38. Adrianna

ADRIANNA

Sweat clings to my temples, gluing my t-shirt to my chest as my feet pound on the ground beneath me. The morning sun shines through the trees as I make my way back around to the fountain with just enough time to hurry back to the fae building, shower, and then head to breakfast before classes start for the day.

That's what my mind should be focused on, yet the tendrils of Raiden's words still burn through my thoughts.

You may quite literally be the death of me if they don't accept my withdrawal.

Who fucking says that? Someone who believes it to be true. It's like I thought things couldn't get any worse, and yet he accepted the challenge to prove me wrong.

When I asked him to leave, he did. A little too willingly in the end, likely because he got what he wanted from me. I can only hope that's what it is.

Shaking my head, I try to put that information away for later, but it plays on repeat in my mind as the fountain comes into view in the distance. As my steps begin to slow, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end, the feel of eyes touching my skin has me on high alert.

Glancing back, I yelp, stumbling over my feet as I spot Raiden jogging behind me. His grin grows wide as he waves, making my eyes narrow before I take off running as fast as I can.

"Your ass is so hot from this angle," he hollers, and I stick my finger up at him over my shoulder as I grind my teeth and keep pushing. "The side boob from this angle too… fuck, chef's kiss," he insists, effortlessly moving to my side.

"Fuck off, Raiden," I snap, and he scoffs in disbelief.

"I'm keeping you safe."

"No. You're doing that stalker shit again," I retort, glaring at him, and he shrugs.

"You're welcome."

"I'm not thanking you."

"You should. There were two wolves planning to jump you at the fountain," he states as I slow beside the fountain in question. I shake my head, not believing his shit, as no one comes into view.

"No, there weren't."

"Round the other side, Adrianna," he murmurs, nodding for me to follow him.

My lips purse, my decline on the tip of my tongue, when I find Cassian standing over two girls sitting with their heads hung in shame.

Well, fuck.

Cassian doesn't pay me any attention. He keeps his voice low while speaking to the girls, and I gape in surprise. All I was trying to do was go for a run. Why can't I have a calm start to the day?

"You're welcome," Raiden murmurs, appearing right at my side a second later, and before I can respond, he presses his lips against my cheek. The spot warms at his touch, making my cheeks heat even further, and I take an instinctive step back.

I'm awake and out here at this time because of him and everything that happened last night, and here he is, still causing me drama in the morning.

Quickening my pace, I hurry to the fae building, refusing to look back over my shoulder for fear of seeing him follow me again. Thankfully, when I reach my level, he's not waiting by my door, so I hurry into the bathroom just like I had planned.

The door falls closed behind me as I brace my hands on the vanity. I peer at myself in the mirror as I try to catch my breath when the hinges creak. Anger vibrates through my veins as I catch another reflection in the mirror.

"You're pushing it, Raiden. Get. The. Fuck. Out," I snarl, my knuckles turning white as my grip tightens.

He purses his lips, considering his options, and I stand tall, whirling around with my finger aimed in his direction.

"Fine, but I'm waiting outside," he mutters, lifting his hands in surrender before I can say a word.

"As long as you're not in here, I don't care," I snap, chest heaving with every breath.

I need him to get the hell out right now before I start making stupid decisions again. True to his word, he slips back through the door, leaving me in the pits of silence, and I quickly move to turn the shower on, appreciating the melodic sound as I close the shower curtain and undress.

Maybe he isn't so willing to hear me out and back off. Maybe he isn't as done with me as I had hoped. I shake my head at myself, a tiny bud of excitement blossoming in my chest, and I don't like it.

Fuck.

Trying not to look over my shoulder with every passing moment, I go through the motions of washing my body and hair, increasing the temperature until it resembles the pits of Hell before I finally feel fresh and clean.

Reluctantly, I shut the shower off and step out into the main space, slightly surprised that he's still not in here. I spy my clothes in the far corner where I placed them earlier before I set off on my run and busy myself getting dressed as I conserve my magic to blow dry my hair.

I secure my hair in a braided crown, keeping it pinned to my head. It's a long process but it's worth it. I rake my eyes over myself in the mirror before I step out into the hallway.

"How are you dressed? I was waiting for the towel walk of shame," Raiden complains with his arms folded over his chest and a pout on his lips.

Rolling my eyes at him, I breeze past him without pausing as I wave him off.

"You can go now."

"I'd rather not," he replies, keeping a step behind me as I head for the stairs instead of my room.

"I'm heading to class."

"What about breakfast?"

"I can't deal with you right now," I grumble, shaking my head at him as I reach the bottom of the stairs, but no sooner do my feet hit the hardwood floor am I hauled in the air and tossed over his shoulder.

A few gasps ring in my ears, confirming we're not alone, but I can't see from this position, thanks to the asshole vampire lugging me around.

"If I don't get to eat you out in the shower like I wanted for breakfast, then you have to eat breakfast with me."

My cheeks heat and my thighs clench with desire. "How does that make any sense?" I rasp, and he shrugs, jostling me on his shoulder.

"I never said it did."

"Can you put me down then?" I snap, willing to relent if he stops making a show out of me. "All of this tossing me over the shoulder and carrying me around like a rag doll is not doing my image any good," I add, frustration getting the better of me.

"You're right," he breathes, immediately lowering me to my feet before delicately kissing my temple. "Let's go."

I blink at him, stunned that he's actually listening. "Just like that?"

He takes my hand, and when I try to snag it back, he tightens his hold. "I'm a vampire, Adrianna; if I understand anything, it's maintaining an image."