Page 93 of A Drop of Anguish
I bite my lip as I watch the traffic jam of supernaturals at the door. Jarron didn’t say a word. How did everyone get the message all at once? Did I miss some announcement?
Thompson looks over his shoulder from the crowd and winks in our direction. I get the feeling it was not for me. “What the hell is his deal?”
“Thompson?”
“Yes.”
Jarron leans in, running his nose along my collarbone. “You’re only friends, right?”
I shiver. “Yes. But isn’t it weird he’s so forward about pushing us together?”
“Why would it be? Wouldn’t your girl friends do the same if they thought two people should be together?”
I bite the inside of my lip. Maybe? I’m not positive Janet or Lola would be so manipulative, even if they thought it was in my best interest, but I could definitely imagine some girls doing that. So, is it actually weird? Or am I thinking too much into it?
“Wait,” I say suddenly, jerking my head back. “What about Lola?”
“What about her?”
“Who is she with? She needs—”
“She’s taken care of,” Jarron assures me with another squeeze to my thigh. “Stassi,” he calls, his voice low enough I doubt anyone could have heard it over the still-blaring music.
And yet, Stassi approaches within a second, Lola sitting daintily on his shoulder. “What’s up, boss?”
“You wouldn’t dare hurt that girl, would you?”
Stassi stands up straight. “Never.”
“You are in charge of making sure she makes it back to Minor Hall safely. Understood?”
He nods.
I point straight at Stassi’s face. Unlike Laithe’s friend, Stassi is not intimidated. “If anything happens to her, I’ll kill you.”
Stassi smirks. “You mean your boyfriend will kill me.”
I slip my fingers into my pocket and pull out a tiny vial full of glistening blue liquid. “No. I mean I will.”
Stassi’s eyes widen. Jarron’s fingers clench over my thigh, fingers digging into my skin.
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Laithe lifts his fist in my direction just before tossing his arm back over the small blond boy and walking through the open door behind several other supernaturals.
Lola flutters up and around until she’s buzzing beside my head. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Janet will want a full report from both of us.”
I grin and watch as they leave the room together. The door clicks shut behind them, and the room is empty, though still with the red flashing lights and heavy music.
“Is the music necessary?”
Jarron tilts his head, and the music halts, just like that. “Not if you don’t like it.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t like it.”
“Would you like it to stay on?”
I breathe deep. If we leave it on, we’ll keep kissing, and if we keep kissing… I don’t know that I can be responsible for what else happens tonight. Though, even knowing that risk, I’m not ready to leave. “Not right now. I’m kind of surprised by your taste, though.”
“I have eclectic tastes. That felt more appropriate for a demon prince’s party than say Ella Fitzgerald or even Jimmy Hendrix.”
