House of Darken (Secret Keepers #1)(41)

I nodded. “It’s fine. I’m not a baby. You don’t have to worry about me eating food off the floor.”

His lips twitched but he didn’t reply. He just turned and walked away. I sucked in a deep breath, and then forced myself to stop staring at him and step into the classroom. Luckily, English was one of my favorite subjects, and I had read ahead in most of the assigned books. Because something told me I was not going to learn much today with Lexen at my side.





10





The classroom was empty, those fancy desks clean and shiny, waiting for students to arrive. I hesitated just inside the doorway, unsure about seating arrangements. Was I supposed to stick really close to Lexen? As in, sit in the elite area?

After a few moments of deliberation, I decided to sit in the same front desk I’d chosen yesterday. Lexen would no doubt be happy as long as he could see me. He might even prefer I didn’t confuse the humans even more by breaking social rules and jumping twenty levels to elite.

When I took my seat I slumped forward and felt some of the tension I’d been carrying for days ease. I had no idea why; nothing much had changed, but it felt like as I sat down I physically couldn’t hold on to that much stress any longer. I had to let some of it go.

“Oh. Em. Gee.” The excited exclamation jolted me out of my thoughts. I turned to find Cara sliding in to sit at the desk next to me. “So, I was freaking out on the bus thinking you were going to miss school, and then I get here and the rumors are flying.” She was waving her hands in the air, fifty-plus silver bracelets she wore jingling like chimes. “You arrived with the Darkens. Like in their car. Stepped out, walked between them. Didn’t get murdered for getting too close. Oh. Em. Gee.”

She collapsed into her chair, looking exhausted. Her face was still turned in my direction, her expression a mix of confusion, awe, and shock.

I cracked up. I couldn’t help it. She joined my laughter, her eyes – which were a very pale green today – filled with tears of mirth as she held her stomach.

“Oh. Em. Gee.” Another voice burst in from the side and Cara and I laughed harder. Ben looked more than a little confused as he glanced between the two of us. “I have no idea what you bitches are laughing about, but seriously, I need all the gossip.”

His eyes were locked on me, that mop of curls flying in all directions as he wiggled on the spot.

More students were entering, but no Lexen, so I leaned in closer. “I met them, last night on our street. Their sister has just arrived to start school. She was living … back with their other family. We hit it off, and they gave me a ride to school today.” The fact that most of that was true helped me keep to the story. I wasn’t the best liar.

Ben and Cara stared at me, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. It was like they had no idea how to process this information. Ben finally spluttered, “Touch this girl, she’s freaking blessed.” He then took me completely by surprise when he reached out and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me up and out of my seat into a bear hug. I knew from my brief time with Ben yesterday that he loved to give hugs, and again it didn’t bother me very much. I was getting hugs all over the place at the moment.

Was I actually starting to heal?

Before I could delve too deep into whatever was my next psychological step of healing, a shadow fell over us. Everything inside my body tightened – I knew exactly who it was.

“Put her down.” Lexen’s voice was a low caress across my nerves. There was an undercurrent there I didn’t understand, but the look on his face was calm.

Ben very slowly dropped me to my feet, holding both of his hands up in the air. “Just friends,” he said, eyes locked on the imposing supernatural standing close to us.

Lexen ignored him, turning to me. “You’re sitting with me.”

Some of my normal annoyance with him reared its head. I fought the urge to salute him. “Am I now? I didn’t realize that order had been given.”

I heard the gasps from all around us. Ben’s was the loudest as he dramatically slapped a hand across his mouth. Lexen’s attention flickered toward the many eyes on us. He leaned in closer. “Will you please sit near me?” Those words were forced out through clenched teeth.

I smiled brightly. “Much better. And, while I appreciate your offer, I think I’m going to stay with my friends.”

I had no idea why I wanted to piss him off; something inside of me liked to rile Lexen, and then keep riling him over and over. His lips brushed my ear as he moved even closer. “I know what you’re doing,” he murmured. “It’s not going to work.”

He spun then and with ease stepped between the desks to take a seat near the back. I realized that a few other elites had arrived; most I didn’t know. One of the Royales was there. I recognized the blond guy. Also the gorgeous, tiny brunette chick was already sitting. She was the girl I’d seen with Lexen yesterday; her almond-shaped eyes were locked on me. She did not look happy. I tried not to stare at the pair of them, especially as he tilted his body in her direction, his lips moving as they chatted.

I’d stood my ground for a reason, but there would be no point to that if I spent the entire time staring at him in class. Dropping back into my desk, I fought the urge to turn and check if he was looking at me.

I did feel eyes on me. Two set of eyes, to be exact. “What?” I finally said, a snort of laughter in my tone.