38. Who needs privacy
Who needs privacy
KYRA
Alex and I parted ways after arriving on campus, not before he informed me he was calling a meeting of House Leaders before dusk.
Meaning, when the sun is setting. Their way of words can be a bit puzzling at times, yet oddly enough, I’m growing accustomed to it.
Old English mixed with twenty-first century English and their own idioms.
My clothes are fresh, sweatpants and a long-sleeved, hooded shirt. Letting my hair fall on my shoulders, retaining the passion twists, I still smell of smoke, grit, and dried blood, so I head to my shower, stretching my legs instead of using sigil magic.
Wishing like hell I had another sucker or bag of chips, I’m back to relying on an incantation to suppress my hunger.
It’s quiet as I walk through Rebirth’s Green Wing. There is a change in the atmosphere from its normal routine of chaos and rumors. Alex went to speak with Caspian about something, which is why I’m alone.
“Kyra, wait up,” a familiar voice calls. Never mind about walking alone. And already I’m smiling before turning around .
“Hey, Russ, fancy seeing you here.” I look for which secret passage he took to find me.
“Funny, isn’t it? Like I can’t seem to get rid of you.” His smile grows, and my head shakes in a chuckle. “By the way, are you searching for the list?”
“What do you mean?”
“You haven’t heard about it yet, good.”
“No, no, spill it. What list?” Folding my arms beneath the swell of my breasts, I notice he shifts his gaze up, fighting an urge to look. I really have to stop doing this around them.
“If you insist, I suppose. Follow me.”
Strutting past, he sniffles, releasing a rumbling hum. Did he just smell me? Please, tell me I don’t stink that bad. I keep a distance, two paces back for good measure, and follow him.
“So, what’s on this list?” Russ slows, allowing me to catch up, and shutting down my efforts at keeping a distance in case I really do smell. After this, I’m using a sigil and showering before anyone else sees me. Keeping myself from moving too much, I try to contain my odor.
“Two full weeks have passed, meaning two sets of lists are out. A tradition amongst students. Females rate every male here, forming a ‘Sexy Under Considerable Keenness’ top ten. And the males create a, ‘Lustful Invite Companion Keeper’ top ten. Before you ask, such lists are reserved for first years to choose.”
“So, it’s a ‘S.U.C.K.’ and ‘L.I.C.K.’ list?” Chuckling louder than I should, I continue, “You can’t be serious.”
“A, what now?” Russ passes me a side-eye yet retains his dimples.
“Nothing. I’m more curious now than before.”
We make a left at the end of the Green Wing, turning down the Red Wing, when he signals me to a mark hidden on the wall. Waving his hand makes the marble fade, opening a secret passage.
“Okay, now this is cool.” Choosing my words carefully, I know Blaise will be pissed if I leak what he has written .
“Wait until you see where this one leads us.” He steps in with me following, and in an instant, the Black Wing surrounds us. “Here you’ll find both lists.
Got it, a portal of sorts. Interesting.
I scan over the S.U.C.K.’s list first with raised brows.
I can’t believe this. Caspian’s number one, and Russ ranks sixth.
Bullshit. Dimples is way more attractive than this Clay guy at number five.
Seeing Ethan–second, Alex–third, Raine–fourth, Reese–seventh, and the last three are third and fourth years.
Adjusting my attitude and rolled eyes, I huff my annoyance. But I move on to the L.I.C.K. list as I peer at Russ who shrugs.
Sofia–first, Yasmine–Second, Angie–third, Alise–fourth, Annika–fifth, Tish–sixth, seventh and eighth are indicated as third year students, Ashlyn–ninth, and a fourth year makes tenth.
Thinking too soon about how I’m glad I didn’t make their list, I see an honorable mention at the bottom.
Me. Stating ‘She’s cute but doesn’t appear thrust worthy. ’
“Russ, what does this mean?” I ask, pointing towards the bottom.
“They’re saying it’ll take more effort getting into you than getting to know you. Don’t worry about the list. It’s made by immature males looking for pleasure.”
He nudges me with a shoulder, and instead of feeling some type of way, I’m glad to not be on their radar of females to sleep with. A win’s a win in my book.
