Chapter 45– Hera

Chapter 47– Hera
Astrid drifts in before I can come up with a response. “I'm heading home,” she announces, looking like she raided a confectionery store. It's a wonder she can still talk with all the cookie bits in her mouth. “You can see me off soon as you get off the phone with your paramour.”

Of course.

This is precisely why I never wanted to tell her about Czar in the first place. Bad advice and constant teasing usually follow her involvement in people’s love lives, a case in point being the situation with Blaze.

I push myself to my feet. "You're being delightful as always, my bosom, trouble-making friend who is also disturbingly enthusiastic about my romantic life.”

The hypocrite has the effrontery to gobble it all up with a smile like it's praise, not sarcasm. "Awwww. Hera, that's so sweet. Obviously I'm aware that I'm irreplaceable and you can't do without me but it feels even nicer when you admit it.”

I break out in a cackle. "Well in other news, Miss Lively has nothing to do with what is currently going on in Novadale– Czar just told me. She does have something she's hiding though. I'll update you on that much later when the information reaches me.”

After walking her to the gates, I return to my bedroom, check my phone and see that Czar is already writing me a text. My eyes stay on the chat until the words drop.

Lone Wolf: Do you really want to know what I thought when I first saw you on my screen?

Miss Dangereuse: No, you can save it.

Yet I'm staring as he types, expectant.

Lone Wolf: Those pictures made me realize that while it's only been a day since I last saw you, I've been off you for far too long. It occurred to me that what I wanted was to come right over, stare into your eyes for hours and then rip everything covering that beautiful body from my view to shreds, kiss that saucy pout until it is swollen. I bite, Hera and I definitely want to sink my teeth into you. You know this. But I don't think you realize what exactly you're asking of me; what you're in for. At this rate you're going to kill me. But I won't go down to hell alone. I'm taking my Dark Empress with me and I hope she knows I fuck like a ghoul.

I could have just kept my mouth shut and let him keep his thoughts to himself, but no, I had to insist. Now I'm screwed. As the minutes stretch between us it becomes really obvious. How on earth does one just stumble on a man like Czar?

Lone Wolf: What? Cat's got your tongue? I knew you would react in this exact manner. It's why I didn't tell you.

Miss Dangereuse: What, it's not like I've said anything; reacted in any way.

Lone Wolf. Even silence is communication and I know what yours is telling me. I want you in my head, Hera– to a degree where you will be able to tell what I'm thinking even without knowing; without hearing it from my mouth– but I'm afraid you won't like what you’ll see there.

Miss Dangereuse: I’m convinced I won't. I don't particularly like you to begin with.

Lone Wolf: Liar. No one asked you that. Respond to my commentary instead.

But I have no idea what to say. This won't be the first time he's left me speechless with his words– ‘plain, brutal honesty’ according to him but ‘deep trouble’ in my own opinion.

I should definitely respond, treat him with the same courtesy I expected from him earlier. But no, I don't give him the satisfaction. Not that I had any idea what to reply anyway. My brain seems to have abandoned me.

Miss Dangereuse: About my teacher.

Lone Wolf: Coward.

Miss Dangereuse: You were so enthusiastic to tell me about her before, weren't you? I'm just steering us back on track.

Lone Wolf: I hacked her laptop, compromised her data. She’s clean. Well, legally.

Miss Dangereuse: What do you mean?

Lone Wolf: She's seeing her sister's husband. The call logs and chats on her system will bear witness. She wants out but he seems to want to blackmail her to stay in.

Damn.

Her sister’s wedding isn't up to two weeks old. How long have things been escalating in the shadows then?

This is so messed up. And honestly, I would have preferred not knowing. Now I can't see the woman differently and I'm supposed to submit an assignment to her on Monday. I'm supposed to view her as an epitome of moral rightness– a teacher– as I do that.

Miss Dangereuse: One more person that has low-key traumatized me tonight.

Lone Wolf: Hopefully, I am not included in that list.

Miss Dangereuse: Are you kidding? You’re at the very top of it.

Lone Wolf: Flattering. Wear something nice tomorrow. I really want to see what I've done to you.

Should I tell him I have a special practical assignment due and won't be chanced to fulfill my own part of our bargain for Friday Nights? No. He will find out anyway. In fact, a part of me sort of wants to revel in his disappointment, punish him for his arrogance.

‘Is that it or do you just want to give him another reason to fixate? Annoy him so much you're all he thinks of just like how you're currently so hung up on him?’ My brain seems to be asking. ‘Who is really in control?’

Certainly not this stranger I only just met, I tell myself. Tomorrow will prove it.