Page 38 of Venomous Lies
Not for long.
Chapter 12
Isla
THURSDAY
“Miss Hallowes. There are things we need to discuss,” Professor Ambrose called right after dismissing the class.
Unsurprised, I didn’t bother to move from the table where I was seated. Most other students left in a hurry, though the girl that had talked to me after my first class, Violet, looked between the two of us in concern before she followed suit.
Ambrose appeared just as ruffled as he had in the library. Sparks of power flickered in his orange and red gaze. Today, he was wearing dark gray slacks and a black shirt with the beautiful coat he had worn the first time we had met.
I studied its workmanship, letting the silence between us grow before I finally met his gaze. But he wasn’t staring at my face, waiting for my attention. No, he was glaring at my mate mark since I had rolled up the sleeves of my shirt earlier in class.
‘Yes, definitely not something you did for his reaction at all, beastie.’
‘That was just a bonus,’I replied defensively.
‘Are you really this delusional, or are you playing games with me?’Cas snarked.
‘Shut up.’
“Is there something I did in class today—?” I began, but he cut me off with a mocking laugh.
“I think we’re past some pretenses, Isla,” he crooned as his stare moved up to my face, his lips bent in a cruel smile. “I’ve given you plenty of time to think over what we… discussed the last time we met, and now I’m done being patient.”
Blinking slowly, I sat back, unsure what to say. When I licked my lips, the movement instinctive rather than teasing, Ambrose’s smile turned into a grin.
‘Told you he wasn’t someone you could play games with.’
“I see you do remember then. Have you got the correct answer for me then, witch?”
“I’m mated,” I replied briskly, trying to ignore the pounding of my heart.
“Witches have multiple mates and other dalliances during their lifetime.” He tilted his head, assessing me just like a predator would, as if trying to figure out the best way to spring his trap. “I’m not interested in more than getting my fill, witchling. Don’t misconstrue this to be more than it is. There’s something here between us, and we can satisfy that without all the mess you seem to find yourself in the middle of with that incubus and Bricriu.”
‘Beastie—’
“So, let me get this straight, to make sure I’m not misunderstanding,” I said as I stood up. “You want to, what, fuck me then move on? Get a taste to satisfy your curiosity then leave?”
“Are you offended?” Likely hearing the shakiness in myvoice, he arched an eyebrow before he shrugged. “I told you I wasn’t going to play any games with you, not like that at least. We’re both adults. Plenty of people have sex for the hell of it.”
He moved toward me quickly, pinning me against the table so firmly that it was impossible to get away. Ambrose lowered his head, letting his lips brush against my ear as he continued. The featherlight contact made me shiver, something he was all too aware of with how closely we were pressed together.
“Don’t get things twisted or complicated. I’ve wanted more than just a small taste of you since you challenged me in your garden. I want to watch you completely break apart beneath my hands. Your cries will haunt you, and your begging will make me savor the memory of your flesh long after you’re gone from this world.”
I could barely hear anything over my ragged breathing and the pounding of my heart. Spice and a hint of sweetness surrounded me, a scent that I’d already come to associate with the fae in front of me.
‘Isla—’
‘I… I don’t know?—’
Power and darkness rushed forward, washing over me as I took a backseat to Cassius. He rose to the surface and took over my body, leaving me watching the world as though I was peeking from behind an almost blurry window.
“Sounds like you want a plaything more than just a one-night situation,” I heard myself say, though somehow it sounded slightly different than if I were talking. “If you’ll excuse me, I have work I need to do.”
I shoved at the fae in front of me and grabbed my bag before striding out of the classroom.
