I sat stiff in the passenger seat, arms folded, forehead pressed to the glass. My reflection looked pale, almost blurred against the city rushing past, but I could still hear it—the crash of plates, the snap of claws, Michael's growl laced with something more than anger.
It hadn't sounded like just a fight.
"What was that?" My voice broke sharper than I intended. "Why did they—why did he—"
"Wolves don't need reasons," Raja cut me off, one elegant hand on the wheel. Her expression was unreadable, sculpted out of ice. "They feel. They react. They destroy. It's their nature."
"That's not an answer," I snapped, twisting toward her. "Michael looked at Jordan like he wanted to rip his throat out. Why?"
She sighed through her nose, the kind of sound people make when a child asks about death. "I think there's a shift in the air."
Okay. I am quite clueless when it comes to this bit of wolf lore.
"What shift?" I am afraid I am staring too much at Raja. As if my life depends on it. As if this penetrative glare can fizzle out the formation of any lie.
"Honey, I am not a wolf " She flashes her fangs for added emphasis.
Okay so that makes two of us very much clueless.
"Does any of this have to do with me?" I finally ask the question that has been burning in my throat since that kitchen disaster.
"Of course not" Raja adds quickly. "Don't fret. Wolves do this all the time ". Her voice is smooth . Too smooth. And I watch her hand harden on the wheel.
"Fight for no reason?" I roll my eyes "Ya right. " I venture tackily "It's fine if you don't want to tell me".
Raja laughs but there is no mirth in her eyes "I am only a Vampyre. How on earth am I supposed to know what pisses off a couple of clawed dandies ".
"You are dating one" I say flatly.
Raja growls "Shit. The Blood Moon is in four days. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck " She smashes an aggressive hand on the wheel and her face has a bothered shredded look. We narrowly miss a small collision with another vehicle. Raja is too tensed to even mumble an apology.
I am more tensed "Christ. What the fuck just happened" I take a deep breath. Okay. After witnessing a couple of wolves throttle each other, I have just now narrowly escaped an accident. What a pleasant way to start my morning . I curse inwardly.
Raja mutters "So sorry, honey. Its just that ....." She sniffles and I watch her hand dab at her eyes. Raja Finns is fighting back tears. "The Blood Moon....is"
"In four days " I finish for her. There is a speck of concern in my voice when I say . "Please don't tell me those are tears of joy in your eyes, Raja."
Raja sniffles "Assuredly not. But I will be fine".
"You can talk to me " I wince as I add "Honey".
"Dammy might be mated " Raja rolls her eye "And where would that leave me. A secret affair ? Or maybe an ex."
"Come on, Raja. There's a high chance you might end up being his mate after all."
"I wish" Her fangs flash in a scowl "Vampires and wolves don't mix quite well. Honey, you don't know this shit as much as I do. What if the Moon rejects me?. What if I am not good enough for him ."
My hand instinctively touch her shoulder "You are more than enough ".
She shakes her head and says nothing. The silence sits between us like an uninvited yet thorough guest. Soon, the giant gates of The Academy could be seen .
"Well, we are here" Raja says, pulling up neatly beside the gate. She brushes my hand as I fiddle with the seatbelt "Thank you".
_________________________
I am brushing my teeth and listening to Beth's hundredth lecture about not showing up to Breakfast Treat as an idiot. Or in her own words, a nun.
The phone is on loud speaker while I rinse my mouth with water.
"I wish I could sneak in a few peek to be sure you don't waltz in wrapt in a hefty blanket" Beth says flatly.
"Yes" I smirk "You would prefer I make a stunning impression in my bathing suit"
"I wish you could bless our starved eyes with such a luscious sight" Beth laughs .
"Are you spending the night with Asher tonight " I add "Again?"
"Depends"
"On how deeply you can throat him ?" I grin drily.
"I wish . But Night, he's so friggin good I don't even wanna come to this stupid brunch thing " Beth whines softly.
"Don't make me miss you too much, Beth Camper " I smirk "Have some dick-nity ".
"Let's just say I have been dick-chanted" Beth's voice is flowery "I will see you in a couple of minutes, Flamehead "
"You better" I drool .
"And please..." Beth begins
"Yes, I know , Beth" I cut in "I will definitely show up like a half peeled orange "
________
The clock on the wall said twelve minutes past 8 Am. I was already a couple of minutes late. Already my phone had buzzed thrice. Two missed calls from Peach and Cassidy. And a text from Alex Camper.
I rushed into the bathroom, took the fastest shower known to mankind, then started frantically digging through my wardrobe like a raccoon in a trash can.
Nothing.
Nothing.
More nothing.
Why did I own so many ugly sweaters but not a single decent party dress.
Frustrated, I stand stark naked in front of the mirror trying to mentally choose between the only two reasonable outfits I could rake out.
"All inelegant" A voice coos on my shoulder. A vague chill creeps up my spine. My face feels hot.
Very hot.
Jordan Files.