Page 54 of Underworld
Kaito appeared in front of me and I slammed into his chest.
Wow,he’s fast when he wants to be.
He caught my arms, staring at me with urgency in his gaze. The flames licking through his hair burned brighter and the silver in his eyes glowed.
“You arenotgoing to confront Cole right now.”
Going rigid, I glared at him. “Excuse me?”
“Lily…” Kaito closed his eyes and dragged in a breath. When he opened his eyes again, the vivid glow of silver remained with a sense of calm. He worked hard to push Cole out, and he wanted me to do the same. “You can’t. You’re not ready. This is precisely why I suggested to the Dean that you attend classes. After your first class, you’ve already submitted to your rage.”
“It wasn’t the class,” I snapped. The uni-hare chittered at my feet in agreement. Kaito was lucky he hadn’t been gorged by the thing.
Kaito gave it a raised brow.
“I’ll explain later,” I said.
He sighed. “I’m serious, Lily. You’renotready to face Cole, not like this.”
“The fuck I’m not.” My voice came out ragged, but I didn’t care. Kaito could already feel how my heart was twisted into a tight knot. “I’m going tomakehim submit,” I growled. “He’s supposed to be my Virtue, be on my side.”
To my surprise, Kaito gave me a chagrin look. “Think back, Lily. Were any of your Virtues as you expected them to be? Calamity is only getting stronger and gaining momentum, which means you have the short end of the stick. You need powerful Virtues, ones who might not have been willing to submit themselves to the Champion at first, but all of ushavefound our place in your heart. Believe it or not, Cole has been trying to help.”
“Help?” I screeched, throwing off Kaito’s hands. “Are youdefendinghim?” After what Cole just pulled, I didn’t care if he thought he was helping.
He wasn’t.
Kaito let out a harsh breath. “Look, I’m not saying I agree with his tactics, but I am a demon. I can understand his side of things. He’s been testing us and if he feels we haven’t passed that test, he’s going to try and take you for himself because he believes that’s the only way to serve you.”
I growled, my teeth sharpening to points. “Cole doesn’t get to play judge and jury.”
“I know,” Kaito agreed. “Which is why you need to play his game, Lily. You’re letting him get under your skin. That’s what he does,Koneko-chan.” He cupped my cheek and ran his thumb over my skin. He wasn’t afraid of my appearance, now matter how much I converted into my Demonspawn side, or whatever other supernatural species lingered in my veins. “Just give it a few minutes, at least.” He waved his arm down the quiet path. “I wanted to show you something after your class today. Will you go with me?” When I stared at him, he sighed. “If you still want to go to Cole afterwards, I won’t stop you, but please, indulge me in this.”
Turmoil twisted me into knots, but I couldn’t walk away from another one of my Virtues. Kaito’s gentle voice called to me, promised me kindness and understanding.
“Okay,” I conceded, unable to deny him a simple request. “I’ll go.” My fingers curled into fists. “But afterward, I’m facing Cole.”
I had to.
“Very well,” Kaito agreed and held out his hand.
I took it.
Chapter 14
“Where are we?” I asked when he’d taken me into another building on the far side of campus.
“The meditation building.” He gestures down the curved hallway. “My office is down there if you ever need me.”
Fingers threaded together, he guided me up a curved set of stairs that spiraled to the top floor. Apparently, there weren’t any magical lift corridors like at Central Hall.
My legs ached by the time we got to the top, my wings dragging uselessly behind me. Kaito flipped a latch that opened onto the roof, finally letting me go as if he trusted I couldn’t run anymore.
Or fly away.
He lead me to the building’s edge and I sat with him, legs hanging over. My wings opened instinctively in the breeze and I peered down.
Kaito’s hand rested on my thigh and I knew he’d catch me, or die trying, should I fall.
