Page 32 of Savage Desire (The Savage Six #2)

32

POLARIS

T he ache still lingers between my thighs, yet I wake up feeling amazing. I slept well despite the danger I know awaits me and for once, the bags under my eyes don’t look as heavy. Maybe I need to be fucked nightly to help with the sleep.

I grin to myself all the way down to the bathroom and back, ready to face the day once I’m in my room again.

Nervously nibbling on my bottom lip, I grab my grimoire from the nightstand and spread it out on my bed. I bookmarked the spells I wanted last night before I fell asleep among the pages, but now, as I look down at them, nerves threaten to get the better of me.

Trying to shake the worry away, I wring my hands out as I take a deep breath, followed in quick succession by two more. “Get on with it, Polaris,” I mutter out loud to myself, exhaling slowly before I turn to the armoire.

I open the door to reveal the mirror, instinctively shying away from my reflection, and it quickly turns me back to the grimoire.

Grabbing a pinch of sand, I read the spell, saying the word in my head first before I repeat it out loud.

“Vestis.”

I envision the clothes from the armoire that I want to wear, closing my eyes for good measure, and the air shifts around me. Fabric drapes over my body and a few moments later, the atmosphere calms and I pry my eyes open.

A grin spreads across my face when I see the loose jeans and fitted shirt on my body. I step into my sneakers, noting to try for those too next time. Excitement gets the better of me and I spin back to my grimoire, grabbing another pinch of sand as I flick the page.

Taking a deep breath, I do it again, thinking the new word in my thoughts before I find the strength to say it out loud. “Capillus.”

I envision the ponytail I’m seeking, but instead of closing my eyes, I watch my reflection as a slight breeze flutters around my head and my hair is pulled back off my face. It's slick and cute, and I’m ecstatic.

Eager to try one more spell before I head for breakfast, I grab one final pinch of sand and step closer to the mirror. “Aspectum.”

My eye bags disappear beneath a layer of concealer, my lashes darker in a midnight-black hue, and my lips are a soft pink, like my cheeks.

Pleased, I nod at myself before stuffing the grimoire in my backpack and grabbing my cell phone. Before I slip it into my pocket, the screen lights up, revealing a succession of texts.

I head out of my bedroom, cell phone in hand as I read through the messages.

Minnie: Has someone in my pack made you mad? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.

Minnie: If it was Lincoln just say the word and I’ll castrate him.

Minnie: It can’t be Tatum. No one can be mad at that face, right?

Minnie: It’s definitely not Wylder. I could smell you in the dorms last night, and the grin on his face only confirmed it.

Minnie: Asher?

Minnie: No? Maybe? I’ll gut him too, just let me know.

I grin at her slew of messages, she’s insane. I type out a response as I make my way downstairs.

Polaris: I can handle them.

Swiping farther down, I find a message from Bryony.

Bryony: Sorry, last night was a nightmare. I have to meet with my coven again this morning, but I’ll be around for breakfast if you are?

Polaris: Heading there now.

I almost tuck my cell phone away when I find another bundle of messages even farther down. I frown at the invite to a group chat, but press on the flashing red notification anyway.

Wylder: Group chat initiated.

Wylder: Welcome to the madness, Little Witch.

Lincoln: I didn’t agree to this.

Tatum: Hi, Polaris.

Asher: Hey, Silver.

Lincoln: I’m leaving.

Tatum: I’ll tell Minnie you’re being an ass. Or, if needed, I’ll tell her about that time her date disappeared…

Lincoln: You wouldn’t.

I shake my head at the four of them, slightly confused with what’s going on when another message comes through.

Lincoln: Tatum! Are you the reason my sister just smacked me in the head?

Asher: I got one too.

Lincoln: It hurt.

Asher: I think we deserved it.

Stifling a laugh, I tuck my cell phone away and step outside. I’m going to need to eat if I’m supposed to have the energy to deal with them today. Everyone, including Asher, because that talk needs to happen. I’ve allowed myself a moment to be petty, but I need to get over it now. I’m already juggling the disaster of the blood kin curse, adding more issues is only making me sink in this mess faster.

The sun feels extra warm this morning, adding a spring to my step as I cut across campus and head toward the dining hall. Wrapped in my own little bubble, I ignore the rest of the student body as I near the academy building, but the second I step inside, someone yanks on my arm.

I’m moving faster than I’m prepared for and my back hits a wall a moment later, sucking the air from my lungs.

My eyes are wide with panic as I gape up at Blaze. He looms over me and I shove at his chest, forcing him back a step, and to my surprise, he goes.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I snarl. He folds his arms over his chest, giving me a pointed look as I force myself to stand taller. “I’m done with your crap. You need to leave me the hell alone,” I add, nostrils flaring with anger, and he’s crowding my space a second later.

There’s not an inch of air for me to breathe between us. His nose runs along mine as he plants his hands on either side of my face, caging me in. The rage I expect to see in his eyes isn’t there though. It’s something else, something?—

“You drive me insane.”

