Promised in Blood (Broken Bloodlines Book 2)
Promised in Blood: Chapter 31

“Hey, O,” Sienna calls my name across the quad, and when I look up, she’s waving at me with a huge smile on her face. “Get over here.”

I offer a wave before glancing at Axl, my bodyguard for today. The professor kept to his word. I don’t leave the house without at least one of the guys accompanying me. Classes, the library, dining halls. Axl gives me a kiss on the cheek and leans against a tree, his arms folded over his broad chest. “Go talk to your friend, princess. I’ll be right here watching.”

“Thanks.” Skirting my way around the giant Christmas tree in the middle of the quad, I keep my head dipped low, aware of people’s eyes on me as I head over to one of the most popular girls on campus. I’m still not quite used to having the attention of someone like Sienna. She literally turns heads when she walks by, and I swear her skin shimmers when she moves. She tosses her long, thick braids over her shoulder. “You want to come to a party tonight?”

“A party?”

She props a hand on her hip. “Yeah.” Her laugh is warm and friendly. “You know, those things most college kids go to? Maybe dance? Get a little drunk? You know, if that’s your deal. It’s not mine but …” She shrugs.

“But it’s Monday,” I say, then immediately wish I could call those words back when I see her amused expression. How big of a nerd do I want her to think I am? “Not that it matters. Um … Could I, uh …” I press my lips together. “Bring a friend?”

“Sure.”

“Or three?”

Her eyes sparkle, and she glances over my shoulder at Axl. I follow her gaze to see him still leaning against the tree, his tight T-shirt straining against his biceps. Girls check him out as they walk by, but he keeps his attention focused on me, and I can’t help but smile.

“Oh, you mean the Ruby Dragon commanders? You’re their girl this year, right?” Sienna says, directing my attention back to her.

Despite not getting any judgy vibes from her at all, my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to everyone on campus knowing I have three boyfriends. Technically four, but the professor and I are still not common knowledge. But wait, did she say— “This year?”

She twirls a dark braid between her fingers. “Sure. They usually have a few regular girls they hook up with every year.”

My heart almost falls through my chest. “They do?”

She nods. “Yeah. It’s no big deal. You know what they are, right? It’s kind of their nature to need a few people to sustain their needs.”

I try to keep a lid on my growing temper. “And this year?”

Need me to come over there, princess? Axl asks, sensing the change in my emotions.

No. I refrain from snapping at him, even though I want to. I’m fine. I promise.

Sienna licks her lips. “Well, this year they seem to have gone exclusive. Word on campus is they’re off the market for good.” She inches closer. “So actually, I was wrong. I guess you’re just their girl. Period.”

I swallow down the swell of jealousy that rolls up from my chest, which is dampened by her last statement. “I guess I am.”

“That’s a whole swath of broken hearts out there. Because those boys … Well, you know better than anyone, right? They’re not exactly my type, but I can see their appeal.”

My only response is to stand here and blink at her like an idiot.

Her lovely green eyes shine, and she tilts her head, scrutinizing me. “Hey, I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes I speak before my brain’s engaged. I’ve always thought vampires got a bad rap. We’re all driven by instincts, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Those boys have it bad for you, O. And I can’t say I blame them.”

I shift from one foot to the other. She’s being nice to me. Paying me a compliment even, so why do I feel so intimidated?

Because you do not believe yourself worthy of her friendship or her adoration, little one. But I assure you that you are. Of that and so much more. His voice, warm and strong and reassuring, fills me up.

I feel a smile spreading across my face. Were you just listening in on my thoughts, Professor? Aren’t you supposed to be teaching?

He growls softly, and the sound has pleasure snaking through my limbs and my toes curling in my boots. You are a constant distraction, Ophelia.

“So, what do you say?” Sienna asks, reminding me we’re also having a conversation.

“Um, to the party?”

She laughs, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, girl.”

Sienna Brackenwolf wants me to go to a party later, I tell Alexandros.

