I know what that look is from.
It's from her touch, her embrace, and very likely her lips, just like in the dining hall.
Fucker.
I had the smallest taste of it in the medical center, a fact I don’t regret at all. Forever tasting her fury is worth the brief taste of her sweet lips on mine.
Dragging my hands down into my lap, I ball them into fists, trying to contain the outrage that threatens to destroy me when Professor Viola clears her throat, thankfully pulling me from my deranged thoughts.
“Thank you so much for gathering, everybody. We are head deep in investigating Reginald Hayworth and Leonardo Corrigan. Hugo here was?—”
“Where's Francesca?” I interrupt, uncertainty taking root in my gut.
Professor Viola sniffs, not appreciating the inconvenience I bring. “She has other things to deal with,” she advises, all eyes ping ponging between us as I rock back in my seat.
My jaw tightens. “We've all got other things to deal with, Professor. Politely, mine involves my fated mate, which is likely the topic of this conversation, yet you find the four of us still here. Her brother too.” I wave my hand for good measure, making sure she takes each of us into account. “What could be so pressing that she won't be attending this meeting?”
Viola runs her hands down her black blazer, her nose wrinkling with distaste as her lips pinch. “It will serve you well, Archer, to know and remember that you're not the one in charge here.” She cocks her brow as she clears her throat. “Actually, I’ve heard from Professor Carbon that you seem to have forgotten that fact already today.” She nods toward the professor in question, but I don’t bother to indulge her by following her direction.
Instead, I shrug. “I’m not partaking in this meeting while Francesca isn't here.”
I’m sure they think I’m acting like a petulant child. I’ve seen my sister have a tantrum quite similar, it’s where I’ve takeninspiration from, but I have a point to make and an uneasy feeling in my stomach.
I can’t get a read on Viola enough to understand whether she’s lying or not, so I’d rather find out for myself.
“I wasn't aware she wouldn't be arriving because she had other matters to attend to, and I can't say I like it,” I add, and Viola shakes her head.
“This meeting will proceed with or without you, Archer. Choose your next steps wisely,” Viola threatens, and I scoff, tilting my face to look first at Baron, then Sax, and Teddy, who sits on the other side of him.
“Something's not right,” I state, and Sax nods immediately. “Was everything okay when you left her?” I ask when I meet Teddy's eyes, and he nods.
“She was fine.”
My lips purse. Something doesn't sit right inside of me. I shake my head as my nostrils flare, and my anger balances on the cusp of overflowing. “Someone try and call her right now,” I bite, looking at my friends, but it's Hugo who holds his phone out, wasting no time to press the call button.
He brings his device to his ear, but after a few moments, he drops it once again, shaking his head as his eyebrows furrow with concern.
Professor Viola clears her throat. “How about we discuss what we've learned about her?” she offers, and I scoff.
“Fuck you.”
The lights flicker in the room. “Watch who you're talking to,” Professor Grogan barks across the table, and I sneer.
“Fuck you too.”
Pressing my palms flat against the table before me, I shove my chair back and rise to my feet.
“Archer, go and check on her. You’re the one who can get in the building with ease,” Teddy insists, and I nod.
Professor Viola huffs. “Do not leave this meeting, or?—”
“Archer, go and check on my sister,” Hugo’s command cuts through the professor’s threat, and I don't need to be told twice.
Racing for the door, I barrel outside, bypassing the path as I race across the grass.
It’s all going to be for nothing, I know it is, but I have to be sure. I’m going to stumble to her door, barge into her space like I have the right to, and she’s going to cut through me with her sharp tongue and harsh glare. It will be worth it.
To see her, to smell her, to sense her in my soul, I’m happy to be wrong.