“By the way, where are you coming from? You always know where to find me.” I smirk and squint in tandem. “Do you have a tracker on me or something?” Chuckling, I hope there is nothing more than me joking about it.
“Interesting theory, I’ll admit. But why place a tracker on you when your scent is all over campus?”
“Damn, do I smell that bad? What do you mean, ‘my scent?’” I question, handing back the list.
Yeah, this is much worse than a tracker if my stench alone points a neon light, saying, ‘she is this way.’ Embarrassment stings the skin of my palms and cheeks. If he says yes, I’m never leaving the room without showering a bare minimum of two times.
“Let me rephrase.” He grins, leaning against the wall.
But I’m not falling for it. I’m on the verge of panic that I’ve been smelling bad all this time…
please let me be overreacting. “You have a unique aroma, distinct from all others–more like a magical fragrance. Depending on where I am, its strength varies, so following your signature is as easy as following a voice.”
Sweat builds along the indentations of my palms. Steady and quick, my chest thunders at a rapid pace, driven by embarrassment. The thought of imploding sounds amazing right now.
“My…” I delay my response because Russ is grinning from ear to ear like this is normal. “My smell is so strong it leads you to me no matter where I am? Why are you smiling? It’s embarrassing.” Turning away, I stroll off. “Never mind.”
This is the third fay who has the ability to invade my privacy. Ethan and Alex can hear me, and now this. What the fuck kind of world is this where my personal space is nonexistent?
“Kyra, wait,” he calls, but if I face him now, I might lash out. My mind runs rabid, not considering a sigil, and regret shows in the form of Russ catching up. “I’m not done explaining wha–”
“No. You can’t look at me and say this is normal. Sniffing me from however far away.”
“A few miles, maybe more if your emotions are heightened.”
Mumbling, “If my emotions are heightened,” I give a disapproving scoff.
“Would it make you feel better if you knew what you smelled like?”
“No, Russ, I don’t–”
“Exotic flowers. Dahlias to be exact. And Jasmine. A sweet and calming fragrance.” As his smile returns, I try forcing a response. Nothing. I’m silenced by his flattery.
I’ve been reading Blaise’s book and hacking into Rebirth for more information.
True, it’s not as invasive, but some privacy guidelines were still broken on my behalf.
I want to be mad but that would be hypocritical.
Also, I came across an informative topic, resulting in my over harshness with Alex now knowing he struggles more with understanding emotions. *Sigh*
“Would you care to know what all I smell? Like now, I’m getting a whiff of–”
“Nope, we’re ending this topic. I need to wrap my brain around–wait, you can smell when I shower?
” His brow rises, reflecting, yet again, my instant regret.
“Nope, don’t answer.” Groaning, I run a hand along my face.
“You’re a literal puppy.” Chuckling at the thought, it’s all I can do not to freak out more.
Stepping out of Black Wing’s hallway into the crisp open air, I am grateful for the breeze that tames my heated skin, gifting fresh air to breathe.
“Your fragrance contains traces of aura, Kyra. Magic, which filters into me like a calling beacon. Instinctually, I’m unable to avoid it. And before you ask, yes, I sense everyone else as well. Yours, however, is much stronger, and I happen to enjoy it. If I’m allowed honesty.” He shrugs.
Despite his ridiculous claim and outrageous info dump, I’m blushing for a different reason. At least he thinks I smell good. I’ll take it.
“So, not like a puppy? Shame, it would’ve been cute. The puppy, not you.” Arching a brow and nudging him, I feel all my tension ease as we head towards House Death. The sounds of leaves rustling become therapeutic in a sense.
“Does it come with scratches behind the ear?”
“What?” I laugh.
“Being a puppy, does it come with scratches behind the ear?” He is flirting, and damn it, it’s working. How is this not incredibly cute?
“Later, Russ, I’m going to shower and take a nap. Be a good boy and don’t go sniffing after me.” Biting my lip, I hold down my flirtatious smirk, aching to be seen.
Golden embers tint his light brown eyes, and a surge of warm water brushes against my neck. His aura is welcomed by my own. But before I give in and stay, allowing him a response, red engulfs me, and I’m gone in a blink. Nice try. A damn nice try.