Chapter 540: Jealousy
I didn't sleep very well that night. Tossing and turning courtesy of Shaylee. My demon. My vampire.
My own anger.
Shenka was already asleep when I arrived back at our dorm room, and it was just as well. I didn't have time to deal with her weird coldness from earlier at lunch, not with my head spinning and my temper rising now that I was out of Mom's reach.
They are fools, my vampire sent with heat, showing her rare temper.
Agreed, my demon snarled.
Venemeth is evil, Shaylee spat.
Tell me something I didn't know. If Mom's worried, I sent to them, there's good reason. Why hadn't she told me how much trouble I'd been causing her?
Probably because it wouldn't have changed anything, my vampire sent. You've done only what comes as natural-saved them all from destruction over and over again. Imagine if we hadn't been there to prevent Batsheva from the inevitable destruction of Pannera and her blood clan?
Or the discovery of the Brotherhood infiltration in the European Council, Shaylee sent.
Or the Brotherhood's pursuit of domination. My demon chuffed softly. Like any of the Council or other leaders are prepared to step up when the time comes.
And yet. My vampire's anger cooled. I agree with your mother on one thing, Sydlynn. Because I've felt similar animosity and almost let it destroy me.
They are afraid of me. I rolled over on my side, hugging my pillow.
Fear is a powerful enemy, my vampire sent. History is full of examples of society destroying their saviors out of misplaced fear.
So what are we supposed to do, then? My demon growled, twisting inside me while Shaylee hunched deep, earth magic thrumming, making me feel ten times as heavy. Nothing?
Of course not, my vampire sent. But we must be more cautious. And have answers prepared in case we are asked to defend ourselves.
I don't know if you've noticed, I sent, feeling a hysterical giggle building inside me, but we don't exactly do caution and advanced planning very well.
For once, she didn't chastise me for my humor. Indeed, she sent with a hint of her own laughter. But perhaps it's something we need to learn.
Sigh.
I finally slept while my alter egos grumbled and settled. One thing was for sure-Mom's warning was just that. And she was right about putting the coven first. I felt a sharp jab of protectiveness for my family, knowing how much I risked them and their futures.
And yet, I didn't have a choice.
No self-pity. I was way past those days of falling into a black pit of boo-hoo. But a healthy dose of "why me" would have been nice, just this once.
Shenka was gone when I finally woke, groggy and out of sorts, the sun streaming in cheerful beams across my face.
Not feeling even remotely perky, I forced myself into the shower for a quick scrub before slumping my way down to the Yard and heading for breakfast. Charlotte remained silent through our walk, her usual. And though there were times I wished she'd talk to me, carry on a normal conversation, this wasn't one of those times. Her quiet suited me perfectly.
My friends were already assembled, chatting over breakfast, when I approached with my tray. It took me a full three breaths of absolute shock to comprehend my normal place next to Liam was full.
Of Tippy.
What?
The only place left was at the end of the table, between Josie and Nicci. And while I liked them both, it wasn't the same. Shenka sat on Liam's left, in Tippy's usual seat.
And the red haired wench with the big boobs she better stop brushing against his arm sat where I was supposed to be.
Worse? Liam, who normally blushed and turned away from her flirting, leaned close to the tart and laughed, whispering in her ear while she giggled and squeezed his bicep with her manicured hands.
Appetite successfully slain.
"Oh, hey, Syd!" Tippy waved with her plastic spoon, smiling like she wasn't the worst kind of vile traitor, her red hair falling across Liam's hand, her shoulder pressed to his. And didn't I just know her hot little thigh was cemented to his faded jeans?
I sank into the empty seat and stared at her. "Hi." One word. All I could manage. Liam glanced up, met my eyes, looked away.
Without even a hint of guilt. Or recognition. Or friendliness.
I wondered how he'd look with my yogurt all over his stupid white t-shirt.
Conversation went on without me, as though I weren't even there, like my social world had done an abrupt about face and slammed me into a cement wall. There was a time I was forced into the life of a loner, when I wanted friends more than anything, something normal to cling to. And then a time I chose to be alone, where having friends to care about was too complicated. But I'd become complacent, accepted I could have people around me who treated me like I was just another witch.
The loner thing was looking pretty good again.
"Syd," Tippy gushed at me, leaning over so far I could see the crumb of toast in her cleavage. Way down in her cleavage. Seriously. "We need to chat about my audition. I can't wait to show you what I can do for you and your coven."
Like she had even the remotest chance now that she'd wrapped her disgusting little paws around my...
Choke.
My what? My Liam? But he wasn't my Liam, was he? He was right what he said yesterday. I'd told him time and again we couldn't be together. And yet, here I was going all jealous crazy.
What did that say about me and how I felt about him?
Sigh.
More to ponder. Punctuated by frustration when Shenka stood up without looking at me and stomped off. Damn her. Like I needed more drama.
