Page 97 of Savage Torment

Bryony waltzes in with Minnie a step behind her, and they practically screech to a stop when they see me. Guilt washes over both of their features and the discreet little hand holding is gone as they leap away from one another.

“Hey, uh, are you okay? Tatum has been hiding you all to himself and we’ve been worried,” Minnie states, plastering a smile on her face.

“Why are you hiding?” I blurt, cocking a brow at them both, and for once, I get to enjoy somebody else blush. Or two somebody else's. It seems I’m lucky today.

“We, uh, I… Minnie?” Bryony rattles, staring with wide eyes at my other friend. I expect Minnie to take control of the situation, wave it off and make us all laugh, but she looks just as dumbfounded as Bryony.

Clearly, this one is down to me.

“Okay, am I to safely assume, as I have for quite some time, that my two friends are more than friends?” They both snap their attention to me, wide eyes blinking rapidly like they’re still unsure whether they can admit it or not.

Minnie clears her throat first. “If they were?” Worry shimmers in her eyes, and I hate the sight of it immediately.

“Then I would say congratulations,” I reply cautiously, despite the desire to jump up and down and clap with joy.

“You would?” Bryony clarifies, and I nod.

“Why would I not?” I ask, my eyebrows gathering, and Minnie offers me a tight smile.

“I don’t know. Maybe because they don’t want to leave you out, or make you feel like you’re not important. But also maybe because they’re from different factions and if that’s not frowned upon enough, there is definitely no dick involved and?—”

“I love you guys,” I interject, hating the worry in her eyes. “Regardless of who you are or who you like. Nothing matters but our friendship.”

I’m engulfed in their joint embrace a moment later, and I hug them back, but the pain in my stomach makes me groan and Minnie leans back, a confused question in her eyes.

“Sorry, I’m also cramping like a bitch. But this isn’t about me,” I insist, and Bryony giggles.

“Technically, we haven’t said it’s about us either.”

The three of us chuckle, the moment settling before Minnie claps her hands. “Oh, this is perfect. We can have a girls’ day,” she declares, and I shake my head.

“Hell no. I’m not getting in the way.”

Bryony rolls her eyes as Minnie wags a finger at me. “Please, we’re besties. We also deserve some relaxation before our lives are all upended,” she states, and I hum in agreement. A day off from classes with my friends sounds… perfect. Cramps be damned.

“So, what do you say?” Bryony asks, and I nod.

“It sounds like a plan.”

“Excellent. Besides, you can explain that,” Minnie states, pointing a finger at me.

I follow her line of sight, panic pulsing through me when I see what has her attention. The bite mark that lingers on my skin, peeking out.

Dammit.

“About that…” I start, and she waves me off.

“Not yet. I’ve got the perfect idea. You can tell us then.”

“There’s nothing to tell,” I insist, and she smirks.

“It’s not every day a witch is marked by a wolf, Polaris. We want details, and sushi. Maybe the other way around because I’m starving, but regardless, we need both. ASAP.”

“We’re off campus?”I murmur, excitement pooling in my gut as I glance between Bryony and Minnie, but it’s the latter who nods.

She’s the organizer of organizing, and I love it.

“Girl, we haven't been off campus since we went to the theme park. It’s well overdue,” she states like it’s a given, likewe’ve earned it, and I smile, turning to glance at the pretty surroundings that don’t belong to Trinity Falls Academy, and even better, don’t resemble Florentine’s at all.

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