Graduating (Covenant College Book 5)

by Amanda M. Lee

  Three

  “I can’t believe this is the last time we’ll go book shopping,” Paris said, looking around the University Center with a mixture of wistful nostalgia and impatience. “Where did all these people come from? I feel like I can’t breathe.”

  I shrugged. “They’re freshman. Can’t you tell?”

  “Is that why they all look so wide-eyed and confused?” Kelsey asked, setting the tray of coffees she was carrying onto the table. “I hope we didn’t look that clueless. I’ll never get over the embarrassment if we did.”

  “I was always cool,” I said. “I could’ve taught classes when I was a freshman.”

  “We were always cool,” Paris agreed. “We were wise beyond our years.”

  Kelsey doled out the coffee and then settled into the chair next to me. “Are we going to shop after this?”

  “I don’t even need any books,” I said. “Everything I have this semester is practical. I just wanted to come for the memory.”

  Paris shifted an eyebrow, sipping from her coffee. “Is Blake teaching any of your classes?”

  I scowled. Sam Blake was, among many things, one of my journalism professors. He was also the head of the Academy, the monster hunters who were trying to “clean up” the campus. Of course, his idea of cleaning up the campus included killing anyone he couldn’t fit into a little box – and to use magic to do it. He was a total hypocrite.

  “No,” I said. “I was very careful when I picked my classes. I even called the registrar’s office to make sure that he wouldn’t be one of my professors. I made sure to pick classes that had actual professors listed, not staff. I don’t want any surprises.”

  “You know he’s not going to just let it go, right?” Paris said. “You killed his sister. He’s going to want revenge.”

  “His sister was a sociopath.”

  “Even a sociopath has a brother who loves her,” Paris said.

  “Yeah, but Blake has to be worried about what Zoe did,” Kelsey said. “He had them outnumbered, and he thought he had her outsmarted. She kicked his ass, and now he has no idea what to do.”

  “That just makes him more dangerous,” I said. “He’s an animal, and a wounded animal knows nothing but claws and teeth. He’ll come for me.”

  “When?”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

  “I don’t like that plan,” Paris said. “I think we should seek and destroy. Isn’t that what he wanted to do to Alpha Chi last year?”

  “He failed.”

  “That doesn’t mean he won’t try again.”

  I pursed my lips. “Then we’ll just have to stop him again,” I said. “Besides, we’re not even sure what he remembers. Rafael glamoured him. He could think he’s a manicurist for all we know.”

  Kelsey and Paris burst out laughing at the visual. “You should have told him to do that. It would have been hilarious,” Paris said.

  “I wasn’t thinking that clearly that night,” I said. “I had glowing eyes. I was freaking out.”

  Paris patted my hand. “Hey, no one is blaming you.”

  Kelsey’s eyes shifted from us, landing on a spot at the far end of the room. Paris and I both turned to see what she was looking at. The figure standing there was a familiar one. His hair was still long, and he still had that hipster-slacker thing going for him. His eyes seemed somehow vacant, lonely.

  “Mark,” I said.

  “Have you seen him since that night?” Kelsey asked.

  I shook my head. “Have you, Paris?”

  “We weren’t talking before he tried to kill you,” she said. “We’re definitely not talking now.”

  “To be fair, he didn’t try to kill me,” I said. “He was actually confused by what was going on.”

  “He knew that Caitlyn was torturing Aric,” Paris countered. “He knew Blake was trying to trick you and force your hand.”

  She had a point. Still … .

  As if sensing we were watching him, Mark lifted his head and our gazes joined across the room. He looked uncertain, like he was having an inner debate with himself. Finally, he made a decision, and moved toward us.

  “Should we run?” Kelsey asked.

  “He’s not going to attack us in broad daylight,” I said.

  “Especially knowing what Zoe can do to him if he tries,” Paris said, her jaw clenched.

  “I’d rather not burn him alive in the UC,” I said. “I don’t think that would be good for my reputation.”

