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I inch back a little before stepping sideways to circle him. He can cut the distance between us quicker than I can blink, and it’s exciting how alert and on edge I am all at once.

The sound of other people hitting the mat around us echoes in my ears, but I try to block it out, focusing on him as his gaze seems to darken. I know he’s going to come at me stronger this time, and I’m ready for it.

He shifts on his left foot, heavier than any other steps he’s taken, and I brace for impact, wanting him to come at me. We collide a moment later, sailing through the air as his arms band around me, blocking the full impact of the floor beneath us as he lands on top of me. I wrap my legs around his waist without missing a beat, using the small pocket of energy from the impact to roll.

I’m met with little resistance, which I think has more to do with the surprise that flashes in his eyes than his inability, but I use it to my advantage, plastering his back to the mat as I lay on top of him, pinning his wrists.

I grin, victory dancing in my head as my heart races.

It doesn’t last long, as he repeats a similar move on me. A second later, I’m back beneath him, the pair of us panting for breath. His eyes swirl and I get the sense his animal is right beneath the surface as he tries to catch his breath.

“This is almost fun,” I rasp, acutely aware of his body pressed against mine, and he shakes his head, trying and failing to focus.

I could take him again. I think. It’s worth a try.

Hooking my legs around his, I get ready to shift my weight when a shrill voice bites through the air.

“Fuck this shit. There’s no way I’m having some fae bitch infiltrate the Kenner line. I challenge her to a duel.”

Fuck. My. Life.

TWENTY-SEVEN

ADDI

With a quick breath and a failed attempt at trying to calm my pounding heart, I turn to see who has decided to cause a stir. I was finally relieving my tension in a controlled manner, and it was starting to get fun, but someone just had to go and ruin it.

Kryll remains pinned to me, so it takes a second, but I soon find a brown-haired girl with narrowed eyes standing with her hands planted on her hips.

My attention becomes slightly distracted by the smirking vampire who stands a few steps behind her. Vallie. My gut tells me she’s orchestrating all of this, and there’s nothing poetic about it.

Kryll curses under his breath as he climbs off me, and I instantly feel the lack of heat coming from his huge frame.

I keep my mouth shut as I stand, brushing off my clothes as I turn to face my new challenger.

“We won’t be calling a duel in my class,” Professor Tora grunts, storming toward us with irritation burning in his eyes.

“Fuck your class, a wolf’s duel outweighs everything,” she retorts, vibrating from head to toe. She doesn’t bother to turn in the professor’s direction, which screams disrespect, but it’s not my place to say anything. I’m certain we’re going to see smoke coming out of her ears like they show in those human kids’ television shows, but alas, this is a lot more real than that.

Facing her head on, I decide it’s quicker to rip the bandage off and get straight to the point. “If you want your precious little rights to Cassian, just say the word, and I’ll tap out now. No questions asked,” I offer, watching her eyes narrow in confusion. As if on command, I feel a presence at my back.

“No, you won’t.”

My head snaps to Cassian, who glares down at me with that feral look only he seems to be able to wear so effortlessly.

He has some fucking nerve getting involved right now, especially when it’s not to help me out of this predicament. Asshole.

“You’re damn straight I will,” I bite, aware we have the attention of the entire class as we stand off with each other. To everyone else it probably looks like a lover’s spat, but it’s so far from it, it’s almost funny. He shakes his head, ready to put me in my place, but I jab my finger against his extremely muscled chest as I push on. “I do believe I’ve already put my life at risk because of you. I’m not interested in doing it again. I want to fight for my kingdom, not for some asshole who wants to use me to keep all the little puppies at bay.”

His nostrils flare, his anger clear, but mine’s right at the surface, too.

“Did you just call me a puppy?”

I peer at the thorn in my side as she balls her hands into fists at her sides, and I shrug. “I can call you a bitch if you prefer. Both feel accurate right now.” I’m mentally high-fiving myself for my snark, but apparently, she doesn’t appreciate it the same.

“I’m going to kill you,” she snarls, taking a step toward me, and I inch closer, too.

“It’s not necessary. I already told you I—” A hand claps over my mouth, cutting off the rest of my words as lips press against my ear.