Page 86 of Legend

“She is mine,” Vyk growled without a moment’s hesitation.

I glanced at him as a flush of pleasure made my heart trip in my chest.

He returned my gaze, his eyes flashing heat. “Yes?”

I bobbed my head without speaking as he curled an arm around my waist.

“I thought as much.” Ruun chuckled. “You have the same bewitched look I have seen on several of my Taori brothers with human mates.”

If that bothered Vyk, he didn’t show it.

“After we evade and destroy the swarm, I look forward to introducing you to many of the bewitching humans here.”

Ruun grinned. “I will hold you to that.”

I didn’t have time to wonder what the women at the academy would think of the Taori as I stepped from Vyk’s grasp and backed toward the door. “Good luck coordinating the battle. I need to find some Irons.”

Chapter

Sixty-Six

Jess

Ibent over the parchment and inhaled the comforting scent of dust and crumbling leather. There was nothing as soothing as the smell of the Stacks, which was why I liked to come here even when classes weren’t in session. That, and the fact that it was quiet and calm, things that were both in short supply when the academy was brimming with cadets.

The sound of the door scraping open made me look up from the ancient text, but it was the muffled wail of a siren that made me straighten. Why were the academy sirens going off? And how long had I been tucked away within the book-lined walls of the Stacks without hearing them?

Heavy footsteps smacked the floor and told me that it wasn’t one of my female friends looking for me. I would recognize Torq’s confident stride anywhere.

“Over here,” I called, my voice echoing in the quiet.

His pace quickened, and he soon popped around a high bookshelf, his stern expression realizing when he spotted me. “I thought you might be here.”

“What’s going on?” I glanced at my papers, wondering if I should gather them or leave them behind.

“Not sure, but it can’t be good.” He held out a hand. “Come on.”

I sighed and gave a final, longing look at the unrolled parchments before abandoning my table and taking his hand. Torq’s grip was warm and solid as he led me through the labyrinth of shelves and tables until we’d reached the door, which he swiftly pulled open.

Outside the Stacks, the siren wail was louder, and I could feel tension crackling the air. Something was happening, although I couldn’t imagine what.

“Where are we going?” I asked as we walked toward the center of the school and my pulse quickened along with my footsteps as I tried to keep up with Torq.

“To get answers.”

At least there were no sounds of the academy being under attack—no explosions or blaster fire or fighters flying low overhead. “Are we sure this isn’t a drill?”

“It’s no drill.”

I glanced up to track the familiar voice, as Fiona ran down the stairs from the second floor. “Whatis it?”

“Long story short, there may be part of a Sythian swarm headed for Drex.”

“How did we not know about this?” Torq asked, his grip on my hand tightening.

Fiona’s jaw quivered with barely suppressed fury. “Captain Gorman kept the intel from us.”

“Grekkingbastard,” Torq muttered. “Where is he?”