Total pages in book: 154
Estimated words: 153544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 768(@200wpm)___ 614(@250wpm)___ 512(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 153544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 768(@200wpm)___ 614(@250wpm)___ 512(@300wpm)
Slowly, I nod. “He was my friend.”
Her expression morphs to one of horror before she winces. “I’m so sorry, Glyn.”
“You don’t have to be.” But the people who made him drive off that cliff should be.
I always wondered what made Devlin take that drastic decision, but now that I know he was part of some satanic club’s initiation, it all makes sense.
Hidden hands pushed him off that cliff.
And maybe finding out exactly who’s behind his death will finally give me the closure I’ve been searching for.
But how on earth will I be able to get an invitation?
A shadow falls over us, bigger than the casual cloud. The scent is enough to know who’s behind it, and I stare up at Killian.
The sun casts a bright shadow on his face and dark hair that appears bluish under the light. The hard contours of his face mesh in a symphony of physical supremacy. And his black trousers and shirt only add to his immortal charisma.
I hate how beautiful he looks, but what I hate the most is the booming flutter in my chest upon seeing him.
Or the memory of his fingers between my legs.
Or how wet I was.
No, nope. Not the right thought to have in front of a monster who smells such emotions from a planet away.
Gathering my wits, I ask, “What are you doing here?”
“It almost sounds as if you don’t want me here.”
“Wow, am I that obvious?”
He narrows his eyes, “I can get any access card I want.” Then he slides his attention to Annika. “Time to go, princess.”
She stiffened as soon as he showed up, probably because of his relationship with her brother. “I have classes this afternoon.”
“That you won’t attend.”
“Ugh.” She glares up at him. “And why did you come to fetch me?”
“Volunteered.” He grins down at me and I wish I could become one with the ground. “I can let you stay here for a bit more if you invite me to your little picnic.”
“You can stay—”
Annika hasn’t even finished her sentence before Killian physically barges between us and steals an olive from her.
“Is that a homage to me? It’s even red.” He points at what I’ve been sketching—an unfinished portrait.
I slam my sketchbook shut. “Not everything in this life is about you.”
“Not in this life, no. But your life? Debatable.”
“I’m just…” I start to mumble an excuse to leave.
“Don’t be a killjoy.” He waves in Annika’s direction. “She only has whatever time I allow her, and then she’s coming with me to be imprisoned in her ivory tower for the night. You have it in you to cut that little time off?”
I purse my lips, then reluctantly stay. This isn’t for the bastard. It’s for Annika, who’s already looking miserable, her shoulders hunched and her movements sluggish.
“Can’t she stay in the dorm with us tonight?” I ask.
“No can do.”
“You guys are dictators.”
A lazy grin lifts his lips. “Is that so?”
“Yeah, the worst ever. Might want to check your ego with a shrink. I can refer you to mine if you want.”
He hums, the sound low in his throat. “You have a shrink?”
The question is innocent enough, but it makes me realize that I’ve divulged too much information.
Maybe he thinks I’m crazy. Maybe he’s one of those ignorant people who thinks a shrink equals a psych ward.
Not that I care.
Jesus.
I lift my chin. “Yeah, I do.”
“Refer me.”
I stare at him for a second too long. Doubtful doesn’t even begin to explain my emotions. “Are you for real?”
“Have I ever lied to you?”
“Countless times.”
“That wasn’t lying. I was giving you choices. Not my fault you go for the hard ones.” He nudges my shoulder with his, and I swear I nearly catch fire where he touches me. “I’m serious about the referral.”
“You would willingly go to a shrink?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Because he’s too assertive in his sick ways, that’s why. People who go to shrinks hope to become better, but I’m pretty sure Killian thinks this is the best version of himself.
“You realize you’re sick and need therapy?” I try to take a jab at him.
“No, I just want to see the face of the person you tell your deepest, darkest secrets to.”
Of course the bastard just wants to get on my nerves.
“Why are those weirdos watching you like creeps?” Anni interrupts our intense eye contact, and I break it to focus on where she’s tilting her head.
I groan. “Never mind them. I’m not really liked in my class because they think I get preferential treatment for who my mum is. Even my professor likes to criticize me more than he does them. So I’ve just gotten used to it.”
Killian hums for a beat, then stares at me. “What’s the name of the professor?”
“Skies. Why are you asking?”
“Just curious.” He smiles and if I were to see him on TV for the first time, I’d find him charming, crushworthy even, but unfortunately, I know what hides beneath that smile too well. “By the way, you should go to sleep early tonight. No roaming in weird places.”