Chapter 9 Nine
DANIKA
My heart is pounding so fast, it feels like it's going to explode. Thoughts scramble in my mind. Did they get my face? What if I get blackmailed with the photo?
"Dove, look at me," Kaziel says, and I turn to look at him, my legs barely holding me up.
"I'm taking you home, okay?" He says, and I part my lips to protest.
"I should tell—"
"No, you don't have to. She left you all alone. Clearly, she doesn't care," Kaziel tells me.
He scoops me into his arms in bridal style, and I let out an awkward squeak, my stomach tightening.
He chuckles. "Relax, sweetheart. You're safe."
"I'm heavy—" I start to say, and he snorts.
"Do you think my muscles are there for decoration?" He asks, and I giggle, burying my face against his chest.
I like this part of him. So charming.
Earlier, I'd stayed silent on purpose, not trusting myself to speak. It had been my intent to push Kaziel to the edge because I craved his touch too badly to admit it.
Still, I wasn't prepared for how overwhelming it was. For some reason, I'm feeling bold tonight. Probably because of the sips of alcohol I'd taken earlier.
"Tell me more about werewolves," I tell him, and he hums.
"Well...normal werewolves shift when they want to. However, the urge is stronger under the full moon. Werewolves are vulnerable to silver. Vampires are their natural enemies," he begins.
I can't help but notice the way he says "normal werewolves" and "their natural enemies."
It's as though he's hinting that he's anything but normal.
"What about mates? How does it work?" I ask, and he smiles.
"The moon goddess links us to our other half or destined partner, through the bond. When two mates find each other, they express their acceptance of each other, mark each other, and then..." He hesitates, and I gaze at him, curious.
"Then what?" I ask.
"They get intimate. It's the final stage of bonding. Once it's complete, the bond gets sealed."
I bite my lower lip, wondering how it would feel to get to that point.
Kaziel sets me down on my feet when we get to his Mustang. Then he opens the door to the passenger seat, taking my hand to get me settled there. Princess treatment. It's the barest minimum. But for me, I've never been treated like that. It's why my insides are melting now.
Kaziel reaches for my hand as he maneuvers the steering wheel with a single hand. My hand perfectly fits into his much larger one, butterflies swarming my belly.
"I want to take you on a date," he tells me, and I smile.
"Really?"
"You deserve that, sweetheart. I know we're different. I can't just force you into what you aren't prepared for. How about on Friday night?" He says, and I nod.
My cheeks literally hurt from smiling so hard. This feels too much like a dream, I barely resist pinching myself.
"Sure. That'll work."
Kaziel reaches for the dashboard and turns on soft romantic music. In my head, I'm floating in the clouds.
I like him. A lot.
I glance at him, watching his side profile. His long lashes are so pretty, he should be jailed for that.
He smirks, glancing at me.
"Enjoying the view?" He whispers in a sultry voice. I look away instantly, blushing like a fool.
"It's okay, you can stare as much as you like. It's all yours," he murmurs, and I grin, gazing at the night lights as he drives along the street.
By the time we get to my apartment, he lifts the back of my hand towards his face, pressing his lips to my knuckles.
I hesitate for a moment, then I reach over to kiss him on the lips. His lips curl against mine in a mischievous smile before he kisses me back intensely. I moan against his lips, amazed by how perfectly his lips move against mine.
What do I do? I think I'm addicted to his kisses.
When we finally break apart, my chest is heaving from all of the emotions consuming me.
"See you tomorrow," he rasps, and I nod, heading out of the car.
I bite my lower lip as I watch him drive away, my stomach knotting.
I can't help but feel uneasy about how smoothly I'm getting swept away by him.
Someone clears their throat behind me, and I nearly jump out of my skin. I pivot, only to find Eve standing there in front of our apartment building.
"Wow, that was some...intense kissing," she drawls, and my eyes go wide.
Oh no. Did she recognize Kaziel? What if she's his ex? Will she go all batshit crazy on me?
