“No, they won’t, doll face,” Theo said adamantly. “And if anyone says anything, it’s my job to protect you.” He smirked like I was oh so lucky to have him.
Adelaide’s jaw dropped. “I totally didn’t believe her when she said you called her doll face.” She leaned across the table and shook Theo by his collar. “Hello? Alien inside my brother? Yeah, you. Can you get out?”
Theo plucked his sister’s hands off his shirt easily. “Adelaide, I’m fine.”
“That’s what the alien would say,” she hissed like it was a secret. Theo shook his head sending his black curls flying. “Ugh, here comes the witch,” muttered Adelaide turning toward the doors, “in every sense of the word.”
Theo cursed under his breath and disappeared.
Naomi glared in my direction before doing a quick scan of the dining hall and leaving once more. I was pretty sure I knew who she was looking for.
“Is she gone?” asked Theo as his head bobbed up from under the table, only his black curls and eyes peeked over the top.
“She’s gone,” I confirmed.
He sighed and climbed back on the bench.
Adelaide shook her head, her lips pursed. “Brother, you’ve got to set her straight.”
“I’ve tried,” groaned Theo. “She doesn’t listen. I think she’s already planning our wedding.”
Adelaide giggled. “You? Married?”
Theo rolled his eyes.
“What?” She shrugged. “It’s not like you’re allowed to date, and you’re certainly not allowed to get married. Besides, who would want to marry you?” she said in her deep monotone voice.
“Apparently Naomi,” I injected.
Adelaide laughed. “Well, she’s crazy, so she doesn’t count.”
“Why are we even talking about this?” snarled Theo.
“Because it’s so much fun,” she sing-songed.
“You know what else is fun?” he asked in a too-sweet voice.
“What?” Adelaide asked.
“My foot in your—”
“Okay, that’s enough,” I interjected, shutting them up. “Can’t we be civil?”
“No,” snarled the dark-haired siblings simultaneously.
“Well then,” I sighed and decided to ignore them. They continued to banter back and forth while I ate my food. I finished my breakfast and stood to leave.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, where are you going?” asked Theo, grabbing my arm.
“To get rid of my plate.” I pointed to an area where I could see others handing their plates over to be cleaned.
“You need to stick with me,” he growled, his eyes darting around like I was in imminent danger.
“I’m just going right over there.” I pointed again like he was too dense to get it. “You can see me. I don’t think I’m going to be attacked right here in front of all these people. Besides, I was alone last night. You don’t need to be with me every second.”
Adelaide snorted. “He slept outside your room last night.”
“What?” I gasped. Theo paled and looked away but he didn’t lessen his grip on my arm. “You slept outside my room? Why?”
Theo shook his head and let go of my arm.
“Are you going to follow me to the bathroom too?” I asked, incredulous.
“Yes, I will. I’ll stand right outside the door,” he growled. “If you need to go there’s one right over there.” He nodded in the direction and I saw the sign for a men’s’ and women’s’ bathroom.
“You’re unbelievable.” I stormed off to get rid of my plate. Theo was close on my heels.
“It’s my job,” he ground out. “I’m sorry if my doing my job makes you so angry.”
I handed my plate over to the lady who was collecting them and grabbed Theo by his t-shirt, pulling him into a corner.
“What’s your problem?” I asked, and he smirked as he crossed his arms.
He let his arms drop. “It’s my job to protect you,” he said, leaning in closer. He rested his arm above my head against the wall. My heart stuttered and skipped a beat. I inhaled to clear my senses but it didn’t help because his scent engulfed me.
“I get that, but there’s more. What’s going on?” I snapped, hoping he didn’t notice how affected I was by his presence.
His gray eyes bored into me, and I began to think he wouldn’t answer but, eventually, he said, “I don’t know.”
“I understand that you’re trying to do your job but can you just … back off?” I pushed his chest so he would take a step back. I could feel the perfect chiseled hardness of his muscles. He didn’t move.
Instead, he leaned down so his mouth was against my ear. “Do I make you feel unsettled?”
“N-N-No,” I stuttered, my pulse pounding, “you don’t.”
He smirked. “And you’re a liar.” I kicked his shin. He stepped away. “That hurt,” he accused but seemed unfazed.
“You deserved it,” I huffed and returned to the table. Adelaide’s eyes were glued to us. I could hear Theo’s chuckle behind me.
I sat down, and Theo continued to stand. “If your temper tantrum is over, would you like to go visit our favorite friend Mr. Antonescu?”
I sighed. “Not really.” I got the shivers just thinking about him. He hadn’t been what I’d call friendly last night.
He chuckled. “Well, sorry, but you don’t have much choice. He wants to speak with you for some ungodly reason. Honestly, I think the fellow likes the sound of his own voice a little too much.”
“I better get this over with, shouldn’t I?”
“’Fraid so,” Theo replied with a smile that was less than excited.
“I’ll see you later,” I muttered to Adelaide as I followed Theo.
Her inquisitive look did not go unnoticed.
Chapter 9
THEO LED ME THROUGH THE maze-like hallways, and I struggled to keep up. I felt like we went around and around. Finally, he stopped in front of a door. He knocked harshly, three loud raps.
The door swung open.
“Ah, Mara,” Victor spoke kindly, a sharp contrast to his tone and behavior last night. He motioned for me to enter and I did. I jumped when the door slammed shut behind me and locked, leaving Theo on the other side.
My heart beat like a frightened bird and I looked with wide eyes from the closed door to Victor.
Do not show fear, I reminded myself.
Theo cursed on the other side of the door and began to bang against it. It sounded like he was throwing his whole body against it.
“Sit,” Victor commanded and one of the chairs in front of his desk turned around.
I sat down in it, reluctantly, and once I was seated it turned itself back around to face the desk.
I looked at the closed door and then back at Victor. “What’s all this about?” I asked.
Victor quirked a brow. “It’s not your place to ask questions.”
I swallowed.
Do. Not. Show. Fear.
“If you do not ask questions then you do not receive answers,” I countered.
“Ah,” he sighed. “Fine. To answer your question, I wanted to speak to you privately.” He waved his hand and the noises on the other side of the door became mute. “That’s better. We can’t hear him, and he can’t hear us.”
I hoped that wasn’t a bad thing.
Victor stared at me, his eyes roaming over my face like he was dissecting my features. The air seemed to crackle between us and the pale hairs on my arms stood on end.
“Why am I here?” I finally asked.