â it always is! We're an interesting bunch, and things just have a tendency to get a little crazy.â
âYeah, because some people thrive on drama and attention,â Denver grumbled. âBetter think about this one, Cutie Pie.â
âWhy are you still here?â Anj snapped.
Denver's fists clenched. âWhy do you even care?â
âAre you really asking me that? I can't even count on my hands the number of times you've tried to ruin my life. Double that for Zes. That's why I care.â Anj gripped his fork tightly, and for a brief second Denver wondered if the guy was getting ready to use it as some kind of a weapon. His twin reached over and put a hand on Anj's forearm. The grip on the fork eased and Anj set it back on the table once more.
Zes's gaze locked with Denver's. âI can fight for myself when I want to.â
âI'm ready for a rematch when the lady folk aren't present,â Denver said icily. The two had exchanged blows over Cheyenne. She was the only reason he hadn't given Zes the worst beating of his life. If Denver wanted to, he could do worse damage than the demons who had already tortured Zes back in the fall when Lucien had kidnapped both him and Cheyenne.
âCan't wait,â Zes said then went back to eating.
That was as good of a time as any for Denver to leave the table to find Cheyenne. Respecting her need for space was one thing, but as her boyfriend he felt like he'd given her enough of that for the time being. He didn't know what her problem was, but he was going to find out. Not bothering to even put his leftover lunch away, he exited the cafeteria to make his way toward the dorm. He didn't get far, because Cheyenne snagged his shirt with her hand the moment he walked out the door.
She smirked. âTook you long enough.â
âHad to do some talking. You know how they are,â he said. Without hesitation, he snaked an arm around her waist. âWhat was that all about anyway?â
âI don't like her.â
âWho? Jewl? Last I checked, you two were fast becoming besties.â
âNo, Noel,â she said quietly.
He laughed. âDo you even know her?â
âCan't say that I do.â
âThen you can't make any judgments either,â he stated. With a slight nudge he urged her forward so they could leave together. Standing outside of the cafeteria door was never a good place to hang out.
She scowled. âThere's no way she's his type.â
âWhy do you even care?â Denver snapped. She gasped, and let her jaw hang open. He continued. âNo, seriously, why do you care so much? You broke up with him. In fact, I remember you seeing me behind his back because you were that dissatisfied with your relationship. Am I wrong? So why do you care so much if he moves on too?â
âBecause he's not allowed to. He belongs to me.â Her tone took on a darker, grittier form, and she no longer sounded like the girl he was in love with.
His eyes narrowed. Persephone the First? Is that who's talking now? Cheyenne was possessed by her great ancestor so it was a possibility. Breathing in to prevent himself from snapping off at her, Denver made sure to cleanse himself of all negativity before speaking. âI'm pretty sure Zes is his own person.â
Cheyenne shook her head. âYou don't understand. I don't want him, let alone to be loved by him, but that doesn't change the facts. He was my gift, and he belongs to me and no one else.â The same grit was still present in her voice. Closing his eyes, Denver leaned in and kissed her deeply. Her fingers tangled into his hair and he could have sworn he heard her breathe out his true name. âHades?â
He pulled away from her, watched her eyes flutter open again, and their gazes met. Then she shook her head, holding it as if in pain.
He pulled her close to him, cradling her head against his chest. Yes, I am him, but is now the time to say it? There's