Page 27 of A Drop of Anguish
I’m too shocked to move or react or say anything. Lola, Janet, and Marcus let out panicked gasps, but it isn’t until the walls begin freezing that Thompson notices something amiss.
His arms tense around me, his body frozen in place. We watch the frost cover the walls and crackling over the windows just a few feet over.
“Oh, shit,” he murmurs. Slowly, he removes his arms from around me and gives me a look full of panic. “Is he going to kill me?”
“Sit,” I demand.
He obeys immediately, slipping past and sliding into the chair on my other side.
“No, he’s not going to hurt you,” I say loudly, forcing my gaze up to meet Jarron’s. I nearly wince at the pain I see there, but this is important. “He wouldn’t do that.”
Jarron turns his back to us, and the ice begins to retreat. Excited voices fill the room as everyone begins chattering about what just happened.
“I saw my life flash before my eyes,” Thompson says, head bowed low.
“Yeah, dude, I thought for sure you were a goner,” Marcus whispers.
I shoot him a glare. “Not helping.”
Janet chuckles. “Jarron doesn’t seem the type to kill his competition.”
Thompson’s eyes are still wide as he shakes his head. “That ice is bad news bears. That means his demon is close to the surface. Who the hell knows what could have happened?”
I squint. That’s an interesting demon fact. How does he know that? I didn’t even know that. I mean, yeah, I knew it meant Jarron’s emotions were heightened and his power was on edge, but it connects to his demon?
Creatures from Jarron’s world are casually called demons for no other reason than their true forms look a bit like our human legends of demons. Most of the time, he looks entirely human, but I’ve seen the beast beneath the surface. I’ve seen everything that makes the boy I care about disappear and leave only the monster within.
It still chills me to the bone. That night still haunts me, even if I’ve seen his demon in a more positive light since then—like when he saved me from being crushed by the crumbling arena and carried me back to safety.
Bea explained their “demon” asthe spirit of the beast inside.
It’s that spirit that chose my sister as his mate and ruined everything.
“I might need a place to crash tonight,” Thompson muses.
I snort.
“I’m serious. Can you imagine going back to Elite Hall after that? I have no allies there as it is. If he decides I’m a threat—”
“Jarron isn’t going to harm you for hugging me. I’ll talk to him if that’ll make you feel better.”
Thompson flinches. “I don’t think you understand.” He rings his fingers together, staring absently at them.
“I understand just fine. You don’t know Jarron. He might get worked up, and I don’t suggest you taunt him or anything, but there’s literally nothing happening between us. And even if there was, he’s not going to hurt you unless he thinks you will hurt me. So, don’t be a threat tome,and you’re fine.”
“You’re welcome to sleep in my room,” Marcus says. “Just in case.”
Thompson releases a breath and nods. He runs his hands over his short-trimmed hair. “Damn, that was terrifying.”
I roll my eyes. “It’s kinda funny how scared you are, Mr. Alpha Wolf.”
“Did you see that guy?” Thompson’s eyebrows rise comically high.
I pause, waiting for him to think that through. “I’ve seen that guy plenty,” I say slowly.
His expression doesn’t change. His eyes are massive, his nose flared. Does he know how ridiculous he looks?
Don’t get me wrong, Jarron is scary, I get it, but the big bad rebel wolf is shaking in his boots at the thought of Jarron looking in his direction. I don’t know why, but a hysterical laugh builds up in my chest, and I can’t stop it. I bark out a laugh at how ridiculous this entire situation is.
