10. Adrianna

ADRIANNA

Another day, another rose.

I don't know why, but I'm compelled to bring them inside. There are three now. I've managed to prop them up in a mug with some water, but I need to come up with something better… and fast. The earth magic radiating inside of me is eager to nourish the hell out of them.

Stepping out into the hallway again, I heave a sigh of relief when it's empty. With my gray cloak draped over my shoulders, I'm ready to get back into classes. I'm certain the drama constantly surrounding me isn't done yet, but I can pretend for a while.

Thoughts of my mother rush to my mind again, but I tamp them down. If I don't think about it, I don't have to do anything about it. That's what I'm going with—for now, at least. Out of sight, out of mind.

I glance around to make sure there's nothing else left here with the rose, but I come up just as empty as before. I can handle a rose waiting for me out here instead of any of the guys who are forever getting under my skin.

Last night with Cassian was a disaster. A mistake.

I can only hope to keep control of myself for longer this time. The fact that he hightailed it out of there so fast is a relief. I think. At least I didn't have to summon the strength to kick him out.

Flora's door swings open, pulling me from my thoughts, and I force a smile to my face. It's not that I'm sad or unhappy, but my resting bitch face is more than happy to make me look that way if I don't make an effort to at least pretend to know how to smile.

"Everything okay yesterday?" she asks as Arlo steps out of her room after her, and I nod. Her eyes narrow as we head for the stairs, and her hand falls to my arm. "What don't I know?"

"So much." I scoff. There's so much, it's ridiculous. The concern on her face is instant, and before I can think better of it, I place my hand over hers as we head downstairs. "If you have time to schedule in some of The Office soon, I'll catch you up to speed."

"You're on," she replies with a grin, and my gut twists.

I need to decide how much sharing I'm open to, but it might be good for me to get some of it off my chest. Especially to someone who hasn't been a total ass to me since I got here.

As if sensing my thoughts, one of them appears on the pathway as we step outside of the fae building.

Auburn hair shimmers in the sunlight and black ink flashes across any exposed skin that you can see. His gaze snaps to mine instantly and I sigh, despite the desire to take a moment and openly stare at him.

"Are dining hall escorts becoming a thing now, Kryll?" I cock my head at him, my eyebrows raised, and he simply shrugs in response.

"It's possible," he offers, and I shake my head in disbelief, moving to walk around him.

"I'm good, but thanks." I'm not thankful, not even a little bit, but the urge to dole out sarcasm is too strong.

Before I can completely escape him, his hand falls to my arm, just as Flora's had done a moment ago. I glare down at the connection, eager to use my magic, but instead, I sink my teeth into my bottom lip and tilt my gaze to his.

If I keep reacting with anger every time someone comes near me, I'm going to look like the troublemaker, and I'm still adamant that's not the case. I solve everything with actions, not words, but that doesn't always look good from the spectator's point of view.

"In what way do you mean you're good? Because if you mean you're good, as in ‘you can walk your sweet ass to the right table without prompt,' then I'm going to possibly high-five you like a good girl. However, if you mean you're good, as in ‘you're going to sit elsewhere,' then we're going to have a problem."

Blinking at him, I consider my options. Where I sit is truly not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. I've seen some of the bigger picture that surrounds me now, and I can acknowledge the error of my ways when it comes to worrying over shit that really doesn't matter. If sitting with them gives me a little reprieve, then I'll take it.

I'm here to be a leader, to own my birthright. Part of that means sometimes being civil to others even though you want to throttle them. They may see it as me falling in line, taking their command, but more fool them because that's far from the truth.

"I'll meet you there, Kryll. At the table I'm summoned to," I state, my tone placid as I pull my arm from his grasp. He nods, a smirk touching the corner of his mouth, before he strolls off without a backward glance.

Hmm.

I remain frozen in place until Flora nudges me with her arm. Shaking my head, I fall into step with her and Arlo and follow after the shifter that has left me puzzled.

There was no further manhandling, no dizziness from being transported against my will, no anything. He listened, took me at my word, and now, I get to escort myself. The fact leaves me more lightheaded than the quick transport would have.

I remain quiet as we head into the academy building; only the mutters and clattering of the other students in the dining hall pull me from my thoughts. My gaze drifts toward the table in question as I head toward the food. Four sets of eyes peer in my direction, and although a part of me wants to turn and hide from their stares, I opt to look right back at them without faltering.

Hoping to appear as though I'm refusing to waver under their presence, I take the opportunity to see them properly.

Kryll, the surprisingly relenting shifter, has his blue cloak swept to one side. His muscles bulge beneath the black t-shirt molded to him beneath it as black swirls mark his skin. The cut of his jaw is tighter than it was earlier by the fae building. I don't know whether it's a public show of the harsher side to him, but that just seems ridiculous. Whatever side he shows the campus is exactly what he shows me, right?