  Mark approached slowly, nervous. When he got to the edge of the table, he searched each face in turn. Finally, he spoke. “Hi.”

  “Nice opening,” Paris said.

  “One of the best ever,” Kelsey drawled.

  Mark ignored them. “How are you, Zoe?”

  “I’m good,” I said. “I’m actually really good.”

  “I’m glad.” Mark looked around the room again, and then gestured to the open chair at the table. “Can I sit down for a second?”

  I nodded.

  Once he was settled, Mark placed his elbows onto the table and leaned forward. “I’m really sorry about what happened.”

  “What are you sorry about?” Paris asked. “Are you sorry for betraying Zoe? Or are you sorry because it backfired and you guys looked like complete and total jackasses at the end of the night?”

  “Or, are you sorry because Blake betrayed you and was willing to sacrifice you as long as he got what he wanted?” Kelsey interjected.

  “I’m sorry about all of it,” Mark said. “I … I didn’t know what he was.”

  “You knew,” I said. “I told you what he was.”

  “I didn’t believe you,” Mark admitted. “I thought you were lying to me. Blake warned me that you would try and turn me because you’d been glamoured by the vampires. I believed him. I was stupid.”

  “That’s not why you stayed with them, Mark,” I said. “You thought it would make you powerful. You thought it would make you a ‘somebody’ on this campus. That’s why you stayed.”

  “Maybe,” Mark said. “I never thought it would turn out like that, though. I never thought I’d ever see anything like that.”

  “Mark, I do believe that part of you was bamboozled by Blake,” I said. “I think another part of you didn’t care. You watched them torture Aric. You watched him get whipped, and beaten, and … hurt. Caitlyn wasn’t doing that because of what he was, she was doing it because she liked it. She got off on his pain.”

  “Caitlyn is gone now,” he said. “You took care of that.”

  “And how does that make you feel?” I was genuinely curious.

  Mark clenched his hands together. “I knew what Caitlyn was doing was wrong,” he said. “I knew that she was evil. There were just so many of them. When I realized what Blake had planned … when I realized that you were telling the truth … it was too late. I was scared. I didn’t know what to do.”

  I waited. I knew he wasn’t done.

  “I’m weak. I feel shame because I was so weak. I thought Blake was going to kill you that night. I was sure of it,” he said. “All I could think about was how scared I was – and how I didn’t want to die.”

  Pity welled in my chest. “Fear is a natural thing, Mark,” I said. “You put yourself in that position. I gave you every chance to get out.” Pity only goes so far.

  “And I was too scared to do it,” Mark said. “Then.”

  “Then?”

  “I quit the Academy,” he said. “I never went back after that night. I couldn’t. I was so disgusted with them … so disgusted with myself … I just couldn’t go back. I realize they’re the monsters now.”

  “Well, at least you finally made a good decision.”

  “I just wanted you to know that I’m done with them,” Mark said, getting to his feet. “I don’t expect you to forgive me. I don’t expect you to forget. I just wanted you to know that I’m not a threat to you. I was never a threat to you then, and I won’t ever be now.”

/>   Kelsey snorted. “You’re just worried Zoe is going to take revenge on you.”

  “No,” Mark said, shaking his head. “I deserve her revenge. I just don’t want her to worry that I’m going to do something to hurt her. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m done.”

  Mark left after that, not bothering to cast a look over his shoulder to see if we were watching. When he was gone, Paris turned to me with a curious look. “Do you believe him?”

  “I think I do,” I replied.

  “Think?”

  “I might not be the best judge of character,” I said. “I’ve been fooled before.”

  “It would be nice to think Mark wasn’t a bad guy,” Paris said, her face conflicted. They’d dated, and however brief their dalliance, she’d had genuine feelings for him.

  “That would be nice.”

  We drank our coffee in silence, everyone contemplating the gravity of Mark’s words.

  “Hello, ladies.”

  We all jumped when another person joined our coffee date.

