Reckless Souls (Saints Academy, #1)(42)

would have ached much more if you hadn’t,” I admit, and her smile grows from ear to ear as she links

her arm through mine and gently pulls me toward the stairs.

“Good. I had numerous points to say in my favor if you were mad. I can still list them if you want,

you know, for reassurance that it was in your best interest. And I didn’t take you to a healer, but we

could go now if you wanted,” she murmurs, the grin on her face dropping and her tone serious. I can

see the little brat fighting back the smile desperate to spread across her lips as I give her a direct look

of ‘don’t even go there.’ She knows damn well I’m not interested in any of her points.

“No, and I think I’ll manage without the insight,” I grumble in response, adjusting my satchel on

my shoulder as we make it downstairs, and my tense posture relaxes a little when we don’t come

across anyone.

We move seamlessly toward the portal, my teeth sinking into my bottom lip as I take a step

through the smoke, and when I appear in the main Academy building, the anxiety threatening to riddle

my body seeps away.

If Harmonia notices the adjustment in me, she doesn’t mention it as we head toward the first class

of the day. Skills. Literally, the first class is Skills. No definition in the name which makes zero sense,

maybe someday it will, but the class is broken off into groups, depending on your species.

There’s so much hanging between us as an awkward silence descends. I know she likely has a lot

of questions about yesterday, but she hasn’t uttered a single one. When we get to the Skills hall, I slip

my arm from Harmonia’s as we step inside.

“Aren’t you going to ask what happened?” I mumble, searching her gaze as I wait for her to

respond, completely ignoring everyone we walk past.

“Do you want to tell me?” she asks, making my eyes widen in surprise because that was not the

answer I was expecting. “Only, you don’t seem like the type to pass on information you don’t actually

wish to share, so I thought I would leave it up to you instead of demanding to know,” she adds, and

my body relaxes in reassurance.

I clearly chose this girl as a friend for a reason.

We move through the open archway, and the Skills room comes into view. Large arched windows,

with patterns detailing each one, uniquely frame the room. The stone-slab walls age the entire space

as dark wooden furnishings are scattered throughout. Tables are pushed up against the side of the

large room today, leaving the concrete floor open for the professors to do some demonstrations.

They don’t do them every lesson, but it admittedly makes for a fun class when they do.

Moving with Harmonia to the far left, I place my satchel down beside hers on the floor, watching

as others slowly filter into the room. Most will still be coming from the dining hall, but after my run

in with Adonis, his words swirling in my head, I snuck to the dining hall and back before most of the

Academy was even down there yet.

I need a break from all of the crazy, and to delay the inevitable of people seeing my face. Those

are the only conclusions I’ve come to when considering everything that happened yesterday.

“If you’re free, I really could do with some girl time, without all of… this,” I explain, glancing

around me, and she immediately nods in response, a sense of giddiness floating around her.

“For sure. I actually have dinner with my parents scheduled for tonight, but I can cancel if you

want,” she offers, which is sweet as hell, but I can wait.

“Maybe this weekend then? Not with parties and shit, but just, no drama.”

“Count me in,” she replies, and a genuine smile crosses my face as the professor saunters into the

room, Adonis, Xander, Khaos, and Zen hot on his heels, and moments later the motherfuckers I’m

watching for step in too.

The supreme bitch is flanked by her usual friends, whore one and whore two, and after yesterday,

it’s no surprise to see Hector beside them too.

Before I can get lost in my anger at them and what I know they did to me, even without the proof,

Professor Tyler Fury claps his hands, garnering everyone’s attention.

“Good morning, everyone, we have a lot to get through today, so if you’d like to form a large

circle around the center space, the demonstrations and explanations of the class will begin.”

At once, everyone does as he asks, Harmonia and I move to stand with Cassandra and Thalia,

who stare at me in shock when they see my face, but they thankfully don’t say a word.

As I stand with my hands clenched at my side, I hear the whispers get louder around me when

more and more people spot the bruises and cuts on my face. There’s nothing worse than being the

topic on everyone’s lips, especially for something that makes me feel weak.

The only people not gossiping are the Elite four who make their way to join the circle, along with

Selene and her cuntish friends. The smug faces of the latter have my teeth grinding together in

frustration as I make a vow to myself here and now that I will get those motherfuckers back for sure.