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Her eyes flared an eerie acid green then returned to nearly black. “You will do as I direct, or you will spend the entirety of the ball in the well, unable to be reached by any of your men.”
“The well? Is that some kind of joke or nickname or something?” I asked, even as fear pooled in my stomach. Whatever it was, it didn’t sound good.
“No, dear one. The well is exactly what it sounds like. Before this was a university, it was home to Blackthorne vampire royalty. Centuries ago, before they left England, the Blackthornes ruled over much of this land. Their favorite method of punishment for wayward vampires was through isolation. In the well.”
I shivered. An actual fucking well. I could only imagine what that would be like, and I never wanted to find out. “Youusethat?”
“Only when absolutely necessary. We haven’t had to put a student in the well in fifty years. The threat is enough to keep them straight.”
I could see why. Jesus. Another shiver raced down my spine. “Does it really have to be Kingston? I understand why I can’t go with Noah, but you already know Alek helps keep me calm, so why Kingston?”
“Unless there is another wolf you'd rather be paired with, you’ll attend with Mr. Farrell. This has been handed down by both the Vampire Council and the High Council. All students must attend paired with their own species. The test is designed for you to work together to coexist in an environment where you might let your guard down. Where dancing and drink make lips loose and inhibitions lessened. That is where mistakes are made and wars begun. Being with one of your own will strengthen you in some ways and weaken you in others.”
I balled my hands into fists. “So Alek is going alone, then? Doesn’t that put him at a disadvantage?”
Her lips curled up in a cruel smile. “I doubt the Novasgardian would appreciate you suggesting he cannot defend himself. They’re a god-touched people, you know. More than capable of fending off any threat he’d find on this campus. But, since you’re so worried about his safety, it should appease you to learn that he’ll be attending with the valkyrie Kara.”
All I could picture was a screaming warrior woman with gold breastplates. And then I remembered her. Tall, blonde, fierce, and terrifying. Kara paired well with Alek. Jealousy bolted through my heart. What would he think of being with her? Would he realize she was a better match? More like him in every way?
I brushed that thought away and focused on the fact that I would have to spend my night in the well or with a man who hated me. The well was sounding better by the minute.
But no, I’d never backed down before. I wouldn’t let what was sure to be an uncomfortable and awkward evening keep me from proving that I had learned to control myself. This was a test I wanted to pass.
Not for them, but for me.
And if I had to spend the night ignoring a pissed-off wolf, well, that was nothing new. Besides, we might have to be together for show, but there was nothing stopping me from finding a dark corner with Noah.
“Fine. I’ll do it, but if Kingston ends up castrated by the end of the night, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Amusement flickered in her eyes once more. “Fair enough, Mademoiselle Fallon. He’ll likely have earned it if you have to resort to that.”
“Any idea where I can get a dress?”
