Page 81 of A Taste of Torment
“I’m just saying. No committed boyfriend would leave her all alone to face the wolves.” Tommy laughs.
I ignore the comment. “Thanks,” I say, continuing to ignore the creep.
I look up at the intricate structure as I pass through the metal vines protecting the archway. They constrict the moment I’m under them. Nothing else happens, and I keep walking.
Once past the barrier, I rush forward, away from the wolves, and rush to find Jarron. He’s sitting in one of the large armchairs in the sunroom, where the black willow hangs over the glass panels. Trevor, Stassi, and Bea are in the chairs surrounding him.
His posture is casual, slumped in the chair with an air of arrogance that gets under my skin in uncomfortable ways. He flicks a brow as I approach.
I’m one part relieved, one part annoyed as hell.
“My, my, candy—” Stassi says, his grin wide. “Can I call you candy? You are a snack, after all.”
“No,” Jarron and I say at once. Bea chuckles.
“I was wondering if you’d come,” Jarron says lightly.
I cross my arms. “I thought you were meeting me to work on my potion, but I guess not.”
He blinks, a sincere expression of surprise flickering across his face. He sits up straighter. “I totally forgot about that.”
I consider saying more, but my stomach is still in knots from the trip in here. From the way that wolf looked at me.
Like a meal.
Jarron leans forward. “You all right?”
“Mhmm,” I answer, unsure if that’s actually true. We talked last night about his concern for my safety. He said he doesn’t trust the wolves, but the next day, he leaves me alone and I’m confronted by one. For some reason, that hurts.
He doesn’t owe me anything, I remind myself. I won’t have him to protect me forever, so I may as well get used to it.
“I’m gonna go to the library,” I say and begin walking before I can expose any more of these stupid emotions. I walk quickly through the hall, passing a few supernaturals without so much as a glance to tell if I know them or what caste they belong to.
“Hey,” Jarron calls.
I take in a long deep breath before he catches up. Determination fills me.I don’t need him. It doesn’t matter. None of it.
His hand wraps around my upper arm, and he pulls me to a stop. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I say. Though, I meet his stare, my heart still beats unevenly. “This is what we planned, right?”
He frowns, looking me over. “You’re mad. Is this about last night?”
I clasp my hands together “No.”
“Then, what? Did something happen? Someone say something?”
“No.”
“You’re mad I didn’t come to Under Hall this morning?”
“No.”
He throws up his hands. “Then, what is it?” He’s frustrated, but his voice is strained. He’s also concerned. Some of my ice melts.
“Nothing. I’m fine. I was just a bit nervous coming here today. And I had to walk in alone.” I shake my head. I consider mentioning the wolves, but nothing happened there, and I don’t want him to worry or get angry.
“We should have talked about this a bit more. I should have—” He run his hand through his hair.
