281
Lucy
I felt a sense of unease wash over me as I caught one of their gazes and quickly looked away. It was the way they were looking at me, with a mix of curiosity and suspicion in their eyes, that made me feel like I was being sized up. It made me feel a bit like I was being sized up for auction again, except they weren't looking to sell me to a man as a sex slave, but a butcher or a potionsmaker for parts.
I could almost see it in his eyes. Then, he smirked, and my blood went cold. He leaned over to the man next to him and whispered something. I wish I could hear. I bet David and Duke could. I tore my gaze away, trying to calm myself. I tried to shake off the feeling, telling myself that I had nothing to worry about. David was here. I wasn't that simple orphan girl being stuffed into a trunk. I lifted my gaze and stared back at the one who smirked at me, setting my jaw and glaring. He looked surprised, and his eyes glinted.
"Glare any harder, and he might come over here and challenge you to a dual. Take it easy," David said. "It's okay."
I nodded, but I could barely eat while feeling their eyes on me. My heart raced. I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. I didn't want to be scared, but I was. There were so many of them. What would happen if any of us were separated from each other?
David squeezed my hand.
"How about some chocolate?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood. "I made brownies."
I bit my lip and looked up at him, squeezing his hand back.
"I've never had a brownie."
He grinned. "You're in for a treat, literally."
"Are these the same brownies Blue fusses over?" Duke asked, leaning around me.
"They are. I had to hide a batch from her and Amos." David shook his head. "They enjoy fighting over them, though."
"I'm pretty sure it's foreplay."
David snorted, opened the cooler beside Duke, and pulled out a container. He set it in front of me. Despite the fear that gripped me, I opened the container and picked one to eat. It was so good I almost forgot that there was a group of hunters sizing us up.
Almost.
My eyes burned. Maybe it was shame or just more fear. I knew that he would do everything in his power to keep me safe from harm. The thought of being hunted made my stomach churn with dread, but I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the present moment. I had barely had a taste of what those devices did, and I wasn't looking to experience it again. I just wanted to get out of here and find some safety.
As we continued to eat, Michelle, Tom, and Duke seemed to hit it off. Sarah was giving Emily a hard time, and Amy seemed to be trying to keep the peace. None of them noticed the tension in the air. Duke leaned over.
"Bad news?"
"David says we'll be fine." I smiled at him. "You should be thinking about what to wear on your date."
He scowled at me and nudged me gently but went back to eating. We finished our lunch quickly enough. I felt hyper-aware of the way they watched us. It was an unnerving experience, but nothing happened, thankfully. Maybe they knew they were treading a fine line and had to be careful, or maybe they were just planning to strike later.
As we left the cafeteria, Tom escorted Duke to class while David escorted me. Sarah and Amy walked to class together since they were headed in the same direction, and Michelle rushed off to meet the Escort that would drive her to work. I watched Tom and Duke walk down the corridor for a few moments before walking with David.
David took my hand and guided me towards mine. His touch was reassuring, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me.
"You alright?" he asked softly.
"They didn't even seem nervous."
"Not surprising, considering. Hunters tend to be pretty arrogant when they're not in explicitly supernatural areas. They think we're all isolationist, but there's no need to worry. There are plenty of SCF operatives around, and Hecate has already put out officers. There are plans to sweep the city for devices with the help of the SCF by the end of today and every day leading up to the Festival. They'll be dealt with."
I nodded. "That seems like a lot… The Festival is still so far away."
"They showed up early to the party. They brought it on themselves."
"About Tom…"
He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows. "Did you see how easily Duke agreed? I'm going to make sure to tease him until he's as red as a tomato. Just watch. Payback is vicious."
"He trusts you," I said. "He knows you only want what's best for him."
He chuckled and pulled me closer. "Are you pleading for less teasing?"
"Not even a little. It would serve him right. So, who is he?"
"Tom is an operative," he explained. "He's not here to watch you or Duke. He's investigating the hunters and the recent supernatural incidents around campus."
I felt a sense of relief wash over me. It was comforting to know that Duke had a chance for romance if that's what he wanted.
"I made it clear what would happen to him if he was lying and Duke ended up hurt. He seems like a rather upright guy, and he's infatuated with Duke… You should have heard him start gushing about his date plans with Duke."
I laughed.
"Thank you, David," I squeezed his hand. "That makes me feel better."
David smiled at me, his eyes filled with affection. There's no need to thank me."
As we reached my classroom, he leaned in and kissed my cheek. My face heated. My heart fluttered.
"How about setting that date for tonight after class," he said, his voice low and seductive. I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my stomach at the thought of spending more time with him.
"I can't wait," I replied, smiling. His eyes lit up. I could see the kaleidoscope of colors peeking through his illusion.
I glanced around nervously. "I can see your eyes. Your illusion is wearing thin…"
He smirked. "It's not. You're using your magic to see through it."
I frowned. "I didn't use a spell…"
"The illusion is only meant to fool people without supernatural senses, Lucy. You're engaging your magic to see naturally, and that's amazing."
He kissed my hand. "You've come far."
I shuffled my feet shyly. "I-It's not a big deal."
"Nonsense," he said. "Every step forward should be celebrated."
He cupped my cheek. "One day, you'll be able to do that for yourself. For now, let me and everyone else who loves you."
My heart stuttered. The words felt heavier than they should have, casual and warm.
"I'll see you after class, hm?"
I nodded. With a final squeeze of my hand, David left me to head to his own class. I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation as I walked into the classroom, knowing that I had a date with the man I loved that evening.
Love?
My heart stuttered as the realization of my feelings for David washed over me, filling me with a fluttery warmth. Love. I loved him. I bit my lip, trying to hold back the rush of emotions that threatened to spill out and overwhelm me. I loved David, and the thought of confessing my feelings to him filled me with both excitement and trepidation.
Should I tell him? How should I tell him? Did he feel the same way? I bit my lip, thinking back. Had he already told me?
No. It was just a general statement. He couldn't have been talking about the same kind of love, right? Was it too soon to tell him? I was so far behind him. He was the alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, some kind of ambassador across supernatural species, and I didn't even know how to shift. Still, the feeling didn't die; if anything, it felt brighter in my chest as I marched into class.
I could learn. I could get stronger, get smarter, get better until I could stand confidently by his side in the supernatural world as his equal, as his partner. I settled into my seat, feeling for once since I started having these doubts that they weren't insurmountable. I could grow into a woman worthy of him.
I just had to be consistent, patient, and ready to do whatever it took to get there. As the professor walked in wearing a glowing necklace and a sly smile, I gripped my pen and set my jaw.
The first step to the day I could feel comfortable telling him how I felt was to get through this class and be ready for the Festival.
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