Page 9 of Tethered to the World
To her surprise, instead of being pissed, he gave a huff of laughter. “You’ll do.”
For the rest of the two hours, Annora watched the others fight, conscious of the trainers observing…specifically the four guys who got her in trouble in the first place. When it was her turn to fight, she didn’t flinch from the fists, taking the blows in order to get in close and do the most damage.
To her surprise, she won as many as she lost.
When a bell dinged, everyone broke apart and lined up. Annora limped to the last row. Though her body ached, she was used to the pain, relishing the burn. She watched the others, able to pick out those who had training…those who were the predators and who was prey.
And she couldn’t help but wonder where she was on the list.
The trainers stood in front of the group, seeming to take note of everyone’s injuries. “Go rest. I expect to see you at training again tomorrow morning before sunrise.”
A few of the students groaned, but she didn’t think they were complaining…more begging for mercy.
“Dismissed.”
Everyone scattered, and Annora hurried after them, hoping to get lost in the crowd. When she saw the guys begin to work their way through the people, heading in her direction, she did what every self-respecting woman would do…she ducked behind a large group and ghosted herself.
The darkness welcomed her with open arms, the afterworld resembling an abandoned realm that had been destroyed many millennia ago. As she hurried across the stadium to collect her bag, her wounds slowly knitted closed. She watched the shadows, knowing she was pushing her luck by using her powers, but the need to escape drove her.
She needed to be alone.
She needed space.
Being near so many people was physically draining after being alone for so many years. Conversation was stressful and awkward. Trying to act normal was taxing. Worse, she couldn’t tell where the next attack would come from. A ferret peeked out from a hallway ten feet in front of her, lifting a foreleg as if to beckon her forward.
Without hesitation, she followed, scooping him up as she passed. He wiggled free, scampering up her arm to perch on her shoulders. Only when he patted her face did she allow herself to take form again. A few more twists and turns and she was outside, the hour late, the campus dark. A quick glance at the clock located high on the library building said it was after nine.
Feeling a little pleased about escaping the guys, she dug into her bag for her papers, sorting the pages until she found the one with directions for Grady House and the campus map.
Across campus.
Sighing, she shouldered her bag and began walking. The students quickly thinned out, and she relaxed a little now that she was finally away from the constant attention. The campus seemed to be spread out over a few miles, a lot of trees and parks interspersed throughout.
Not wanting company, she took the long way around, taking time to memorize the map and buildings as she went in case she needed to leave in a hurry. When she turned the corner, it was to see the four guys from the arena walking in front of her.
She nearly stopped, nearly turned back. She just took a step onto the path when the leader turned and spotted her. “Are you following us?”
Taken aback by his harsh question, she halted. “Yeah, I’m following you. It must be your bubbly personality. It couldn’t be that the new girl is lost and trying to find her room.”
The redhead swallowed his snort, the giant smothered his smile with his hand, while the other two just watched her. Then the leader stepped aside and waved his arm. “By all means…after you.”
Shit.
She should’ve kept her mouth shut. They were going to follow her, and the last thing she wanted was for them to know where she lived.
But it wasn’t like they couldn’t figure it out on their own.
Stifling her growl of frustration, she didn’t walk between them, but circled around them. She’d covered only a few feet when she heard them follow, and she released a pent-up sigh of aggravation. Men like them, who liked to be in charge, gave her the heebie-jeebies.
She didn’t do well with orders, and frequently suffered the bruises and broken bones to prove it.
She’d gone no more than a few yards on the path when something in the shadows caught her attention.
She was being followed, and it wasn’t by the guys.
To make sure, she turned off the path. When she reached the light post, she pulled up short. She tugged the zipper of her bag open, then nudged Edgar inside.
“What’s wrong? You lost?” Camden’s mocking voice became more obnoxiously conceited as they drew closer.
