Page 52 of Stormbreaker

“I didn’t say we don’t have school. I said we don’t have one like this.”

My gaze meets his. “Why did you finish it? You’ve been missing classes.”

“I’ve been avoiding your boyfriend.” His tone suggests it isn’t because he’s scared of Knox but rather annoyed about having to teach him yet another lesson about respect.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” The words are out before I can stop them.

A line of confusion forms between Rook’s brows before it smooths away. Thankfully, before I can do something I’ll regret like reach out and touch it. “Oh yeah?” I’m not sure why that seems to amuse him.

“Yeah.” I don’t elaborate, but I want to clarify that I don’t belong to Knox.

“Okay, if you say so. And I finished it because I thought it would be easier that way.”

He leaves the thought hanging.

Easier for me or for him?

“I don’t want to take credit for your work.”

He huffs out a snort. “It’s not a big deal. You can owe me one.”

I raise a brow. “That doesn’t exactly put me at ease.”

“Well, it’s done. So, unless you want to redo it for absolutely no reason, you’ll just have to accept it.”

“Next time, I’ll do the work.”

“Will there be a next time? So eager to work with me again?” The corner of his mouth crooks up in a cocky smile, and it’s all I can do not to wring his neck.

“You know what I mean—”

A sizzle scrapes up my back, buzzing under my skin with such force that my heart skips a beat. I slap a palm to my chest and retreat a few steps as Rook reaches out.

“You okay?” he asks, his big hand wrapping around my arm to help steady me. It does nothing to calm the acceleration of my heart.

But I can’t answer.

I need to get out of here immediately.

Without another word, I turn on my heel and walk away.

“Hey!” Rook calls. “Where’re you going? Are you okay?”

I don’t look back as I duck out of the library and run.

18

Another sizzle of energy crackles across my skin as I burst out of the room.

The storm is drawing closer, and I need a place to touch it.

I hear Rook call after me, but I don’t want him to notice anything suspicious.

He’d turn me in to the Extinguishers in a flash.

I skirt through the halls, keeping my pace measured just in case.

As soon as I spot a swirl of clouds through a window, my decision is made.