35. Anna
CHAPTER 35
Anna
“ I seriously don’t even understand how you,” Lane spat the words at me as he packed his bag up, “have the highest grade in the class.” He stifled a menacing laugh as the sound of his zipper rippled through the library’s silence.
Our session to prepare for the final project went exactly how I thought it would go. My eyes burned, screaming with unshed tears. I was barely able to hold them back, waiting until I was sure he was out of sight.
Lane couldn’t stand me. Literally. I don’t know how or why my existence seemed to be so inconvenient for others, but he made his contempt toward me apparent. Banishing all hope that this project was going to go smoothly.
“I’m doing my best,” I assured him, packing up my own things. “I’m sorry.” Was all I could think of saying back. I slammed my laptop closed with more force than I meant to, making myself jump.
The air in the vast library felt ominous. Heavy with spine chilling aura.
We sat alone in the decrepit building surrounded by dust covered paperbacks, left untouched for decades. The more current floor was just below us, and even that floor was barren of students at this hour.
“If this is your best,” he scoffed, standing. He shoved his chair back to the table, knocking it into the soft part of my belly. “Then that's pathetic. I’ll meet with Dr. Hart tomorrow. I can’t work with someone so incompetent.”
His cold words sat heavily in my stomach as we crossed the room. The shelves towered over us, leaving eerie shadows and dark corners in the wake. My skin prickled with gooseflesh, unrelated to the cold weather that had yet to kiss my skin.
What is this feeling?
The dam holding back my tears was reaching its limits as the first prickles of the hot essence threatened its appearance. Lane’s cold stare met my stiff one.
“Oh, great.” He rolled his eyes as his face flushed angrily. “Crying again. Seriously? Grow up. How old are you? Seven?”
Hot liquid graced my cheeks with gentle precision. Silently slithering down my face, unable to hide my shame any longer. I let them flow freely but noiselessly, refusing to give him the satisfaction of the sob that pounded against my tightly closed lips.
Lane opened his mouth to speak. Not only was he intelligent regarding the subject, but he had an exceptional talent for sharp words. They cut through my core deeply in the most invisible but lethal way. Reminding me constantly of my mortality. He was a vile and hateful human being. And I couldn’t imagine anyone actually caring about him.
The intrusive thought was timed perfectly with the shutting off of the lights.
What was happening?
My body met his warm hard flesh as he stopped in his tracks. “Watch where you’re going, fat ass,” he snarled. “You scared of the dark too?” His elbow connected with my sternum, stinging as he shoved me away from him .
My eyes weren’t adjusting to the darkness as I stumbled back, colliding with another warm body. A docile touch righted me, refusing to allow me to fall. Fingers trailed down my skin, leaving the most delicious feeling. Breath caressed the shell of my ear and I knew it was Reign. I could feel his presence. Even in the dark, my soul recognized him.
Hollowness filled me as the warmth of his brisk embrace left me, only to lurch towards Lane. Flesh hitting flesh assaulted my ears with a sick, wet sound. A scream roared past my lips as the taste of my salty tears landed on my tongue.
A gloved hand slapped over my mouth. The dominant gaze of his blue eyes flooded my tear filled vision. “Please don’t make a sound, my sweet vixen.” He planted a tender kiss to my nose as my nostrils flared for air. “I promise to make it quick.”
God, what was he going to make quick? God, are you there? What is he going to do? Please tell me.
I was met with stagnant silence, as always.
God wasn’t there.
He never was.