Page 68 of Harnessed in Gold

“He’s conflicted,” Leo explains. “He’d rather you not be worth worrying about.”

Does that mean Rime was acting out of goodwill, coming to my rescue and partnering up with me when I didn’t want to talk to Leo? Or was he simply inserting himself between us, like a wedge, to keep us apart? And that kiss at Bingo—what the fuck was that? Why would he try to incite Leo’s jealousy? Unless?—

“That was a test,” I gasp out. “When he kissed me at Bingo.”

Leo takes his eyes off the road, just long enough to blink at me and chew his lip. “Yeah,” he says quietly. “I think you’re right.” He props an elbow on the door and tips his head into his hand, sighing in what sounds dangerously like defeat. “He’s been testing me, and I’ve been failing. Every single time.”

Maybe, but not anymore. Not on my watch. I volunteered for this weapon hunt because I wanted to help. I have no desire to be a distraction or a hindrance. I won’t be a thorn in anyone’s side.

And I won’t be the source of Leo’s torment.

He pulls up close to the dorms and puts the car in park. I meet his eyes and stifle a groan. Shit, this isgoing to be so hard.

“Betts—”

“I’ll meet you guys at the chapel at four-thirty tomorrow.” My shaky hands fumble with the seatbelt. “Unless I hear from you otherwise.”

“Betts—”

I hurl myself against the car door, nearly tumbling out onto the pavement when it opens with ease. “Thanks for the ride,” I breathlessly call out, slamming the door closed and rushing for Newberry’s side entrance.

A long minute later, when I’ve reached the top of the steps, I dare a peek over my shoulder. Leo’s car hasn’t moved. Nor has Leo.

Thank god, from here, I can’t see his eyes.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I headout from my last class into the cold, gray afternoon, all set to brave the chapel. On the way, I check my phone and find a message from Avery:Lenten prayer service in the chapel right now. Meet us at the Bobcat.

Heaving a sigh, I do an about-face and head to the student center. The last thing I need is an extra half hour to sit around working myself into a panic about the macguffin. From the moment I got home yesterday, I’ve been imagining what kind of emotional energy Ember Belladonna left in that thing, and now I’m so nervous I can hardly function. A woman who murdered twelve priestesses and countless other fae, violated the faerie-species bond, and terrorized her people? It’s going to be a nightmare.

My fingers fly to my amethyst. I have the tiger’s eye, too; in my bra. Kind of cold at first, but now I can barely tell it’s there. Same with the folded-up sigil in my boot. Thanks to a few back-and-forth texts with Avery, I finally managed to create one that would allow me to feel supernatural energies but would dull common human emotions. It’s been surprisingly effective. Yesterday, it muted thehorniness of the guys in Brit Lit enough for me to concentrate on the lecture.

But a few crystals and a sigil won’t have the power to protect me from Ember’s energy today, nor will my velvet cloak. If the macguffin is in the chapel, I’ll have to point to where I think it is, then get the hell out of there.

I dawdle across campus, stalling so long I’m not surprised to find everyone already on their feet when I finally get to the cafe.

The moment he sees me, Leo freezes, half of one arm in the sleeve of his jacket. His eyes meet mine, and it’s everything I can do not to turn around and walk right back out the door. Leo Hawthorn, the only obstacle more threatening to my mental health than Ember Belladonna. For the umpteenth time in the past twenty-four hours, I tell myself,For everyone’s sake, stay away.

Avery breaks our stares with a loud clap of her hands. “Let’s do this thing. It’s take-your-psychic-to-the-chapel-day!”

On our way out, I file in beside her and Aaron, avoiding Leo and Rime. Yet, by the time we’ve rounded the computer labs and advising offices, I’m sandwiched between the latter. Rime’s on my left, guarding me, and Leo’s on my right, defiantly staking his claim.

I’m rushing to the front doors, trying to shake them off, when I’m brought up short by a slow, sexy drawl.

“Heyyyy, Betsy.”

Braden.

Apparently it’s bump-into-people-you-don’t-want-to-see-day, too.

I plaster on a smile. “Hey.”

He’s with Jenna, Mia, and Trevor, but thankfully, not Zander.

“Hey, girl,” Mia gushes. “Long time, no see.”

Jenna points in the direction of the Bobcat. “We’re gonna get some chai and make spring break plans. You wanna come?”