“What are you doing out here?” He still hadn’t explained his presence.
“What am I doing out here?” He laughed dryly. “Is that a joke?”
“No, it’s not.” Nadia put a hand on her hip. “You asked us, only fair that you’d be willing to tell us too.”
“I’m trying to make sure Ryan doesn’t get expelled on his first day.”
“He couldn’t get expelled if he tried,” Nadia snapped. “So moving on…” she trailed off.
“I don’t know if I’d go that far…” Sure my name got me some leeway, but it also made me a target. There were some messes even my parents couldn’t get me out of.
Finn looked back toward the Wolf Born dormitory before shifting his gaze back to us. “Just tell me what you guys were up to.”
“It’s a long story.” And one that needed to wait.
“It’s a long story my ass,” Finn snapped.
“Finn. Seriously.”
“What? I’m out here risking my neck for you. Like I always do. The least you can do is fill me in.”
I looked around. “Fine. But not here.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” Nadia clenched her jaw. “Might as well head inside though.”
“Okay, which is it?” Finn groaned. “A long story, or nothing to tell?”
“Fine. Come with me.” I led the way back to the Wolf Born dormitory and used my card to get us in.
We looked behind us before we slipped inside and let the door click closed behind us. At first glance, the lobby was empty, but there was a small scraping sound somewhere nearby. Nadia grabbed an arm of each of us and towed us back behind the stairs.
Finn grinned at me. I couldn’t help but return it. For such a little wolf, she sure knew how to take charge. I wondered if she was also like that in bed.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps coming from the lounge.
“Remember, don’t tell anyone.” Dameon stepped into view. I was almost positive he could see us, but if he did, he didn’t show it.
“Why would I tell anyone?” North looked around. Did he sense Nadia’s presence?
“How did they get back here before us?” I asked even though I assumed they didn’t have the answer. It made no sense. Wouldn’t we have seen them on our way back?
“Shh!” Nadia hissed.
“We’re not alone. Let’s go.” Dameon headed for the stairs with North right behind him.
“Follow me.” Nadia moved to the back wall and started to run her hands over it. Nothing happened at first, but then there was the faint sound of gears turning, and a seam appeared in the wall. She slipped her fingers inside the small gap and revealed a narrow doorway.
“What the hell is this?” Finn asked.
“Keep it down,” Nadia hissed.
“Where the hell are you taking us?” Finn asked.
She stepped through the door. “Shh.”
I followed.
Finn pulled back on my shoulder. “Come on, man. Don’t you want to make sure she isn’t taking us to a dungeon? Wait. Maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.”
“Do you want me to deck you?” Nadia barely glanced over her shoulder as she spat the words.
“Shh. You aren’t supposed to be talking, remember?” I tossed back to her as I followed her down a spiral staircase.
She continued down the stairs, ignoring me. When we reached the bottom, she turned toward Finn and me. “We can talk now.”
“Where the hell are we?” Finn looked around at the empty room. The floors were a rough stone, nothing like the polished floors above. The walls were the same material, and the only light came from faint rays seeping in from a mostly blocked window.
Nadia rolled her shoulders back. “We are in an old interrogation room. It’s not even on the maps anymore.”
“Uh... and why are we here?” Finn backed away from her. “Because I really don’t want to die.”
“We’re here because it’s soundproof, and I’m probably the only one who knows it’s here.” Nadia spread her arms wide. “It’s mostly forgotten.”
“I’ll repeat. I really don’t want to die.”
Nadia sighed. “Quit being so dramatic, Finn.”
“So why did we need to go someplace soundproof?” That was the question Finn should have been asking.
“And how do you know it’s soundproof?” Finn rubbed his chin. “You’re kind of creeping me out.”
“I know because I always do my research.”
“And, did you do your research on Dameon?” He was why we’d both been out in the woods.
“I didn’t know he was coming.” She looked down. “I did look at the list of incoming students, and as of a few weeks ago, he wasn't on there.”
“Seems like you aren’t as good at research as you like to make it sound.”
I punched Finn’s arm.
He rubbed his arm. “Hey.”
“Stay focused. You said you wanted to hear. Listen.”
“All I heard was talk about research.”
He was right. We couldn’t stay down in this room forever. Eventually, we needed to get to the point. “We were out there following Dameon and North.”
“Why?” Finn leaned against the banister.
“Because I don’t trust the guy.” I hadn’t from the moment I met him.
“What he said.” Nadia pointed to me.
I glanced at her. “Are you actually agreeing with me?”
“Yes. Yes, I am.” She gave the smallest hint of a smile.
“Okay.” Finn narrowed his eyes. “Why are you two arguing like you’re sleeping together?”
“What?” Nadia blanched. “That’s not even funny.”
“Who said it was funny?” Finn crossed his arms. “It’s the truth.”
“It’s not.” Nadia shook her head. “But whatever. It’s late. We need to talk so we can actually get some sleep.”
“Sleep?” I didn’t bother to hide my surprise. “You’re thinking about sleep at a time like this?”
“Yes. We can’t possibly be at our best if we don’t sleep.”
