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“What can I do for you, Kryll?” I ask when he doesn’t immediately speak.

He takes his time, letting his gaze travel up my body before he meets my gaze and shrugs. “You can come to dinner.”

There’s no please, no question, no option. Nothing but a demand.

Fuck that, and fuck him.

“I’m good, but thanks,” I blurt with a sickly sweet smile before slamming the door shut in his face. Friend or foe, I’m not dealing with that mess tonight.

THIRTY-EIGHT

KRYLL

Iwasn’t expecting the most joyous of greetings, but slamming the door shut in my face is not necessary, is it? I’ve been cordial. I think.

Maybe I’ve been too nice? Maybe I haven’t been nice enough? Maybe I don’t care.

Wiping a hand down my face, I head back down the stairs. Reaching the communal area on the ground floor, I’m greeted with nervous stares as they watch me with a level of uncertainty you only ever get from a fae.

I step outside without acknowledging anyone, simply because doing so would only stress them out more than they already are. My presence rolling through like mist will offer them more peace than a friendly wave or smile.

Pursing my lips, I take a few steps back as I look up at the building. It takes me a moment to locate the window I know belongs to her room. If my excellent orientation skills weren’t working their magic, then the lack of life coming from that glass square reflects it, too.

I barely got a glimpse inside her room—or lack thereof—and I can’t decide if I’m surprised by it or not. Irritated that I’m thinking so deeply about this stuff, I shake my head and focus on the task at hand.

Get Addi to the dining hall.

Luckily for me, her window is slightly ajar. Just enough for me to get up there and get in. She won’t be able to slam it in my face then.

Rolling my shoulders, I let my magic dance through my veins. The telltale flapping of wings thrums in my ears, bringing me to life as I shift. Hitting the ground, I launch into the air and take to the sky. My lungs feel full for the first time in forever as I let my inner beast take flight, both in the sky and inside of me.

I give myself a few minutes to enjoy the moment, letting every worry and stress float away as my mind clears. There’s something about my shifted form that completes me in a way I can’t even begin to explain. With a mental promise to do this again soon, I set my sights on Addi’s window.

My claw hooks around the window pane, swinging it open as I transition back to my human form. My feet hit the floor with a thud. At the same time, an almighty scream rings in my ears, but before I can find the source of the sound, my body is sailing through the air. The tugging sensation ripples through my body as I’m launched with raw force. My back slams against the wall, leaving me dazed as I slump to the floor. I’ve never been more relieved that shifting didn’t leave me stark naked when I turned back.

I quickly push on my palms to sit up, using the wall behind me to keep me propped up as I try to process what just happened.

“What the fuck?” I groan as I take stock of where I am. “How am I back here?” I grumble, noting that I’m in the hallway outside Addi’s room. Her bedroom door is open and she stands at the threshold, gaping at me while I rub at my head.

“Apparently, Brody’s ward actually works,” she muses, unable to hold back the smile curling her lips.

“Wait, you have one of Brody’s wards up?” I clarify, and she nods. “Fuck, no wonder it hurts,” I grunt, feeling the ache from the impact throughout my body.

“What does that mean?”

I shrug, and it fucking kills. “It means I’m going to give him a beating for this when I see him.”

Pushing through the pain, I stand, brushing off invisible lint from my jeans as an excuse to brace myself for a moment. When I look back up, it’s to see Addi giving me a pointed look with her arms folded over her chest.

“What is it you want so badly that it has you climbing through my bedroom window, Kryll?”

“Technically, I flew in,” I retort, and her eyebrows rise a little.

“Your shifter has wings?” She seems slightly impressed, but I brush it off. I’m not getting distracted.

“That doesn’t matter.”

That earns me an eye roll as she takes a step back, reaching for the door. “Okay, then, as I already said, thanks, but no thanks.”