Page 13 of Bizarre Bonds
If I totally snub her, Gloss will give me the cold shoulder the next time I actually want some company that won't irritate me to death. So I push myself off the bed and slip outside through the shadow beneath the door without bothering to open it.
Gloss has always been curious to see the inside of my room. Maybe even to see what I might try to do with her in that room. But that space is for me and me alone. If I ever get up close andpersonal with Gloss, it'll be inherbed like all the other beings I've had a little fun with.
As I materialize in front of her, Gloss offers me one of her usual subdued smiles. She fingers the front of my shirt, coyly flirtatious, and hesitates at the glimmer of light that peeks from beneath my collar.
A shudder runs through her slender frame. "That's—that's what the tiny freak put on you. Haven't they found a way to get it off yet?"
With a grimace, I pull away from her. "The headmaster seems to think it'll wear off on its own eventually."
Gloss wrinkles her nose. "But marking someone is so... so trite.” Her voice hardens as if it’s iced over. “She can't justclaimyou like you belong to her. Can't you do anything to break this bond or whatever it is?"
Does she think I wouldn’t have already tried? If I hadn’t, why would she figure I'd do it just because she asked?
Because in Gloss's mind, I belong toher.She claimed me as the being she wanted to slink around the school with just a few days after my arrival, reform student or not.
I don’t know where she got the idea that we'll have anything in common when we're out of this place. My goals are probably closer to Peri's than they are to hers. She just sees me as a means to an end, a powerful force she expects to pave the way for her ambitions.
An uncomfortable twinge passes through my chest and sharpens my next words. "If I could, it'd already be gone. Ifyouknow some way to cut off a magical connection no one's ever heard of before, feel free to get on with it."
Gloss frowns. "I'm only trying to help."
Yeah, help herself by getting back her arm candy. I glower at her. "Reminding me of something I hate isn't what I’d call helpful. Is this all you wanted to chat about?"
Before she can answer, a couple of my dorm-mates shoulder into the common hallway. One of them catches sight of me and lets out a loud snort. "If it isn't lover boy! Does your pretty littlemateknow you're picking up other ladies?"
His sidekick guffaws. "I'd hate to think how she'll punish him if she finds out. Do you think she'll go for a rope and collar next time to really make a statement?"
As much as their comments prick at my skin, I roll my eyes as if I'm bored by their heckling. "It must be hard knowing no one would ever want to bond markyou. Feel free to continue working out your frustrations."
The nonchalant insult appears to roll right off them. They keep snickering as they make their way to their shared bedroom. "Out of all the girls in the place, can you imagine being tied to that pathetic pudgy shrimp?"
"Hey, it means there’s more of the good ones left for the rest of us now!"
I ignore them, keeping my expression impassive, but my teeth set on edge.
The worst part is, something in me wants to snap at them not because they're mocking me but because they have no idea what Peri is actually capable of.
I used to think she was pathetic too. Maybe this bond is punishment for all my mistakes.
Does such a dire punishment really fit the crime, though? And what would Raze and the other two be getting punished for? Those bozos liked the cream puff all along.
Gloss sets a reassuring hand on my arm—as if I need reassurance. Her eyes glitter. "Don't let them bother you. She won’t get away with this. Why don't we head over to the?—"
I swipe her hand away. "I don't want to go anywhere with you right now. Get that through your head."
Then, with a flare of shame at the outburst, I stalk past her out of the dorm without looking back.
I have class in half an hour, but I find I don't give a shit if I'm late for it. Or if I miss it altogether.
Are they going to kick me out when Rollick's new star student needs me nearby to stay conscious? Ha.
I might as well take advantage of the few slim benefits this unwanted bond comes with.
I veer toward the outer doors and stride out into the glaring desert sun. It's not noon yet, so the beams are far from their full power, but the dry heat courses over my skin.
My flesh seems to tighten against the sensation, longing for shady forests and warbling winds.
Good. Let the beams blaze through the turmoil inside me. Maybe the scorching desert summer can burn away the damned glow on my chest too.
