Page 35 of Above
Moments passed, nothing but secrets and assumptions between us. Then, to my surprise, Zade let his smile fall.
“We might not know each other well, but I can see in you what I think even you can’t. I’ve already told you before, you have the potential to be so much more than you understand.”
“I’m one of the worst in our class of trainees, so spare me the pep talk. You either tell me your real reason or you leave me the fuck alone.”
Sighing, he brought his hand up to his face, pinching the bridge of his nose until his russet skin turned red. “Utterly impossible woman,” he mumbled.
“Bye,” I grunted.
“No, wait! Okay, okay. I wasn’t lying before, but I also think you will be a big help to me in the black phase. If you haven’t guessed yet, us core kids aren’t exactly mentally sound. I will need your help later just as much as you need mine now.”
Scrutinizing him, I allowed myself a moment to think.
Would a core family not teach their children everything they knew about Elite Academy? Maybe if they wanted them to fail. But no, their legacy was everything to them. Their entire argument when it came to purity relied on their own superiority. So he was lying then. Yes, he had a fucked up childhood, but his parents would never let him fail this.
“I don’t believe you.” He threw his head back, groaning in what sounded like exasperation. “The truth would save us both time.”
“Fine! I like you, okay? I find you interesting and exciting. Selfishly, I want more time with you, which means I’m more than willing to get you through this phase. Is that good enough for you?”
Liked me? Please. I’d sooner believe that he wanted my help. But I could see him potentially wanting to sleep with me. Perhaps Zade had a secret fondness for naked of eadi.
Well, sex could be bartered, at least. But was it worth it? How, beyond the training, could he help me?
For the first time since we met at the border, Altair had perfect timing. He, along with a group of our doting classmates, walked through the double doors, our eyes meeting briefly.
Zade could protect me.
“Lets go to your room,” I mumbled, grabbing Zade by the sleeve and dragging him toward the doors that led outside. He remained silent, dutifully following my lead as I took us into the night and headed to the barracks.
Talon showed me around his room with bright eyes and bouncing steps, not that there was much to see. As I previously noted, he had his own bathroom and an enormous closet, but there wasn’t a ton filling the space. It was exactly as it had been two weeks before. My roommates had decorated our room with items from home, but I had been too afraid to even unpack my books. The possibility of them turning on me was too high, and they could destroy everything if they wanted.
“You can sit anywhere. What’s mine is yours,” he hummed between smiling lips.
“We aren’t getting married, Talon, it’s just an agreement.”
“I love it when you say my name.”
“Stars above.” Groaning, I crossed my arms, shielding myself from his supposed affections.
“So, what did you realize you could get from me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Suddenly you wanted to come to my room after trying to run away from me,” he pointed out, his voice teasing as he sat down on his plush bed. “What changed your mind?”
“Maybe I like you too.”
“Eventually you will, but that’s not what got you here. You’re a thinker. That big brain of yours saw an advantage to this. What is it?”
Did I give away my desires now? When he still held so much of the power? He knew that I would benefit from any training he offered me, but that hadn’t been enough before, so clearly it wouldn’t be enough now.
Yes, best to just be honest. “I want you to protect me from your friends.”
“That’s it? I’m already doing that.”
What a poor job you’ve done, then.
Getting to the important part of the deal, I straightened my back and lifted my chin before saying, “If sex is what you want in exchange for the training and the protection, that’s fine with me.”
