American Monster

6 - Justus

I pulled open the heavy double doors, watching as a few people turned to look who had entered the room before whispering amongst themselves about my presence. I ignored them, scanning the expansive space for Addy. Every muscle in my body was coiled, but I pushed forward. When it came to fight or flight, there was never an option for me, even if it may end in a bloodbath.

I couldn't just lock her away in my home though. I'd have to at least make her think coming home with me was her idea. And knowing Adelaide, it was going to be an impossible task. She'd always been stubborn, a trait that only seemed to strengthen with each return.

She sat three rows from the back, alone. I walked down her aisle, sinking into the seat next to her, she was startled when she noticed it was me who'd sat next to her, but her heart had been accelerating since I entered.

"I thought you didn't go to your classes," she whispered, flipping open her laptop.

"I don't," I replied with a smirk. "I'm not enrolled in Folklore and Mythology."

"So, why are you here?"

"For you."

Her emerald eyes cut to me and narrowed before shaking her head. "I think I need a restraining order."

"Really? How is it you knew I didn't go to class?" I asked.

Her cheeks darkened and she shook her head, causing her dark hair to fall like a curtain between us. "Because you're rich, and rich people have everyone else do their work for them."

"Are you sure you weren't asking around about me?"

"Why would I do that?" she shot back, her gaze focused ahead.

I shrugged, sliding lower in my seat to get comfortable. "I thought maybe I felt a little spark between us."

That earned me a quiet laugh. "The only spark you'll feel from me is going to be from my taser, which I keep in my bag, by the way." She punctuated her statement by tapping her fingers against the purse slung across her chest.

"Fair enough. Just so you know, this guy has no idea what he is talking about," I whispered.

"Justus," the professor called out, causing most of the class to turn to look at us. "While I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend this class that you are not enrolled in, could you please not distract those who are supposed to be learning?" His eyes cut to Addy before meeting mine again. Professor Hunter always had a bad feeling about me. I saw the way his eyes scrutinized me whenever I walked near him. So, I usually avoided him when at all possible. But now he was staring at Adelaide like he wanted to protect her from me. And no one was going to come between us.

Patrick Hunter believed in magical thinking. He was the kind of man who stepped over cracks in sidewalks and said his prayers at night. I glanced over at the coin dangling from Addy's neck, a Cajun talisman meant to ward off evil. The dime itself was worth even less than it had been before fixed on a chain. The danger wasn't in the trinket at all.

But the realization that he could have given it to her caused my blood to simmer in my veins, something hazardous in an enclosed space filled with throngs of innocent people.

"I apologize. I was simply explaining that you were wrong."

His eyes narrowed before he shoved one of his hands into the pocket of his slacks. "Are you saying the Norse Gods were immortal?" he asked, waving his free hand in front of him as he smirked, shaking his head. "Actually, they were said to remain youthful by eating golden apples provided by Idunn –"