Emperor of Annihilation

TWENTY SIX

she was completely, and utterly infatuated with the prospect of falling in love

A week later, I'm playing video games with Atticus in the Elite's dorm house. He's totally crushing me and making sure I'm aware of it by sticking his tongue at me every time he was the first to kill all the zombies.

I could tell he was annoyed by something, though. Although I wasn't sure who exactly busted his balls, I can tell it did a number on him. He hasn't been the same since seeing Amorét with that strange man a couple nights ago.

I tried reassuring him by telling him that the man could very much be her cousin, but he adds that the man was white, and the likenesses between them were as subtle as a whisper.

I spent the entire school day with Autumn and him, which meant she was also here, just in another room. By that, I mean with Silas. The minute we arrived, he whisked her off somewhere. There was nothing I could do for her but pray.

I stood up from my seat on the gaming sofa next to him. "I'm gonna get some water." My throat was dry from screaming whenever I was attacked by zombies, which was most of the time, so just imagine how my throat felt.

He looked up from his phone after checking it for the fifth time. "You want me to go with you?"

I smiled and shook my head. "No," I said as I approached the door, my hand on the knob. "I'm sure I can find the kitchen easily." That was a lie, but I really didn't want to inconvenience him, even though Atticus couldn't be a nicer person.

He gave me a once-over before a grin replaced the frown sketched on his mouth, then nods.

I leave, and when I do, I feel like I'm in a room full of mirrors. This place was huge, and that's saying a lot coming from someone who grew up in a mansion that could easily pass as a castle.

I smoothed down my sundress, sighing to myself as I passed by countless doors. Seriously, how many rooms do four high school boys need?

Speaking of high school boys, I haven't seen Ezekiel today. I asked Atticus for her whereabouts, but he just shrugged his shoulders and told me he had no idea. I shouldn't let his absence effect me. After all, this is just Ezekiel Ambrose doing what he does best. Hiding.

He did something completely out of character, even for him. Showing up unannounced at the animal shelter, then insisting that I ride with him on his motorcycle to a Greek restaurant where we shared a date that wasn't a date.

It was like he's trying to mess with my head more than he already does. Quite frankly, it scares me. What is he trying to achieve? He already took nearly everything from me. My friends and family, and my heart. He stole it from me and refuses to give it back.

Why? Because that's what he wants. And everyone knows that when an Ambrose has their eyes set on something, they'll stop at nothing until they get it.

Not even if it means hurting someone in the long run, because Ambroses don't have emotions. They only have wants and needs.