Page 58 of A Taste of Torment
I look up at the ceiling and consider that. “What’s the old Candice?” I ask finally. I know I’ve changed a bit, and being here has definitely thrown me off and made me an annoying, scared version of myself. But I’m curious what he thinks is the old me.
His wolfish smile is back. “You may not have magic, Candice, but I’ve never met a stronger person on the inside. You are incredibly shrewd and resilient and brave. Stubbornly so, which explains why you’d come to this school with plans of revenge.”
I chuckle, but it fades quickly. “Magic or not, I’m going to kill who ever hurt her.”
“Good,” he growls.
“And I don’t want you to do it for me.”
He pauses, eyeing his own drink. After a minute, he asks, “How do you intend to do it?”
I shrug. “Depends on who it is. But I’ll find a way.” Maybe it’ll require an illegal death potion. Maybe I’ll find a way to weaken them and then strangle them to death the way they did her.
I strongly suspect my villain is a demon based on the context clues in my sister’s journal, but I don’t know for sure. Her lover was almost certainly a demon. There are only maybe three known supernaturals that could have mated with her in a way that would have made her more powerful, and only one of those species goes to this school. But there’s still a small possibility her lover wasn’t the one that killed her.
We let the silence stretch between us for several more minutes until our glasses are completely dry.
“There are different kinds of power,” he mutters, seemingly to himself. “Magic is only one.”
My lips curl into a cruel smile. This is a truth I’ve always known but have let myself forget sometimes.
“You are not weak, Candice. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel that way.”
I pull in a long breath, considering those words. I have done that, haven’t I? I had some form of power yesterday, over Jarron. He was following my command.
But it’s not enough.
Yes, it’s nice to have Jarron as my shield, but I cannot rely on him. Even if he’s being sincere, even if he had nothing to do with my sister’s death, he is not a permanent solution.
We’re not really dating. He is not planning to make me his bonded.
Even if this friendship is real and strong, he won’t be around forever. I must stand on my own.
“I have another question for you.” He fidgets with the empty mug in his grasp. His lips curl into a bashful smile. “We talked about how much time we’d spend together, and it’s modest. But we haven’t talked about PDA.”
“As in public displays of affection?”
He nods slowly.
My lips part. “We hold hands, don’t we?” A few times, as we’ve walked through Elite Hall. It’s not a lot, I know, but—
“Do you think that’s enough to convince them you’re mine?”
My heart is suddenly jack hammering in my chest. We’ve now beendatingfor almost two weeks. “Has anyone said something? Other than Aurie.” It’s probably a stupid question. I know they’ve been talking.
He chuckles. “All the time.”
“Really?”
He shrugs. “It’s all joking, of course. Guys likes to rag on each other, and shifters are extremely affectionate beings. It’s strange to them to see a couple who barely touches.”
My eyebrows rise as I consider that.
“I’ve told you before that we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. I mean it. We don’t ever have to touch if that’s what you want. We don’t ever have to be alone together. But the more we sell this, the easier it will be for you to fit in with the group. The more you fit in, the more people will come to you with their problems and offer secrets to get in with you. There are girls here that will do anything to be your best friend. If we make people believe this is real, that you could be a long-term addition to my life, you’ll have the in you need to investigate anything and everything.”
I swallow. “Well, what did you have in mind?”
He has a point. So far, everyone has kept me at arm’s reach, unsure what my role really is, and I don’t blame them. I have been a deer in the headlights.
