Page 100 of A Drop of Anguish
He blinks as if he’s in a daze. “Candice?”
“Are you headed in?” I point to the doorway to the lunchroom.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Something wrong?”
He nods rapidly. “Yep. Uh-huh. But uh, nothing I didn’t see coming. Just don’t wanna make it worse.”
I tilt my head, watching him. He’s fidgety, but he doesn’t seem particularly fearful. Nervous and awkward, yes. But not afraid.
“Were you spelled?” The backward shirt, I remember, is the sign that he failed the game at the Elite party, so it’s open season on messing with him.
“Confusion stun. Almost wearing off, though. Much better than the itching hex Manuela performed earlier this morning.”
I wince. “Don’t lose truth or dare in Elite Hall,” I mutter as a reminder to myself. This does not look fun.
“Don’t worry, no one would mess with you even if you lost. Jarron wouldn’t allow it.”
“Well, you don’t deserve it either.”
He nods rapidly again. “Damn Thompson put me in a lose-lose situation.”
“Would you like to come sit with me and my friends? We won’t do anything to you.”
He swallows. “Can I walk in behind you?”
I nod. “Stay close.”
I try not to laugh when Elliot crouches behind me as we walk between the tables. Elliot slips into one of the inner chairs, eyeing Thompson suspiciously, as soon as we reach my usual group.
I point to the chuckling Thompson. “You don’t mess with him.”
“Damn, I was hoping you’d have a fun curse potion for him.”
I grimace. “He didn’t do anything wrong. If anyone deserves the ridicule, it’s you for making that stupid dare to start with.”
I flop down in my chair.
“As I seem to remember, my dares did quite well by the end of the night.” Thompson grins.
I try to pretend I’m not blushing. I resist the urge to touch my shiny new bite barks. I make no attempt to hide these ones today, and I will not dwell too long on why that is.
Several tables, including the Elite table, watch us, and I can’t tell if their attention is on Elliot or me. Maybe both. I turn away quickly when I meet Jarron’s hooded gaze, but my lips betray me with a bashful grin.
I introduce Elliot to Janet and Lola. He waves. “I don’t know many pixies,” he comments. “Or trolls, I suppose.”
“You’re missing out,” I say with a smile.
“How did ya’ll like the party?”
“Oh, I didn’t stay long. I just wanted to check it out and then hang out with my boyfriend.” Janet curls her fingers between Marcus’s.
“She was too cool for us.” I wink.
Lola’s wings shimmer, shedding purple dust.
“Lola had a great time,” I say for her.
