Chapter 18. A Shared Secrecy

Ainsley

Liam’s hand burns against my skin while we stay frozen in place, my eyes pinned directly on the bewildered expression of my roommate.

I reach up quickly to fix the collar of my shirt, hiding the bite mark there on the off chance her attention is directed to it. The last thing I need is for Iris to freak out about more than just Liam standing behind me.

When the mark is only a silver scar, I’ll be able to wear it proudly without humans thinking I’ve been attacked.

Iris is in an old band tee and shorts with her hair up in a messy bun, the colored ends sticking out wildly like she’d been rolling around in bed all night. Briefly, I wonder if that had been due to her worrying about me, waiting for me to return back to our dorms all night.

Guilt forces me back from Liam’s hold. “I-Iris. You’re up early.”

Even to my own ears, I sound nervous. Usually, she’d still be in bed. Her classes don’t start for another two hours. She’s the type to r