Chapter 34 Killian #2
That fact alone is what keeps me from seeking her out and guaranteeing we never forget each other again.
Even if I can’t remember it, I’ve staked my claim on her body.
And he hasn’t. The desire to ensure he never does sings through my blood, and then my body’s moving through the trees.
With every footstep, the earth guides me through the darkness to his little cabin by the woods.
The dragon’s marked the area with his scent, warning trespassers away with the promises of fire and death.
Cute.
Moonlight illuminates a path to his door, and I loose a haunting howl that echoes through the night.
My demon retreats under my skin and I stand there, naked, heated skin smoking in the cool night air as his door opens.
His sweatpants hang low on his hips and he folds his arms across his bare chest.
“I don’t feed strays.”
“I’m not here for food, Dragon Tales.”
“What do you want, Hastings?”
“Little birdie told me you couldn’t finish the job last night.”
He narrows his eyes. “This little birdie have a name?”
“That’s not important. But you should know where you stand.”
“Where I stand.” He repeats slowly.
“Which is currently in last place.”
He eyes flash with understanding, and he sneers. “How do you figure, considering she can’t stand you?”
“Way I see it, I’m the only one who knows what she sounds like cumming around their cock. Thane’s in second place with his fingers. You’re last.”
His pupils shift into slits as his inner beast surfaces. A menacing, sibilant rumble deep in his chest silences the world around us, driving every creature within earshot into hiding.
“Perhaps you were, wolf. You have the winged one to thank for that.”
My jaw clenches as we stare each other down. “Do you challenge my claim?”
A bone-rattling laugh cuts through the silence. “What is there to challenge when she will never be yours?”
“You talk a big game for someone with nothing to their name.”
Ramsey’s eyes shift back and my blood chills when he smiles. “Hastings, if you think that’ll help you win, you’re playing the wrong game.”
I let my demon rise before I say something I’ll regret.
Not because I’d feel bad, but because Ramsey doesn’t need any more scars.
I’m doing him a favor, really. When the transformation is complete, I howl into the night once more, laying the threat at his feet.
With one last glare, I turn and make my way back to my clothes, planning, plotting, and picturing Nyx underneath me again after it all pays off.
Phase one of my plan comes together when I finally get Tori’s phone number the next day.
Killian Hastings
Tori, darling, it’s your favorite Heir.
Tori Hektreia
Hey Thane, what’s up?
Killian Hastings
Hilarious. Actually laughed out loud.
It’s Killian.
Obviously.
Tori Hektreia
Obviously. What do you want, Killian?
Killian Hastings
Insider information.
Tori Hektreia
On?
Killian Hastings
Our favorite little Bloodwitch.
Tori Hektreia
No.
Killian Hastings
I’ll pay handsomely.
Tori Hektreia
My morals are not for sale.
Killian Hastings
Of course not. You’re an upstanding citizen. A pillar of the community.
Tori Hektreia
If she wanted to talk to you, she would. I’m not going to let you harass her.
Killian Hastings
Tori, you wound me.
I only want to make sure she’s okay, scout’s honor. She wasn’t in class this week and skipped our study group on Friday.
Tori Hektreia
You have a study group with her?
Killian Hastings
Along with your other favorite Heir, who’s also been wondering if she’s okay.
Tori Hektreia
She’s fine. Just… processing.
Killian Hastings
Is there anything I can do?
Tori Hektreia
I don’t think so? She should be in classes next week, thankfully. I don’t even think she left her dorm after the hearing last week.
Killian Hastings
You should get her out of here. Take her to Hemlock or something.
Tori Hektreia
We already planned to take her shopping next weekend to get a dress for the Gala.
Killian Hastings
Did you help her with the dress for Samhain? It was stunning. Chef’s kiss.
Tori Hektreia
Yeah, I still feel so bad it got ruined, though. She didn’t say it outright but it meant a lot to her.
Bingo. She likes pretty things? Piece of cake.
Phase two of my plan takes the rest of the weekend.
By the time Monday comes around, the small box is burning a hole in my pocket.
Making the earrings didn’t actually take that long once I formed the gemstones with my magic.
Had to start over a couple times to get the right shade of red though.
Not too bright like rubies, not too dark like garnets.
I even tried labradorite—but none of them came close to the deep crimson of cuprite.
Fitting for the world’s prettiest Bloodwitch.
When I see her in my Chemistry class, my breath nearly catches in my throat.
Her eyes—they’re red. Well, before, her eyes were brown with a red tint.
Now they’re red with a subtle deep brown.
I try to temper my electric excitement at seeing her, smelling her, feeling the heat radiating from her body when I sit next to her.
“You had me worried there, baby girl. I was starting to think you were trying to avoid me.”
She gives me a side glance, opening her laptop and whispering as class starts. “I wasn’t avoiding you, Killian.”
“See, that’s what I told—”
“I was avoiding all of you.” She glares at me, and I put my hands up.
“Okay you know what, that’s fair—Luther tried to kill you, you tried to kill him. Both of you lived. Let’s let bygones be bygones, what do you say?” I beam at her.
“Repeat that first part again?”
“Let bygones be bygones?”
“Before that.”
“Both of you lived?”
“You’re ridiculous,” she mutters under her breath.
“You’d be bored without my sparkle. Speaking of—I have something for you.” I reach my hand into my pocket, fidgeting with the box. It’s weird. I don’t usually fidget.
“Let me guess, it’s a letter of apology from Luther?”
“Good guess, but no.”
“A blank check for my pain and suffering?”
“Better.”
She stares at me. “What could possibly be better than free money?”
“An invitation,” I say, setting the red velvet box on the counter. She stares at me, then the box, then me again.
“To… what?”
“The Governor’s Gala. I’d like you to go with me. As my date.”
Her mouth opens and closes, speechless.
“Why?”
“If you haven’t caught on by now that I’m into you—”
“You—but after—you left,” she hisses. “Then you pretended like it never happened.”
“I had to pack before we left for break.” And I was panicking, but she doesn’t need to know that. Panicking isn’t sexy. “And you could have texted me too—I figured since you didn’t say anything, you didn’t want to rehash it.”
After a moment, she sighs and says softly, “Fine. I get it.”
I push the box closer to her. “Come with me to the Gala.”
“I’m not going with you, Killian.” She shakes her head, and then it’s my turn gape like an idiot.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not convinced that you—or your friends, or fucking anyone else who thinks I’m trash—won’t pull some Carrie shit to get back at me for hurting one of your own.
So I’m going to stay safe with my friends and not risk dying like I almost did when Luther—“ she cuts off. “The only reason I’m even going is because the Council ordered me to. Who knows, maybe I’ll manage to have some fun while I’m there.
But no, Killian, I won’t go to the Gala with you.
” She gently pushes the box back at me without even opening it.
My smile’s frozen on my face despite the growing discomfort in my chest at her rejection. I swallow thickly and nod, slipping the box back into my pocket. “Okay, pretty girl. I get it. Maybe I’ll get lucky with a dance, at least.”
She nods and turns back to her computer. “Yeah, Killian. Maybe.”