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“You think I think about you enough to create something special?”
The venom of his words stabs into my skin. “I’d love it if you didn’t think of me at all.”
He goes still as stone. “Careful what you wish for, Raina,” he growls.
“Or what, Drake?" I spit out his name, a nasty taste on the back of my tongue.
His eyes narrow to slits, eyebrows drawing together and face rumpling with anger. My own expression doesn’t feel that different.
Carver expels a harsh breath. “Drake, you can leave.”
The mage unfolds himself and stands, still eyeing me like I’m the biggest inconvenience in the whole world. “You’ll never survive if you can’t face your fear.”
“Fuck you.”
His lips pull back into a vicious smile. “Keep asking, and one of these days I might take you up on the offer.”
It’s all I can do not to spit at him. As if he can sense that thought, he takes a step back. Wouldn’t want to ruin his fancy shoes. He nods at Carver and leaves. I scowl after his retreating form. As soon as the door to the pit snaps shut, relief crashes through me. I’m not sure what it means that I’m instantly more relaxed when it’s only me and Carver. Maybe Drake is just that terrible.
“You let him get under your skin.”
Turning my scowl on Carver, I say, “You let him fuck with my head.” Why am I so offended by that? It’s not like he’s sworn to protect me. Still, he doesn’t exactly try to stop him.
“Whenever I’m in your head, I can sense your magic, Raina. It’s there. You’re just standing in the way. If I wanted, I could batter through whatever is blocking it, but without knowing what’s beyond that void, it’s not safe. Whether you believe it or not, I’m trying to help you.”
Wishing for me to have magic is foolish, but I’ve had more time to realize as much. I shake my head. “You’re sensing the Goddess's blood, that’s all. Maybe it’s time we all admit we’re wasting our time.”
“Why are you so quick to give up on yourself?” Is that anger in his tone?
The question punctures my chest. “I’m not giving up,” I lie. “I’m just trying to save us all time and frustration. Drake doesn’t want to be here any more than you or I do.” I start to rise, but Carver stops me with one word.
“Sit.”
My ass hits the mat. Anger warms my face. “I really hate when you do that.”
He blinks, unaffected. “Then shield your mind.”
“If only there was someone who could actually teach me how, instead of letting his bond mate dabble in my mind.”
“Maybe you’re right,” he says, reaching into his satchel lying on the floor beside him and tossing a blindfold at me.
I catch it and lift my eyebrows. The silken material is smooth against my fingers. “Professor, this is a little kinky.”
Carver’s jaw muscles flutter and his gaze flits to the ceiling, probably begging Vaeloria to put him out of his misery, then drops back to meet mine. “Put it on.”
“Yes, sir.” It’s not often I regret using sarcasm as a coping mechanism, but if I had a time machine, I’d snatch those words and the ones before back.
His eyes darken. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
I clear my throat and secure the blindfold, trying to ignore the way my heart rate kicks into overdrive as soon as it’s tied. I’m acutely aware of how vulnerable I am like this, and my mind seems keen to remind me of all the ways I could be taken advantage of. I rub at my aching chest.
“Breathe, Raina.” The command washes over me, and my lungs expand in obedience. “Good girl.”
My entire body erupts with goose bumps. “Shut up,” I snarl to hide the fact that somewhere deep inside of me, I revel in his praise.
His dark chuckle sends a shiver down my spine. The mat rustles as Carver shifts closer, and my skin buzzes with awareness. He’s much, much closer than before. I dig my nails into my palms to keep from ripping the blindfold off.
Seconds tick by. The buzzing of the lights overhead grows louder. The voices of the hundreds of students walking around are even more distinct with the blindfold on. It’s like I can hear every sound on campus. I can even hear the beating of Carver’s heart as if it were a drum.
