Chapter 11 #2
The rest of our walk was amicable and silent as she pondered all she learned.
I could tell I’d changed her view of me, somewhat.
I wasn’t stupid enough to think it fixed anything.
We stopped outside her door, and I waited for her to safely step inside.
Just when I thought the night would end on good terms, she opened her mouth and shattered my peaceful illusions.
“Rani and I are going to the Kappa party tonight, so don’t be surprised if whatever alarm you have on this room goes off.”
Son of a bitch.
I pushed my way into the room and slammed the door behind me. She stumbled back with a hiss and balled her fists, ready for another round of our never-ending war.
“No.”
I tried to keep the anger out of my tone, but that was tough. My arms were crossed as I leaned back, anything to keep from reaching out and bending her over my knee like I’d already threatened and failed to do.
“It’s the start of spring break. Do you honestly expect me to stay here for a week?”
“There will be too many people,” I argued. “Ez and I can’t properly protect you.”
Her entire face heated as her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. “You act as if I’m powerless. I’ll be surrounded by humans, plus you and Ezra can be there like proper stalkers to make sure nothing goes wrong.”
“No.”
She tilted her head, lip curled. “You can’t stop me.”
I met her challenge with a grin. “Wanna bet?”
Her fingers curled, and I knew if I let them anywhere near me, they would be around my neck. Any other time, I’d be open to try it. That simmering fire was attractive as hell, but being murdered wasn’t on my list of shit to get done today.
“This won’t work if you don’t see me as an equal.”
It would work even less if she’s dead.
“I do see you as an equal,” I countered, but my argument wasn’t as solid as hers, and I knew it. “I’d be just as restricted if a kill order was put out on me.”
“Bullshit,” she spat. “You see me as this little doll that you hover over for fear of someone taking it away from you. I’m a living, breathing person with her own wants and emotions, Kaiden. I’m going to the party tonight. I’m going with Rani. And you’re going to have to deal.”
I ground my teeth, not so full of myself that I couldn’t see her point. That didn’t mean I had to like it.
“Fine,” I conceded. “But you need to be careful. Don’t wander off on your own, and if Ezra or I say it’s time to go, no arguing. You go.”
“Deal,” she smiled, but I couldn’t enjoy the view.
I had a feeling about tonight…that everything was going to change.
The clearing for the base of tonight’s party was as secured as it would ever be.
Ezra and I laid a few traps around the perimeter—nothing deadly to humans—that should deter any wandering djinn from trying an illusion.
There was nothing we could do about the rest of the checkpoints though, and that put me in a mood.
Well, that and not getting my pizza.
I watched a group of Greek Life staff set up the drink tables.
It was sodas and water, but I knew for a fact there were a few kegs hidden deeper in the woods for when faculty wasn’t looking.
Team tents were erected and decorated with their corresponding colors, and I frowned at the purple bandana I was forced to tie around my arm.
Ez had one too, but he was far more excited about it than I was.
“This is the most juvenile thing I’ve ever taken part in,” I grumbled as my cousin swaggered over from somewhere to my right.
“Let her have her fun,” he said with a wide grin. “The Zombie Run is actually pretty great.”
I sent him a strong side-eye. He would say that.
This shit was perfect for him; capture the flag with screaming, half-naked girls, and plenty of dark corners on campus to get lost in.
The wide surface area of this game was what concerned me the most. A party in the woods was easily defendable.
A party across the entire college campus was a recipe for disaster.
We had to be on our game tonight. No mistakes.
Nothing and no one got close enough to my bond to hurt her.
“Are you sure this is the best plan?” I asked for what felt like the hundredth time in the past two hours.
He nodded at his matching bandana. “Being a hunter will allow us to follow her and stay close without suspicion. A zombie or spectator would have no reason to always be around.”
This stupid-ass game.
“And the tasks? Won’t we be split up for those?”
I didn’t like the idea of playing, but if it was the only way to protect her, I’d do it. Eryn had been through a lot this past week, and she’d put up with me and my rules better than I thought, considering how it all started. She deserved some freedom.
“I flirted a little with the blonde in charge of assignments,” Ez grinned. “She knows to put us in your girl’s group.”
That was that. We would shadow Eryn for the night.
Going where she went and keeping an eye out for another attack.
I was confident this clearing was safe, and hopefully, she wouldn’t have to leave it more than once.
Perhaps this bit of freedom would soften her toward me as well. A man could only hope.