  “Scott,” I said, smiling when I saw him. “Holy crap. I haven’t seen you in months.”

  I’d befriended Scott, he of the long hair and easy smile, the previous year. I’d been a boring partygoer then, finding solace in euchre as I tried to cure a broken heart. He’d been my partner – and then he’d helped us break into the Academy’s computers when we were in dire need. I’d kind of lost track of him after that, not bothering to say goodbye before the end of the term.

  What? I’d been busy.

  “I’m touched you remember me,” Scott said, sitting in the chair Mark had just vacated. “I was worried that you guys forgot about my existence after that whole computer-hacking thing.”

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “We got caught up in a few things. It was a busy finals week.”

  “Like?”

  “Just some things that are probably left in the past,” I hedged. “At least for now.”

  “Everything worked out with that, though?” Scott’s face was relaxed, amiable. He enjoyed talk about monsters – but he’d never been face-to-face with one. They were just a game to him. I hoped, for his sake, it stayed that way.

  “It worked out,” I said.

  “Everything is cool?”

  “As cool as it can be,” I said, sipping from my coffee to give my hands something to do.

  “I’m just going to pretend that your vague answers don’t worry me,” Scott said. “I like living in the dark.”

  “You should keep it that way,” Kelsey said. “I live in the light – and there are times I hate it.”

  Scott smiled, wide and flirtatious. “So, when is the first party of the semester? I’m ready to reclaim my euchre buddy.”

  Uh-oh. Aric wasn’t going to like this.

  Four

  “Clubs.”

  The first party of the year came less than twenty-four hours later. Tally had sprung it on us when we returned from the UC, her face bright and her excitement infectious. Since Paris had cast a spell at the end of the previous semester to disallow visitors from our old house, I wasn’t surprised that Tally wanted to test the waters at the new house.

  You now, just to make sure.

  Scott had arrived early, a deck of cards in hand. I knew he had a crush on me, something he hadn’t acted on when I was depressed and despondent. He clearly thought he had an opening.

  Aric’s arrival had quickly assuaged him of that assumption.

  Still, after collecting himself, he wanted to play. Since I hadn’t had the chance to play in months, I agreed.

  We were sitting on the floor; I settled between Aric’s legs as he sipped a beer on the couch behind me, and having a good time. Actually, I wasn’t sure Aric was having a good time. He seemed bored. I planned on making it up to him later.

  He leaned forward, resting his chin on top of my head. “I didn’t know you liked to play euchre.”

  “She’s awesome at it,” Scott said. “She’s the best partner I’ve ever had.”

  Aric swigged from his beer. “Me, too.” I could tell he didn’t like Scott, but he wasn’t going all Hulk and claiming me in public. He was trying to be calm.

  “So, you two are back together,” Scott said. “What happened to the other dude?”

  That was a good question, especially from Scott’s perspective. “We were just friends.”

  “That’s not how it seemed to me.”

  “It was a tense situation,” I said, gathering the last trick. “Things are how they should be now.”

  Scott risked a glance at Aric. “Apparently.”

  Aric finished off his beer and got to his feet, leaning down so he could collect my cup. After finishing the remnants of my cup, he turned to me. “I’m going to get a refill.”

  I nodded.

  Aric fixed Scott with a warning look. “I’ll be right back.”

  Paris, who was sitting on the couch with Seth, couldn’t stop herself from laughing. “Do you two need me to get a ruler?”

  I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing.

  Aric flipped Paris the bird. “I was going to offer to refill your drink. Now I’m not so sure.”

  Paris’ face went from teasing to pleasant. “You know I love you, right?”

  “You’re lucky that I’m in a good mood,” Aric said, taking her empty cup from her. “You’re also lucky I happen to like you – despite your mouth.”

  “Isn’t that why you like Zoe?” Paris teased. “Her mouth?”

  “Among other things.”

  Aric disappeared down the hallway. Once he was gone, Scott finally relaxed. “You could have told me, you know?”