I blink at him. “I drive you insane? I do no such thing. I leave you the hell alone, that’s what you’re supposed to do with me too, but you seem to have some kind of problem.”

He snickers, but it’s haunting. “Problem?”

“Yes. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but you clearly have a problem with me, and I’m over it. You should get over it as well,” I insist, trying to remain as calm as possible despite the fact that my heart is racing wildly in my chest.

He doesn’t speak, he doesn’t move, he doesn’t do anything. Our breaths mingle between us, and with each inhale, I calm down. Too calm. He’s a lunatic. I should be in prime fight or flight mode right now, but I’m not.

My heart stills and I press my palms flat against his chest. “It’s you.”

The words are out before I can take them back. He cocks a brow at me, his blue eyes piercing. “What’s me?”

“The blackouts… the memory loss… B showing up in my room… it’s all you. Why?” I can barely hear myself over the thundering of my pulse, and at the mention of B he rears back, eyes boring into mine as a sneer curls his lip.

“He did what?”

My blood runs cold as he takes a step back to pace in front of me. Finally able to see past his frame, I realize we’re in an empty classroom. Not that it matters. I need to get out of here because if I’m right, I’m about to forget all of this too.

With my back plastered against the wall, I shimmy toward the door, but I barely make it three steps before he’s caging me in once again. “Nice try, but you’re not going anywhere. Why was he there?”

I balk. He’s not denying it. I search his eyes and fail to find even a hint of remorse. Before I can think, my hand rears back and a second later my palm stings with the contact against his cheek. His head whips to the side, but the sigh that tumbles from his mouth is more irritation than fury.

Fuck.

“I fucking love it when you do that,” he mutters, eyes closed as he relishes in the contact, and I note a slight pink starting to color his cheek. He’s completely oblivious to the fact that I’m reeling over his words.

He loves it when I do that? Have I done it before?

This is insane.

Gulping, I try to stop the tremor that vibrates through my limbs. “I’m leaving now.”

My words seem to go unheard as he fixes his stare back on me. “Why was he there, Amica Mea?”

I frown at him. “Amica Mea?”

He shakes his head as he leans in close again, caging me against the wall, and I back up as far as I can. He’s a mystery. An angry mystery of a man who doesn’t care that I just slapped him across the face. I don’t understand.

“Why was he there?”

I rub my lips together. “That’s none of your business.”

He snickers again, the sound as dark as it was last time. “I think you just called me out for it being all of my business, Amica Mea. How about we cut the dance that we always do and you can go on your merry way.”

“Unfortunately, I’m not the least bit familiar with this so-called dance because someone keeps taking my memories.”

He rolls his eyes at me as he cups my cheek, stroking his thumb back and forth, and I still. Panic and comfort war inside of me, leaving fear to get the better of me. “Soon, Amica Mea. You can have it all back. I promise you that.” He sounds heartfelt and sincere, but how am I to truly know?

My heart lurches in my throat as he dips his head, running the tip of his nose over my neck. “Blaze,” I whisper, panic setting in, and he ghosts his lips over my pulse for a split second before he stands tall again.

“Tell me why he was there, Polaris,” he repeats, his hand tightening around my jaw as he brings his other hand to my face too, holding me in place. Every second that I don’t comply, his grip somehow gets tighter, stealing the air from my lungs again until I finally relent.

“He didn’t say. He was worried why I hadn’t shown up, but none of it made sense. He got mad and he left.”

“Anything else?” he pries, stormy eyes glaring into mine as I try to shake my head, but the movement is impossible with his tight hold. “Do I need to check if you’re lying?” he murmurs, trailing his fingers up to my temple.

“No! No, I swear,” I plead, and a smile spreads across his face.

“I love it when you beg.”

Fear claws at my insides as I continue to stare at him blankly, unaware of what he’s referring to. He lowers his hand, slowly wrapping his fingers around my throat before he flexes them for good measure.

My mind swirls with the reminder of what Wylder taught me in combat class, but when he leans close, crushing his lips to mine for a split second, my mind goes blank. He leans back just as quickly as he crowded me, his eyes ablaze as he nods. “You’ll know soon enough, Amica Mea, but for now, as always, forget everything we said here. Forget all of it. Forget B being in your room, and mostly, forget how much you drive me insane,” he rasps, his gaze shifting between my eyes for a split second, like there’s more he wants to say, but then he’s gone.

I slump back against the wall, my heart and pulse racing to see who can go faster as confusion clouds my thoughts. Running my tongue over my parched lips, my eyes fall to my wrist, where my new bracelet rests.

Wolfsbane.

I was unsure when Tatum gave it to me, but now, I’m standing here, completely aware of everything that just happened. A huff of disbelief parts my lips as I stare at the door where Blaze took off a moment ago.

I have no idea what the hell is going on, but I feel a tad less in the dark right now. I need to be more vigilant. There’s way more at play than I’m aware of. But one thing is for certain, he could give Lincoln a run for his money with the way he snarls and storms off like a fucking brat.