Page 30 of Tethered to the World
“You’ll go with Logan and pick up some new clothes so you’ll fit in with the crowd.”
But she was already stubbornly shaking her head. “I have clothes.”
Camden sauntered toward her, and she turned to keep him in sight when he began to circle her.
“Being part of a team means you follow orders. You must play your part.” He must have seen the mutiny growing in her eyes as he came to a stop in front of her. “If we need you to look like you belong to the school instead of a street rat who crawled out of the gutters, then you will do as you’re told.”
She lifted her chin, refusing to feel ashamed for her second-hand clothes. She worked damned hard for everything she owned. She wouldn’t be made to feel like shit for it. “My clothing makes me invisible to most people. I can learn more being unseen.”
He snorted, as if she was being absurd. “Even in the human world, you would never be invisible.”
Though he complimented her, why did it sound like an insult coming out of his mouth?
“You’re the new girl. People will be curious.” He dared her to deny it.
When she went to object again, he turned toward Logan.
“Get her what she needs to fit into society.”
She didn’t need to count her money to know she wouldn’t even be able to afford even a cheap shirt where Logan shopped. “I refuse to blow my money on frivolities I don’t need.”
She needed to save her limited cash in case she needed to run.
Camden smiled, and her stomach dipped when she saw he had a dimple, turning him from handsome to downright gorgeous. She blamed her unease on his sudden good cheer, refusing to admit that she actually found him attractive. When he caught her staring, his smile faded, his eyes darkening. Then something in his face shut down, and he backed away.
“Come, my grá. Time to go shopping.” Before she could think of another protest, Logan tossed his cigarette into the fire pit and guided her around the house, packing her into a sporty car. He walked around the vehicle, watching her the whole time, as if waiting for her to make a break for it.
She thought about it for a second before sanity returned.
When he opened the door and sat, he raised a finger even before she could speak. The car started with a rumble, then he slammed on the gas, the tires chirping as they backed up, throwing her against the seatbelt. Then she was thrown backwards as they sped off.
She watched where they went, curious when he took her off campus. She shivered when they passed through the boundary around the university, and he nodded toward her. “That’s the wards. Not many can feel them.”
She twisted in her seat to face him, digging out the cash in her pocket. “I doubt fifty bucks is going to get us much.”
He didn’t even bother to turn, that hated smirk on his face as he reached into his shirt pocket and lifted out…hercredit card. “Hey!”
She lunged forward to rip it out of his hand, but he easily evaded her by shoving it back into his pocket, then raised a brow as if daring her to go after it. Annora narrowed her eyes, not backing down from the silent challenge. Without hesitation, she reached over, fishing around in his pocket and nicked the card.
From the way he shifted in his seat and cleared his throat, she knew that she must have broken one of thosewhat is appropriate touchrules. She clutched the card, cursing when her impulse control went on the fritz. She usually just kept her hands to herself, but his attitude burned her the wrong way.
But it was his reaction that told her she’d done something wrong.
He lost his smile.
“We’re not using this card. I can’t afford to owe anyone.” She waited for his taunt, but he just shrugged, avoiding her eyes.
“Don’t worry about the money.” His voice was gruff as he cut through a red light to the sound of blaring horns, then pulled into a large shopping mall. “I’ll cover it.”
“That’s the same thing—” But he wasn’t listening as he swung open his door and climbed out. Not nearly done with the fight, she followed him as he made his way toward the mall. “Look, you just can’t—”
He swung around to face her, and she nearly plowed into him.
“This is going to go one of two ways…I will purchase the items you want or I will purchase the items I think you need. The choice is yours.”
Annora practically stomped her foot at his imperial attitude, infuriated by the way he did whatever he wanted without a care for her opinion. “Why are you doing this?”
“You’re making a big deal out of this when it doesn’t have to be.” He turned and walked away, clearly expecting her to follow.
