Chapter 34
Rei Kurosaki
I was finally discharged from the hospital after what felt like an eternity.
My mother had not looked for me once. Not a single call.
Not a single message asking where I was or if I was okay.
But I heard through the grapevine that she had been frantically searching for Daniel, calling everyone and hiring private investigators, acting like her world was ending because her husband had “disappeared.” I did not understand her anymore.
I did not even try to. The woman who was supposed to be my mother had chosen a monster over her own son, and I was done hoping she would change. I did not care anymore.
I lived with Dimitri now.
He had brought me back to his mansion deep in the forest, the same place where he once hunted me with a gun and where I had slowly started to feel something like home.
I was pretty sure if I ever suggested living somewhere else, he would tie me to the bed and never let me leave. Not that I wanted to.
Today was my first day back at Bloodburn Academy.
I was nervous.
My legs still ached if I walked too long, and I had a slight limp that made me self-conscious. The bandages were gone, but the scars were still fresh. Dimitri had been patient with me through every physical therapy session, and he helped me a lot.
He was at my side now as we walked through the school gates.
His hand rested possessively on the small of my back. I could feel the tension in his body. He scanned every person who looked our way like he was ready to rip their heads off if they stared too long.
Dimitri glared at a group of seniors who were openly staring. One of them actually flinched and looked away so fast he nearly tripped over his own feet.
“Stop glaring,” I muttered, elbowing him lightly in the side. “You’re scaring everyone.”
“Good,” he said.
I rolled my eyes, but I could not fight the small smile tugging at my lips.
Before I could reply, a cheerful voice rang out from behind us.
“Hiiii Raiiii!”
Ilya skipped up to us like he was on a casual stroll through the park, spinning a small silver knife between his fingers. His grin was wide and manic.
I sighed. “My name is Rei.”
“Rai, Rei, same thing,” Ilya said cheerfully, waving a hand like it did not matter. He immediately wrapped one arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a side hug that was way too enthusiastic for my taste.
Dimitri’s glare could have frozen hell.
He shoved Ilya’s arm off my shoulders and pulled me firmly against his side, one possessive hand wrapping around my waist.
“Touch him again and I’ll break your fingers,” Dimitri growled.
Ilya pouted dramatically, clutching his hand to his chest like he had been mortally wounded.
“Awww, don’t be jealous, Dima! I was just being friendly! Rai is my favorite little fairy now. We’re practically besties.”
I could not help it. I laughed.
“You’re insane,” I told Ilya, shaking my head. “And my name is still Rei.”
“Details,” Ilya said with a dramatic wave. He leaned in conspiratorially, eyes sparkling. “So tell me, did Dimitri cry when you were in the hospital?”
Dimitri’s grip on my waist tightened.
“Ilya,” he warned.
Ilya grinned wider, completely unbothered.
“What? I’m just asking! Our big bad boss went soft for a pretty boy. Character development. Beautiful.”
I bit my lip to keep from laughing again. Dimitri looked two seconds away from actually shooting him.
“Can we please just get to class without you starting a knife fight in the hallway?”
Ilya winked at me. “No promises, Rai. But for you, I’ll try.”
Dimitri growled under his breath and started walking again, keeping me tucked firmly against his side. Ilya skipped along beside us.
As we walked down the hallway, more people stared. A few even took out their phones before thinking better of it and putting them away when Dimitri glared in their direction. Ilya, of course, waved at everyone like we were in a parade.
“Morning, peasants!” he called cheerfully to a group of staring juniors. “Yes, it’s true. The fairy is back. And he’s got one very scary man now. Take notes.”
“Ilya,” I groaned.
“What? It’s accurate!”
Dimitri’s hand slid lower on my waist.
“Mine,” he muttered against my ear.
I felt my face heat up, but I leaned into him anyway.
“I know,” I whispered back. “I’m yours.”
Ilya pretended to gag.
“You two are disgusting. I’m going to go find Alexei and tell him. He’ll hate it.”
He waved dramatically and skipped off down the hallway, still humming.
Dimitri watched him go, then looked down at me.
“You okay?” he asked.
“I’m okay. As long as you’re here.”
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to the flower in my hair.