Page 60 of Venomous Desires

Taking a deep breath, I mustered the courage to turn to Ivan. “I need to go,” I whispered, hoping he’d let me slip away without causing a scene. His eyes narrowed slightly.

I stood up quickly, my legs shaky, and made my way through the crowd. I pushed through the throng of students, not stopping until I reached the hall and found the bathroom down the corridor.

Once inside, I panted as I looked in the mirror, splashing water on my face. My reflection stared back at me, the makeup I’d carefully applied that morning starting to smudge. I tried to calm my racing heart, the cold water helping to ground me. Fora moment, I could almost forget the nightmare outside those bathroom doors.

I grabbed a paper towel and dabbed at my face. My hands were shaking, and I could feel the anxiety bubbling up inside me again. I took a few deep breaths, willing myself to calm down. I hope no one would look for me.

This wasn’t the first time I’d felt this way, and it probably wouldn’t be the last.

I really should go back to Texas for a few days. Maybe I was homesick and needed my mother’s hugs. Thinking of her made me want to see her. I pulled out my phone and texted her.

Seraphina: Is it normal that I miss you?

Her response came almost immediately.

Mama Bear: Is it normal that I miss you too? Or is it just because I need someone to help me move the furniture around?

I smiled, shaking my head. Classic Mom.

I texted back, smiling as I perched against the counter.

Seraphina: I’ll be home in three days. I miss you, and I’ve got a week-long break.

Mama Bear: A week-long break? This sounds suspiciously convenient. Are you sure there’s nothing else going on?

I felt my chest tighten.

Seraphina: Nothing else, promise! Just really need some of your hugs.

Mama Bear: Alright, if you say so. But you better not be hiding any surprises. Safe travels, and I’ll see you soon.

I let out a sigh of relief. Hopefully, she wouldn’t pry too much when I got there. Now that I have talked to her, I feel a little calm. When I looked at the time, it was already thirty minutes since the fest.

My phone pinged, and I expected my mother’s text; instead, it was not.

Unknown: I warned you.

Chapter 21

The Predator

Ilearned a thing or two today.

I didn’t like these events. Not the people. Not the loud voices. And definitely notIvan fucking Morozov.

And it was truly a strenuous task to not jump down the fucking stage and slit his throat right then and there before cutting off his finger he was touching my little bird with. The rage boiled within me, and I hated this new feeling.

It was concerning that I wanted to already see blood when I had just caused mayhem two hours ago.

Patience, I told myself. It would be so easy, so gratifying to end him now, but no. There was a time and place for everything, and his time was coming.Soon.

“You’re glaring,” I heard Kyle mutter, and I tore my gaze from the crowd where my little bird was. She thought she’d blend in with all these useless humans, and I wouldn’t notice her. I could see her in the back, trying to hide behind the mundane faces, but she stood out to me like a beacon.

There was no way she didn’t know I’d be here. I wanted tobelieve she put that dress on for me so that I could rip it off later. Another part of me wanted to kidnap her, lock her somewhere so that she could look only and only at me.

The idea of her fear alone was enough to make it difficult to think straight—but I sighed, because chaos and witnesses always ruined the simplest pleasures.

I‘d done enough killing for today.