“Damn.”
“Wow.”
I blink and pull back. Marshal does the same, swallowing thickly. His lips are red and his green eyes, dilated. My heart thrums in my chest and my lower belly aches. I glance around, as though pulled from a fog, and see everyone looking at us. The twins wear matching smiles of approval and Luke’s eyes carry their own dark hunger. Our eyes connect, and I look away, feeling uncomfortable. Marielle’s expression is sour, her lips pulled into a pout and her eyes narrowed in accusation. It’s immediately obvious I’ve stepped over a line with her.
She likes Marshal.
Despite my own lack of feelings about him, there’s no way she can have him.
“Well,” she says, standing abruptly, “it’s late. I think everyone should go.”
There’s a bit of murmuring argument from the others, but Marshal stands, offering me his hand to get up. I take it, again feeling that current that runs between us. As soon as I’m on my feet, I drop it and begin cleaning up.
Once everyone leaves and it’s just me and Marielle, it’s obvious she’s upset. I’m not here to make enemies, at least not with people I have to share a room with, so I say, “Look, there’s nothing going on with me and Marshal, you know, that right? We both drank too much, and he just likes to mess with me and that kiss is just another one of his games.”
“Sure,” she says. “Whatever.” and grabs her towel and heads to the bathroom down the hall.
Drunk and exhausted, I change and get into bed. My mind is spinning from such a long and crazy night. Tomorrow, I tell myself as I press my cheek into my pillow, we begin the hunt for the stone.
24
Marshal
Woozy from booze and horny from that kiss, I walk back to my room, telling myself I had to stop playing these games with Hildi.
It’s fucking with my head.
Kissing her tonight had been stupid—our agreement not to mess around once the mission started had been smart. But self-control, particularly when it comes to beautiful women, isn’t something I’m known for.
No, gluttony and greed, that’s more like it, and there’s something about the Valkyrie that keeps me coming back for more.
I run my hands through my hair and repeat to myself that it’s over, that I shouldn’t desire her so much. She’s just another female in a long line of females. Who cares if she is gorgeous, with a sharp tongue and smart mouth? Who cares if she likes it rough and isn’t clingy? Who cares if her body molds against mine like she was made for me?
Who cares? I think pushing open the door of my room.
You do, a whisper comes back.
I stop abruptly, realizing I’m not alone. The Legion hovers around the desk in the room I share with Rupert, focused on a large, flat piece of paper.
“Where have you been?” Armin asks.
“Attending a little gathering in Hildi’s room.”
“You’re drunk,” Agis says, sniffing the air.
“It was a party, Ag,” I say, kicking off my shoes. “Like most parties, there were refreshments.”
“Well,” Miya says, “if you’re finished socializing for the night, come check out this map Christensen gave Armin.”
I walk over and take a place at the desk. The paper isn’t quite a map of the Academy but more like blueprints.
“Christensen gave you this?” I ask Armin.
“Yes, to aid in looking for the stone. We can start a physical search tomorrow after dinner. Rupert will do some research in the library.” Armin holds my eye. “There’s no time for foolish behavior, understand?”
Anger bubbles in my chest. I fight an eyeroll. “We were placed as students in this Academy, Armin, my job is to acclimate to the culture and use that to help us.”
He reaches over and rubs his thumb over the edge of my lip. I jerk back. “What the fuck?”