Still, what was his problem? The Liam I knew wouldn't turn tables so fast. I pondered the possibility Tippy was influencing him, refusing to believe he would purposely torture me over our earlier conversation about his mother.
He just wouldn't.
It took a supreme effort to jerk myself under control and force a smile on my face in answer to Tippy.
"We'll see," I said, my eyes going to Liam's face again even as he turned to push his breakfast around with his fork. Looked like I wasn't the only one without much of an appetite. He finally set down his utensil and sat back, passing one big hand over his face as his cheeks paled a little.
"Are you okay?" Panic rippled around me despite my irritation with his about-face as Shaylee instantly reached for him, but he blocked us with his own magic and frowned, finally meeting my eyes.
"I'm fine," he said, climbing to his feet, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "Coming, Tips?"
She wriggled herself out of her chair and linked arms with him, giant bag in her free hand. "You betcha, handsome." Her broad wink at me as they walked away lit the fire of my fury all over again.
When I looked back, I found Donalda watching me. "If you call poaching," she said, "we'll all back you."
So the other girls noticed, did they? What I'd taken for coldness toward me was just the opposite. I reached out and grabbed Donalda's hand, squeezed it before releasing her and taking Nicci's and finally Josie's.
"He's fair game," I said, hating to say it, but knowing it was true. I finally embraced what I'd been asking Liam to accept all along. "No foul."
All three girls stared a moment before Donalda shrugged and tsked softly.
"If you can't see how much he loves you," she said, gathering her own things while the other two joined her, "I guess Tippy deserves him after all."
I sat in stunned silence, feeling tears burn my eyes, the scent of breakfast making my stomach heave even as the warmth of the sun through the stained glass windows did nothing to dispel the shiver of goosebumps I rubbed away with rough hands.
Charlotte's low growl was the only warning I had, no time to pull myself out of sadness and into guarded anger in time. Venner sat next to me while Charlotte hummed her unhappiness, but I waved her off, hating he'd seen me vulnerable.
He didn't comment, at least. Would have lost something important to his survival if he had. Instead, he smiled his little smirk at me, green eyes sparkling as he toyed with the long, silver length of his hair, a large ring flashing on his right hand.
"I must say I was delighted to see you yesterday." Yeah, right. Though, maybe he was. Shaylee spit and shrieked in my head, making it hard to focus. "The absolute delight on your face warmed my heart, Your Highness."
Bastard. "I hope it keeps you warm at night," I said, teeth flashing as I bared them in a viscous grin. "Considering you don't have many nights left to enjoy yourself."
Venner reached out and patted my hand, putting his life in imminent danger. Not just from me, but from Charlotte. I could feel the wolf in her struggling to emerge, to tear his throat out with her teeth. And while the vision was inspiring, my demon and Shaylee adding to the gory details, I had Mom's warning to think about.
"I find your little Council so quaint," he said, tapping his long, thin fingers on the tabletop. "And the board of governors." He snorted elegantly-I'd never heard anyone manage it, but he did, the ass-and cupped his cheek in his free hand. "They adore me. So much. How lovely."
"Lovely," I echoed between clenched teeth. "I hate games, Venner. Just put your damned cards on the table and stop jerking my chain."
"Oh, but doing so delights me." He reached out for me again, took one of my hands in both of his, the cool, smooth skin creeping me out hard core. His lips brushed my knuckles as his large green eyes sparked with Sidhe magic. "And I'd hate to ruin the surprise too soon."
"If you touch Liam," I snarled, pushing forward until our noses practically touched, "or go one step near the Gate or anyone I care about, I will personally dismember you and hide your body parts where no one will ever find them."
Venner's eyes shuttered over, darkening, though his smirk remained. "Such class," he said. "Wherever did you get your manners, Miss Hayle?"
I'd show him manners. But before I could say or do anything further, Venner rose in a single graceful movement, a slip of paper falling on my tray.
"I'll see you at my lecture tomorrow morning," he said as he drifted off. "Tardiness will not be accepted."
I watched him go even as Charlotte lunged over my shoulder and retrieved the note. She didn't unfold it, just lifted it to her nose and sniffed. Her eyes flickered to wolf and back again before she growled in disgust.
"What?"
She handed me the paper, her wolf retreating. "No scent," she said.
"Isn't that kind of impossible?" Not to doubt her nose, but Charlotte's was the keenest I'd ever come across.
Except. Except when it came to one person in particular. Ever since Harvard last year and the vampire incident, Charlotte's sensitivity for my most hated enemy was left in the dark.
Charlotte held the note out to me and I accepted it from her, anxiety mixing with rising anger.
Two unfolds later and I had my confirmation no scent could mean only one thing.
I told you I knew about Liam.
See you on the Green.
A.
***
