Page 45 of Savage Torment

I might regret it in the bleak moments that follow, but that’s just my anxiousness over the sudden change rearing its ugly head. I’m sure I’ll face more consequences for storming from Juniper’s class, but that’s an issue for another day. Right now, if I don’t want to be in someone’s proximity, then I won’t. It’s as simple as that. I’m just going to do whatIwant to do, and not what others want for their gain.

The gentle breeze carries me across the perfectly manicured lawn before the familiar entry to the maze greets me. Without even realizing it, my subconscious has led me right where I need to be. I step under the arch and I relish in the peace of being here as I work my way a little deeper into the trimmed shrubbery before I flop down on the grass.

My bag tumbles in one direction as my hair catches on the bush behind me, but I don’t move. Feeling the clipped grass tickle at any exposed skin, I take a deep breath, followed by another until they feel lighter. Pressing my palms into the grass, I hum, letting nature cool my pent-up stress.

If I lie here for long enough, will the world forget I exist? CouldIforget that I exist? Or the fact that my problems do, at least?

It doesn’t really matter. Not when the swift breeze of contentment floats over me. The tension seeps from my bones, easing my muscles, and I hum with the sense of relief I’ve been desperately seeking since I woke up in the medical center.

A branch snaps close by, pulling me from my thoughts, and my heart skips a beat. I can sense them drawing closer without my magic. It’s almost like they have a beacon set on me and I shiver.

“Tatum?”

When no response comes, doubt sets in.

Pressing my palms firmly into the ground, I shift to sit up, a few tendrils of my hair still clinging to the bush behind me as my eyes lock on the intruder.

“You,” I grunt, lips tight as I glare at the man now standing in the opening leading to the center of the maze.

Amusement dances in his eyes. “Me.”

His aura shifts the air around us and I scurry to my feet, wrapping my arms around my waist to feel less… vulnerable.

“What are you doing here, Blaze?”

He tucks his hands into his pockets, tilting his head to the side as he assesses me. “I heard you ran off.”

My eyebrows pull together in confusion. “How did you hear that?”

He shrugs.

Just like Wylder does, only his shrugs don’t leave me relaxed and content.

No.

I feel more on pins than ever as he stares into my soul.

“Well, you can fuck off,” I decide, waving my hand at him before quickly wrapping it around my middle again, silently pleased with myself for standing firm, but he scoffs despite my efforts.

“I’ll stay.”

“No, you won’t,” I reiterate just as the sound of his cell phone vibrating in his pocket cuts through the air. He doesn’t pull it out to see the notification, but his jaw ticks an inch higher.

“B is in danger.”

“Wait, what?” I take an instinctive step toward him but stop immediately and he shrugs. Again.

“That’s why I had to leave you at the hospital with the wolves.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“Nothing… yet, but keeping him hidden isn’t working as well as I had hoped.”

“I don’t understand,” I mutter, tingles zipping up my arms as I stare at him.

“Neither do I.”

I scoff, disbelief clinging to every rasp. “That makes no sense.”

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