in my cheeks is new. Probably from the sex, just like the bruises that are now scattered all over my skin.

The evidence of yesterday's events leaves me torn. I like them, along with the ache between my thighs, but the reminder of who put them there pisses me off. I'm drawn to them. It's undeniable at this point, but that doesn't mean I have to be happy about it.

Yesterday…was a lot of dick. Good dick, I can admit that, at least, but I can't continue to be distracted like this. If my father and Nora could see me now, they would definitely have different opinions. My father despises distractions of any kind, and even though he wouldn't be aware of what, or who, is distracting me, he would sense it. While Nora would be high-fiving me, desperate for all the details over cake and a rerun of her favorite movies.

Instead, I'm left trying to figure out how I'm going to handle all of this by myself. After a restless night, I'm opting to bury my head in the sand and hope nobody sees. Although, I'm aware someone stepped into the bathroom last night. I don't know how much they saw, but I'm sure it was enough.

I cringe, pinching the bridge of my nose in irritation as a knock sounds from the door.

Dammit.

I can't avoid whoever it is. I"ve spent so much time procrastinating that I'm barely going to make breakfast, and all of the extra physical activity has me starving.

Moving toward the door, I press my hand against the wood, but they speak before I can try to piece together who it is.

"Come on, Addi. I know you're in there."

Flora.

Taking a deep breath, I swing the door open with the best smile I can muster plastered to my face. "Hey."

"We're not going to be able to eat if we don't go now," Arlo states from behind her, glancing at his watch, and I join them out in the hallway.

"I'm ready."

We head downstairs in comfortable silence. The building is quiet since it's later than usual. Everyone will either be in the dining hall or heading for their first class.

I sigh with relief as we make it outside without someone calling me out for the bathroom last night, then Arlo clears his throat.

"So, are we going to talk about the elephant in the room? Or should I say air?" He points around, indicating we're outside.

My pulse quickens with panic as I try to keep my response as calm and collected as possible. "What elephant?"

Flora whacks Arlo in the chest, but he just chuckles as he wiggles his brows at me. "About what the bathroom is supposed to be used for."

My eyes widen in horror. "Oh my gosh, did you walk in?"

His nose crinkles. "What? No!"

I frown. "Then how…"

"Honey, you are not quiet," he states with a wink, and I can feel the color already draining from my face as I stop, shying away from them both with my head in my hands.

"Oh, fuck," I grumble under my breath, but it seems Arlo is eager for more gossip.

"Who was the lucky guy?"

"We're not having this conversation," I state, lifting my face as I point a finger at him.

"Okay, lips are sealed," Flora promises. "But if you do need to talk about anything, I'm here," she adds. Arlo opens his mouth again, but she claps her hand over it, effectively shutting him up, and I grin.

"Thanks, Flora."

"No worries. Ignore Arlo's teasing. He's just jealous the girls aren't tripping all over him here like they do back home."

"If you say so," he retorts, winking at her, and I watch in amusement as her cheeks turn pink.

Thankfully, Arlo doesn't try to push for more as we head over to the dining hall. Stepping inside, I'm praying to anyone that will listen that the assholes plaguing my thoughts and life are nowhere to be seen, but the moment I step through the doors, my gaze locks on theirs.

Brody and Cassian are sitting side by side, with Raiden and Kryll across from them.

I can avoid them. I know I can. Turning, I move toward the food trays, but an arm drapes around my shoulder, pulling me into their side and redirecting me. I'm not surprised to find it's Brody who's making the first move, like the whole fucking room isn't watching.

"I already got your food, Dagger."

I frown but don't stop walking with him. "Why?"

"Because."

"Because…"

"Get your ass over here and eat, Dagger," he says with a sigh, maneuvering us through the crowd with ease.

"I said yesterday that I wasn't doing this," I point out, and he shrugs.

"And then you fucked me."

He says it way louder than necessary, making me glare at him. "To get it out of our system," I bite out through clenched teeth, and he smirks.

"Not out of my system, remember?"

"That's not what you promised," I retort, floundering under his close proximity yet again, but if he notices, he doesn't seem to mind.

