Chapter 20 Rune
rune
. . .
I pushed off the little velvet cushion with a groan, stretching my arms over my head as the room swam in half-focus. “If I don’t get tea in the next sixty seconds, I’m going to lose it.”
“That sounds like an addiction,” Hawk murmured from behind his notebook.
“You sound like an addiction,” I spat back, making little sense.
Hawk blushed. “I mean, if you think so.”
“That was supposed to be an insult,” I clarified.
His smile dropped. “Oh.”
“Don’t listen to him, venom baby. Go get your tea.” Slater shot me a thumbs-up.
Zuko, on the other hand, watched me like he was waiting for me to walk away so he could drag me into his room.
“Don’t werewolves go hang in the woods to fill their reserves or like bathe in moonlight?” Aura asked Hawk.
He nodded. “Yeah. Forest strolls and moonlight bathing do it. Though, full moons, we shift.”
“That’s why she drinks her tea. To fill her reserves,” Koa said in reminder. “Remember?”
“Oh, yeah.” Hawk ran his hands through his hair with a long breath. “Sorry, Rune. I forgot.”
“Whatever.” I ignored the heat prickling up my neck and slipped into the kitchen.
The rest of my class was used to my poison cravings, but Hawk kept forgetting.
It was starting to piss me off. My dads were overly concerned about me testing new poisons, and I understood that.
But when it came to poisons I knew and loved, there wasn’t any point in getting upset. Even Dad and Pops knew that.
Grabbing the kettle by the curved handle off the counter, I filled it at the sink, then set it on the glowing rune embedded in the counter’s surface. The heat spread immediately, pulsing through the metal in rippling waves as steam began to gather in the spout.
It whistled.
I poured the hot water into my mug and then pulled out my tea pouch from my little box in the cabinet with mandrake and some other aphrodisiac herbs I’d found, with a hint of frost-apple for taste. I emptied them into my favorite green mug. The enchantment turned the green neon.
The scent rose instantly, and I inhaled it.
My lips curved into a smile as burnt sugar invaded my senses. I picked the spoon up just as Zuko’s arms came up on either side of me, bracing himself on the counter.
“Pretty little poison…” He effectively caged me in between his tall frame and the counter. His breath fanned over my ear. His body didn’t touch mine, but my magic flared toward his intimately.
Fuck.
I wanted Zuko.
I didn’t turn around. “Yes, toxin?”
He chuckled, his breath brushing the curve of my neck. “Do you need any help?”
I stirred my tea slowly, the herbs blooming around the spoon. “I think I can handle making my own tea.”
“Oh?” His hand moved slightly, brushing the edge of my hip. His voice dropped even lower. “Are you pretending that you’re not into me?”
My breath hitched. “I’m not.”
“You’re not?” He tilted his head, catching my expression as I turned my head to look up at him. “Then, why’s your heart racing?”
“I’m not pretending that I’m not into you.” I bit down on my lip. “I am into you.”
“Is that so?” he asked with a grin, his gaze flicking to my mouth. “In that case, you can use my venom in your tea…or maybe directly from the source.”
Heat bloomed through my abdomen, and I felt like I was on fire from desire. “I am so in.”
“Are you two done?” Dimitri snapped from his perch on one of the velvet pillows next to the table we were all studying at. “We need to get this finished tonight.”
I turned back around and grabbed my mug with shaking hands, bringing it to my lips.
Zuko leaned in and whispered against my ear, “When we’re done studying, come to my room. I’ll make you feel more than your poisons ever could.”
Venom pooled in my mouth. I swallowed hard, turning around and tip-toeing until my lips brushed against his, making sure my tea was coating my lips when I did. I dosed him with a bit of my aphrodisiac herbs.
His eyes widened, but his lips curved into a wicked smile. “Did you just…”
“It’s what I’m drinking. You seemed like you could use some. Can’t wait until later.” I winked and walked back to the study group with him trailing behind me.
“If you’re done flirting,” Dimitri said flatly, “can we get back to the personas?” His red eyes flicked to mine. They were sharp, unreadable, and glowing faintly with something I couldn’t quite decipher.
Annoyance, probably?
I sipped from my mug of steaming herbal tea and gave him my most innocent look. “We’re multitasking. Flirting and working.”
Dimitri exhaled through his nose. “Right. Because nothing says ‘professional agent’ like getting distracted by simple pheromones.”
“Basilisks don’t secrete pheromones, Dimitri.” I sat cross-legged on my pillow between Slater and Zuko. “That’s succubi. Keep up.”
He waved a hand. “Whatever. You know what I mean. Hormones. What’d you come up with for your persona?”
