His arms shake and his kisses soften, but I'm a trembling, panting mess wrapped around him, and urge him away from restraint as I chase the high. Catching the thought, he holds me around the waist and curls one hand around the back of my neck, murmuring words that would shock the demure Maeve. I’m lost in him as Andrei drags me to the blinding edge, and the tension and fear that built up in the meeting washes away.
We’re there again, proving to each other and the world that something more can exist between a witch and vampire. We constantly crave each other with a need that overrides everything I should be cautious about.
The inexplicable and dangerous attraction has fused us in a frighteningly intense way.
Chapter Forty-Two
JAMIE
Maeve's imprisonment by the Blackwoods weighs heavy on her as we sit at breakfast. I watch her enjoying the chocolate muffin as I eat yoghurt and wish I could take away the tired, sad aura around her.
"Did you sleep?" I ask.
She licks crumbs from her lips and the action fires inappropriate thoughts for breakfast dates. "More nightmares."
When Maeve told us about the heartbeat last night, nobody knew what to say. She’s unused to dreaming and nightmares stick with people. She’s traumatised—this is how her mind is dealing with events. "The claustrophobic ones?"
"And the heartbeat. That freaks me out the most." She pauses. "This time, I was in a hallway that was more like a tunnel—grey stone either side and cold. The ceiling was pushing down on me, and I couldn't run fast enough."
She trembles and pales, the way she does if she has a vision. I shift my chair around and wrap an arm around her shoulders.
"The heartbeat—because I'm sure that's what it is— gets louder with each dream too. Last night the pounding wouldn't stop when I woke up." She pushes hair from her face and takes a sip of coffee.
"Can you hear the noise now?"
"No. The heartbeat stops when I wake up."
There’s one other unthinkable explanation—the Blackwoods put a spell on Maeve. What Maeve needs right now is time away from everything.
"Are you busy this afternoon?" I ask.
"I have the Magical History assignment, but that's not due until next week. Why?"
"I promised you a date, remember?" I'm cautious, stomach tightening that she might say no.
Maeve's worried face creases with a smile. "And I reminded you."
"How about today? We can head off campus for something to eat and watch a movie. One that’s nice, ordinary, and human-like."
"Rather than a scary, extraordinary, and supernatural-like movie?"
"But only if you want to go. If you're not too tired," I say and watch for her reaction. She smiles—that must mean something.
"Jamie!" She pokes me in the ribs. "I'd love to spend time with you away from the academy. I hope you've thoroughly researched where to eat and what to watch."
I roll my eyes in exaggeration at her teasing. "Superhero, horror, or chick flick?"
"Superhero. Not keen on the other two."
"I should've guessed you wouldn't be a chick flick kind of girl."
She pops more muffin into her mouth and shrugs. "I prefer action movies."
"Okay. Done deal." I kiss her soft cheek. "I've research to do this morning, but I'll meet you outside the main building at one?"
"Of course, you have work.” She chuckles. "I'm surprised you didn't head to the library the minute you returned to the academy. Surely you've completed all your assignments."
"I have, but remember I'm still attempting to find more information about the academy's past. I've been a little distracted recently, with all the blood magic and rescuing the girl I love from witches."
Her eyes widen and mouth parts. "Jamie."
"Crap. Sorry. Was that insensitive?"
"No." Maeve stands and takes her half-empty coffee cup. "I don't want everybody tiptoeing around what happened. Besides." She places her lips on mine. "A girl always likes hearing a guy loves her."
She holds out a hand, which I take and squeeze. Why did I ever worry I wasn't enough for her compared to the other guys?
Early in the term, only hardcore nerds like me visit the library, so I'm unsurprised when only a handful of students sit around the desks near the bank of computers, and none at the study desks. Once exam time arrives, the place will be busier. I spot April at a desk near the entrance and wave to her before walking by. I wasn't entirely truthful with Maeve—I'm headed to the witches' sanctum again. The key nestles in my pocket and I pull it out as I approach the door leading inside.
"Hey, Jamie." I halt at April’s voice from behind.
In the past, Matt told me April’s interest in me was more than my brains, but I never thought so. But, I'm crap at reading signals, so who knows? I hope Matt was wrong.
I turn. “Hey, April." The small girl stands with her arms wrapped around a blue-covered book, similar to the others containing asylum records that I've studied in the sanctum and library. Is her light brown hair blonder? Her smile is definitely bigger than usual.
"Have you ever read Dracula?" she asks nonchalantly.
"Uh. No. The book is banned at the academy. Why?"
"I have. Did you know some students here are related to the vampire who humans know as Dracula?"
I frown at her bizarre conversation. "Yeah. I heard. That's the reason the book is banned—prejudice and lies."
She snorts. “The book is fiction. Who cares?"
Weird. Has she joined in the Walcott vs. Petrescu battle? I've never seen her with any Petrescu kids; she usually hangs on the periphery of the Walcott girls groups, and around Gilgamesh guys since her Walcott friends date them. "Prejudice is everywhere. That's why we learn the true history of all the races, April."
"Hmm." She proffers the book to me. "Read this. It's eye-opening."
"I'm not interested in reading Dracula. I'm busy studying more important things."
“This isn’t Dracula. I dug through more asylum records this weekend, when you were away, and finally found something useful.” She shoves the book at me again. “You have to read this.”
Interest piqued, I flick open the musty-smelling book to see black scrawled handwriting on vellum pages. Dates. Meals. The same as every other book recording patients' details. "Right. Thanks."
I'm too polite to hand back the book and tell her I'm searching elsewhere now, especially as she looks at me like an expectant puppy. "Where did you go this weekend?"
I blink. "Home."
She points at my neck. "Who attacked you?"
Crap. I hold my hand against the bruise. "Maeve," I say. “Making out.” I’ve no idea why I said that—a subtle hint I’m unavailable?
"Wow. Has Andrei turned her?"
"What the hell?" I can't help my voice rising, annoyed when she breaks into a quiet laugh. "Funny, April."