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I smiled at Zalina. “If you aren’t into guys, there’s not much love for you here.”
Morgan held up a strip of fried padwump. “It’s the ultimate sausage fest.”
Zalina wrinkled her nose as Morgan took a bite and cracked off half of the strip of meat. “No, thanks.”
I was grateful that the women had changed the subject and had forgotten about Torq. I was able to breathe easier as the conversation turned to the few mysterious Drexian females that remained in the society and how Zalina might score one, which was much more entertaining.
It was almost entertaining enough to distract me from the fact that I had to meet Torq at the Stacks later. At least we’d be in a public space, even if we’d have to hide ourselves deep within the towering shelves to avoid notice. Because as furious as I was with the Drexian, I did not trust myself with him. And I definitely did not trust him.
Chapter
Twelve
Torq
The moment I walked into the dining hall, I sensed her. Even as I fought the urge to look at her, my gaze was drawn to her like a magnet.
“Torq!”
Kort’s booming voice snatched my attention and pulled my gaze to where he sat at a table of Blades, their broad shoulders practically touching. There was no doubt that the Blades were the loudest table in the hall, but the volume made me breathe easier. I would not be distracted by Jess’s presence if I was surrounded by a bunch of rowdy Blades.
Kort motioned to a plate of food at the empty place next to him, and I crossed the bustling room to join him. “I hope you like poplack hoppers.”
I glanced at the plate, bracing myself to see the quivering dish. Thankfully, there was only some thick gurley stew and rounds of puffy Drexian bread. “Good one.”
Kort laughed as I slid the chair out and sat, grateful that I was facing away from the table of humans, even if I did sneak a brief glance at Jess before turning to my food. She was not looking my way and didn’t seem to know I was there, which was annoying. How was it that I could not stop thinking about her and she did not seem to care about me?
I recalled how her eyes had flared when I had tipped her head up to mine. I had thought—no, I had hoped—that it was arousal, but now I was thinking it was only irritation.
Maybe you should not have blackmailed her, idiot.
I growled, hating that even I knew that I had gone too far. But it was too late now, especially since it seemed to be the only way to get her attention. And for some inexplicable reason, I needed the woman’s attention.
“Don’t you think, Torq?”
I only caught the tail end of what Kort had said to me, but when I looked up the entire table was staring at me. “Yeah, of course.”
They all grinned and nodded, and I wondered what the grek I’d just endorsed.
“Torq knows a few of them,” Kort continued. “They went through the maze together.”
We must be talking about the human females. I had not spoken much about my time in the maze. After the revelations about the sabotage and the involvement of the High Command, the trials were something that was muttered about darkly. Aside from the cadets who did not make it through, I knew almost nothing about what had happened to the other cadets in the maze.
“Does that mean you have an in?” Zenen eyed me, as if I might have the keys to the kingdom.
“Not really.” This was no lie, although I might have lied even if I did have a tighter connection to the women.
The Blade visibly deflated. “You are telling me you cannot introduce me to the one with the dark hair who looks so serious?”
I stiffened. He meant Jess. She was so studious and unconcerned with how she looked that I was surprised that any other Drexian had noticed her.
“I would like to give her a few reasons to abandon her books,” Zenen said, with a nudge to the Blade beside him.
“Or maybe just one big one,” his friend added, and they both laughed.
A possessive rage tore through me, and I fisted my hands on the table at the thought of either of the Blades giving Jess anything.
“Torq?”
