The nerve of this prick. I stood up from my chair. It fell backward with a clatter as I shoved Andrik, releasing his hold on Delmare. “I’m not afraid to get physical,” I threatened.
“You wanna join in on the fun?” Andrik chuckled, and a bit of smoke puffed out of his nostrils. “Dragons are bigger than wolvens, if you’re wondering.”
Like I’d ever have a threesome with this sick bastard. I rounded on Andrik. “If you don’t leave us aloneright the fuck now, I will claw out your eyeballs and throw them back at you while I laugh.”
Andrik blinked. He hadn’t expected such an insane response. I planted myself between him and Delmare as I growled, “If you don’t want to end up blind, go. Before I rip your artery out of your throat and eat it for breakfast.”
I was shouting at this point. People from the aisle ways were starting to stare. Andrik looked around the room before he took a few steps back. “Crazy bitch,” he muttered under his breath, and stomped off.
I picked my chair back up and took my seat again, though I was still shaking with fury. Maeve hid a smile behind the book she had open and went back to reading.
Delmare seemed relieved. “Thanks, Emma. I’ve tried to ward him off before, but not like that.”
“You have to act crazy. It throws them off if you get aggressive and make a scene,” I said. Growing up in Detroit, my mom had taught me to get loud if someone was threatening me. Predators didn’t like people who weren’t easy targets.
“I’ve threatened. But he just keeps coming back,” Delmare hissed. “You should stay out of it. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Andrik’s not going to touch me.” He thought I was nuts, and I had Ethan to protect me. I knew the little shithead was scared of my mate.
Delmare, though? She was an open target.
She shivered. “I’ve tried using illusion magic, but he’s older than me, which makes him stronger. I don’t have enough magical experience to duel him and put him in his place.”
“Have you told Stefan?” I dropped my voice to a whisper. No way would the dragon shifter let this keep happening. He’d beat Andrik to a pulp.
Delmare grabbed my arm. “No, and you can’t either. Emma, you can’t tell Stefan about this. Swear to me you won’t.”
Her nails dug into my wrist. It was painful. I winced and said, “Stefan isn’t going to let this continue. He’d make Andrik leave you alone.”
“I need to prove I can handle myself,” she pleaded. “Strength is important among the Arcanea. If I’m seen as weak, it’ll get worse. Just please, don’t say a word to him.”
I held in a breath. “If Andrik keeps this up, I’m not making any promises. You need protection.”
“Trust me, Emma. Telling Stefan is only going to start a feud between him and Andrik, and then he’ll get in trouble because of me. If you’re my friend, you’ll keep quiet.”
Her gaze was pleading. My stomach twisted into knots. I didn’t want to betray Delmare... but still. Her safety came first.
“I’ll stay silent for now,” I promised. “But the next time I see Andrik harassing you, I’m telling Stefan, and the other guys. That is, if I don’t smash an illusion spell into Andrik’s face myself.”
I’m sure Ethan and the rest of the boys would get their kicks out of putting Andrik in his place. Literally.
Delmare let go of my arm with a scowl. “Fine. Whatever. Anyway... what is it you wanted to talk about?”
I opened my mouth. I was about to spill to her what I’d seen in the bathroom, but my words fell flat. I couldn’t worry Delmare about Odette, not now. Not when Andrik was stalking her.
“I just need to talk to Theo,” I said. “Do you know where he is?”
“No.” She shook her head. “His alicorn class took a field trip. He won’t be back until the weekend.”
Fucking dammit.Gone right when I needed him.
“But there’s a festival going on this weekend to celebrate the coming of spring,” Delmare suggested. “All the Arcanea will be there. I’m sure you can find him there.”
I didn’t feel much like partying, but if Theo was around, I could talk to him about Odette.
“Okay,” I replied. “Count me in.”
I was so worried about Odette and Delmare. But maybe the festival would provide me with a chance to help them both.
