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His brow furrows. “I still want some competition along the way. Don’t quit on me yet, tiger.”
He grins and it sends embarrassing flutters circling my chest.
“You sure you’re up for it?” I ask.
He leans in close to me and his lips brush my ear. “I love a good challenge.”
The feel of him so close to me makes my breath hitch. He still does things to me, even after everything we’ve been through.
He pulls away and drags his fingers up my arm. It sends a shiver down my spine.
“See you in a few weeks,” he says, then he walks down the hall.
I’m holding my breath as I watch him walk away.
“There you are!” Sadie calls.
I force myself to smile. “Just needed some air.”
“You were so close, Harper,” she says.
“I know,” I say. “I’ll get ‘em next semester, right?”
She shakes her head, her expression suddenly grim. “Harper, this isn’t good at all.”
“What isn’t good?” I ask.
“The ranks start where we left off next semester.”
“Yeah, so I get to start at number two, right?” I say. “Wait, I start at number one.”
“Yes, you’ll start there and you’ll be a walking target from the very first day,” she says.
I take a deep breath. “I managed okay the last few weeks.”
“You were under Liam, though,” she says. “That’s not the same. They looked to him for direction on what to do with you. Since he’s under you, they’re just going to try to take you out.”
“I’ll figure something out,” I say.
“You better,” she says. “Maybe you can fall in rank fast?”
The thought of giving up the first place spot after working so hard for it doesn’t sit well with me. Even with as challenging as I know it will be to hold it. I shake my head. “No. I can’t give it up. I’m just going to have to find a way to hold it.”
“Well, I’ll help however I can,” she says.
“Thanks,” I say.
“Hey, we’re officially on break for two weeks. What do you say we ditch the uniforms and go to dinner in jeans?” Sadie suggests.
“I like the way you think,” I say.
We walk back to our room. I know things will be quiet around here for a couple of weeks. Most of the students will go home for break and there won’t be any classes. If I’m lucky, I can use the time to learn more about my magic and come up with some ways to better protect myself. Plus, I know Corbin will be here all break. And the two of us haven’t had any alone time in weeks.
And there’s Adrian. But that’s far more complicated that I care to deal with right now.
Dinner with Sadie. That was the distraction I needed. “Margaritas after dinner?”
“Definitely,” she says as she slides her key into our door.
I step into the room and flip the light switch on. Then I scream. Sadie hurries in after me and freezes next to me.
“Oh my gods, Harper,” she says.
“Yeah,” I say as I stare at the bloody mess all over our floor.
An animal carcass is split in two on our living room table. Blood covers the floor and entrails hang from its destroyed body.
On the wall, in blood is a message for me.
Liam can’t help you next time. Say goodbye. I’m coming for you.
