The Game of Shadows

DELLA

The history of the realms class is dragging on like a never-ending saga. I can’t seem to focus, and it’s not because of Sorin and Micha this time. I’m just so tired, and I have this eerie feeling of being watched. It’s making me jumpy. So much so that when Sorin reaches for my hand, I almost jump out of my skin.

“Hey, you want to get out of here?” Micha asks. I nod, quickly packing up my things. Without uttering a word, the three of us slip out of the class. I doubt the professor even noticed our absence.

We wander aimlessly through the corridors until we find ourselves in front of the library. It seems like a good idea to stop by. I could use this time to research more about Sin-Eaters and Scions.

I pick up a hefty book titled ~The Encyclopedia of Demons~ and start flipping through the index. I need to know more. I need to understand how to protect myself and the guys. I need to…

“Della, are you okay?” Sorin’s voice startles me, pulling me out of my spiraling thoughts.

“No, not really. I think it’s all just starting to get to me,” I confess.

Micha and Sorin sit down next to me on the floor. I don’t remember sitting down, but here we are.

“It’s okay. We’re here for you,” Sorin reassures me.

“I know. But it feels harder now. I have people to worry about. I feel like I need to be everywhere you guys are and still be aware of what’s around me,” I admit.

“You know you don’t have to carry all this burden alone,” Micha says, looking into my eyes.

“But it’s my fault,” I whisper.

Suddenly, I’m turned to face Sorin. “No, it’s not,” he says firmly. “He’s trying to kill you. You are not at fault because you want to live. It’s ~his~ fault. Do you understand?” His crystal-blue eyes are blazing. I nod before he pulls me into a soft kiss. “You deserve better than what you’ve been given. I need you to believe us,” he whispers.

I nod again, unsure of how to respond.

“Let’s get out of here. We can check out the book and study it tonight,” Micha suggests.

“Sounds good. I need to grab a change of clothes for my hot date tonight anyway,” I say, chuckling at the change of subject.

“All right, let’s head to the dorm and then we’ll go to power training.”

“Sounds good,” I agree, standing up. I watch their auras blush pink as they find themselves eye-level with the hem of my skirt. I giggle as I step over Sorin’s lap, giving them both a good view.

I hear them scramble up to follow me, making me feel pretty good about myself for a change. We’re on our way to the dorms when I feel the familiar itch in my mind.

~Hide.~

I pull the guys around a corner, putting a finger to my lips. They wisely stay quiet and press against the wall. It’s not long before I hear footsteps approaching.

“Well? Is it done?” Raziel asks.

“No, your holiness, she wasn’t in class or the nurse’s office,” a second voice replies.

“We need this done quickly,” Raziel seethes.

“Yes, sir. I will take care of her. The bitch is mine,” the second man growls.

“You better,” Raziel threatens before I hear them walk away.

I keep Micha and Sorin still until the itch in my brain fades, letting me know it’s safe.

“Are you okay, sweetness?” Micha asks.

“I don’t know,” I admit. The air feels heavy around me. “Let’s just go,” I mumble.

As we pass into the dorms, I pet the gargoyles. They purr, making me smile. I lead Micha and Sorin to my room and notice my bed is still a mess. Oops. Micha smiles and lies down, his copper eyes on me.

“So… What are you wearing tonight?” Sorin asks. “Do we get a show?” He wiggles his eyebrows, making me laugh.

“If I give you a show, we won’t make it to our next class,” I point out.

He just shrugs and flops on the bed next to Micha. “Worth it.”

I dig into my dresser. I don’t have much, but Lily always gave me her hand-me-downs when she got tired of an outfit. So, I do have some nice things. What I’m really nervous about is the date itself.

“So, what do you guys think?” I ask, looking through my clothes.

“About what?” Sorin asks.

“Tenn.”

“Oh. I like him. It seems like he really cares about you,” Micha says with a shrug.

“I know Kade has already talked with him, but I’m on the same page.” Sorin grins.

“Kade talked to him? About what?” I ask, whipping around to face them.

“About watching how he talks to you if he wants to be part of your life,” he says with a mischievous grin. “Tenn is a good guy. He just has a bit of an issue with seeing people being mistreated—which isn’t really an issue in a partner if you ask me. He just needs to learn to express himself better.” Facts.

“Do you not like him? We can tell him to back off,” Micha offers.

“It’s not that,” I assure them. “I’ve always thought he was attractive, but we just seem to clash on everything. I honestly thought he couldn’t stand me, and now we’re going on a date.”

“I see. I think it will clear everything up once you guys spend some time together away from school,” Micha says as I go back to rifling through my clothes. He brings up a good point.

I grab a navy blue bodycon dress with a low back that zips all the way down and a little black slip dress with lace at the neckline. I raise an eyebrow as I hold them up against myself in the mirror.

“I like the shiny black one,” Micha says, one side of his mouth crooking up in a flirtatious smile.

“But is it a dress I should wear in public?” I ask.

“No… I want that one for us.” His half-smile turns into a full grin.

“Deal.” I wink and put them both in my backpack. “Do we know what the plan is over the weekend?” I ask.

“I thought we were staying at your place,” Sorin says.

“We can. I just didn’t know if everyone was on board with that.” I shrug. I grab my heels, makeup bag, and some extra clothes.

“You may want to change into your power training clothes here,” Micha suggests.

“Oh, yeah… You’d be alone in the changing room,” Sorin agrees. “We don’t want you alone.”

“Oh, I guess so. That wouldn’t be good,” I mutter, grabbing my leggings and slipping them on under my skirt. “Micha, do you want to grab some clothes while we’re here?” I ask, taking off my shirt and bra and replacing them.

“I guess I better,” he grumbles, not getting up from where he’s settled on my bed, still watching me.

Sorin snaps his fingers, and two duffle bags appear out of thin air and drop onto the bed in front of him.

“I got you, fellow consort,” he says with a wide grin. Oh, Lord.

“Cool! We ready to go?” Micha asks.

“Ready when you are.” I smile, putting my hair up and grabbing my bag.