It had been over a week since my evaluation, and I couldn’t get used to the schedule. Emily had adjusted to her schedule so quickly. She was settled in classes and training. Not me—a nighttime schedule wasn’t in the cards for me yet. I stopped staring at the clock beside my bed and got up.
Sonya had pulled some strings to get us into the American Museum of Natural History after hours. I’d assumed that was her way of keeping some control over the situation. Yesterday, I’d learned this so-called safe house was listed as a boarding school for gifted kids. They were gifted, all right—gifted with an eternal curse.
After showering, I changed into a pair of dark blue jeans, a maroon tank, my black zip-up, and my high-tops. Lizzie had given me some extra clothes she had because we were the same size. I strapped on my stakes and headed out to the kitchen to find a drink and relax a little. When I opened the kitchen door, I walked in on Ethan looking through a newspaper.
His back was to me, so I spun around to head back out.
“If you want to be alone, I can leave.” He turned his head just enough so I could see his profile. His eyelids hung low, and there were dark shadows under his eyes.
I held the door for another few seconds before letting it go and walking over to the shelves with all the mugs. I reached for the same blue one Lizzie had given me before and looked for the coffeepot. It was sitting on the table in front of Ethan. I bit my lip, and as if he knew what I was thinking, he reached out for my mug.
My heart raced as I handed it over to him before sitting. As he filled it, he never once looked up at me. He then slid it across the table. The warmth of the mug soothed my chilly hands.
“You know, I don’t bite,” he said, finally looking up at me.
“Maybe not, but you know how to be a jerk to me. Maybe I should say, you know how to be a jerk to me when everyone is around and sometimes nice when it’s just us.”
“Only sometimes? I thought I was pretty nice all the times we’ve been alone.”
I let out a long sigh. I knew Ethan could see the frustration filling my features, and thankfully, he must have decided not to say anything else to avoid triggering an explosion. As I gathered my thoughts and tried to keep myself calm, I took a sip from my cup, then set my eyes on his. That’s when I decided I didn’t want to play nice. He gave me no reason to be even somewhat cordial, so I would push his buttons for once.
“So, are you going to tell me why you play Jekyll and Hyde around me, or do I need to guess?”
He looked at me as he shook his head. “Why do you care how I treat you? Aren’t you Austin’s girl now?” His words dripped with venom.
“Listen, I’m no one’s ‘girl.’ It’s not my fault he treats me better than some other people,” I said, lifting the cup to my lips.
His face turned the color of my drink. I think that did it.
“And you’re gullible enough to believe his act. It’s Austin. He likes three things in this world: to manipulate people, to piss me off, and his specialty is girls he can use. If that’s what you’re looking for, then you got it, babe,” he said, looking at the newspaper.
“Don’t call me babe. Austin and me hanging out is none of your business, so stop acting like you’re jealous.” I stared at him. “Plus, don’t you have a girlfriend? I think you should worry about her and not me. Then she can stop threatening me in the hall.”
This news shocked him for a second. My guess was he didn’t know about Clover’s confrontation with me a few weeks back. The surprise didn’t last long, though, and he jumped right back into it.
“Right, I’m jealous. More like you’re lucky that tiny dhampyr brain of yours hasn’t gotten you or your sister killed yet. You’re nothing but a stupid little girl pretending to be all-knowing, and eventually, you’re going to end up dead. I just hope I’m there to see it.” He sat back in his chair, shook the paper out, and pulled it up over his face.
I stared at the back of the paper for several minutes, finishing my drink. My heart slowly shattered into my stomach, making me feel nauseated. I didn’t deserve that, but I refused to cry, to be weak.
Before I could make my legs strong enough to hold me up, he lowered the paper.
“Don’t,” I said sternly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I’m just frustrated with you, as always.”
“Yes, and as always, you hurt me. Forget it. You’re right—I’m a stupid little dhampyr girl.”
“Wait, Tasi—”
“I said don’t.”
I stood up and headed into the main hall, ignoring anything he might have said next. The sun was setting, and it was almost time for the vamps to start their day. I lay on the couch, waiting for the others.
