Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 75539 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75539 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Oh shit, that soon? I thought there was still more time.”
“Nope. Should be any day now.”
Wynwood Academy was a school made for supernaturals, sitting in the center of Central Park and housing students from all around the world. It was where Marvels went to learn the most advanced spells, fae went to learn how to harness their innate abilities of emotional control, shifters went to learn how to truly master their forms, and vampires went to learn how to be the best of their species. Dragons went too, of course, although they made up the smallest percentage of the student body. There were even some non-supernaturals who—against all odds—made it through the admissions process and got to rub elbows with some of the most powerful beings in the world. Warrick had always wanted to go, but there was never any guarantee. He worked his ass off, making sure he always finished at the top of his classes and building up that resume. He had taken four years off after high school so he could volunteer and intern at various different organizations, all with a focus on helping those who needed help the most. His application had to have been the shiniest out of the bunch.
“Well, I’ve got no doubt you’ll be getting in,” I said, giving him a shoulder squeeze.
He smiled up at me. “I hope so.”
“I get it. That kind of anxiety is rough. I felt it waiting for my test scores, but you’re way smarter than me. I’m sure you’re in.”
“Thanks, X.”
I went back to the countertop, wiping down the pale pine wood and setting the wet towel down on the farmhouse sink. I made up two other plates. “Alright, I’m going to bring this back to Blake. We’re still having that family meeting in a few hours, right?”
“Yup. I think Claire found something.”
“Good, good.”
I left through the arching doorway and walked through the spacious living room, glancing out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the peaceful desert landscape. It had been two weeks since we had left the castle and hunkered down here. Without the tracking app, we weren’t hit with any more surprise attacks. It only proved what we had already figured out.
Cassius’ father was involved with all of this.
I reached the bedroom, entering just as Blake stretched out under the sheets with a big yawn. He sat up, the sheets pulling down to his thighs, smiling through the sleep that still clouded his senses. “I knew I smelled bacon.”
“I know it’s your favorite,” I said, bringing him his plate.
He smiled at me, looking so damn cute with his bed head and bright amber eyes. The curtains were drawn, so my bedroom was washed in morning sunlight. It had a very different vibe than the bedroom back in the castle. This one was all light wood paneling and potted succulents and beige carpets placed on top of each other. An antique mirror stood on clawed legs next to a dresser made from Joshua trees that had toppled over.
I got into bed with him. I enjoyed these quiet morning moments. Normally, I only had a protein shake for breakfast and called it a day, but Blake made me want to go the extra mile.
“How’d you sleep?” Blake asked me.
“Great. I dreamed that we were on a beach somewhere. Dolphins jumping in the water and the two of us naked in the sand. Fucking like rabbits.”
Blake smiled at that. He slept in his briefs, which I noticed looked extra full. “Sounds like a great dream. Maybe we should make it reality one day.”
“I definitely think we should.”
“Have you ever had sex on a beach?” Blake asked.
“Never.”
“So I’d get to take your virginity for something, then. Fun.”
“Very,” I said, leaning in for a nibble on Blake’s ear. “You’re so fucking special. I can’t tell you that enough.”
“I feel the same about you.”
There was something I wanted to talk to him about. Something I’d been thinking of recently, but I wasn’t quite sure how he’d take it. I felt like now would be the moment to broach the topic. “I think Claire was able to nail down exactly where the lab is. If so, the next few days are going to move fast. We’re going to have to go in like a lightning storm. We can’t give them any more time with that dagger.”
“I know, it’s going to be wild.”
“But speaking about the next few days: Blake, I want you to take a step back from all of this. I want you to stay here, protected by one of my siblings. You’ve been through so much already, and I don’t want to risk anything happening to you.”
Blake’s expression shifted, the warmth from our earlier conversation fading into something more serious. “X, I appreciate that you’re trying to protect me, but I’ve been with you every step of the way so far. I can’t just sit on the sidelines now. I need to be there, with you.”