Reckless Souls (Saints Academy, #1)(28)
stepping away.
My chest heaves with each breath I take as I watch him stalk back towards his friends, and by the
time I remember myself and my intent, I’m no longer angry enough to beat the hell out of Selene. For
today at least. Tomorrow could be a different story entirely.
“I hope I only have to say this once. Stay the fuck away from me,” I bite, glaring daggers at her as
she remains in place, before I turn on my heel and fall into step with Harmonia.
“Speed up, we haven’t got all day,” the professor calls, and I do just that, upping my pace that
will calm my brain and body just the way I need.
By the time my mind is empty, not focusing on all of the questions that were swarming inside of
me earlier, begging to be answered, I’ve reached the last lap. After we’ve finished the laps, the
professor moves us along to other cardio workouts. Pity really, since the class was called Combat, I
was really hoping to beat the fuck out of someone today, especially after Selene’s little bitchy show.
Harmonia stays quiet at my side, letting me handle myself, but I can’t stop my gaze from
occasionally drifting over to the four guys who, for some unknown reason, hold my unwavering
attention.
I need to pretend they don’t exist, focus on everything else going on around me, but I share a
freaking bathroom with one of them, so it’s going to be harder than I expect.
“Excellent form there, Miss Harrington,” the professor states beside me as I continue my pace
through the pistol squats he called out for as a cool down exercise. Sweat is dripping down my
temple, my t-shirt clinging to me, and I desperately want this two hour lesson to be over. I don’t
respond, not feeling the need to thank him for his praise, but he continues to speak. “We have extra
curricular sporting activities that take place on campus, if you think you might be interested, let me
know.”
“Thanks,” I reply, panting as I complete my last squat. Trying not to puke from my lack of food
intake, I brace my hands on my thighs as I catch my breath.
“No worries. My name is Riva, Eris Riva. If you can’t find me, find Noreen, she always knows
where everyone is,” he states, his gaze meeting mine as I stand to my full height. I almost frown at
how pushy he seems to be with this conversation, but before I can question it, he speaks again. “I was
an earthling.”
His words are barely more than a mumble, making my head rear back in surprise. That was so not
what I was expecting to come out of his mouth.
“If you were, then you’d know how offensive that word sounds,” I grumble, watching as he
swipes a hand down his face. I couldn’t guess how old he is, maybe mid-forties.
“You’re right, it’s a shit word,” he replies with a sigh. “But everyone uses it around here, and
unfortunately you just unintentionally pick it up.” I nod in response, unsure of what he wants me to say
next. “Think on the sports,” he says, before turning toward the rest of the class and calling time on
today’s session.
Thank fuck.
I’ve had enough physical torture for today.
I’m sweaty, starving, dehydrated, and ready for a nap, but there’s still one more lesson to go. My
first day feels like it’s been a fucking eternity.
Harmonia appears at my side, linking her arm through mine as we make our way through the
tunnel, back toward where the portal is.
“Remind me why we need this class again?” I say with an exhausted pout, and she grins.
“Girl, I’m calling bullshit. You crushed it out there,” she states, pointing behind her, and I roll my
eyes.
A bark of laughter behind us catches my attention, and when I look over my shoulder I notice the
four guys again.
Shit.
I really need to get a grip on myself and a cold shower. With the door locked.
“Why do I get the feeling you’re drawn to trouble?” she asks, and a grin covers my lips as I stare
back ahead, trying to act like I just hadn’t been caught again following the guys’ movements.
Wetting my lips, I glance at Harmonia out of the corner of my eye as an overwhelming need to ask
my next question takes over. “What does being an incubus actually entail?” I ask, trying to keep my
voice low as she chuckles with a shake of her head.
“Girl—”
“You asking questions about me, darling?” His voice sends a jolt of recognition down my spine as
my body tenses, and I cringe at the fact that he heard me, but I don’t let him see that. Now that he’s
involved himself in our conversation, I’ll just roll with it.
“I am,” I reply, forcing myself to keep moving and not glance back over my shoulder, but he
quickly moves to stand in front of me, just before we reach the portal.
With the black smoke billowing behind him, it almost makes him look even more handsome,
dangerous, a hint of darkness, and I fucking hate how much I like it.
“We just chew you up and spit you out, princess. Nothing more, nothing less,” he purrs, running