“Yeah, well. Call it a sixth sense.”
“Or maybe it’s just the sleep deprivation.”
I snorted. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“I’ve seen you wandering the halls at all hours.” He spoke quietly.
I bumped him slightly. “I’m ok. I promise. I am sleeping.”
Slade didn’t laugh. He watched me a second longer, then reached out and gently nudged the dagger in my hand back into a neutral grip. “Don’t let your form slip, even when you’re distracted. You’re better than that.”
“Iwasbetter than that,” I muttered. “Before someone started ghost-stalking me across the Tower.”
“You want me to follow them next time?” His tone was dry, but I knew he meant it.
I shook my head. “No. If someone’s watching, I’ll flush them out myself.”
Slade raised an eyebrow but didn’t push it. “Alright. But if you change your mind…”
“I know where to find you,” I said, flashing a grin. “Lurking in doorways and brooding dramatically.”
That got a small chuckle from him.
I returned to the dummy and started again—jab, pivot, duck, throw—but the feeling clung to me like a second skin. After awhile Maddie joined me. But even she couldn’t keep up with me at this point.
I stayed longer than anyone else. Long after the last group finished drills. Long after even Maddie had waved goodbye.
Kyra had made an appearance—brief, sharp, unwelcome. She didn’t speak to me, but I felt her gaze. Leo saw her too. The second he spotted her across the hall, he stalked over and planted himself between us like a wall of muscle and disapproval.
Kyra didn’t linger after that.
Typical Leo.
I didn’t thank him. Didn’t need to. But it helped, knowing someone was still watching my back… even if someone else was watching it for all the wrong reasons.
Since our kiss, Leo had barely spent any time away from me. If he was training the sentinels, his eyes were on me. At lunch he always sat at my left. I couldn’t go far without him tracking me down. If he wasn’t so charming, it might be smothering. But I liked the attention.
Tonight, after everyone had finished for the day. I had kept working until my clothes reeked with sweat.
Leo and Slade were waiting for me at the entrance to the arena.
“Come on. Food time.” Slade grunted out.
I took a whiff of myself. “Let me shower first. I’m pretty rank.”
Leo grabbed me by the waist and spun me around. “You smell delightful,” he grinned.
Even Slade wrinkled his nose. “You are such a liar,” I said flatly.
Leo’s answer was to kiss me—firm and unapologetic.
I froze for half a second, surprised. We hadn’t done that in front of the others before. But Slade didn’t seem fazed. In fact, he smirked.
“Are we all just kissing her now?” he asked, arching a brow as Leo pulled away.
Leo just wrapped his arms around me and shrugged. “I highly recommend it.”
“Is that a challenge?” Slade asked, quirking his eyebrow.
