Page 161 of Sorrow & Strangers

“No it’s not.”

“Well, I’m hot.” I blush more. “Warm. I’m warm.”

“You are hot.” He chuckles.

“So, training tomorrow?” I say, taking a step back and looking away, trying to quash whatever it is I’m feeling.

He tilts his head. “I thought you didn’t want that anymore.”

“We made an oath.” That’s it, Summer, keep telling yourself that’s why. That you’re trying to keep your boundaries enforced. While earlier I was desperate to get away from him, with every second we’re together, I’m feeling more and more as if that is not very likely. Because I am drawn to him.

He watches me for a moment and then leans in, kissing my cheeks softly, and I hate it, already missing the feeling of his actual lips against me.

“Until later, little fae,” he says and pulls back.

My stomach curdles at the way I have to stop myself from reaching out for him, to pull him back to me. I clench my fists. What the fuck is wrong with me? In a small gush of air he’s gone, and I’m left with the chaotic mess he has made of my head and my panties.

Chapter Seventy

Summer

As I reach the top of the stairs, Alice leaves her room, yawning. “Where did you go?” I blink at her, and she rubs her eyes. “You were in my room, and now you’re not.”

“Oh, I woke up.”

“And went . . . ?” Alice’s eyes go wide as they lock onto my neck. “Oh, my Drac. Did a vampire attack you?” She moves in closer. “Or an incubus?”

I frown and brush my fingers over my neck, and it throbs under my touch. That fucker.

Alice moves in even closer, nearly burying her nose against me as she investigates. “Are those fang marks?”

“What?” I ask, my frown darkening. I gently brush my fingers over the sensitive, bruised skin, but I can’t feel anything.

Alice grabs my arm and pulls me into my room, pushing me in front of the mirror. I gape at the massive hickey he left on my neck and the two almost puncture wounds.

Alice flashes her fangs and uses her fingers to measure the distance between them, and then she holds them to my neck. Her fangs are wider. “Not vamp. They are too close together.” She thinks for a moment. “Show me your fangs, Sum.”

“What? Why?”

“Just do it.”

I throw her a look in the mirror, once again wishing she’d focus more in species studies. “They don’t just come out for fae, Al.”

Alice huffs. “Okay, well, how do we make them?”

“I either have to work on it for decades and be in complete control of my fae instincts, or I need to be fucking my mate.” I tilt my head and lean in closer to the mirror. “Also, he didn’t pierce me.”

“He as good as pierced you.” She sniffs me and bristles. “That glamourized scent is fucking me off.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “At least we know he has fangs. That narrows things down a little, but I still want to see the distance between your fangs.”

“Possibly not. You know he can change his appearance. He had fangs when he was in his demon form.” I pout, brushing my fingers over my neck again. “I doubt he would leave a mark if it meant he could be more easily identified.”

Alice narrows her eyes. “I’m offended that he didn’t pick a vampire form to bite you. That’s literally our whole thing.”

I sigh. “He bit me in his demon form . . .” I say, remembering being in that hotel room with him. I shake my head. “I need to get to the gym before I see the headmaster. Is Rafe up?”

Alice nods, but she looks distracted. “Yup, I heard him moving around.”

I grab my gym clothes and go into the bathroom to get ready. I emerge, zipping my hoodie over my pink shorts and matching sports bra, trying to cover my neck. Alice is still pondering, standing in the same position. I hug her and leave the room, walking down the hall to Rafe’s room.