Staring at the ceiling, I thought about Ethan. It was the last thing I wanted to think about, but what he’d said bugged me. He could be so cruel sometimes, and it was always directed at me. What had I done to him, to make him hate me so much?
“Why the long face, Killer?” Austin stared at me with his glittery-green eyes, arms crossed on the back of the couch. He tilted his head slightly.
“Killer?”
“Yeah. Death Wish was the other pet name I thought up weeks ago, but after a long internal debate I decided on Killer. It has a nicer ring to it.” He moved in closer, bringing his voice to a whisper. “Anyone ballsy enough to take on Sonya the way you have and almost kick my ass in a sparring match, well, that person is pretty badass, if I say so myself.”
“Whatever.”
“Seriously, Tasi, over these past few weeks, you have changed my mind. I truly thought you were going to be a stuck-up girl who thought she was all that when you first got here. I’m grateful to admit I was wrong.”
I couldn’t control the smile on my face. “Glad I could change someone’s mind.”
He swiftly moved around the couch and lifted my feet so he could sit down. I sat up, pulling my legs into my chest.
“You mean Ethan.” He rolled his eyes, brushing his black hair out of them. “He’s moody. Ignore him. Plus, if he can’t see how fantastic you are, then he isn’t worth it.”
I rested my head on my knees, giving Austin a small sideways smile. “I’ll try.”
There was no way I could ignore Ethan. Even though he riled me often, there was something that kept pulling me to him. I wished there weren’t, because I didn’t want to feel anything for him. I wanted to forget I ever met him.
The rest of the gang was headed over to where Austin and I were sitting.
“Well, well, look who’s getting all cozy in front of the fireplace.” Lizzie smiled.
“It’s not like that,” I said, shaking my head.
“Yeah, she hasn’t completely succumbed to my charm and brilliance.” Austin stood up and straightened his clothes, then looked at me and winked. “Yet.”
“Brilliance? A dog is smarter than you, Austin,” Lizzie said with an arched eyebrow.
“Yes, and I would say the same about you, but everyone knows it already.” He ruffled Lizzie’s hair as he passed by her. “Be right back. Going to steal the keys to the Navi.”
Lizzie grimaced as she violently fixed her hair. “Horrible comeback, and I hate when he does that.” She turned her focus to me. “So, when will you guys have your first date?”
“Who’s dating now?” Ethan asked, walking into the conversation.
“The two lovebirds, Tasi and Austin,” Cas contributed, which made Emily giggle as they both walked up.
“Can’t a girl be friends with a guy? Man, I’m happy I never had to go to an actual high school.”
“Yes, Tasi, a girl can be friends with a guy, just not a guy like Austin,” Lizzie said with a smile.
“Yeah, I’m going to have to agree with Lizzie on this one. Austin is a girl magnet, you’ll see. Wherever we go, women swoon over him,” Cas added.
“Enough, please,” Ethan said. “I don’t want to listen to this all day.”
“Yes, why would we want to listen to this all day when we can listen to Ethan and his multiple personalities?” I didn’t look at Ethan, but was secretly glad he’d voiced his opinion, not that I would give him the satisfaction of knowing that. I really didn’t want to hear about Austin and me all day either.
Austin was walking back toward us, swinging the keys around his finger. Admittedly, he was beautiful, with his messy black hair and crystal-green eyes. His chiseled facial features made him look sophisticated. Then there was his personality. I could see why girls fell all over him. But there was no way I’d be that girl. Yes, I enjoyed talking to him, and staring at him was a pleasant pastime, but I wouldn’t be his conquest.
“You might want to stop staring. After five seconds, it becomes noticeable,” Lizzie snickered.
My eyes shot daggers at her, which made her laugh, but my face flushed as I realized the others had seen me watching Austin. When I looked at Ethan, he just stood there, lips pressed together.
Lizzie looped her arm through mine and led me toward the doors. “Come on, let’s go have some fun.”
“Austin, Starbucks, first stop—it’s on Lizzie.” I watched as her smile dropped to a frown, and I was the one laughing.