Are you asking for my permission to attend? His tone is light and amused.

No. I just … Can I?

He laughs now, and the sound is so alien yet so sexy. My knees threaten to buckle. So long as you finish your lessons first, and the boys will have to accompany you.

Thank you.

He hums. Stop distracting me. I have a class to teach.

You spoke to me first, I remind him, but he’s already gone. I give Sienna my full attention. “I’d love to come.”

Her smile grows wider, but before she can respond, Cadence joins us. “Hey, guys. What’s up?” There’s been a sadness around her since Meg’s death that wasn’t there before, and I guess it’s totally understandable, given what happened and how I’m one of the few people she can talk to about it.

I link my fingers through hers and squeeze, trying to convey all my understanding and empathy in that one single gesture. She gives me a smile in return.

“I was just inviting O to a party at Amalthea Crescent House tonight. It’s gonna be fun. You should come too.”

Cadence shakes her head. “I don’t think so. I should probably study for my algebra test on Monday.”

I squeeze her hand tighter. “If you change your mind, we could go together. I’ll be bringing the guys too, but they’ll be on their best behavior. Promise.”

“I dunno. Maybe.” She chews on her lip.

Sienna bumps her arm against Cadence’s. “I heard Jake will be there.”

Cadence’s cheeks flush pink, obscuring her smattering of freckles. I remember Jake, the son of the chief of police. He and Cadence invited me to a party a couple months ago, and she seemed to like him.

Cadence checks her watch. “I really do have to study for my test though.”

“How about I help you study? I was just gonna go to the library for an hour before I head home.” A reminder that I’m supposed to meet Malachi and study with him makes me groan inwardly. He’s not going to be happy about me canceling on him. Plus, I did just promise the professor I’d do my lessons before the party. But Cadence is my friend, and she needs me right now.

“I can help too,” Sienna adds. “Three heads are better than one, right? My classes are done, and I have an hour free. Besides, algebra is my jam.”

Cadence’s eyes fill with tears. “You’d both do that for me?”

I link my arm through hers. “Of course we would.”

Hey, I’m going to go to Silver Vale to help Cadence study for an hour, I tell Axl.

No. You’re coming home with me, and then you have to meet Malachi.

I glance back at him. He’s no longer leaning against the tree, but he remains at a distance. Watching. Always watching. If I help her study now, we can all go to a party later.

Don’t care much for parties comes his gruff reply.

It could be fun. I’ve never been to a party. Please!

He grunts. As long as I get to feel you up in a dark corner.

Sienna stands on Cadence’s other side and links her arm through hers, and we

begin to head in the direction of Silver Vale. So I can go study?

I can think of better things to do than hang around Silver Vale while you study with your girlfriends. Let me check with the professor.

I listen in on him asking the professor if I’ll be safe at Silver Vale. After some grumbling, Alexandros reluctantly agrees that Enora’s new protection spells will be sufficient protection, provided Axl drops me off and picks me up after.

I’ll walk you there, and then I’ll come back to pick you up in sixty minutes. No arguments.

Thank you, Axl. I’ll make it up to you.

Damn right you will.

Cadence sniffs, wiping a tear from her cheek and redirecting all my focus back to her. “I really appreciate this, you guys.”

“Sure, girl. It’s just a little studying. No big deal, right?” Sienna shoots me a look over the top of our friend’s head that is equal parts concern and empathy. A look that tells me she’s aware that this is about so much more than studying, but she doesn’t press for details, and I admire her so much for that.

Sienna’s right. This is about so much more than studying. It’s about the fierce kind of friendships that I only ever dreamed about. And although I barely know Sienna and have only known Cadence a little while, I have an instinctive feeling about both of them. It comes from deep inside me, perhaps the same place where I find my light. And it tells me that I can trust these girls with my secrets and my life. It tells me something more too, but that is something I don’t want to think about right now. I consciously ignore the gnawing in my gut telling me that one day I won’t have a choice.