So I need to be careful.
There’s that tug in my chest, like a magnet is drawing me forward, coaxing me to step into the forbidden staff wing.
And I do.
Torchlight flickers along the walls, and I strain my ears, listening for footsteps on stone or the opening of a door. I keepmy pace calm and even, as if I’m not doing anything wrong by being here. It would be helpful if Raelan were with me right now; when Lyra snuck out to see Cairn two years ago, he helped her get out of and then back into the castle undetected—shifter hearing and senses come in handy when sneaking around academies.
Maybe I shouldn’t be here. Maybe this is foolish and—
My chest tugs again, harder this time, with a pulse of warmth behind it. It’s startling enough that I reach up to press my fingertips to my sternum beneath my tunic.
Ever since Severin fed on me, this feeling has been there, lingering. Maybe he knows what it is.
As I continue down the corridor, I come to an intersection, and I realize that I don’t know where Severin’s apartment is. My gaze flicks left, then right. My fingertips find my chest again, and I take a steadying breath.
I take a right down the hallway. But almost immediately, the heat in my chest dims. It makes my pace falter. Curious, I turn back around and head down the left hallway. And sure enough, the heat flares, warmer than before.
I take that to mean I’m going the right way.
A few strides down the corridor, I hear a door open. Immediately, I search for somewhere to hide. But the walls are smooth stone, with nothing but flickering torches and the odd painting of Coven Crest from decades past.
There’s nowhere for me to go.
Now footsteps are coming down the hallway up and to my right. Any moment now, a professor is going to walk around the corner and find me.
I could pretend to be lost. But I’m a fourth-year, so that probably won’t work. Then I’ll have to be honest: I’m here togive Professor D’Arques his cuff link back. Now, why I specifically know it’s his cuff link, that could be questioned, but—
The door to my right opens, and a hand shoots out and grabs me. Before I can scream, I’m yanked into the room, and the door closes and locks behind me.
“What,” hisses a voice that sends a pleasant tingle down my spine, “are you doing here?”
The hand releases from my arm, and as my eyes adjust to the dim light, I look up to find Severin standing over me. He’s wearing a loose black tunic and tight trousers, and his dark hair is mussed, like he’s been running his hands through it.
And even in the low light, I can see the color of his eyes. They’re still red, though not quite as bright as before. And for some reason, seeing the dim color makes my chest squeeze. Because I don’t want my blood to leave his system. Somehow, it feels like he’d then be leaving me. Even though it’s ridiculous, I can’t help the thought.
“Maeve,” Severin says, narrowing his eyes at me when I don’t respond. “Why are you here?” His voice is tight and sharp.
I finally get my wits about me and shake off the adrenaline pumping through my veins. Tipping my head back to meet his eyes, I say, “How did you know I was out there?”
Now it’s his turn to hesitate.
His gaze shifts from my eyes to my neck, and slowly, he reaches out to push my long hair back from my throat. As his fingers brush the skin there, he whispers, “I could feel you.”
The words send a delicate shiver through me.
A beat of silence passes between us as his fingers continue to trail across my throat. Finally, I say, “It’s not just me, then.”
His gaze flicks to mine, and he immediately drops his hand. “You feel it too?”
“Yeah. Here. Ever since you fed from me.” Taking Severin’s hand, I lift it and press it to my chest, right over my heart. “Like we’re connected somehow. That’s what led me to you.”
Eyes narrowing, he furrows his brow. His hand is warm through my tunic, and suddenly, being this close to him, I get the intense desire to rip his clothes off and ride him right here on the floor.
Severin draws a breath, scenting the air, and his pupils dilate slightly.
Then he pulls back from me, putting distance between us. His voice comes out rough as he says, “You still haven’t answered my question.”
I shake my head a little. He’s being touchy tonight.
