Page 6 of Vayn

“That sounds about right. I can see Vayn pushing his charming, well, loving side aside to focus on being a jerk.”

The shadow chuckled. I liked the sound. It was deep, raspy, yet endearing. A strange combination.

“He can’t hear this, right?” I asked, growing nervous.

No, little one. He can’t hear us this time. However, sometimes, I will let him listen in. Especially if it involves your safety.

“I guess that’s only fair.”

Two students walked by, heading to the same on-campus apartment I was heading to. Ugh. Why did it have to be blonde Jenn and brunette Jenn? While that may seem like an odd way to describe them, it was literally the way they described themselves when they introduced themselves to others.

They’d grown up as neighbors and had been besties all their lives. They were dating the same jock, Brock. A jock named Brock. Cliché much! Anyway, they were dating Brock, Justin, and Joey. They were all fated mates. The Jenns were co-captains of the cheer team. Like me, they’re seniors. Yet, they still had the same childish mindset they had when we were freshmen.

“Is that Destiny?” Blonde-haired Jenn asked. “Why is she just standing there like that?”

“Weirdo.” Brown-haired Jenn sneered.

I could’ve said something mean in return. But I was no longer the mouthy freshman I used to be. I’d grown a lot since I was first snatched off the streets of Houston and forced into an academy for the cursed descendants of the Fallen. Sure, I still couldn’t wield magic, and my fangs and claws had yet to appear, but I was stronger mentally.

And that was much more important than magic. I was no longer afraid of the things that lurked in the shadows, things I’d been able to see all my life, even before I found out I was only part human. Things that had once haunted my dreams. Yet, the moment I learned all of this was real, those creatures in the shadows no longer scared me.

Most of the creatures lurking in the shadows hadn’t been trying to scare me. They were simply existing. But because they were different from me, I’d feared them. Since I no longer feared the creatures in the shadows, why the hell would I fear two Jenns, who were both fucking a jock named Brock. Smiling, I waved at them, knowing that would anger them more than any smart retort.

“Let’s go, Jenn,” Blondie cooed. “Before her crazy rubs off on us.”

“You’re right, Jenn,” Brownie agreed. “Let’s hurry.”

Would you like me to break their legs? Charm offered.

How sweet! My gaze rose to his. The clouds that had been concealing his eyes dispersed, revealing pale white skin, much paler than Vayn’s, and dark eyes. Eyes a girl could get lost in. Clearing my throat, I forced my mind back on the conversation at hand. He was the reason the Jenns thought I was talking to myself. They couldn’t see the shadows that lurked all over this place.

“I can understand Rage offering to break their legs,” I told him. “But you’re Charm. You shouldn’t desire that.”

I’m Charm to you. To your enemies, we are all death and destruction.

His words sent a chill racing down my spine and proved that I didn’t understand the shadows of Fallens as much as I thought I did. I knew all Fallens named their shadows the same names. And I knew all Fallens had four shadows. And I knew most Fallen could cloak themselves and their shadows as Vayn was doing now. But beyond the textbook knowledge I’d learned, I didn’t know much else.

“No need for all of that. I’m used to their taunts. They don’t bother me.” Any more.

Do not lie to me, little one.

“I’m serious. I’ve been called worst things than weird.”

By who? Tell me. I will find them and dismember them.

“Whoa, big guy.”

And he was indeed that. How could a shadow feel so damn manly? Clearly, I needed to read up more on the Fallens’ shadows, because damn. Who needed Vayn when you could just have one of his shadows?

“Let’s save the dismemberment for our actual enemies,” I told Charm. “The Jenns are just bitches. They’re not evil.”

Do you think I’m evil?

I swallowed. Where had that question come from?

“I... I don’t know. I guess not. The dean wouldn’t have assigned Vayn to me if he was evil.”

Maybe the dean is evil too.