I snort a laugh. “Really? You’ve seemed to enjoy the attention from what I’ve seen.” There’s a little bite to my tone and I’m not sure where it comes from.
Neryssa’s brows pull together and a scowl crosses her features.
It's nice to see.
Normal.
“I didn’t ask for any of this,” she snaps out. Her steps are slowing down but apparently her temper is picking up. “I didn’t want to come to this fucking school. I didn’t want you of all people as one of my fucking dormmates. I certainly didn’t want to die that night in the attic. And this bullshit,” she waves her gloved hand at me. “I didn’t want it either.”
I shrug. “Cry me a river, pumpkin.”
“You know I really don’t fucking like you.”
“Good, I don’t like you either. We can get in and find this damn book and then we’ll get out and you won’t have to say another word to me. You guys can figure out the rest on your own.”
The only reason I’m even going along with this shit is because of Fox’s blackmail. He hasn’t said anything else to me about knowing my secret but I don’t miss the way that he keeps sparing me little looks that he hadn’t before.
And what was that whole thing with doing my assignment?
Yeah, I’m still wary of him.
I don’t know how he knows about my secret but I’m going to find out. Then I’m going to find my own dirt on him to make sure that he keeps quiet about my business.
I slow down so that Neryssa can catch up and when her arm brushes against mine, there’s a little pressure in my chest.
And that.
That’s another reason I’m going along with this.
Ever since I’d placed my hand on Neryssa’s chest while she was… dead, I’d felt a little pull to her deep within. It’s not so strong that it feels like I need it, but I can’t say that the little feeling that invades my chest every time she’s near isn’t nice.
Which is why I need to get rid of it.
I’d only caught a glimpse of the black smoke coming out of her mouth the other day, but it was enough to let me know that she’s either cursed or turning into an abaron. A chill runs down my spine at the possibility of the latter.
Somehow whatever is going on with her is connecting us, and fuck if I’m going to be the next one to start turning into something from the worst parts of the ethers.
My lineage dates back to hell, some of the finest demons you’ll ever find, but we were created from the pit that’s the exact opposite of the ether, the teryn.
Even before Alik and I were attacked by an abaron, I stayed far away from creatures from the ether.
I glance over at Neryssa, puzzled.
Abarons aren’t the only creatures from the ether that we have to be concerned about.
I breathe out a sigh of relief when we turn onto Prestine Row. “Time to get this over with.”
I dart up the stairs, already pressing the invitation card to the door by the time that Nerys makes it up. The incantation is simple, a white light flashing momentarily before the door opens.
I step to the side, letting Neryssa go before me. “Handicaps first.”
Her lips pull into a frown.
“Soskia! Neryssa! I’m so glad you guys could make it!” Stunson Hirsh strolls down the hallway, smiling brightly at us.
As far as Kylu X girls go, Stunson isn’t the worst. She has actual brain cells and she doesn’t allow her stepdaddy’s money to go to her head.
She looks at Nerys, frowning. “Are you okay?” she asks.