8| Temper Temper

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I don't know what's worse, having Crystal turn down my deal last night or finding it attractive as hell that she did

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I don't know what's worse, having Crystal turn down my deal last night or finding it attractive as hell that she did. One thing's for sure though, she's definitely as bold as I've always known her to be and that's rare. Most people find it easier to be more themselves in dreams while they hide in the real world. But not her. She's exactly who I thought and hoped she'd be.

Which begs the question, if she's who I thought all this time, then how did she play me? How could she hide such a manipulative side while being this feisty ray of light that never holds anything back? And better yet, if she's skilled enough for McClay to send her after me, then how come he had to create the door for her to leave the tavern the other night?

These questions and so many more have been swarming my head all morning. Questions that I had every intention of asking her once I went to sleep and found her last night. But as luck would have it, I didn't dream, and I have my brothers to thank for that.

Taking a bite of my breakfast sandwich, I shoot a glare at all of them.

"You can stop sulking," Seong says before taking a sip of his coffee.

I scoff. "I'm not sulking. I'm pissed. You guys had no right to do that."

"You weren't resting," Noah says, keeping his eyes on his phone.

Woong nods from across the table we're currently sitting at in the cafeteria. "Yeah, and it was starting to show. You've had dark circles around your eyes all week."

"Not to mention that McClay only got into the tavern so easily because there was a hole in our protection," Miles adds.

That last comment creates a burning flame in the pit of my stomach. Throwing my sandwich on my plate, I raise a furious brow at him. "You calling me a weak link now?"

"Of course, he's not," Chan quickly speaks up. "We're just saying, you know we can't keep our defenses up when one of us is down. You need rest to keep your energy up, and you refused to do that."

"Cause I don't have time for that shit," I snap.

Chan holds his head high. "Then make time or we'll slip something in your drink again. Okay, Cap?"

The five of them give me the same look, one filled with both concern and determination. I know it's 'cause they care. We've been all each other has for so long. But I still don't like being overruled. Not when it comes to this.

"Fine. Whatever," I grumble. "I'll make more time to rest."

"That's all we ask," Woong says.

Seong nods. "Thank you."

As luck would have it, the second the bell rings to end breakfast and rush everyone to their first class, I catch a flash of pale-golden waves as the back doors open and close. All classes are inside the main building, and those doors lead to the courtyard.

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