Page 81 of Hero of Havoc

I was wrong.

“You can’t do that, Teddy,” she insists, and I cock a brow at her.

“Says who?”

Her lips open and shut a handful of times before she shakes her head and glances at Sax for reinforcement, but he shrugs.

“It’s a good idea,” my buddy confirms, and I offer him my fist, bumping our knuckles together in solidarity as Ivy huffs.

“You two are insane. Surely this is inhumane or something,” she mutters, and I shrug.

“Inhumane is trying to force someone to be their Kingdom Champion,” I start, raising my eyebrow at her. “It is also inhumane to kill people without care or thought. Inhumane is a great descriptive word for Leonardo Corrigan, who doesn’t seem to understand boundaries. I’m not saying I want to lower myself to his level, but if using some questionable methods gets us answers instead of leaving us in the dark, then I’m going to do it. For you, for me, for us.”

“And if I don’t want you to?”

I lean in close, pressing my lips against the shell of her ear as I speak. “Don’t make me lie to reassure you, Princess, because we both know I would still do it anyway.”

She gulps, dragging a hand over her mouth as she peers at the guy in the chair. Her mouth curls as she grimaces. “I’m sorry,” she mumbles, taking a step back, and I wink at her.

“If it makes you feel any better, Princess, Professor Viola approved it. I’m just not allowed to approach professors or members of the meetings,” I explain.

Although I already did a once-over of Francesca and Odesa. Not that anyone needs to know. I’ll catch Bonnie when I see her next. Silas too when he’s alone. But the first two irritatingly passed with flying colors, which pisses me off.

I was expecting a simple and easy answer, but it seems I’m going to have to work for it.

To my surprise, Ivy doesn’t breathe a word as she takes a backward step, folding her arms over her chest as she stares expectantly at the guy awaiting questioning.

With her seemingly content, I fall back into it, peppering each person who fills the seat with questions, seeking out answers that guide us nowhere. Frustration starts to get the better of me when a shadow casts over me from the right.

My agitation escalates when I spy Silas out of the corner of my eye, but I don’t acknowledge him until I’m done interrogating the Land Protector. Once I’ve waved her off, I sigh, turning my attention to the man in question.

“Ready for the hot seat?” I ask, cocking a brow at him, and he rolls his eyes.

“I’m already aware you can’t use it on me,” he grunts, and I grin, amusement dancing through me.

“Just because someone said I can’t doesn’t mean I won’t,” I promise, and he huffs.

“People have places to be. Whatever you were trying to achieve here isn’t working. Besides, the next classes are about to start, and you can’t keep holding everyone up.”

I shrug. “What I’m trying to achieve takes patience, Silas. Something you don’t seem to have much of, and regarding everyone’s next class, it’s not really my business. Keeping my mate safe is.” At the mention of Ivy, Silas glances over my shoulder to where she stands, and I instantly regret it. “Don’t look at her,” I grunt, and Ivy sighs.

“Teddy,” she mumbles, but I ignore her protests as Silas smirks.

“Why not, Teddy?” he goads, trying to get a rise out of me, and I hate to admit that it’s working.

Tension tightens my muscles as I stand, hands clenched at my sides as I stare off with him.

“Back off, Silas. I don’t give a fuck what the outlines for my assignment are; I will make a spectacle of you in front of everyone.”

His gaze flicks behind me again before returning to mine. “She doesn’t look like she’d be too happy about that,” he retorts, tilting his head at me. “How about you put the magic on me so I can watch in delight as you fuck up your mating bond,” he sneers, sending ice racing through my veins.

“Don’t fucking talk of my mating bond,” I growl, my nostrils flaring with rage as I aim a finger in his direction.

“Teddy,” Ivy breathes from behind me, worry etched into her tone, but I ignore it as I take a step toward Silas.

“Be a good little boy and do as you’re told, Teddy. And pack this shit up while you’re at it; it’s about as useless as you are,” he bites, flipping the table to drive his point home, but I’m already moving.

“Silas, show me what it looks like to be a dog.” The words sing past my lips, and I relish in the magic of them as he drops to his knees with a thud, fingers splayed across the grass as he tilts his head up at me. “Now that’s what a good little boy looks like,” I sneer, peering at the watchful crowd as they take in every moment, and I grin.