Page 17 of Revenant

Pryce lets out a breathless laugh, and I can’t even remember what he was so mad about. And by the way he’s looking at me, with nothing but hunger and desire, I’m willing to bet he doesn’t either. “Be careful.”

“I’m not scared of whatever’s in the forest, Pryce.”

His fingers grip my chin, and my body becomes all too aware of how close we are. If it weren’t for the party, I’d let him do whatever he wanted to me, right here, right now. It’s not something I’d normally be brave enough to do—but I’m 88% sure that it’s not just the booze talking. “You should be. You’re playing with monsters, tesoro.”

My core clenches, his lips just a breath away, but before I can do anything about it, he lets go and distances himself. But it’s not rejection that hits me. It’s a challenge.

Hours pass, a few more drinks pile up, and yep—I’m mega fucked up. Moriah and I somehow started a dance circle. She tracked down the person in control of the music, cranked it to the max, and then hid their phone like a pro.

I’m kind of shocked no one from the faculty has shown up yet. Maybe we’re far enough into the forest. Or maybe they just don’t care like Moriah said. We push our way out of the dancing crowd, sweat sliding down our backs, and I start thinking a second dip in the creek doesn’t sound so terrible.

A prickle at the back of my neck pulls my gaze to the left, and the second I look, I wish I hadn’t. Eryx strolls into the party, eyes locked on something, or rather, someone, and makes a beeline for his little group. Pryce included.

The sight of him drags me back to this morning and the way he tore into me for absolutely no reason. Not only did he question my intelligence, but he also made it a point to embarrass me. His stupid blond hair is styled to perfection, not a measly strand out of place. Drunk as I am, I can admit he’s beautiful. I can also admit I’d very much like to push him into the fire.

I’m getting irrationally irritated.

No, no. Rationally irritated.

Moriah fills my cup again. It goes down like silk, no burn at all, like I’m drinking water. Eryx’s smug smile flickers in the firelight—half glowing, half dancing in the shadows. There’s an ease to the way he stands, the kind that only comes from never having had to earn the attention he gets. I snatch the bottle she scavenged and tip it to my lips, drinking until the burn kicks back in. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I immediately realize…that was probably not my brightest idea.

“Woah, alright, I think you should slow down,” Moriah says, carefully taking the bottle from me as if trying not to detonate a bomb.

“Why does he act like he walks on air?”

“Who?” she asks.

“Eryx.” I emphasize a little too loudly, pointing right at the man who somehow makes the whole crowd tense up. She slaps my hand down instantly. “Ouch.”

“That didn’t hurt.” She’s not wrong. It didn’t. “You’re going to draw attention.”

“I’m gonna say something,” I announce, a grin tugging at my lips.

“About what?” Moriah giggles, the sound bubbling out of her as she tilts sideways, gripping my arm for balance she clearly needs.

“That smug bastard embarrassed me today in class. So I think it’s only fair that I return the favor.” This is perfect. Best idea all night. Bullies don’t quit unless you shove back. So I’m shoving. I will not be the butt of anyone’s joke.

“Calder, wait. I don’t think that’s—.”

“And…?” I grin, drunk confidence making me fearless. Taking one last swig from the bottle, I hand it back to Moriah and head straight for their group. She protests, but I tune her out.

“Hey!” All four pairs of eyes swing in my direction. “You.” I point at Eryx.

Eryx’s face goes slack, as if he’s seen a ghost. “Me?” he asks, blinking, his earlier confidence faltering into something uncertain.

“No. The fucking tree. Yes, you.” I scoff at his audacity. “You had some nerve today.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Tes—” Pryce starts to intervene, but I hold my hand up, silencing him.

“How dare you humiliate me today in class. What did I ever do to you? Well, guess what, asshole? The rest of this school might worship the ground you walk on, but I’m not interested in joining your little cult. So I strongly suggest you apologize before I tear your gorgeous, hypnotic eyes right out of their sockets!” He stares at me in bewilderment.

They all do.

Eryx holds his hands out in defense, head canting to one side, dark amusement glinting in his eyes. “Oi, can someone fetch this bitch a leash?”

“I’ll do it,” Bastian chimes in, flicking his tongue along his bottom lip. Ignoring him and the drunken heat building between my legs, I focus on the person I actually came for.