“Now you’re talking to a tree?” she asked, light amusement sparkling in her brown eyes.
“Why are you following me?” I asked. “I’m not late for class.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “They didn’t ask you to police me, did they? If so, tell them you quit ’cause this will be an awful job for you.”
She smirked. “Your demigods assigned me as your personal guard.”
“Very funny.”
“There’s nothing funny about it. It won’t be peachy. It won’t be easy, as you said. But when the demigods’ big, adoring eyes aren’t on you, it’ll be my job to keep you out of trouble.”
“I’m everything but trouble.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
I gave her a mocking onceover. Her Dominion uniform of red and blue was spotless and without a wrinkle.
“Seriously, they think you can be my guard?”
“Why not? You’re a bit high maintenance, but nothing I can’t manage.”
I arched an eyebrow. “High maintenance? Are you serious?”
“I won’t say it’s an honor to guard you,” she said. “To be honest, you’ll likely give me a stomach ulcer. But at least things stay interesting around you.”
Something clicked. “You called Axel and Zak when I was about to fry the swimming boy, didn’t you?”
“I called Axel when the fight between you and Jack got out of control,” she said. “Demigod Axel wasn’t available, and my message went to his voicemail. That was why he and Zak arrived late to your showdown with the Demigod of Sea.”
“You knew you were risking Pigston’s wrath by calling Axel,” I said. “What about not sticking your neck out for anyone?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t want you to die. You crack me up sometimes.”
I sneered. “You told the headmistress that my jokes weren’t funny.”
“You’re funny, but that doesn’t mean you know how to tell jokes properly.”
“I don’t think you’re qualified to guard to me,” I said. “First, you don’t give a fuck about my reputation. Second, you don’t give a rat’s foot about my comfort. Remember when you refused to lend me your boots when I badly needed them?”
“I might not give a fuck about your reputation or comfort, but I do give a rat’s ass about your safety. As for the boots, if I’d given them to you, my feet would have hurt. So, between us, it was better you than me. Now, if your brooding time is over, let’s get you ready for your House Magic class. I’m excited to start this part of the journey with you.”
I stopped groaning and my eyes brightened when I caught sight of magnificent wings.
Héctor strode toward me, his defined muscles flexing under his full armor. His every line exuded masculine beauty.
Last time we were in the Jacuzzi, I’d planned to lick the droplets off his toned, smooth chest, but before I could act on my whim, Axel and Zak had crashed our date.
I wanted to explore my Héctor thoroughly one day.
Marie gasped beside me, also awed at the death demigod’s mere presence.
I wouldn’t blame her as long as she didn’t act on that impulse and try to steal my man. Who wouldn’t drool over the beautiful, lethal Demigod of Death?
But Héctor only had eyes for me.
He smiled widely, waiting for me to go to him. Meanwhile, his hungry, possessive gaze roved over me inch by inch.
“Héctor, how did you know I was here?” I asked.
I sprang toward him and crushed into his hard, warm chest, and he picked me up without missing a beat. I clasped my hands around his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist.