Page 40 of A Taste of Torment
“They didn’t saythatat the table.”
“No, they know better. It would be my duty to rip them to shreds for implying I was weak enough for you to manipulate me.”
My brow furrows.
“So, instead, they twisted it around. They’re seeking to get under my skin or yours. Auren’s been spreading the rumors, and I’m growing quite annoyed.” His voice lowers until it’s a near growl.
“If you know she’s spreading the rumors, why don’t you do something about it?”
“She doesn’t know that I know. I’m giving her the opportunity to reverse course or double down.”
I press my lips together. If she doubles down… “What exactly does ‘rip to shreds’ mean?” Is it a figure of speech or—
He gives me a knowing look, and the implication sends a shiver down my spine.Literal, or close to it. Got it. I take a bowl of the same brownish soup from my first day and a roll. Jarron examines my plate. “You don’t eat much,” he comments. “I seem to remember you having a larger appetite.”
My cheeks warm. “Lunch isn’t my biggest meal. I spend more time… thinking than eating.”
“I see.”
“Don’t worry. I eat more than enough during breakfast and dinner.”
He grunts but says no more. Meanwhile, he covers his plate in suspiciously rare meat. I’ve never had the stomach to ask about a demon’s diet. They drink blood. I think? But perhaps that isn’t all they eat of their prey.
I hold my chin high as we walk back to the table. The cafeteria is hushed, everyone silently gawking.
They’re wondering,How?If not for a spell, then why?
Who am I that Jarron would want me?
I’m no one,I want to tell them.Just the ghost of vengeance, and I’ll be gone soon.
* * *
Auren’s eyesare even icier than usual when we take our seats back at the Elite table.
“Proud of yourself, are you?”
“Careful,” Jarron growls.
I’m tired of being the lost sheep. I may be prey, but I’m not willing to let that fear become me. I take a bite of my soft roll and hold back a moan. Jarron stills, his attention shifting to me with a quirk of his brow. Okay, maybe I didn’t hold it back as well as I thought.
My cheeks redden.
“Is that a new sound to your ears, Jarron?” Manuela says, her voice like a purr.
The table giggles.
“Oh, he’s heard plenty.” Auren sits up straighter. The giggling settles.
“Perhaps not to his liking, however.” Manuela’s words find their mark, and Auren flinches.
The chuckles are muted this time.
This is not the direction I expected this conversation to go, but I’m certainly learning from it.Auren and Jarron have been intimate.
That news is not supposed to bother me.
“It is certainly something different when it’s with someone you actuallylike,” Trevor says.