"I didn't promise shit. Besides, then you got handsy with the big bad wolf. I feel like this only serves to work in my favor."

"That doesn't mean I have to sit here," I scramble as we come to a stop beside the table.

"You can sit where you want. It just has to be at this table," Cassian grunts from his seat, not bothering to glance my way. I sigh, looking around the room to see all eyes pointed our way.

Dammit.

I can cause a scene or eat the bacon, sausage, and egg on the plate that Brody's pointing to.

"My friends are coming too."

"They can do what they want," Kryll answers, and I quickly search them out, waving them over before I take my plate and move around the table. I leave a spot beside me open but drop down closest to Raiden. If anyone is going to leave me alone here, it's him.

Flora and Arlo appear a moment later. Flora takes the spot directly across from me while Arlo sits between her and Cassian. The table falls into silence as everyone eats. I can sense the uncertainty from Flora and the need to check that I'm okay, so I offer her a small smile. It will have to do for now.

I'm halfway through my food when a shadow falls over me from the edge of the table, and I don't need to look up to know it's my least favorite vampire.

"Move," Vallie bites, and I look into her eyes to see venom dancing in her orbs.

Sighing, I ignore her as I turn to the table to find all four guys staring my way. "Do you see my predicament? That's all I want to do, but now that she's demanding it, it makes me want to dig my heels in more," I grumble, irritation zapping through my body.

"Good. Keep going, Vallie, this is working in our favor," Brody says with a victorious grin.

Ass.

"I said, move," she snarls, only this time she grabs my hair and drags me from my seat.

What the fuck? I knew I should have put it up in my usual crown braid this morning, but I was too distracted.

She manages to drag me to my knees before I can get a handle on the situation. I slam my fist into her stomach before swiping at her legs to knock her down with me. Her grip on my hair tightens, yanking on where I hurt it in the bathroom yesterday, but I use the pain to fuel me.

"Stay down, bitch!" she yells, making me snicker at her bullshit as I repeat the movements again, jabbing her in the stomach before hitting her thighs. Her chest hits the floor, but her hold on my hair only tightens more, so I push up to my feet, fighting against the pain as I get a better angle to slam my fist into her face. I do it twice before she relents, releasing me to cup her face.

Hovering over her, I want to keep going, pummel her into the ground and get some rest from her bullshit once and for all. But once again, my father's voice in my head stops me.

Mercy.

Fucking mercy.

She doesn't deserve it anymore.

"You're making it harder and harder for me to not just kill you," I growl, sweeping my hair back off my face. She cups her nose, blood pouring down her chin.

"Wait until my father hears about this," she seethes, and I scoff.

"I believe he already tried to have me expelled. How's that working for you?"

"It will stick this time."

I roll my eyes. "Good luck with that." Taking a step back, she rushes to her feet and two of her friends hurry over before they head for the exit. She's never going to learn. She's persistent, that's for sure. That's twice she's caused a scene with me that's ended physically, and both times she's ended up worse for the wear. Maybe the third time is when I snap altogether.

"Her father tried to get you expelled?" Cassian grunts with furrowed brows, and I nod.

"And yours. Does anybody else's parent want to add their name to the list?" I ask, looking at Brody, Raiden, and Kryll.

"It is hot when she's angry," Kryll states, making my jaw fall slack as I stare at him.

Flora chuckles until I glare at her and she covers her mouth, but a frown quickly transforms her face as she points at me.

"You're bleeding."

I lift my hand to my hair, the thick liquid familiar against my fingers, and sigh.

A breeze flutters around me, and a second later, Cassian is standing in front of me. His gaze is set on my head at the wound that has been reopened from last night. His jaw is set in a firm line as he reaches out to run his hand over it. A warmth blossoms at his touch. Instinctively, I panic that my body is overreacting to him again, but I quickly realize it's magic that's dancing along my skin.

Before I can react, he leans forward, pressing his lips against the crown of my head. "All healed."

I gape at him, unable to find any snarky words to make him back off, when a siren blares, jolting me.

"What does that mean?" Flora asks as everyone starts to rise, and it's Raiden who has the answer.

"It means the dean is ready to give a speech."