"How long were you—"
She smirks. "Does that even matter? It's only the first day at school, and you're already getting hot and dirty with the sexiest professor in the entire university? Lucky you."
Why is she pretending not to know who Kaziel is? I can't help but wonder.
"Where did you go?" I ask her instead.
"I had a stomach emergency," she tells me, heading towards our apartment with me following behind her.
When we get inside, I'm greeted by another roommate. She has short blonde hair and choppy bangs. She waves at us from the couch, where she's scooping peanut butter and feasting on it. She's just as skinny as Eve, her green eyes shining with delight. Her arms are heavily tattooed, and she has a nose ring.
"Hi! I'm Amie. Nice to meet you," she says, and I smile.
"I'm Danika."
"Y'all are freshmen, right?" She asks, and I nod.
"Good old days. Enjoy it while you can, D," she grins.
Eve shrugs, moving off to the kitchen. Just as I am about to slip away to my room, Amie exclaims.
"Is that a hickey I see on your neck?!"
My cheeks burn hot, and I bring my hand to my neck in an attempt to hide Kaziel's artwork on my skin.
"Dayum, you go, girl!" Amie chuckles, and I literally scurry off to my room, drowning in embarrassment.
Today was fun. Well, except for the sneaky photograph part. I hope it stays that way.
....
The smell of disinfectant stings my nose as I step into the lab.
We're learning to identify medical instruments today. Pairs of students crowd around each station, their chatter filling the room. I end up beside Eve, of course.
She flashes me a sugary smile, winking at me.
"Don't worry, I'll be gentle," she teases, picking up a scalpel between her manicured fingers.
I give her a small smile, trying to focus on the professor's instructions instead. But the way she twirls the blade makes my stomach twist.
We're supposed to examine the edge, check the sharpness, and note the safety precautions. Nothing dangerous. Yet when I reach out to take it from her, she jerks her hand.
The blade slices across my palm.
I hiss, instinctively yanking my hand back. Blood wells to the surface of the cut instantly.
"Oh my God, Dani, I'm so sorry!" Eve gasps, her eyes widening. "I didn't mean…oh no, you're bleeding!"
Her voice trembles. She looks like she might cry, her lower lip quivering.
I shake my head, mumbling that it’s okay. When you’ve been bullied all your life, you get used to mishaps like this. Still, it’s not like she cut me on purpose.
I head towards the sink, clutching my hand. It stings even more under the cold water.
Eve hovers beside me, wringing her hands. "Let me help—"
"It’s okay," I smile, and she flinches, her eyes glassy with tears.
I wrap a paper towel around my palm and step back, giving her space. She sniffles once more before turning away.
…
My nerves act up as I sit on the stool in the anatomy lab among other students. We’re waiting for our professor, but for me, I’m waiting for the man I admire. I’d taken extra time to get ready today.
The air shifts the moment Kaziel walks in.
He freezes in the doorway.
For a second, he looks like a predator catching a scent. His nostrils flare, his eyes darkening. The students go silent, sensing the tension radiating off him.
Then his gaze locks on Eve.
Something passes between them. I’m not sure what it is, but it makes my stomach sink.
Kaziel tears his gaze away and mutters, "Continue reviewing the notes from last week. I'll be back shortly." He strides out of the classroom without looking at me.
Eve waits for exactly three seconds. Then she rises to her feet, murmuring something about "a quick bathroom break.”
Then she slips out the door after him.
Unease settles over me like a wet blanket. I don’t wait. I rise to my feet and hurry out of the lab as well.
There’s no sign of the both of them along the corridor. Still, Kaziel’s pleasant scent lingers there. He can’t have gone too far.
So, I hurry down the corner, and my heart jolts in my chest when I see them.
Kaziel and Eve are standing too close. His head is bent towards her, his hands clenched at his sides like he's trying not to touch her. Her face is tilted up, a smile tugging at her lips.
"I’m the one you have been looking for, aren’t I?" She whispers. “It’s okay… you can touch me.”
My eyes go wide. Touch her?!