“Whatever you say.” Sleep was the last thing on my mind. We had too many questions—namely where did North and Dameon disappear to in the woods, and how did they get back so fast? “Let’s get down to it. As I was saying, we followed Dameon and North. Then we lost their scent. We tried to find them again. When we got back, they were already here. Makes no sense.”
“Here’s an idea.” Finn put a finger to his temple. “Go ask North. He is Nadia’s brother after all.”
Nadia groaned. “Why do you think it would be easy for me to just ask my brother?”
“Because it should be.” Finn yawned. He wasn’t the type to get tired, so I assumed he was trying to emphasize he was bored.
“Okay. So if it’s dangerous, he’ll probably lie to keep me away.” Nadia put a hand on her hip. “Simple as that.”
“And if it’s not dangerous, he’ll tell you they went out for a beer or hot dogs?” Finn suggested.
“Hot dogs?” Nadia wrung her hands at her side. “Can you be serious for a minute?”
“What?” Finn grinned. “Doesn’t that sound good to you guys?”
I decided Finn’s joke didn’t need a response. “I do think you need to ask him first. Even him lying will tip us off. And you can argue all you want, but you know when North is lying.”
“True.” Nadia nodded. “I do. I’ll talk to him when I can. Until then, keep your mouths shut. We don’t need anyone finding out about this. Especially not Dameon. He doesn’t need to know we’re suspicious.”
“All right. Is it time to leave this dungeon, then?” Finn straightened.
“It’s not a dungeon. It’s an interrogation room.” Nadia slipped past Finn and started up the stairs.
“Big difference,” Finn mumbled.
We reached the top of the stairs and ended up back into the dark section behind the stairs. Nadia made a zipping motion over her lips.
Professor Blair turned the corner. “Excuse me? What are you three doing behind the stairs?”
“Uh.” Generally, I was good at thinking on my feet, but for one reason or another, I completely blanked.
“These two were making out.” Finn pointed a thumb at Nadia and me. “I was trying to break it up. You know, don’t want either to do something they might regret.”
Nadia scowled at him but didn’t argue.
Professor Blair looked over at Nadia. “Ms. Hazel, I would think you would have better taste.”
Nadia opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but then she closed it again. Instead, she gave Finn and me a warning glance and hurried off.
“Mr. Grayson. A word please?” Professor Blair clasped her hands in front of her. “Mr. Temple, please excuse us and let us speak.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Finn mouthed good luck and made his way around the stairs.
“Is there something I can do for you, professor?” I wasn’t sure why I was being singled out, but I figured it couldn’t be a good thing.
“Yes. You can tell me what’s really going on.”
“Excuse me?” I knew this was coming, but I was trying to buy myself time. What possible excuse could I use, and how much did she know? Did she know we’d shifted? Did I reek of wolf and woods? There was nothing in the rules that said you couldn’t make out behind the stairs.
“You expect me to believe that you convinced Ms. Hazel to meet with you behind the staircase? First of all, Ms. Hazel has better taste. Second, behind the stairs? This isn’t junior high.”
Once again, she brought up taste. In what world was I a bad choice as a mate for anyone? “Then why are you asking me? Shouldn’t you be asking all of us?”
“I chose to ask you.” She pointed at me. “So answer.”
“Believe it or not, Nadia likes me. As to the location, it wasn’t planned.” Sticking with Finn’s story sounded like the best option. Plus, maybe like was a stretch, but I happened to know for a fact Nadia was attracted to me.
“Mr. Grayson.” Professor Blair frowned. “Might I counsel you to be careful. Your last name can’t protect you from everything.”
“Never said it could.”
“You can believe plenty of things without saying a word out loud.”
“True. Very true.”
“Then we have an understanding?” She adjusted the sleeves on her robe.
“Yes. No more kissing Nadia under the stairs.” I nodded. “We’ll find another place.”
She shook her head. “Good night, Mr. Grayson.”
“Good night,” I mumbled. My heart pounded. This was a way crazier first night than I could have ever imagined.
“And might I suggest really considering Ms. Hazel. She would be a formidable ally for you.”
“Ally?” I turned around. That sounded entirely too close to alliance talk. Professor Blair was already slipping back outside.
I walked upstairs, ready to head to bed and put the night behind me, but I found North blocking my door.
“Can I help you?” I wanted to ask him a million more pressing questions, but I’d promised Nadia I wouldn’t tip him off.
“Yes, you can.” His face hardened. “Stay away from my sister.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” As far as I knew, he hadn’t seen or smelled us in the woods.
“Don’t be an idiot.” North scowled.
Finn strolled down the hall with a towel around his waist. His hand was on the edge of it, as if he was getting ready to use it as a weapon. For all our sakes, I hoped he didn’t.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” A muscle throbbed in North’s neck.
“No, I don’t.” I wasn’t admitting to anything.
“You might think this is a game, but it most certainly isn’t.”
“I don’t play games.” They were a waste of time, and in the end, almost everyone was a loser. Which was why I needed to completely change my tactic. Hopefully, Nadia didn’t try to kill me for it. “I never play games. But you do.”
“Excuse me?”
“What were you doing out there?” A side of my personality—the impatient part—was coming out.
“Why would that be any of your business?”
