TER

ng to my car. I'm not sure what danger you're alluding to, other than your hand gripping my arm." I hated people who th

mbers. Not t

face twisted as if letting go were painful. "I need you to be saf

around other people." I wouldn't let him think I'd take this split personality thing in stride. Lifting my head defiantly, I stared straight into his eyes while keeping m

haled and searched for

d-amber scent made me dizzy. My mind went blank, and something in the air be

the

ked from behind Raffe. Raffe stiffe

en us vanished as he turned awa

urned in one

snapped, disgust and conte

you followed her." Slade stepped to the side where he could se

he word I'd use, but I

maybe you should head back to your own k

and rocked back on his heels. "Are y

a thing. There's something I need to talk with her about." His demeanor relaxed though his to

leave. I wasn't comfortable around Raffe, nor did I want to be caught up in whate

ough to block me. How the hell was he that fast? No

versation." Raffe lifted a b

rsation to begin with. More like accusations and glares. "Whatever it was we were having." I couldn't come up with a better alternative. "So, please, c

h, she's definitely

Slade and said, "I'm no one's." My heart ached at that sentiment,

e, but Raffe's expression sli

before the ground started shaking again or something equally bad. The best way to relax was to remove m

e strolled next to me to my beat-up, black Honda C

st ja

ey. I made a show out of unlocking my car with the fob because that was

up beside me, m

magnet for danger, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Remember t

I'd gotten myself into more trouble. Instead of the standoffish expression an

o trul

m, so I nodded. My blood warmed, but it wa

took a step back and laughed coldly. "And if your c

ck. That was good. I understood how to deal with jerks.

rched a brow. "You will, ri

the car. I shifted into reverse. I needed to get out of here and fast. Fortunately,

t was like being at EEU had increased the vol

to drive, I couldn't stop myself

he somehow looked even sexier. It was enough of a

me, and I saluted him with my

and headed toward Portland, wanting to lose myself in the city and

ting bookstores and an animal shelter, I fin

the university had set on me for attending-I couldn't get a job. My en

ought of a

op vet school. I'd filled out the application, and they'd informed me that I'd have to take a required class before I could begin, but I was more

jolted again. I grimaced. Just pulli

hest from the apartment buildings and residence halls. In a way, it symbolized what

apartment and grab some clothes. I suspected she had a ton of friends, so if I wanted to avoid her, I could pack several days' wo

ed the area. With my luck, some

they seem. Raffe's wor

was back, the conversation and strange interactions sprang back up. He'd bee

ed to tell me something, why d

tev

I didn't need to waste any

levator. Soon, I was at the apartment door. I

punched in the code and

pped

se coming from Luc

her step into the hallway. What wa

"Skylar, wait. Please. I've been upset

I didn't want to be the asshole. I understood what it was like to be on h

so what type of hypocrit

as I shut the do

same level as her. She was gorgeous, dressed nicely, and screamed money. "I just came to grab a few things so I can get out of your hair until you sort

She wrung her hands. "We

mation that they hadn't meant it that way, or that I must have slipped and they'd only been trying to help, every time, the teachers and principals had believed them because they were the favored students or because it was just easier than dealing with the pro

ked then

and her claws came out. "You're blunt." She pr

e y

it does is make the rejection hurt more." I hadn't meant to say that,

let you room with them?" She d

nversation, I might as well get my things now instead of hav

ette told me there's no way to change the assign

eth

d eventually get cold. The fizzing sensation swi

nd on her chest. "This migh

iting for th

continue. Inste

me. I doubted she wanted to ruin her long, burnt- orange nails. I glanced in the kitc

cleaner who comes in weekly, and I wouldn't be surprised if the stove is just for looks. Besides,

d my nose

weren't judgy."

nt thing. If it can moo or cluck, you might need to re

." She plopped onto the couch, making

ra

p that we could get along. She'd tried to get a new roommate earlier. If some

to change our arrangement." Her eyes t

respond. This was new territory, and what if she changed her mind later? I needed to keep my d

you first. When I realized you might have overheard t

nd and sighed. "On that note, I'm going to head

on her arms. "I'm going to meet my cousin an

e the place to myself for a

my dresser and sat on my bed, taking deep, calming breaths. That conversation had gone bette

ad lifted, I was restless, an

I had

as today, I could think of

near the tree line. Just deep enou

hone and heade

air brushed my fa

and they were in deep conversatio

and walked toward the woods. Knowing that I'd soo

inhaled the crisp, clean air, the kind that only

mile, deep enough that no one cou

ified. No one was here to witness anything weird.

se by, and a knot for

that sounded like a rabid anim

ale voice murmured. A

was in