eezing, but my skin felt like it was on fire. I stayed under the cov

er graduation. Now, Marcus was gone, and I was being hunted by three different men who looked like they stepped out of a nightmar

whispered to t

victim. If I missed class or let my grades slip, I'd be back in the town

er my neck. The skin was still tender, and the two puncture marks were a deep,

y reflection. "Or a reaction to the m

ortable, but it was better than people seeing it and asking questions. I grabbed my bag, shoved my phone dee

bout midterms as if the world was normal. I kept my head down, my heart thumpi

l seat in the back, trying to blend into the shadows. I just

u haven't slept i

It was Jax, a guy from my study group. H

of studying," I s

the fight in the library parking lot last night? Someone said a biker

old. "I didn't

getting weird," Jax mut

walked in, his black coat billowing slightly behind him. He looked perfect-not a hai

oom. His eyes passed over me without stopping, but I

ice echoing. "Specifically, when a contract is signed under duress. Ca

couldn't focus on the words. All I could think ab

in front of my row. He wasn't looking at me, b

ance,"

d. "Yes, P

y in exchange for your fre

at him, and for a second, the mask of the professor slipped. His blu

"Freedom isn't something you trade. If it's f

ng his lips. "A very textbook answer. But in the re

at they want because they

podium. "Class dismissed. Miss Vance, stay

s he packed up. "Good luck. He l

," I wh

ve from my seat. Alaric stayed at the podium, cli

re," he

e front row. "I didn't turn in an essay

nd rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I didn't

t send that text? To tell me yo

stop until he was inches away. He reached out, his hand wrapping around the back of my n

shut. The heat was back, movi

his very difficu

. "You act like you don't know me in front of the cl

ropping to a low, dangerous rumble. "I'm simply making sure you're paying

eon Moon?"

r. "I have never been to such a place. But if I had,

ped back, putting his glasses bac

y focused. You wouldn't want to lose that

ran straight for the side exit of the building. My mind was a mess. Alaric was lying, I knew he

against a tree to catch my breath. My phone

out the back exit, little bird

cycle near the library, was Killian. He was leaning against his handle

a deer caught in the sights