Page 92 of Dark Embers

“New phoenix student,” Caesar said to the militant man guarding the entrance.

To my relief, the man nodded without question, letting us go through. I kept my face fixed to the floor as we passed the line of students, only taking a much-needed gasp of air when we’d gotten out of sight of the last one.

“See, that wasn’t so bad,” Caesar whispered to me. “We shouldn’t come across many more people on our way to the hospital wing.”

I nodded, still not daring to raise my head, even though I desperately wanted to look around and soak up the magnificence of this place. Occasionally, I peeked out beneath the shield of my hood, marveling at the metal wolves and dragons formed in thewalls and archways. Yes, I belonged here. And after this, I’d be one step closer to proving that to everyone.

Chapter 33

Tobias

With Arya sitting so close to me, her sweet scent mingling with the buttery popcorn she was eating as she laughed at the screen, I couldn’t pay a single moment of attention to the movie we’d come here to watch.

I’d hoped to sit on the outside of the group next to Niko, but Ashlyn had screwed up the seating arrangement, shoving Niko to the end of the aisle and encouraging Arya to sit on her other side before I could get a word in edgewise. I couldn’t exactly say that I hated sitting right beside my imprinted mate, but it certainly wasn’t helping the situation.

Neither was the way she looked in her sweater and boots.

I was honestly surprised that she’d agreed to go on this double date with me. I knew she was doing it as a favor to Ashlyn, the same way I was for Niko, but it still humbled me anyway. I wasn’t going to screw it up this time.

Shepherd’s story had been on my mind every day since he’d told me. He’d only severed his imprint bond when his heart stopped. Not even I was foolhardy enough to attempt a fake suicide because, as much as I hated this imprint, I didn’t want to risk dying to get rid of it. Being friends with Arya was a much better alternative. I was determined to make the friend zone my spotlight and shine like no other guy before.

It was just really hard when she smelled so good and looked so good, not to mention that I hadn’t gotten laid since before she enrolled at the Dome.

The crowd laughed at whatever just happened on screen, so I faked a laugh, too, so no one would think I was as robotic as I usually seemed. I glanced at my friends to gauge if they’d noticed my lack of attention.

Niko was looking down at Ashlyn’s hand in his, and the silly grin on his face was enough to warm even my stupid heart. This was why I was here, to make this date happen for them.

Arya shifted her position, uncrossing and recrossing her legs, and the smell of her mild arousal sent my head spinning. I physically had to grab my chin and turn my head back in the direction of the screen.

On the one hand, it was nice to know she was still attracted to me, but this outing would be so much easier if she wasn’t. I couldn’t help but wonder if she could sense my attraction as easily as I could hers.

Even with my eyes trained on the screen, I didn’t realize the movie had ended until the overhead lights undimmed and people began to shuffle around us.

While the credits rolled, we followed the line of moviegoers to the exit.

“Such a good movie!” Ashlyn said as we inched closer to the door.

“Hilarious!” Niko agreed, draping his arm over Ashlyn’s shoulder.

“I know! I kinda hated the whole love triangle thing, though,” Arya said, rolling her eyes. “So cliche.” She looked over her shoulder at me. “What did you think, Tobias?”

I hadn’t been expecting to give any commentary. I really should’ve tried harder to pay attention. “I…didn’t hate it.”

Arya snickered and shook her head.

Smooth move, dumbass.

We came out onto the sidewalk, the nippy air chilling the dragon within me, like nature challenging me to heat things up. That was why I almost preferred winter to summer—no fun playing with fire when it was already hot out.

I followed the gang along the busy street toward Mack’s Diner. Colorful string lights hanging outside storefronts burst to life with the coming of afternoon, lighting our path in a festive way I didn’t entirely dislike.

Ashlyn and Niko held hands again, walking side-by-side and edging Arya out. Rather than walking behind like the forgotten third wheel, she slowed a bit to walk beside me, making me no longer the abandoned fourth wheel.

“Aren’t they cute together?” she asked, inclining her head toward me.

“Actually, they’re kinda perfect for each other,” I agreed, a pang of jealousy flaring in the pit of my stomach.

How much easier things would be if I didn’t have that stupid curse hanging over my head. I wouldn’t have to push her away, wouldn’t have to settle for just friendship with her. I glanced longingly at the happy couple, strolling arm-in-arm. That could be me and Arya right now.

---