Chapter 6 Nyx #3
“Laptop and phone. Please sign here to confirm receipt,” he asks, sliding a tablet to me.
I sign it without reading, thinking that surely—any moment now—I’ll wake up from this dream where nice people give me nice things.
“The email advised that your schedule was still undetermined, so please come back once your classes have been assigned. We also have a large digital catalog that you can access via the student portal.” I add the boxes to the bag from Maeve’s and their weight mirrors the one settling in my stomach.
I think Tori realizes I’m reaching the end of my rope, so she thanks Master Roux before gently leading me out of the library.
I’m surprised I lasted this long, honestly.
It’s not the whole abduction thing, the magic thing, or even the “demons-are-real” thing.
It’s the “people-being-nice-to-me” thing—an even more foreign concept.
She leads me in the opposite direction we came, towards the planetarium.
“I’ll take you the long way back to the dorms so you can put your stuff back, and then we can grab lunch?
” As nice as the offer is, I don’t think I can handle anything else today—physically or emotionally.
All I want is to get back to my room and freak out in private.
“Thanks, but I think I need a minute. Get everything set up, you know?” There’s a brief flash of disappointment in her eyes, but it’s gone just as quickly.
“No worries, I get it.” She shrugs nonchalantly.
As we continue our walk and the planetarium comes into view, she begins to recount its history on campus but despite her efforts, my brain refuses to commit anything she says to memory.
I’ll have to put it on my list of things to read later when I’m no longer on the verge of losing my shit.
Which may be sooner rather than later when we pass an honest to God—Goddess?
Fuck if I know—temple overlooking the cliffs.
The cold, pungent salt air picks up and I pause for a moment to just… be.
Breathe.
In.
Out.
I ground myself in the sound of whooshing wind, rustling the leaves and grass. I feel the heavy weight of the bag in my hand. And finally, I see the warm, golden sunlight, peeking through the clouds. With one more deep inhale, I turn to follow Tori—only to crash into a fucking tree.
Oh. Wait. Not a fucking tree.
A bare, sweaty chest that glistens and heaves under my fingers.
Fallen bag forgotten on the ground, I look up at the striking green-blue eyes towering over me, framed by damp light brown hair.
The arrogant quirk of his lips dispels his hold on me and I back up, wiping my hands on my jeans even as my fingertips mourn the loss of his heat.
“Hey pretty girl, you should watch where you’re going,” his seductive voice teases as his warm hands steady me before trailing down my arms, leaving goosebumps even through my sweatshirt.
I barely register Tori’s arrival when his lips part in a wide grin as he sees who’s coming to my rescue. Once again, I swear I’m in a dream because no real person could possibly be this fucking hot.
“Tori, darlin’, good to see you—”
“Shove it, Killian,” she cuts him off before turning back to me. “Are you okay?”
Am I okay? Fuck no I’m not okay, I’ve forgotten how to talk.
I nod and look back at Killian, only to see the lightbulb go off as he looks between us.
“Are you a new student here?” He asks with a predatory gleam, raking his eyes up and down my body.
Despite being fully clothed, I feel self-conscious for the second time today under his evaluating gaze, and my shock dissipates.
Even with the limited pool of fuckable men in Lynden, I’d recognize the classic signs of a fuck boy anywhere.
“Yes,” Tori answers for me with a huff of exasperation, and my chest tightens when his brilliant grin sharpens, sending chills down my spine that have nothing to do with the cool breeze wafting from the cliffs. “She just got here, which is why—”
“Well then, welcome to Dreadhurst,” he practically purrs, leaning closer.
“Killian! Don’t you dare,” Tori admonishes, and I step back, puzzled as to why he’s fucking sniffing me.
“Don’t be like that Tori, you’ll give the pretty girl here the wrong impression,” he says with a smirk, turning his hungry gaze back on me.
“I’ve known you since we were kids, Killian. Trust me, you’re doing just fine all on your own.” He inhales deeply once more before taking a reluctant step back.
“You wound me,” he says, grasping at his chest like he’s been shot through the heart.
The action reminds me so much of Colt doing the same thing just the other day that I can’t help but laugh, and his eyes blaze with triumph.
“What do you say, pretty girl? I can play tour guide for you. We can start with my room,” he offers with a wink, but this time I scoff.
He furrows his brows at my very real—and I’m assuming rare—rejection.
“No thanks, pretty boy,” I say, stepping around him to pick up my bag and rejoin Tori.
No matter how gorgeous this walking red flag is, the last thing I want to do is draw any more attention to myself by fucking the first guy I meet.
Small communities have a tendency to spread gossip like wildfire—Lynden taught me that much, at least.
“Can I at least get your name?” he calls out after me.
“You look like a smart boy, I’m sure you’ll figure it out,” I shout, and turn my back on him as Tori ushers us down the path. When I glance back, he’s still standing there with a vicious grin, and waves at me before resuming his run in the opposite direction.
“Well.” Tori sighs. “Congrats on meeting your first Heir.”