Page 72 of Wicked Dove
“What the fuck was that?” she snarls, slamming her fists against her desk as she glares daggers at me.
I run my tongue over my bottom lip as my hands clench at my sides. It takes everything in me to remain calm, refusing to give her the rise she’s looking for. “I’m sorry?”
“Don’t play dumb,” she says with a scoff, anger narrowing her eyes.
“Don’t ask vague questions then,” I retort with a shrug, and she bangs her fists into her desk again, but it doesn’t seem to do anything to calm her.
“What the hell were you doing out there? Was it on purpose? Was it part of your plan to set him off like that?” she hisses, leaning closer with every question she bites out, and I gape at her with wide eyes.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” I snap back, and she stands up tall, arms wide at either side as she shakes her head at me.
“Rion has worked exceptionally hard to restrain his savage side. I don’t expect to see that blow up in smoke over some girl who just arrived.”
“I didn’t ask him to do that,” I mutter, pointing over my shoulder. I didn’t even realize it was Rion until Kael said so. This woman is insane.
“But you asked him to track down your father. I can only imagine what else you’ve had him do for you.” Her lip curls in a sneer as she wags a finger in my direction.
I rear back, surprised by her words. “What?”
Her head dips, her chin pressing against her chest for a moment as she sighs. “I know he wants the location of your father. What did you say to him? I’ll be damned if you get under his skin.”
Definitely insane.
“Are you his mother?” I blurt, unsure where the question actually came from, but here we are.
“Excuse me?”
“Okay, older sister?” I correct with a shrug, and she’s around the desk by the time I blink.
“Who I am to him is none of your concern. Just as you will remain no concern to him. And if you think I’m going to aid him in finding Mr. Warren fucking Blackwood, you?—”
“It was me.” The cold tone comes from behind me and I gulp, not daring to look away from Professor Drayker, but I know that voice. A moment later, the tall, fair-haired vampire is at my side.
“Mr. Forrester, this is a private meeting,” Drayker grunts, and Kael shrugs, completely unfazed by how deranged she’s acting right now.
“I understand, but as her guardian, I’m sure you can understand my concern for my asset. It’s just as you are with Rion, am I right?” He tilts his head at her, cocking a brow for good measure, and when I peer back at her, I find her nodding slightly in agreement.
“Of course,” she breathes, and my eyebrows gather in a mixture of surprise and confusion.
She’s his guardian, but not his parent? That makes about as much sense as Kael being my guardian, but it’s clear there’s a lot here I don’t know about, and I get the feeling I’m better off staying in the dark.
“I’m glad you understand. That’s why I feel it’s paramount that I’m present. Besides, it was I who asked Rion to look into her father. She had no idea. If anything, she would have been against it if she had known. We went behind her back.” His hand lands on my shoulder, grounding me, while also silently offering me his support. Or, maybe he’s just worried I’ll use my magic.
I saw what he did yesterday when that guy wouldn’t leave me alone; about as much as what Rion did today. They’re all insane, but it seems there’s no avoiding it.
Drayker sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose as she steps back. When she drops her hand from her face, her gaze lands on mine instantly. “Stay away from him,” she warns, her finger pointed in my direction again.
I hate being told what to do. The moment she tells me to stay away from him, I want to sprint straight into his arms, even though I’ve been telling myself to keep my distance. It’s always a good idea when it comes from me, but when it comes from someone else, however, I’m furious.
As if sensing the frustration boiling inside of me, Kael squeezes my shoulder tighter as he steers me toward the door. I almost trip over my own feet as I stumble through the doorway. The second Kael manages to get us out into the hallway, Professor Drayker slams her office door shut behind us.
“Where will he have gone?” I ask as Kael’s hand drops from my shoulder, thethumpof the door still echoing around us, but just as quickly as the door closed, it flies back open, and I pause to glance back.
“That’s for me to deal with, not you,” she roars, her knuckles white as she grips the door frame, and I blink at her.
“He’s my friend. I’m not going to ignore him and disregard his safety,” I insist, feeling Kael step up behind me, his front pressing against my back as I stare off with the professor again.
“I’ll make sure you don’t have a choice,” she promises before slamming the door shut for the second time.