“News Sector reporter,” I said proudly, setting my mug down on the table with a satisfying clink. “Perfect access point to intel. I’ll be where the stories break, real and fabricated. It’s the best way to control public perception and intercept leaks before they spiral.”
Dimitri arched a brow. “Hm. A reporter who just happens to know where shady things are going down. That won’t raise any red flags at all.”
“That’s the point of charm and deception,” I countered, leaning forward. “The more obvious, the better. You hide in plain sight by looking like you belong. No one questions the mouthpiece of the media.”
“Except everyone questions the media,” he said dryly.
“Says the guy who thinks working the nightlife in the Apex Market doesn’t scream agent trying to get intel.”
He tilted his head, smirking now. “A vampire bartender in the capital’s tavern is believable. No one cares what the bartender hears, but they always talk to bartenders. Drunk people are the most efficient intel leaks in Kalista, and you know it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “And when someone decides to spell you for info or dump truth serum in your vodka because of that?”
He looked smug. “My persona is always two steps ahead, lethal darling. And he doesn’t drink on the job.”
My heart skipped a beat as he called me lethal darling, but I couldn’t help but snort. How adorably accurate. “Please. You’d get caught because of your ego, overachiever.”
“And you’d blow your cover trying to correct a reporter’s lie during a live broadcast,” he shot back.
“That would be important!” I barked, laughing. “After all, reporters are supposed to report facts.”
Dimitri glowered at me, one fang peeking from the corner of his mouth. “You’re not supposed to blow your cover, though. If you know it’s a lie, then they’ll know.’”
“Oh, whatever. I’d figure my shit out. At least I wouldn’t be going by ‘Dee Cocktail’.”
“Oh, Fates.” He groaned. “That was so bad.”
“You know it was good,” I said smugly, sipping my tea again. “I’m charming and deceptive. I’ve got this class down.”
“More the second one than the first,” he muttered.
“Alright, it’s getting late,” Lorian announced, yawning as he stretched his arms above his head. “We have class in the morning, so I’m going to bed.”
“But there are several of you who haven’t fleshed out your personas,” Dimitri said, stress bleeding into his voice.
“I think we’ll be okay,” Koa told him, giving him an understanding look. “I think it’s good that you’re looking after the class, but some grades come down to the individual agent rather than the squad as a whole. This is one of them.”
Dimitri shrugged, but he didn’t argue.
“What are the girls doing?” Aura asked, smiling at Eleanor and I. “We can do our nails or something.”
“I’m in!” Eleanor beamed, her lips curving into an excited smile.
“Sorry,” Zuko answered for me. “Rune’s mine tonight.”
“Yours?” Slater choked. “What did I miss?”
“Behave.” I pushed Zuko’s shoulder slightly before grinning at the girls. “I’m in, too.”
Tibby had a good point when he told me that I needed to make friends, and I already knew he didn’t mean men. He meant other women. I had to at least make an effort to do that.
“Yay!” Eleanor and Aura jumped to their feet.
“We’ll get everything ready,” Aura tells me. “My room!”
“I’ll be right there if Zuko can be a good boy and be patient.”
Zuko’s eyes darkened. “Oh, no, pretty little poison. I’ll be the one praising you. Not the other way around.”
Heat unfurled in my gut, and I had to take a deep breath.
“You can call me a good boy, venom baby,” Slater whined, turning his red eyes into a pleading gaze that pulled at my heartstrings. “Come visit me instead.”
“I—”
“Your priorities are fucked,” Dimitri grumbled, getting up with his notes and storming into his room, slamming the door shut behind him.
Hawk jumped at the sound, and he looked at us with a slight frown. “Uh, are you good?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I raised a brow at him.
He shrugged and shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“If you need anything, you know you can come to me, right?” Koa asked, a blush rising over his cheeks. “I mean, if I can help with something.”
“Thanks, Koa.” I smiled at him as he nodded and got up to go to his room.
“Night, man.” Raze patted Zuko on his shoulder.
“Night,” Zuko told him before grabbing my hand and squeezing slightly. “I’ll be waiting for you in my room.”
“Have fun, venom baby,” Slater whispered, leaning in and kissing my cheek. “But remember that I’m serious about you—us. I know you like Zuko, but I know you like me, too.”
“I do,” I confessed, my heart twisting slightly. “Maybe I’ll visit you tomorrow?”
“I’d fucking love that.” He grinned wildly. “Fates, you can visit me anytime. I’d welcome you into my room, my bed, and my heart whenever you wish.”
I giggled, but before I could so much as blink, Eleanor and Aura flanked me on either side, each grabbing an arm.
“Hey, what is happening right now?” I protested, half-laughing as they dragged me out of the common room.