Yeah, thats what your girlfriend said about your di
Instructor Romvis hand snapped out, catching my chin. Your mouth, Miss Andros, could also use improvement.
But Jackson
I do not care. He dropped his hand, glaring down at me. I do not tolerate such foul words in my class. This is your last warning. Next time you will find yourself in the Deans office.
Unbe-freaking-lievable . I watched Romvi stalk out of the room.
Caleb approached me, handing Olivia her gym bag. His eyes, the color of the clearest sky, shone with sympathy. Hes a prick, Alex.
I waved my hand dismissively, not sure if he was talking about Romvi or Jackson. They were both pricks in my book.
One of these days, youre so gonna snap and kill him. Luke dragged his fingers through bronze-colored locks.
Which one? I asked.
Both. Luke grinned as he tapped my arm. I just hope Im here to see it.
I second that. Olivia wrapped her arm around Calebs. They pretended whatever was going on between them was a casual thing, but I knew different. Whenever Olivia touched Caleb, which was often, he completely forgot about whatever was going on and got this stupid smile on his face.
Then again, a lot of the male halfs got that look on their faces around her. Olivia was stunning. Her caramel-colored skin was envied by most of the halfs. So was her closet. Id kill to get my hands on her clothes.
A shadow fell over our little group, quickly dispersing them. I didnt have to look up to know it was Aiden. Only he had the kind of power to send just about anyone running in the opposite direction. Respect and fear did that.
See you later, Caleb called out.
I nodded vaguely, staring at Aidens sneakers. Shame over Romvis little display made it hard to look at him. I worked hard for Aidens respect, to prove I did have the potential he and Leon had believed I had the day Marcus had tried to toss me out of the Covenant.
Funny how one person could ruin that in a matter of seconds.
Alex, look at me.
Against my will, I obeyed. When he spoke that way, I couldnt help it. He stood in front of me, his long and lean body coiled. We currently were pretending I hadnt tried to hand my virginity over to him the night Id found out I was going to be the second coming of the Apollyon. Aiden seemed to be doing really well with it. I, on the other hand, couldnt stop obsessing over it.
You didnt fail.
I shrugged. Doesnt seem that way, does it?
The Instructors are tougher on you because of the time youve missed and because your uncle is the Dean. People look at what you do. They pay attention.
And my stepfather is the Minister of Council. I get it, Aiden. Look, lets get this over with. My voice was a little sharper than I intended, but Aiden had seen how mortifying this class had turned out. Not like I needed to discuss it with him.
Aiden caught my arm and pushed up the sleeve
of my shirt. It had a whole different effect on me. A flutter formed in my chest, spreading a warm flush all over me. Pure-bloods were off-limits to us halfs, which meant what had gone down between us was tantamount to feeling up the Pope or offering Gandhi a roast beef sandwich.
You should never be ashamed of these scars, Alex. Never. Aiden dropped my arm and motioned me to the center of the floor. Lets get this going so you can rest.
I trailed behind him. What about your rest? Dont you have a patrol tonight? Aiden was pulling double duty between training me and his Sentinel duties.
Aiden was special. Hed chosen to be a Sentinel, and hed also chosen to work with me so I wouldnt be so far behind the other students. He didnt have to do either, but a sense of justice had propelled him to become a Sentinel. We shared that desire. What made him want to help me? I liked to think he was undeniably attracted to melike I was when it came to him.
He circled me, stopping to position my arms at mid-level. Youre holding your arms wrong. Thats why Jacksons hits kept getting through.
What about your rest? I persisted.
Dont worry about me. He squared off, motioning me forward with one hand. Worry more about yourself, Alex. This is going to be a tough year for you, and youre doing triple time in training.
Id have more free time if I didnt have to practice with Seth.
Aiden swung forward so fast I barely blocked the blow. Alex, weve been over this.
I know. I stopped his chop. I alternated days between Aiden and Seth, as well as every other weekend. It was like they shared joint custody of me, but I hadnt seen my other half yet today. Strangehe usually lurked around nearby.
Alex. Aiden moved out of the offensive stance, studying me closely.
What? I dropped my arms.
He opened his mouth, seeming to rethink his words. Youve been looking a little tired lately. Are you getting enough rest?
I felt my cheeks burst with color. Gods, do I look that bad or something?
He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Softness crept across his features. Alex, you dont look bad at all. Its just that youve been through a lot and you seem tired.