Page 78 of Lost and Bound

Without looking up from his screen, he walks away. Whatever was between us has changed.

My gaze jumps to Arlan, who shrugs. “Don’t flatter yourself. It’s in my nature to take. I over exaggerated how you tasted, though.”

His words strike as intended, and I fight not to raise a hand to my chest. The tightness there somehow grips even more painfully.

Bael’s reaction is purely his own; he’s enjoying every second of the tension and conflict. Unlike Emrys he’s very aware of his essence, and he makes sure I know it too. The void he wields slashes like a smoky whip so close to the tip of my nose, my hair moves.

His parting shot is as easy to understand as Arlan’s and cuts as deep as Emrys’. My knees tremble under the weight of their loud, public rejection.

The spectacle of Thales’s best students cutting me down to size draws a crowd. I know the celestial duo is involved on some level. I also know they wouldn’t have missed watching their delivery or my reaction.

It takes a moment to find both Seraphina and Michael, and when I do, I wish I hadn’t. Michael is all smiles as he claps Emrys’ shoulder before shaking hands with Arlan. He quickly falls into conversation with them both. Bael is already at Seraphina’s side, his smoke wrapped around her. She squeals as the darkness pulls her across the very short distance that separates them. For some inexplicable reason, Bael checks over his shoulder, making sure I’m watching.

That is my limit.

Not them hooking up; it’s not my business. But Bael wishing to witness my reaction comes from a place of callous intentions or demonic desire. I won’t waste my time trying to understand his motivation, but removing myself from the situation is something I can do. It’s also the first step in regaining my power that everyone is so keen to strip.

So I turn so fast my head spins. “Orion, I’ve lost my appetite, I’ll meet you back at the dorms.”

I don’t give Orion the opportunity to respond, but he does anyway. He grabs me mid-step and tugs me into his arms, holding me tight as if preventing me from falling apart. “I’m right behind you, May-May. I’ll just grab us something for later.”

Though I force myself not to run, everyone knows that’s exactly what I’m doing. Humiliation pounds in my ears, but not loud enough for me to miss the angry taunts from every person close by. And considering I only pass other Noms, it’s the final straw.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

REGAINING POWER

My eyes are closed, and my breathing is slow and steady. Though Orion’s bed is so much more comfortable than mine I can’t fall asleep, and every time Orion moves, my heart races like I’m being chased.

I’ve got an overload of adrenaline in my system, making me feel like I’ve done nothing but drink coffee for twenty-four hours straight, despite being exhausted.

If I were in my room, I’d sneak out and run laps around Nomina House or something else to drain the excess energy. But I’m not alone, and it’s not fair to Orion if I keep waking him up.

So I lean over and whisper in his ear, trying not to wake him but not wanting to sneak out either. “I’m okay, stay right where you are, but I’m going to get some fresh air.”

“Only go where I showed you,” he mumbles, his eyes opening to small slits.

“Go back to sleep, I’ll be fine.”

He stares, not answering me for a few moments until finally lifting his arm and letting me escape his bed. “Promise you won’t get into trouble.”

I twist around, brushing the hair off his face until his eyes close. “I promise I won’t go chasing trouble, and I’ll be back before you know it.”

He scowls, even with his eyes closed, which I read as a sign he’s kind of okay with me leaving. Before he changes his mind, I pull up his blankets, cocooning him in bed.

Putting on a pair of sweats and one of his hoodies over my pj’s, I can still feel the cold seeping through. I hope I’m not being stupid. With a last look at Orion, I slip out the door and into the dark hall of the third floor. I force myself to wait, to make sure there’s no one else wandering in the dark, waiting for me to appear. To say that the residents of Nomina House were livid about everyone being forced to attend the full moon party is the understatement of the year.

I tiptoe at a snail’s pace past the other dorm rooms to the fire escape. Then I push on the unmarked door next to it and step out quickly, shutting it behind me.

Originally, the small space was used to house the air-conditioning units and electrical services for Nomina House. All the machinery has been removed, and Orion claimed the space, adding a milk crate as something to sit on.

The area is covered, safe from the weather, and the half-height walls mean you’re mostly hidden from anyone below because they can’t see you unless they use the old maintenance stairs. Orion says it is a good place to reflect, and I trust him on that, but if I had to choose, I wouldn’t have picked this space.

I stretch Orion’s hoodie over my knees to keep warm, then I wiggle around to get comfortable but also to find the best angle so I can see the stars. It is why I’m here. My view of the sky is blocked as Bugby swoops in from the shadows to land on the crook of my elbow.

He makes lots of low clicking noises, his head twisting from side to side as he looks me up and down.

“I’m okay,” I offer.