Page 16 of Obsidian and Frost

“Don’t worry about that cunt back there.”

I jolted at his wording. “What?”

“That Dark Fae who said all that shit about you? Shit that wasn’t true and was deeply misinformed and fucking ignorant, by the way. Her name is Kelsana Torl. She got kicked out of Maven Academy for using Dark Fae magic on fellow students that violated their free will. Now she’s here. Not for long if she keeps that bull up.”

“I… wow.”

“Yeah, she’s a real piece of work. That boyfriend of hers, too. Rennick. He’s a sorcerer. One of the arrogant ones who can’t actually back up what he’s laying down.”

A small laugh escaped me, just tumbling out of me.

Lazriel’s eyes shone.

Actually, they flamed.

It was his wolf side.

Was he… turned on? By a laugh?

No. I had to be misreading it.

“This alcove is at the rear of the building out of the way, so no one can see us.”

I tensed, especially with that comment being combined with what I’d just seen andpossiblyonly misinterpreted. “Why… why would we need that?”

“So you can gather yourself,” he answered, matter of fact.

Oh.Oh my God.Get a grip, girl.

“Yeah. Right. Good idea.” I looked up at him. “Thank you. I didn’t expect that.”

“Me saving you?”

“Anyone saving me actually. But, yeah, especially not you.”

“After I stormed off in a tantrum when you turned me down at the Compound that day?”

I winced.

The awkwardness was real.

“I shouldn’t have reacted that way. I don’t do well with… dismissal. Not you turning me down, but the way you discountedmy feelings as being real, and put it down to my vampire side instead. What I was, not who I am.”

“It came out wrong. I’m not the best with… with people.”

“You seem just fine. That was just a situation that you weren’t ready for. And I get that now. We’re cool, all right? I mean, if you are on your end?”

“Yeah. I’m good. Plus, you spiriting me away just now really helped to smooth all that over too.”

The corner of his mouth turned up. “Good to know.”

He shifted his weight, seeming uncomfortable.

His hands were still glued to my arms, basically pinning me against the wall.

“Can you back up a little? I’m not going to keel over or anything.”

“I can’t.”