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Summer

I wake early, relieved to escape the nightmare. My mind had decided to relive the interrogation with Thomas, only this time, the three deceased fae sat behind him. Their dead eyes stared accusingly at me while his penetrating gaze blistered my skin.

I kiss Connor on the cheek and climb out of bed. Quietly, I change into my gym clothes and head out.

“Look who’s back,” Max croons, smirking.

I simply nod and go to the treadmill.

“Come fight,” Max says from behind me.

I surprise myself by laughing. “You’re like a broken record.”

“And? That’s how you improve.”

I roll my eyes but turn off the treadmill. Following Max into the sparring room, I start to stretch.

“Did you practice over break?” he asks.

“Surprisingly, yes.”

Max nods and then throws a punch at me. I dodge easily and duck under his arm. Twisting around so I’m at his back, I jab him in the kidney.

Over the break, Alice and I had gotten into so many fights with other vampires that my confidence in my instincts has grown. I still don’t love tapping into my fae powers, but I’m definitely more able to lean into them when needed.

Max winces and actually stumbles. He recovers quickly and resumes his stance, ready to attack. Hoping to take him by surprise, I drop and swipe his legs with mine, trying to take him to the ground. He jumps at the last second, and I miss him.

“Faster,” he growls.

I jump to my feet and throw another punch. Max barely dodges this time, and my chest swells with satisfaction, but I don’t have the chance to sit in the feeling. Max throws his fist, aiming at my head. I lean back, avoiding the strike, and Max’s eyes flash green, his veins bulging as he lets the berserker out to play a little. He even gets a little taller.

“I land a hit. I break a bone. Fight like your life depends on it,” he snarls as he throws another punch. This one I struggle to avoid. Max gets even bigger, his eyes glowing brighter. “Take me down. Prove you can.”

I dodge another attack, then another, waiting for my moment. Max is stronger and bigger. I won’t win against his physicality. I have to be smarter and faster. Max lunges toward me, pushing me back. In the second his balance is off, I land a hit in the center of his chest and drop to the ground, swiping his legs out from under him. He hits the mat hard, his increased size also increasing his weight. I roll on top of him and pin his arms above his head, one of my legs over his, holding them down. He snarls up at me, and I can see he’s fighting the instinct to go full berserker. I don’t back down, though, not yet.

“Down, boy.” I smirk, tilting my head.

The rage on Max’s face melts into severe annoyance, his eyes no longer glowing berserker green. He glares up at me. “Such a bitch.” He tries to shift beneath me but can’t move. “Well, I suppose you’re only partially useless.”

I burst out laughing, keeping him pinned there.

Max’s cheeks flush, and he clears his throat. “You going to let go of me? Cause this is about to get awkward.”

I frown and tip my head in confusion. Max shifts, and I feel something hard against my thigh. It takes me a long moment before I realize what it is. I roll my eyes and scramble off him, purposely kneeing him in the stomach.

Max grunts and sits up, covering his boner. “Don’t judge me. I have a thing for women who can kick my ass.”

I stand and offer him my hand. “I’m hot as fuck, Max. Just admit it.”

“So am I. Admit it,” Max says, allowing me to help him up.

“You’re the one with a mega boner.”

Max snorts. “It’s a boner, not a snake. I can’t control it.”

I roll my eyes. “My mistake, I forgot you’re a fourteen-year-old boy. Later.”

Max salutes me. “Ice when you get home.”

I flip him off over my shoulder.

“See you tomorrow, Daanan.”

I walk down the hall toward our dorm but hesitate when I notice a small bag sitting on the stoop. It’s leaning harmlessly against the door, but I am still very wary. I look up and down the hall as if whoever left this gift might still be here. Given the early hour, it’s unsurprising there is no one around.

I look down at the small bag, certain it wasn’t there when I left this morning. Crouching, I take a closer look. It’s a silk black bag held closed by a silver ribbon tied into a pretty bow. It seems benign, but I am still cautious as I pick it up, looking around again before tugging it open. The fabric parts, and I peek in before carefully slipping my hand inside. The first thing I feel is a piece of paper, and I pull it out, looking at the small note.