  “I didn’t know how to,” I admitted. “I thought announcing that I had a boyfriend was kind of presumptuous.”

  “At least I wouldn’t have come in here blind,” he said. “I like you. I’m not in love with you. I’m a big boy. I could have handled it.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not a big deal,” Scott said. “I’m disappointed. I can admit it. I definitely don’t want to take him on.”

  “There’s nothing to take on,” I said. “He’s … he’s just mine.”

  “I can see that,” Scott said. “You seem a lot happier this year than you did last year. I guess that’s him.”

  “It’s a lot of things,” I said.

  “He’s a part of it, though,” Scott prodded.

  “He’s a big part of it,” I conceded. “The biggest part of it.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  I searched Scott’s face for a hint of bitterness. He didn’t look thrilled, but he didn’t look crushed either. That was something.

  “Another game?”

  “Absolutely.”

  AFTER TWO more games, I let someone take my spot and went looking for Aric. He’d never returned from his beer run, and I was starting to worry. After searching the dining room and kitchen to no avail, I found him in the basement.

  He was cornered. Kate had boxed him in behind the bar, and whatever she was saying required big hand gestures and a bevy of flirting.

  Aric was listening – or at least feigning like he was. Something about it bothered me. He lifted his face at a certain point, finding me across the room, his eyes like a heat-seeking missile. He must have read the discomfort on my face.

  “Hey!” He raised his voice so it would carry across the crowded and noise-filled expanse. “I’ve been looking for you.”

  I made a face. “It doesn’t look like you’ve been looking too hard.”

  Kate frowned when she saw me. “Oh, I was just talking to Aric. I didn’t know his father was a senator. It’s just all so fascinating.”

  I joined them behind the bar, snatching a cup and filling it from the keg on the floor. I was angry … and jealous. I hated feeling it, but there it was. Could he possibly be interested in her?

  “I was trying to get back upstairs,” Aric said. “Kate here has a lot of questions. A lot of fricking questions.”
>
  “I bet.”

  Aric searched my face. “Are you mad?”

  “Why would I be mad?” I slammed the beer and then immediately refilled my cup. I felt like a complete and pathetic dumbass. I knew he would never cheat on me, and yet I couldn’t help but dislike Kate’s interest in him.

  Aric pressed his lips together. I knew he was aware of the thoughts running through my busy mind. “There’s no reason to be mad.”

  “Why would she be mad?” Kate asked with faux innocence.

  “I didn’t say I was mad.”

  Aric reached over, slipping his hand underneath my hair and rubbing the back of my neck. “Are you going to think less of me if I say that jealousy turns me on?”

  His dimple was peeking out. Damn him! He knew that was my weak spot. “You know what? I think I’m going to leave you and Kate here to talk … politics. I think Scott is waiting for me upstairs.”

  I knew I was being petulant. The mixture of beer and jealousy was an unpleasant combination.

  Aric tightened his grip around my neck. “Don’t play games, girlie,” he said, pressing his lips to my temple. “I’m sorry it took so long. It wasn’t my choice.”

  Kate frowned. “We were just talking.”

  Whatever game she was playing, I was done with it for the night. “Let’s go upstairs.”

  Aric linked his fingers with mine and followed me, winding through the crowd and then ultimately climbing the wooden basement stairs. I could feel Kate’s eyes on us, but I didn’t give her the satisfaction of casting a look back in her direction. Once we hit the top of the stairs, Aric corralled me with his arms and pushed me outside through the side door.

  The night was warm, the fresh air welcome.

  “You’re jealous,” Aric said.

  “I’m not jealous,” I scoffed. “I was worried something happened to you. That’s why I came looking.”

  “You’re jealous,” Aric said again. “Admit it.”

  I wrinkled up my nose. “Fine. I’m jealous. Are you happy?”

  “I’m not unhappy,” he said. “I am a little disappointed, though.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because, after all we’ve been through, to think I would care about a twit like that is a little insulting,” Aric said.