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“You know, you’re actually very nice,” I tell her. “Though I do worry what you have under that bed of yours.”
“You’re obviously delirious.” Laila lets out a nervous laugh as she helps me up from the table. “There’s absolutely nothing under my bed.”
I smile a bit, then I remember that Octavia Pax is an empath. If Cyrus’s resurrection does alter the energy within the magical community, could she sense it herself?
Twenty-Seven
There’s singingin my mind as I lower myself onto the pillow. It isn’t in English, but somehow, that makes it even more soothing. When I close my eyes, I’m in a strong pair of arms. All of my worries fade away.
It’s what I want more than anything, to not feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.
When I wake, the room is dark, and I can hear Laila snoring softly on her side of the room. I check my phone. Almost two a.m.
I also have a text from my mum.
Hey honey. I spoke to your dad and I’m so sorry about everything. Please call. We have so much to talk about. I know you’re angry with me and I don’t blame you, but I need to tell you about our family. I love you so much, sweetie, and I want you to know I’m always here for you.
My heart starts pounding, the air choking out of my lungs. I feel like a basketball someone is stomping on until it deflates.
Laila rolls over but doesn’t seem to wake, and I try to stay quiet even though a tsunami of tears threatens to burst.
Breathe, Kira.
Cyrus audibly inhales, and so do I. He exhales, and I do too.
I’m here,he says.
Thank you,I reply.
He is those arms cradling me to sleep.
It sounds strange to say that a vampire makes me feel safe, but he does. Yet that isn’t as wholesome as it sounds because, again, I have to ask myself whether what we have is real or if it’s all to do with this blood connection.
The connection enhances our feelings,Cyrus says.It doesn’t create them.
How do I know you’re telling the truth?
I think, deep down, your heart tells you everything you need to know.
The need to see him becomes urgent.I want to come to you.
It isn’t safe this late at night, he replies.Stay in bed. Rest. Recover. We can meet tomorrow. I’ve read those books, and I want to talk to you about the blood magic keeping me inside my crypt.
Calmer now, I snuggle back into the pillows and close my eyes just before I hear a shuffling sound. Sitting up slightly, I wait, listening. Laila is still. I thought it might be her turning over, but she hasn’t moved. Which means the noise must be coming from the corridor.
Then it’s there again. The scuff of a footstep against stone.
Someone is out in thehall.
It could be one of the teachers checking on the students. I wouldn’t be surprised if Octavia wanted to make sure we were safe.That makes sense. It’s just Octavia checking on us.
Even so, I wait for a moment, listening again. But there’s nothing, just the sound of my own breathing.
I wake in the morning with a start, my muscles clenched. For once, I’m up before Laila and hop straight in the shower. The hot water feels good and helps me unwind, finding the knots deep within my muscles. I guess I’m still a little wired from last night.
I remember the footsteps in the hall. Someone was walking around the castle in the dead of night. Who knows whether it was a teacher checking in on us or a student sneaking out or whatever killed Jenny Valetta?
I shiver, even with the hot water spilling onto my skin.
