Page 77 of Ashes and Lilies
At first, his gaze was icy, impersonal, and heart-stopping. But slowly, soft blue cut through the darkness. A moment later, the tense atmosphere became a distant memory as Julian’s mouth curled into a smile. “Hello, dearest.”
“Hi,” I greeted again, smiling as relief made me lightheaded. “You’re early.”
“I’m not,” he said. “I’m actually late. But it makes sense that you’ve lost track of time.”
I had? But I hadn’t finished my research yet. “I was looking something up,” I explained. “I’m making a plan.”
Amusement flickered across his expression. “Oh, I don’t doubt it.”
Didn’t he want to know about my plan?
“Do you think they realize we’re still here?” Bryce’s sarcastic tone cut through the moment. “Should we remind them?”
“No, I want to watch.” Brayden sounded amused. “This almost makes him seem human. Do you think Anthony knows?”
“Probably,” was Bryce’s dry reply.
“Well,” Finn snapped, “Idon’twant to watch. They can keep that business to themselves.”
At the sound of his voice, Julian’s attention returned to Finn, and he frowned. A trace of shadow colored his expression. “Don’t worry,” Julian said. “You wouldn’t have been invited anyway.”
Brayden gasped, Bryce’s eyebrow rose, and Finn’s mouth closed.
“All right, we’ve dallied long enough.” Julian refocused on me. “Are you ready?”
I glanced at the pile of books on my desk. It was rude to leave them. But at the same time, I didn’t like how Julian was still looking at Finn. The tension was making me fear for my ex-friend’s life.
“I’ll put these back for you,” Brayden said, seemingly reading my mind. “Unless you’d like me to check them out?”
I looked at Brayden and pressed my lips together.
“It’s not a bother,” he added.
“You can bring them?” I asked. “You’re a student here, right?”
“Yes.” Brayden winked. “I’m a senior information science major. So, the librarians know me pretty well. I can bring them to you tonight.”
This was excellent news. “You’ll help me with my plans?” I asked him.
“Don’t say yes, Brayden.” Finn stepped out from behind Bryce. “There’s something you don’t understand. When she makes plans—”
“This is between me and Brayden,” I cut Finn off before Julian could intervene. Was he completely stupid? I was trying to protect him, and he was screwing it up.
I wasn’t even sure why I cared. However, I was beginning to suspect that Julian hated Finn far more than the others. Also, Damen wouldn’t like it if Julian killed his brother.
The last thing I wanted was for Julian and Damen to get into a fight.
“One second,” I told Julian, releasing his hand. I stepped past the others and gathered my bag and notebooks before glancing at the pile again and back to Brayden. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all.” Brayden waved his hand, unconcerned. “Go ahead. I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.” I returned to Julian. He swung my backpack over his shoulder, then grabbed my hand and began to steer me from the group.
“Bye,” I said, not looking at Finn or Bryce. But it would be rude to ignore Brayden.
Brayden smiled again. I wasn’t sure why he was happy—the atmosphere was suffocating. “Bye now.”
Julian’stense jaw relaxed as we left the library and headed to his car, but even after he closed my door and slipped into the driver’s seat, there was still an intensity to him that could no longer be ignored.