Raiden sits beside him, his face now turned away from me. His back is ramrod straight, making the vampire's red cloak hang effortlessly off his shoulders. His dark hair is styled to perfection, and even with only a slight view of his side profile, I can see that his nostrils are flared and his lips are pressed into a firm line. I don't know what has him so pissed off, but he's irritated for sure. His inability to hide his emotions is almost amusing sometimes.

The purple-cloaked mage across from Kryll smirks at me as my eyes dance over him. He may have gotten a little heavy on Saturday, the conversation taking a different route than usual, but his charm and playfulness still lurk beneath the surface. Does he know about Cassian and me? What would he say about that? It's not that I didn't want to fuck him; I just didn't want the undertone of commitment that came with it. His blond hair and bright blue eyes draw me in, giving me a chance to forget the chaos as his aura of calmness and carefree vibes leave me intrigued.

Lastly, my gaze draws to my newly named nemesis. Cassian. The green cloak over his shoulders irritates the hell out of me. It has the ability to make his eyes shine brighter while making him look fiercer and I sort of hate him for it. The cords in his neck are tense, his eyes narrowed as he glares in my direction, waiting for my next move, and it almost makes me want to go back on my word with Kryll just to piss him off. He's as harsh on the inside as he exudes on the outside. I haven't seen a different version of him, despite the fact that he's now touched me more than once. I need to lose the claim to him, which means losing a duel. The thought of losing pains me, but if I want to put an end to this, then that's what I have to do.

"Let's go, Addi," Arlo calls out, pulling me from my appraisal of the four assholes consuming my thoughts.

Whirling around to Arlo, I find Flora and him a few steps ahead, selecting their food. I hurry to join them, opting for eggs and bacon, hoping the high protein will help in today's combat class.

With my tray loaded, I turn to my friend, feeling slightly guilty over how quiet I've been so far today. Despite that fact, I still consider her safety. "Are you guys going to sit at the fae table? I don't want to keep drawing you into this drama," I admit, nodding toward the table I've been summoned to.

Flora shakes her head. "Girl, you're my friend. Drama or not, I'm not leaving you to fend for yourself with those asshats."

Arlo smirks at her as she flicks her hair over her shoulder and leads the way. I stare with wide eyes as she takes off, slightly impressed with the boost of confidence she's exuding compared to usual, before I quickly remember to move with her.

Nearing the table, I eye the spot I usually take to the far left near Raiden, but after this morning's discussion with Kryll, I find myself swooping to the right and taking the seat directly beside him. No one speaks, enhancing the sound of the wood scraping across the floor as Flora and Arlo adjust their seats, too, sitting directly across from me.

"That's not your spot." The grunt comes from the tense vampire on the other side of Kryll. I don't bother to turn in his direction as I focus on the food in front of me.

"I wasn't advised I had a spot. I was advised to sit at this table," I grumble factually, earning myself a heavy sigh from the asshole that also pulled me out of Kenner's compound.

"You're more trouble than you're worth."

I smile wide, leaning forward so I can see him around Kryll's large frame. "Thank you."

Raiden rolls his eyes and turns his attention to his food before I go back to ignoring everyone at the table and do the same. I can feel eyes on me the entire time, shifting from one guy to another, but I try my best to block them out.

When I'm close to being done, Kryll leans into my side. "Are you ready for combat class?"

"As ready as I'll ever be. Why?" I ask with a frown, confused as to why he would ask that.

"No reason," he replies with a shrug, making me turn my full attention to him.

When he doesn't instantly expound, I give him a pointed look, which seems to do the trick.

"My brother may have mentioned he's dialing it up a notch," he explains before his eyes narrow. "Why are you grinning at that?"

Rolling my lips, I dip my head. "I don't know what you're talking about." It's coy as fuck, but I'm not going to sit here and get excited over the fact that we're going to be increasing our combat training. What can I say? I like it.

"Why is this bitch still at my table?" The shrill voice grinds on my brain as I instinctively turn toward the drama now drenching the table.

"Vallie, do us all a favor and fuck off. I've watched her beat the shit out of you enough times to know you're out of your league," Raiden grunts, and I gape at him in surprise. He doesn't even lift his gaze as he grumbles at her, which only seems to agitate her more.

Pressing her palms flat against the table, she leans closer to him. "Raidy baby, don't forget who I am."

I'm not entirely sure what that means, but it's no surprise to hear a vampire lording their social stature over someone else. I just hadn't really considered that they would do it with one another as well as other origins.

"How could anyone forget? Your lineage is the only thing keeping you alive. Now. Fuck. Off."

My eyes widen further as Vallie stands tall, folding her arms over her chest in a huff.

"I'm telling my daddy."

I bite back a snicker at her childish tantrum as Raiden finally lifts his head and shrugs. "He won't come for me."

Her smile widens, pleased that she has his attention, as she wags her finger. "No, but he'll come for her."

My chest tightens, but I refuse to let her get under my skin.

"He already tried that, and I'm still here," I retort, making her bare her teeth with a sneer as her gaze settles on mine.

"Honey, he was just getting started."