Page 17

“So this angel...” Alice starts, not so subtly changing the subject.

It’s my turn to groan and roll my eyes. “You know, you made out with someone at that party too, and I’m not giving you shit about it.”

Alice looks at me innocently and holds up her hands. “Hey, I was just going to offer to kill him and make you adivine-lygood sandwich.”

I groan again but can’t hold back a laugh as I say, “I’ll leave the consumption of human products to you. Thanks, though.”

She snickers. “So cantina for lunch?”

“Yes, I’m starving.”

The cafeteria is packed, and the noise of all the students chatting is almost deafening when we first enter the room. I pause just inside, trying to adjust as I look around for a table.

“Okay, we need to stake our claim. Where we sit for lunch means everything.” Alice grabs my hand and tugs me toward a free table.

“Claim?”

“A table. This is now ours,” she says, slapping her hand down against the solid wood. “For the whole time we’re at Avalon, this is where we will sit.”

“I don’t know, Alice. That seems like a lot of commitment for the first day.” I sit on the bench, plopping my bag next to me.

Alice laughs. “Oh, wow, you’re even commitment-phobic when it comes to lunch arrangements. You’ve got itbad.”

“You know what? This table is perfect. I can’t wait to sit here every day at lunch, five days a week, for the next four years.”

“That’s the spirit,” a tall brunette girl says as she approaches the table. She’s about to sit down when Alice hisses at her. The girl jumps back and gives Alice a horrified glare before hurrying away.

“I may be a commitment-phobe, but you are a possessive queen,” I say, standing up. “I’m going to get some food. You want blood?”

Alice looks up at me, and I see the flash of vulnerability mixed with surprise. “You’d… get me blood?”

“I mean, yeah. It’s in the fridge right over there, and I’m going to walk right by it.” Why is she looking at me like that? Is there some social taboo about getting a vampire blood?

Alice’s cheeks reddened a little. “You don’t think it’s gross?”

I blink again. “No. I don’t.”

Alice’s eyes gleam with relief. “Thanks. Can you get me some of the AB mortal stuff? I doubt the school offers the spiced stuff I love.”

I nod, completely unfazed, and make my way across the room to get lunch for us.

7

Summer

“Hello again, mystery girl.”

My whole body groans at the sound of his voice. I thought this school was supposed to be big. How is it that I have run into this guy not once buttwicein three hours? I glance at him dismissively before returning my attention to the salad bar. That look has shriveled men’s egos in the past. This dude would be no different. I add some lettuce to my bowl and move down the bar to find the tomatoes. Angel boy follows me, relaxed, at ease, and undeterred.

“You’re everywhere, huh?” I pile some chicken and croutons onto my salad and place it on the tray. Connor swoops in and picks up my tray, carrying it for me.

“I mean, I do go to school here.”

I put a hand on my hip, quirking a sardonic brow. “Do you offer this service to all the freshmen? Or is it just the ones you make out with?”

His smile brightens, almost blinding me. I hate how handsome I find his stupid, cheerful face. “Nope, just you.”

“I feel so honored.” I try to grab the tray back, but Connor dodges me. He shifts it easily out of my reach and turns on his heel, walking away toward our table.