Supernatural Academy: Year One (Supernatural Academy #1)(59)

Thankfully the tiger had taken my not-so-subtle hint and disappeared, so I decided to head to the bar again. I ordered two tequilas from the fey serving and downed both of them fast. The burn spread through my chest. In my old life, I didn’t drink much. No time or money for that. But on the three occasions I’d managed to get drunk, it had taken a shit-lot of tequila to do it.

“Would you like to dance?” a low voice asked from behind me.

I wiped my mouth as I turned, just in case any tequila escaped. I smiled when a dark-haired supe came into sight; Damon, a magic user from my Sword and Sorcery class. I didn’t know him well, having only exchanged a few words before, but I knew his weapon was a broadsword and he was insanely strong. I could barely even lift the sword, let alone swing it.

“Sure, I’d love to dance,” I said.

He grabbed my hand, leading me through the crowds of supes. When we reached the edge of the dance floor, he pulled me a little closer, and we awkwardly swayed together.

“Come here often?” I said with a smile, hoping to ease the tension between us.

He let out a low chuckle. “I like that you joke. It was the first thing I noticed about you.”

I shrugged. “Humor is my shield, a deflection. It’s also helpful when schooling idiots who need a quick lesson in life etiquette.” Sarcasm and snark were considered humor too, right?

“I’ve noticed.”

I could tell by those two words that he enjoyed my smart mouth, and that made me feel a little more comfortable with him. Not everyone got my sense of humor. Plenty of guys took it as an insult, their tiny egos unable to handle any sort of teasing.

“How are you doing with finding a weapon?” Damon asked, his arms tightening as he brought our bodies even closer.

I grimaced. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Nothing is calling to me. I’m only halfway along the wall, but still, almost everyone else is weaponed up.”

Damon tilted his head, staring down at me with his intense gaze. “You should give the bow another go. I saw you with it last week, and I think there’s a spark there.”

I blinked at him. “You saw me?”

He nodded. “Yep, and to me it looked like you were displaying unnatural talent and skill with it. It might be your weapon.”

“It felt more right than anything else I’ve touched,” I admitted, thinking it over. I flashed him a wide smile. “Thanks for pointing it out.”

“No problem,” he said huskily before he leaned closer to me.

Maybe it was the alcohol, but in the low light his darkly handsome features looked extra striking, and I wondered if I would let him kiss me. I’d never been attracted to Damon before, but it was a dance, and there were pretty lights and snow fields, and maybe … maybe I’d get kissed tonight.

Just before our lips touched, there was a gasp from the crowd around us and I jerked my head back. Girls surged forward, pushing past me, no longer interested in the band. I couldn’t figure out what was happening until the Atlantean-five came into view.

Asher and his friends had arrived.





24





“Looks like they’re coming this way,” Damon said.

I shook my head, because why would they be, but then I realized he was right. Asher didn’t talk to anyone, even though plenty of supes were trying to get his attention—male and female alike. He just strode across the floor, his eyes locked on me. I shivered, rubbing at my arms as I wondered if I should back up.

Deciding I wouldn’t be a coward, I remained where I was, holding my breath as they surrounded me. Damon didn’t back away, and I reassessed his bravery. If I were in his position, I would have run away.

“We need to talk,” Asher said, his expression dark, face shadowed despite the twinkling lights above.

I forced my expression to remain neutral. “No.”

His lips twitched minutely. “No?”

Something told me he hadn’t heard that word much before.

“That’s right … no. It means I am denying your request to talk.” I waved rudely at him. “I’m busy dancing. You’ll just have to wait.”

Jesse was on his right side, and his grin was so fucking huge that it covered half his face. Rone was on the left, and he wore a neutral expression, which was almost friendly considering his usual scowl.

Turning my back on Asher, I paused at the sight of Axl and Calen on either side of Damon. I let out a sigh, recognizing that none of them were moving away, and we were starting to draw attention.

“Maddi, we’re sorry,” Axl said, and someone let out a groan from behind me. “We’ve been trying to figure out all of this Atlantean mystery, and we’ve neglected our friendship with you.”

“Way to play it cool,” Calen muttered.

Crossing my arms, I tried not to let his apology affect me. It had hurt when they all cut me out, and I’d guessed it was all to do with Asher. Asher the asshole. But now they were all back for some reason.

Supes pushed forward around us, everyone trying to hear our conversation. We were drawing way too much attention, and I was surrounded by Atlanteans, with no easy escape.

“Argh!” I snarled. “Five minutes. That’s it.”

I turned and shot Damon an apologetic smile. “Sorry, maybe I’ll see you later…?”