Then I gathered the blankets and drove her back to the school.
When the campus came into view on the horizon, she broke the silence. “You scare me, Magnus.”
“Smartest thing you’ve said all night.”
“You don’t scare me in a serial-killer way.”
“That’s a relief,” I said dryly.
“It’s a thrilling kind of fear. Like the way those fake haunted houses ramp up my pulse, dump adrenaline into my system, and make me feel alive. I know the things that jump out at me aren’t going to kill me. But man, do they crank up my heart rate. Just like you.” She looked out the window and mumbled, “I like that pushing, pulling, jumpy, scary feeling. I want it in a relationship. It keeps the blood pumping.”
“You’re too young to know what you want.”
“Don’t do that.” Her glare cut to me. “Did you know what you wanted when you were eighteen?”
“Yes.” I knew and pursued and took in every way possible.
“Then don’t be a dick about my age.”
I pulled up in front of the campus gate and stepped out of the car. She joined me as I removed my phone and typed a text to Miriam. I didn’t want Tinsley dealing with any questioning tonight. It was nearing midnight, and she needed sleep.
When I unlocked the gate, she stepped to the other side and shut it. Her fingers curled around the bars, and her fathomless blue eyes peered through the space between her hands.
“You can make me go to church, but I’ll never share in the mystery of your faith,” she said quietly. “You can order me not to kiss Tucker, but I’m going to have sex, whether you like it or not. And you can tell me I should be afraid of you, but I’m not. Not in the way you want.” She released the bars and walked backward. “I won’t kiss you again. I don’t want to be that person, the one you resent. If you break your vows, you should do it for yourself, not for anyone else.” She inclined her head. “Goodnight, Magnus.”
With a gentle smile, she turned and headed to the residence hall.
I watched her until she vanished inside the building, aching for her.
She was unlike anyone I’d ever known. As if her breathtaking, otherworldly allure wasn’t enough, she was mature beyond her years and more intelligent than all the women I’d been with combined.
I should’ve never tasted her lips, but I couldn’t bring myself to regret it.
That divine, unparalleled, life-changing kiss was the only one I would ever have.
CHAPTER 19
TINSLEY
The next afternoon, I sat on the bench in the hallway outside of Magnus’s classroom, cringing as his angry bellow rattled the door.
For once, I wasn’t on the receiving end of his wrath. To be honest, I was shocked to learn who had ended up earning his punishment.
After Nevada’s blatant threats, I knew in my gut she was the one who’d left the shoebox on my bed last night. But Magnus was thorough and had spent the morning questioning each and every girl.
Within minutes in the interrogation chair, Alice had squealed and confessed her desire to inflict retribution on me. Tucker had broken up with her, and somehow, that was my fault. I didn’t even know they were a thing when he asked me to the Winter Formal.
Nothing was going on between him and me. He texted me sometimes, but it wasn’t overly flirtatious. I couldn’t imagine he felt any sort of connection between us. I sure didn’t.
But that didn’t help Alice. She’d lost her shit, and just as Felix had guessed, she’d asked her older sister to collect the roadkill and bring it to her over the weekend.
My concerns about how Alice would be punished were vanquished the moment her parents showed up. They packed up her dorm, and as soon as Magnus finished his verbal lashing, they would be taking her home.
Magnus had expelled her.
I felt a sick sense of jealousy that she got to leave. It didn’t seem fair.
But I was also relieved. I didn’t want to sleep down the hall from someone who used dead animals as threats. It was too The-Godfather’s-severed-horse-head for my comfort.
The door opened, and Magnus poked his head out. “We’re ready for you.”
I’d been beckoned here, waiting. For what, I didn’t know. I just wanted to put this whole nightmare behind me.
Following him into the classroom, I instantly spotted the redhead in the front row. Tears drenched Alice’s pale face. Her chin tucked to her chest, and her fingers clamped tightly on her lap.
An older man and woman, presumably her parents, stood off to the side, regarding me with wary expressions.
“Alice.” Magnus folded his hands behind him, his legs braced in the stance that so eloquently showcased his power.
Looking at him was a raw and delicious torment. Addictive, painful, and constant.
Alice rose to her feet and reluctantly dragged her gaze to mine.