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If that’s the risk with familial love, I want nothing to do with romance.

“Uh-huh,” I say, keeping my tone light, even as a bitter taste coats my tongue. I’m not sure I’m cut out for love.

“See you tomorrow morning,” Ever says, twinkling her fingers.

I skim the words in my book but don’t really focus on them.

After a moment, Bree snaps her book shut and looks at me. “You know, with as high ranking as we are, we might end up as tethers. How do you feel about that?”

“There’s no way I’ll be a tether.”

“But say it happened, would you be excited?” she presses.

“No. The thought of tying my life to a vinculum is literally my idea of a nightmare.”

“Is that so?” she asks, and there’s something in her tone that makes me glance at her.

Her attention is pinned to someone across the room. Following her gaze, I skim over Melody and her group of friends to find a tall vampire with sleek black hair sauntering into the room, head swiveling, seeking someone out.

Oh no. I duck my head, focusing intently on the words in my book.

Bree chuckles. “Too late, Ray Ray. He spotted you.”

Fuck. Me. I glance up, and sure enough, the vampire is looking at me. My blood warms with the memory of his lips on my skin.

He smirks, running a hand over his jaw as he strides toward us, completely bypassing Melody, who calls out his name. The stark contrast of his hair against his fair skin, the perfect symmetry of his features, and the pure cockiness he carries makes him magnetic. It doesn’t hurt that he’s also clearly one of the fittest people on campus. He has the build of a man who knows how to toss a woman around in the bedroom. Not that I’m thinking about that.

As he gets closer, I swear his irises darken until they’re almost pure crimson.

“Well, if you’re not fucking someone already, you will be soon enough,” Bree murmurs.

“There’s no way that’s happening,” I mumble.

She grabs her books and gives me a knowing look, something like we’ll see. “Catch you later. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“But you said you’d try anything once,” I say quickly.

“Exactly.” She shoves out of her chair and practically skips away.

Bellamy is almost to the table. Shit. Shit. Shit. Why did I let him drink my blood? I shouldn’t have let Drake’s insults get to me. Now I’ve gone and given this vamp the wrong idea. He drops into the seat Bree vacated, scooting it closer, which puts our thighs against one another. I refuse to give him the satisfaction of unsettling me, so I leave my leg where it is. My blood rushes, and I frown at my body’s response. It’s just because you let him drink your blood, I tell myself. The only thing I should be feeling is anger after the way he acted when he finished. The way he fucking dismissed me? That was rude.

“Hello, my sweet ruin,” he purrs.

“Oh, we’re doing nicknames now? Perfect. How’s this one: bane of my existence?”

He picks up a strand of my hair.

I bat his hand away.

His soft chuckle smooths over my skin. “You flatter me, Raina, but you and I both know you hate Drake more.”

“Yeah, well, he’s an asshole.” I pointedly sweep my hand toward all my papers, books, and my laptop. “I’m a little busy.”

“Lucky for you, I’m basically a textbook.” He grabs my laptop. “What are we looking for?” He navigates to the tab with the search engine.

My heart leaps, and I practically crawl over him to snatch my computer back.

More than a few people glance our way, and though I can’t hear them, I can see the whispers erupting around us, rushing toward Melody like a tidal wave. Her rage is palpable, but I can’t be bothered with her while the vampire in front of me noses into my business.