Happy Yule

- S

The script is elegant, and I can sense the power the writer possesses, even with the simple message. I linger over the note longer than I should, soaking up this small bit of him. Forcing myself to set it aside, I reach into the bag again, and my fingers brush against what feels like leather. I hold my breath and pull it free. My knees hit the carpet, and I sit back on my heels, staring down at the black leather binding hundreds of pieces of papyrus. I angle the bundle, running my fingers over the rune embossed on the front. It is an old rune, but I don’t recognize it.

I gather everything and stand up, looking up and down the hall once more before entering the dorm. I put the note and bag down on the counter, eagerly unwrapping the leather straps wound around the width of the book. Slowly, I open the cover, taking my time. This book is obviously ancient, and I don’t want to cause it any damage. Though the edges of the paper look damaged and delicate from the outside, the cover and the main body of the pages are perfectly preserved. There has been no fading or running of the ink and no water damage. It looks like it’s rarely been opened.

Carefully, I flip through the pages. It looks like most of the book is in New Faerie, but I do recognize some Ancient Daoine Sith, and there are sections written exclusively in… runes? They are old and strange, and I’ve never seen anything like them. I cannot wait to explore and translate them. I scoop everything up and hurry to my room. Connor is still snoring softly, so I sit at my desk and open the book again. It’s clearly priceless, an antique. My phone sits heavily in my pocket, and I think about messaging him. I shouldn’t. He’s not in my life anymore. He’s left me alone, which is what I wanted. Isn’t it?

Yes.

Maybe…

I pick up the note, seeking the familiar comfort of his power. Pulling my phone out, I open my message with him and feel a little sad that it’s been as long as it has since we spoke and since I felt normal . Even after our fight, I still miss him. I know it doesn’t make sense, but I felt safe with him, and there was something freeing in that safety.

I curse under my breath and lock the phone, slamming the tome shut before slipping back into bed. I nuzzle my nose against Connor’s cheek. “Big guy?”

Connor groans, but his eyes are still closed. He pats the space where I had slept, still there for me if I should want it.

I sigh and climb back into bed, looking at him. “Good morning, handsome.”

“Hi,” Connor moans sleepily as he wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his warmth. “How was the gym?”

“Fine. I’m all sweaty and gross.”

Connor nuzzles into my neck. “You smell incredible, like always.”

I smile, running my fingers through his blond locks. “I beat Max’s ass.”

“That’s my girl.” Connor smiles, his eyes still closed as he basks in the intimacy. “Are you ready for our first day back?” he asks.

“I think so. It’s your last semester at Avalon. Are you ready to be done with school, big guy?”

Connor opens his eyes, revealing the love shining in their depths. “I’m ready for graduation.”

“You planning a rager?”

Connor shrugs. “Not a big one.”

I brush my lips over his. “You excited about the sexy robes you’ll get to wear for graduation?”

“Nope.”

“Then what is it you’re excited for? Getting your Legion?”

“It’s a surprise,” Connor says, pulling me tighter against him.

I lift an eyebrow.

Connor smiles. “I can have some secrets.”

I narrow my eyes at him and climb out of bed. “Whatever, I’m going to shower.”

Connor follows me into the bathroom and wraps his arms around me. “Are you pouting?”

“Yes,” I say, getting undressed.

“You really want to know why I’m excited?” Connor asks, grabbing me and pressing kisses to my neck.

I grunt grumpily but slide my fingers into his hair, holding him against me.

“Well, it involves you and jewelry.”

Oh. I go still, the realization hitting me. Surely, he can’t be serious? He’s planning on proposing? At his graduation?

I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m not sure how I should feel about that. Connor pulls back to look down at me, and I stare up at him, waiting for the terror to hit. I wait for the crushing, suffocating weight of being overwhelmed to settle on me. I wait for my instincts to kick in, telling me to run. But nothing happens, and I just stand there, blinking uselessly.

Connor trails more kisses down my neck again. “So that’s why I’m excited.”

Maybe I’m reading too much into this. Maybe he’s just got me some really nice jewelry. He’s never bought me jewelry before, so surely, the first piece he gives me won’t be a ring, right? Yeah, I’m being stupid.

“You’re annoying,” I say, pinching him lightly.

Connor laughs, still completely at ease. “You love me.”

I growl, and Connor playfully swats me on the ass before pulling me into the shower with him.