Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 235897 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1179(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 786(@300wpm)
And find Xaden on the other side, standing with one ankle crossed over the other, his arms folded as he leans his shoulder against the trunk.
Ridoc’s hand flexes on my shoulder, but he doesn’t let go as we abruptly stop.
Xaden arches his scarred brow, taking note.
“Quite the conundrum,” Ridoc says. “You see, if I drop my hand, it looks like we’ve been caught doing something we shouldn’t. Which we haven’t. But if I leave it here, I’m not sure you won’t go all blank-face on me in a fit of rage and—” He drags his left hand across his neck.
“Not helping,” I tell him.
“I also don’t want you to think that just because you’re scary, I’m scared of you,” Ridoc adds. “Which I’m not.”
“You are. What did you decide?” Xaden asks, his face a perfect mask of boredom.
“You’re not going to threaten to kill me?” Ridoc counters.
“I don’t make empty threats.”
I reach out mentally, but Xaden’s shields are still locked tight.
Ridoc tilts his head. “Meaning you wouldn’t threaten before you killed me? Or you wouldn’t actually kill me?”
Xaden half shrugs. “You pick.”
“Stop it.” I look straight at Xaden and his gaze flickers to mine, warming slightly.
“She tells Rhiannon and Sawyer,” Ridoc demands, then pauses, considering. “And Jesinia.”
My heart practically stops. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Is that all?” Xaden asks, and I can’t tell if he’s being a sarcastic ass or a serious one.
“I’d prefer Mira and Brennan, too, but we can start with the first three,” Ridoc states, looking at Xaden. “Everyone you’ve told values your life over hers—”
“That’s not true,” I argue.
“Everyone who knows has told Violet to run as far and as fast as she can,” Xaden says. “Myself included.”
“Good to know.” Ridoc shrugs. “Rhi. Sawyer. Jesinia. That’s my only condition for keeping your secret.”
“That is not what we discussed,” I hiss up at him.
“We discussed our terms,” Ridoc says, then looks back at Xaden. “This is between us. Jesinia needs to know what she’s actually researching in case there’s a way to slow your progression. Sawyer, Rhi, and I are the only ones who can be with Violet during every class, and our dorm rooms are right next to hers. She’s more than capable of protecting herself, but extra eyes don’t hurt, considering what will come for her.”
Xaden tenses.
“Yeah, you know exactly what I’m talking about.” Ridoc nods.
My forehead crinkles. “Well, I don’t.”
“If he progresses and turns fully—” Ridoc starts.
“When,” Xaden corrects him. “Denial and I don’t keep company.”
Ridoc’s eyebrows rise. “All right then. When he turns fully, or when someone with the wrong rank realizes what he’s become, they’ll have to kill him for the very reasons you’ve already mentioned, Vi.”
“What does that…” My stomach hollows as I follow his train of thought to its logical conclusion, then refills immediately with scalding anger. I drag my gaze to Xaden’s. “Killing me is the easiest way to kill you.” Just like my first year.
“I won’t let that happen.” Xaden’s jaw clenches.
“We won’t let that happen,” Ridoc corrects. “You’ll be off doing evil shit wherever evil shit gets done.”
My lips part.
“Rhi. Sawyer. Jesinia,” Ridoc repeats.
“Not Aetos?” Xaden questions. “Dain specifically.”
“Absolutely not,” I interject. “He’ll kill you.”
“He could try,” Xaden replies. “The attempt would certainly make things awkward.”
“I’m with Violet on this one,” Ridoc chimes in. “While I’m proud of how far Aetos has come in the rule-bending department, he’s not ready to graduate to this particular level. Rhi. Sawyer. Jesinia.”
“Done,” Xaden answers. “But let’s be clear. I don’t care who she tells when it comes to her safety.”
“Good.” Ridoc nods, then rocks back on his heels and takes a deep breath. “Oh, and just so we’re clear, that strike up there wasn’t”—he gestures between us—“you know. Us.” He flinches. “I mean, it was us because I pissed her off, but it wasn’t us…us, if you know what I’m saying.”
I fight to keep from rolling my eyes.
“Well aware,” Xaden replies. “First because I trust Violet, and second”—he glances at Ridoc in a dismissive once-over—“it wasn’t a big enough strike.”
Seriously? I scoff.
“Huh.” Ridoc tilts his head as if deciding something, then shakes it. “Nope. You and I are not back to dick jokes yet. Not that we were ever there. I’m still pissed.”
“You should be.” Xaden pushes off the tree and walks toward us. “And I’m making sure Violet’s capable of killing me when the time comes. If it’s between her and me, I choose her. Kill the other guy I become.”
My eyes narrow on the beautiful asshole I’ve foolishly given my heart to. “It’s not going to come to that.”
“Holy shit. Is that noble? Is that twisted? I can’t decide.” Ridoc pats me on the shoulder, then starts back toward camp. “I’ve never been happier to be single. You two have some serious issues.”
“Garrick handled the hunting that you were supposed to be doing,” Xaden calls out as we leave the trees.