Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy, #1)

by Elise Kova

“I’m not a monster,” he says softly. “Even if I must act like one sometimes.”

My chest aches as if with the force of a physical blow, of a thousand rocks crushing me. The hurt the mere thought of her brings will take years to lessen.

“You have told me, in no uncertain terms, countless times, the depths of your hatred for me. You have run from me. Blamed me for the death of your sister. Doubted me and my intentions. There has been nothing I can say or do to make you think differently, and I have tried.”

“More. I’m going to fuck you until you scream my name. Until the only shape your cunt knows is my cock. After me, no other man will ever satisfy—never come close.”

We’re such a fucked-up pair. But…I rather like it that way…

“You, Clara, are the last person alive who knows how to ink the vessel.

I throw my arms around his shoulders. Silas tenses instantly. I wonder how long it’s been since someone last held him—last showed him any kindness.

Maybe I’ll live forever wondering about what could have been. But that doesn’t change the flow of time that has created a gulf between us.

“I’m worried about you,” he chokes out. The room goes silent, and all I hear is him. I can feel the fear that furrowed his brow the other night at dinner. That had him holding me tightly throughout the night.

“You’ll never be done with me,” Kaelis says with all the arrogance in the world. “I will haunt you from this world into the next.”

He still fears the outside world. He’s still trapped in stasis by Ravin’s cruelty. I can’t leave him like this. I couldn’t from the day I first met him; I won’t start now.

“My real name is…” I rasp. He leans closer still. “Lady Go-fuck-yourself.” I bring a knee up into his groin, hard.