Page 105 of Vicious Kings
The walk back to the dorm takes us through the gardens, past those impossible blue roses that still make my nose itch. Thepaths are quieter here, most students taking the main routes. Just a few scattered couples stealing moments alone, a Fae reading under a tree, nothing to?—
The hair on the back of my neck stands up.
Someone's watching me.
I scan the area, trying to look casual as my eyes sweep over every shadow, every corner where someone could hide. Nothing. Just gardens, statues, benches, and the faint shimmer of wards protecting the campus from outside threats.
But I know that feeling. Spent twenty years learning to trust it. Someone is definitely watching.
"You okay?" Olivia asks.
"Yeah." I force myself to keep moving, even though every instinct screams at me to find the watcher. "Just thought I saw something."
"Probably just a sprite." She links her arm through mine, either oblivious to the danger or choosing to ignore it. "They're always skulking around the gardens. Bitey little bastards."
Maybe. But sprites don't make my skin prickle like this. I'd know the focused, intent energy of a predator anywhere.
We make it back to the dorm, but the feeling doesn't fade. I keep looking over my shoulder, expecting to see red eyes in the shadows. But there's nothing.
Huh. Maybe it really is just paranoia and these suppressants making my brain fuzzy.
Yeah. That's all it is. Time to talk to the doctor about changing my dose or going on something with fewer side effects.
Olivia spends the next three hours transforming herself into something that would make a supermodel weep with envy. As I study, I find myself occasionally glancing over to watch her work with something approaching awe.
She'd make one hell of a hunter if she ever chose to use those glamorizing skills for the art of disguise.
"How do I look?" she asks finally. She spins around for dramatic effect, her dress swirling around her.
It's pink, obviously, but a deeper shade than her usual bubblegum aesthetic. Her rose gold jewelry catches the light, and her hair falls in perfect waves I now know for a fact take a full hour to achieve.
"Like you're going to give those shifters a collective heart attack." That'soneform of hunting.
Her smile is brilliant. "Perfect!"
The knock on our door comes right on time.
"Olivia, a gentleman caller is here for you!" calls the dorm matron, as if we're living in some fluffy period drama and not a glorified fish tank surrounded by pointy-eared cats ready to scoop one of us up at any second.
Olivia is literally shaking with excitement as she grabs her bag—also pink, naturally—and heads for the door.
"Wish me luck."
"Remember," I call after her, "weak points!"
"I'm going to meet my future pack, not into a war zone!"
"Same difference!"
She flips me off affectionately as she leaves, and I war with myself for about five seconds before slipping out of the room to follow her to the lobby.
I catch a glimpse of Everen standing on the walkway outside, since there are no alphas allowed in the dorm outside of visiting hours.
He's dressed more casually than he was at the party, slacks and a black shirt that does nothing to hide the muscles underneath.
I guess shifters aren't quite as unrelentingly flashy as the Fae. His eyes find mine for a second, even though I'm hiding in the shadows, and he holds my stare.
There's something in that look I don't like it. I don't likehim, but I also know telling Olivia that is just going to push her further into his arms.
