Reckless Souls (Saints Academy, #1)(44)

“Then don’t apologize,” I state, desperately wanting to pull my attention back to the class, but it’s

almost like the staff has wreaked havoc on my body again, only this time, it is my body forcing me to

remain frozen in place.

He offers a short nod in response, his eyes trailing over every inch of my face like he’s ingraining

every mark to memory. “You know who did this to you,” he states, ever so matter of factly, and before

I can think better of it, my gaze shifts to the supreme bitch and the sleazy motherfucker who stands

beside her.

It’s no surprise to see her watching every second of our interaction, like she wants to be the

primary interest of the Elites, or from what I’ve seen so far, she wants all of Adonis’ attention, which

just so happens to entail the three other guys too.

Bitch.

When my eyes immediately shift back to his, I know he trailed my vision, his jaw tightening as he

turns back to me as well. Has this motherfucker got magic already or something? Because he sure as

shit forces me to let my walls down against my better judgment, and it’s annoying as fuck.

A pinch to my right side makes me jump ever so slightly, and I turn to find Harmonia standing with

wide eyes, facing the professor, and I follow her line of sight to find Professor Fury staring at me

expectantly.

“Care to repeat what I just said, Miss Harrington?” he asks, arms folded over his large chest as he

cocks an eyebrow at me, clearly displeased.

Before I can respond, Zen clears his throat beside me. “Apologies, Professor, I was trying to get

to the bottom of the injuries Miss Harrington is displaying,” he states far too sophisticatedly, all full

of wisdom and shit, and it only seems to piss me off more. I don’t need to be defended or have

someone speak on my behalf.

The professor however, takes a step closer, looking over my face, before he sighs, dropping his

arms to his sides. “I understand, but maybe do that on your own time,” he replies, before turning his

back to us and continuing with the class.

Anger gets the better of me the second the professor's back is turned, and I swing my elbow out to

my side, connecting with Zen’s abdomen and making him grunt.

“What the fuck, Rhea?” he hisses under his breath. I can feel his eyes on me, glaring daggers at the

side of my head, but I don’t turn around to face him as I respond.

“I didn’t need you when I showed up here three weeks ago, and I definitely don’t need you now.”

My tone is short and blunt, but I don’t care. I told Adonis the exact same.

I have my own back.

Always.

Fuck them.





Chapter 13

Rhea

T he rest of the week dragged by at an excruciating pace, and I’ve never been more thankful for

the weekend to finally be here. Between the endless stream of classes, smug looks from those I

know attacked me, and the Elites approaching me a few times more, I’ve definitely had enough.

Concerned or not, I can’t decipher their intentions, and it leaves me stressed.

Although the latter eventually got the message, Zen, Khaos, Xander, and Adonis eventually gave

me the space they’re so good at offering, and I’m grateful. Their attempts at caring were confusing the

fuck out of me. I don’t like my emotions being played with like that.

Now it’s Friday evening, time for the girls’ night we planned, which means Harmonia will be here

any moment. I’m already dressed to go, in a pair of black leggings and a thin, off the shoulder, mint

green tee. I feel completely relaxed, and that’s the whole plan for tonight.

While I wait, I sit cross-legged on the bed, the gold dagger in my hands as I look it over from

handle to tip. Every night since our Skills class on Tuesday, I've taken my gift from Pandora’s Box out

of the safe and just… stared at it.

Apart from the array of crystals embedded in the handle, a kaleidoscope of colors standing out

against the otherwise gold dagger, there’s nothing at all that hints at what this thing may be able to do

and whether it’s an offensive or defensive object. I don’t think dropping it like the Professor’s

harmonica will do anything, and if it’s something to do with the tip, I don’t want to try it on myself or

ask anyone for advice.

I sigh, confusion twisting me up inside as a knock sounds at my door. Rising from the bed, I

quickly place the dagger back in the safe to secure it. When I swing the door open, I come face to face

with Harmonia, who is dressed in a floral strappy summer dress that somehow looks brighter against

her white hair.

She smiles. “Hey, are you ready to do this at my place? Thalia and Cassandra are waiting at the

portal in the main building, and I thought you might want to help get them here,” she says as I step out

of my room and let the door fall closed behind me.

“For sure,” I say, falling into step beside her. Earlier this week, we made the decision to extend

the offer of girls’ night to the twins too, who immediately said yes, and for the first time in as long as I