Kai still says nothing. But his steps quicken.
“Oh, is that what’s wrong?” I practically sneer the words. “You’re jealous? Is that why you’re pouting?”
It’s mean, but I don’t care. He’s said—he’s done—way worse to me. He’sdoingworse to me, with this whole cold-shoulder act.
Or maybe it’s not an act. Maybe this is just who he is.
There’s no answer. Not in words. Kai just gives me a look—a longer up-and-down than usual. The longest interaction we’ve had since that first day in Holy Grounds, actually.
But he says nothing. Just shoves his hands in his pockets and starts walking again.
Whichenragesme.
And I’m done just following him.
“What?” I say, the word fogging the air in front of me.
He keeps walking.
“Kai!”
He stops. A black silhouette against the path and snow.
“Is there something you need to say to me?” I call out. “Because…please. Seriously. You’ve—it’s been like two weeks. This is immature.”
For a moment, I think he’s going to walk away. Stalk off into the darkness and leave me here—unguarded, as if he cares.
But he doesn’t.
He takes a sharp, swift step towards me. And then another. And another. By the time he stops he’s barely a foot away from me, he’slooming over me,so close that I feel the warmth of his exhale and catch the edge of liquor on it, so close that he’s blocking out the streetlamp behind him.
So close it’s intimate. Terrifying.
He smirks. Wavers, barely, on his feet. Looks down at me.
“You clean up nice, Wednesday.”
I blink. Look down at the dress.
“You bought it for me,” I grit out. “Remember?”
“Oh. Yeah.” The smirk widens. “Better than the last one, huh? The red. All those little buttons…” In the small gap between our bodies, he rubs his thumb and forefinger together, then lets out a low whistle. “Real bitch to get undone.”
“I…what?”
I know the red dress he means. From the formal hall, last semester. When Elena had…poisoned me, it turned out. I passed out. I’d gone out of my dorm to get fresh air. I’d run into…Lanz. I remember. He picked me up, and then I woke up in his room. In his clothes.Lanz’sclothes. Kai wasn’t there.
Was he?
Now, he says nothing. Of course. And just like that, he’s in control again. Knocking me off course. Letting me know that no matter how much I hate him, he apparently hates me more.
A prickle of fear climbs up my neck.
If he hates me, could he have…
Did he…that night…
I find my voice.