“Kind of how whatever happens between Nadia and me isn’t your business either.” I understood North was her brother, but that didn’t mean I would let him push me around.
“I thought nothing happened.” A smirk settled on his face.
“I never said it did. I said whatever happens. Future tense. Not present.”
“But you are saying something will happen.” Finn grinned. “I knew it.”
I glared at him. “Go put some clothes on.”
“That’s what she said.” He laughed.
“Finn.” Hopefully, he understood this wasn’t a joke.
“Fine, master. I shall do what you bid.” With a bow, he disappeared into the room.
“That’s sick, you know?” North nodded toward my now closed door.
“What is?”
“That you have your best friend calling you master. You’re a conceited piece of work.”
“That was a joke. I don’t have him call me master.”
“But you make him do whatever you want.” North leaned against the wall.
“That’s not entirely true.” I didn’t make Finn do anything. Did he listen most of the time? Yes. But most people listened to me.
“It is.”
“He does what he wants.”
“No, he doesn’t.” North straightened up.
My fists clenched at my sides. He was getting on my nerves. “Why do you even care?”
“Because I’m done sitting back and taking your crap.”
“What crap have I ever given you?” I wasn’t friends with the guy, but that didn’t mean I’d ever been rude to him.
“Really? Going to play innocent on that too?”
“Stop it right now.” Nadia marched down the hall.
“What are you doing here?” North’s mouth fell open. “This is the boys’ hall.”
“I’ve broken enough rules tonight. Do you think this one will cause me much more trouble?” Nadia was looking at me when she answered. And I liked that. I really liked having her eyes on me.
“No. Probably not.” I laughed. I’d had no idea what kind of balls the girl had—figuratively of course.
“Why are you laughing?” North scowled.
“Because she’s right. She’s totally right.”
“If you’re done laughing, Nadia must have a reason she’s here.” He crossed his arms.
“Where’s Dameon?” Nadia looked down the empty hall.
“In his room probably.” North shrugged.
“Which is where?” Nadia took a few steps down the hall.
“Room 412. That way.” North pointed.
“Good. Let’s go.” She started down the hall.
“Wait. What?” Hadn’t we just discussed keeping things quiet? How was this keeping anything quiet? Now I’d already broken that rule myself, but that didn’t mean she should be confronting Dameon.
“Just follow. If you want.” Nadia glanced at me over her shoulder. Unless I was imagining things, there was something else in that look. A look that went beyond shut up. She was up to something. And I’d play along. She was right. We’d already broken a lot of rules tonight. What was one more?
Nadia
Sometimes, scratch that, most of the time- when you wanted something done right, you needed to do it yourself. And sometimes, even if you wanted someone’s help, the best solution was to pull them in with no warning. Hopefully Ryan was as smart as he was supposed to be, and he’d follow along.
I knocked on Dameon’s door. I wasn’t sure if he would answer though. If not, I was already formulating a plan B in my head.
Plan A worked. He pulled open the door wearing only his underwear. At least he was wearing underwear. “Yes?”
I kept
my eyes firmly directed to his top half. And it wasn’t a bad looking top half. The guy clearly worked out. He was no Ryan Grayson but—oh my God. I’d just compared a guy to Ryan Grayson as the standard of what was hot. “Can we talk?”
“Yes. We can talk. Come on in.” He pulled the door open wider. I was hit by the sound of jazz music. I hadn’t been expecting that one.
I took a step inside. Ryan started to follow. “Nope. I said she should come on in. Not you.”
“And me.” North pushed his way around Ryan. “My sister isn’t going into your room alone.”
“North, do you really think I’d hurt your sister?” Dameon patted his shoulder. “You can rest assured she’s safe with me.”
I appreciated that he wasn’t writing off my strength, but unfortunately, I wasn’t the strongest wolf around. “I’ll be fine.” What I lacked in physical strength, I made up for in cunning. I’d be more than fine. Dameon was the one who needed to be careful.
“We’ll be right here.” Ryan caught my eye.
I nodded to let him know I understood he was staying close.
North glared at Ryan. “She’s not your sister. It’s not your job to protect her.”
“No. She’s not my sister.” Ryan emphasized the word not. “And we can all be glad for that.”
“I’ll be fine.” I didn’t respond to his comment. Was he implying that I’d be a bad sister, or that he didn’t think about me in that way at all? It didn’t matter. It was time to get answers.
“If you gentleman will excuse us.” Dameon closed the door.
I tried to ignore the slight worry that came over me when the door closed. I knew I could take care of myself, but that didn’t mean I was comfortable being alone with this guy. This nearly naked guy.
“Make yourself comfortable.” He gestured toward his bed.
I took a seat on his desk chair. “Would you mind putting some more clothes on?”
“Yes, I would mind.” He laughed. “Just because you want to be uncomfortable, doesn’t mean I have to be.” He sprawled on his bed, with his hands behind his head. “This may take a while.”
“I don’t think it should take long at all.” And I certainly didn’t want it to.
“Oh? Is that so?” His eyes watched me with an intensity that unnerved me. “What can I do for you, Nadia?”
Wolf Born: Lunar Academy, Year One Page 3
