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“Finn, I was just telling Raven here that there’s a party on Friday night.” If she senses my frustration, she either loves it or doesn’t care as she flutters her eyelashes at him.
“Yeah, out behind Silvercrest Memorial.” His breath brushes against my cheek and I lean back, offering a tight smile as he grins at me.
“Right,” Leila encourages. “So, what do you say if—” Heavy chairs scraping across the marble floor interrupt whatever she was about to say, but as she looks at the additional guests joining our table, she doesn’t seem mad about it. No. That’s a glimmer of victory in her eyes.
Dammit.
Finn slowly stands, nervously clearing his throat as he takes in the new arrivals. Reluctantly, with my heart pounding wildly in my chest, I turn to find four men who were being fawned over by other women only moments ago.
Creed is right beside me, Brax next to him, while Eldon and Zane sit beside Leila. None of them are looking at me or my friend. They’re all glaring at the guy who is slowly starting to edge away from the table.
Kill me. Kill merightnow.
As the chatter of the dining hall slowly reaches my ears again, I squint from one to the other until I settle on Creed. “What the hell? What are you doing?” I bite, hands clenching into fists as I try to act as unfazed as possible and fail miserably.
Creed shrugs, leaving the response to come from Eldon. “Making sure everyone knows you’re off limits.”
I splutter on my breath as I gape at them, feeling Leila’s giddy smile without looking her way.
Swiping a hand down my face, I take a deep breath and repeat his words. “Why are you under the illusion that I’m off limits?”
Zane chuckles, shaking his head as I hear Genie hollering Eldon’s name across the hall. He doesn’t acknowledge her as he stares me dead in the eyes.
“You didn’t read the housemate's handbook, did you?” Zane says with a snicker, making my eyebrows pinch together. Before I can ask what the hellthatis supposed to mean, Brax slams his fists on the table, making the cutlery clatter as he garners everyone’s attention.
Slowly turning to look at him, his nostrils flare as he works his jaw.
“Because we’re the Bishops and we fucking say so.”
10
ELDON
Brax’s response went down about as well as someone slapping your mom across the face. I agreed with what he said without question, wearethe Bishops and whatever we say goes, including anything in regards to our new housemate, but even I can’t deny that his execution could have been a little…gentler.
If looks could kill, I would have sworn that was her magical ability. The way her eye twitched, the vein at her temple throbbing with anger as she glared at each of us, had me ready for a scolding from the little bird. Yet I watched in complete bewilderment as she slowly rose to her feet, hitched her bag over her shoulder, and stormed from the dining hall with Leila hot on her heels.
Despite her silence, her rage was evident as we followed her through the halls, sat behind her in the last class of the day, and stayed close by as we stepped from the main academy building to head home. She’s maintaining a cautious step ahead of us, shoulders tense and bunched together as she dips her head closer to Leila, who murmurs something into her ear.
I’ve never wished for enhanced hearing before, but I would do just about anything to listen in on what they’re talking about.
“Do you think Leila is a safe friend choice for her?” Creed asks, staring straight ahead as I consider his words.
“Who would you rather she lean on, Leila or someone like Genie?” Zane asks, making me shiver.
“Definitely not the latter.” I watch Leila toss her head back with a laugh and my veins itch to know what’s happening, but I’m left with these three assholes instead. “Besides, Leila’s always been quiet and drama-free. That will work in our favor.”
“Her father too,” Creed adds, earning a growl from Brax. That’s definitely up for debate, but we’re not getting into that now.
“The only thing that matters right now is Raven listening to us.” Brax’s voice is as gruff as it was back at the dining hall, which means he’s holding his ground.
“I feel like we should explain things to her a little more. She’s not wrong about the fact that we’re crowding her every move,” Zane states, making my brows bunch in annoyance.
“Don’t forget the overstepping, making an ass of yourselves, and attempting to dictate who I can and cannot speak to,” Raven hollers, not even bothering to glance back over her shoulder at us. Is enhanced hearing related to her magic? Maybe I just need to ask her. The way Leila grins back at us, though, and Zane’s neutral expression, tells me he was talking louder than necessary. So half of the campus probably heard him.
“I’m beginning to regret your idea.” Brax swipes a hand down his face as we slow down enough to return to a private conversation.
“There’s nothing to regret, man. You know it. Everything adds up. E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G.” I spell it out, trusting my gut as every letter slips from my lips. I only get a grunt in response, and when I glance to the side, I find Creed staring at me. He offers a simple nod, confirming he’s in agreement with me.
