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“Sex is my stress relief, and I’ve not had that for ten days,” I say, and then kiss him deeply.

Connor smiles. “Then we should amend the rules slightly. Sex no less than three times a week.”

I laugh, playfully shoving him off me and climbing out of bed. “I’ll see you tomorrow, big guy.”

Connor sits up, pouting a little, his hair perfectly sex rumpled. “You’re leaving already?”

“It’s late, and we both have studying to do.”

“This sucks,” Connor groans, falling back on the bed dramatically,

I pull on my clothes and walk over to him, bending over him to kiss him deeply. “I love you.”

Connor sighs. “I love you too.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“I miss you already,” Connor says. He sits up, his face still fixed in an endearing pout.

I wink at him as I leave the room. Rafe is the only one in the living room. He has a textbook open, but I don’t think much studying is happening. I kiss his cheek as I walk past him, leaving the Morningstar House once again lighter than when I entered.

81

Summer

The sky is inky black as I begin my journey home, and the classic Avalon mist lies low against the pavement. The night is still, but it’s not the usual peaceful calm. Something has me on edge, and I pull my coat tighter, trying to ward off the chill.

I curse myself for not bringing Connor’s dagger. Since I started going to the gym daily, I’ve not been consistently carrying it. I don’t want a dagger strapped to me when I’m sparring. I could call Connor or one of his brothers and ask them to come and walk me home, but I’m really reluctant to make more of this situation than it is. The more I feed into it, the more real it is.

The back of my neck tingles with the awareness of eyes upon me, and beneath my clothes, the pendant warms slightly. I keep walking, not wanting to alert whoever is watching that I am aware of their presence. The only proof of my discomfort is the condensation as my warm breath hits the cool air a little quicker than before. I swallow and pull out my phone, maintaining my casual pace toward Kelpie.

I desperately hope the answer is yes. Not only because then I will know who is out there but also because, as much as I hate to admit it, I will feel safer with him watching me. I hold on to that hope, but these eyes don’t feel like his, and the longer the stranger takes to reply, the more certain I am that it is probably not him.

My heart races, and I subtly look around, slowing my steps. I have no fucking idea why I’m acting like those morons in horror movies when they’re getting chased by a psycho killer, yet the desire to stop, to look around, is too tempting.

My phone alerts again, and I almost drop it in surprise.

Fear lashes me.

I stare at his message, terror slithering through me. Every muscle in my body freezes. I can feel those eyes burning into me like acid. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I am completely frozen in fear.

A twig snaps in the distance, and instinctively, my head snaps in that direction. My breaths are shallow, and I feel the scream building in my throat, primed and ready. I clench my fists, my phone creaking in my grip. My mind is in chaos, and I try to focus, try to remember any of the fucking moves Max taught to me.

The fog shifts, and I jump when the stranger materializes beside me in his near-invisible form. I don’t relax but instinctively move toward him, tucking myself within his shadows. He steps in front of me, looking around, his large body ready for attack. “Wait here.” He starts to move away, but I grab his arm, my grip tight on his strange, blurry materialization. He stops and looks at me over his shoulder.

“Don’t leave me,” I whisper. My instincts scream at me to stay with him. Something is near, something malevolent and powerful.

He watches me, hesitating for a moment before he nods. “All right. I’m going to go fully invisible. I’m still here, though. Walk home as normal.”

I swallow, refusing to drop his arm and lose that contact. “Should I email the headmaster?” I ask. “Something feels wrong.”

His body wavers and then completely disappears, but I can still feel his presence. His phantom breath makes me shiver as he whispers into my ear. “Once you are home. Yes.”

I nod and take a deep breath, steadying myself and trying to remember anything from my insipid mortal drama classes. I start walking, actively trying to remember how I usually walk. Do I sway my hips? Maybe a little more? No, that’s obscene. The distraction only lasts for a fraction of a moment before my reality sinks in again, and my heart thrashes in my chest uncomfortably.

The stranger moves in closer, sliding an arm around my back and placing his hand on my hip. “I’m here,” he whispers, and goosebumps appear on my skin.

The ghostly gaze remains on me but doesn’t seem as close. I lean into his presence, grounding myself in him. Though I can’t see him, I can feel him casting out his senses as we walk back to my dorm. When Kelpie comes into sight, he leans in again, his voice low. “Once you get through the door, I’m going to ward the building and investigate. Stay inside, and do not follow me.”