Page 12 of In Darkness We Claim

“That would be the drugs,” my father unhelpfully states with a chuckle.

Xander takes a step towards me, handing me a towel to press onto my shoulder, and I let out a string of expletives as I hold it against the throbbing wound. “I’ll take you to see the doctor, then you can return to Crowhurst House. As always, don’t mention your assignment to anyone, as some Pledges have yet to complete theirs. I will update the board at the Welcome Party.”

At the mention of the annual party the Crows hold to celebrate the start of term, which takes place in just two days, my memories go back to a year ago when I earned my spot as High Crow.

I think about the gorgeous girl with the strawberry-blonde curls who has become the bane of my existence, invading my thoughts even when I don’t want her to—like now.

In fact, she’s all I can think about, even when the doctor sticks me with needles and stitches my wounds closed. Each thought only makes me angrier, as I don’t know how to deal with my feelings.

She’s off-limits—something she enjoys telling me at every opportunity—and I hate that I can’t have something I want. Call me a spoiled rich kid, but it’s true.

I only want her because I can’t have her, and because that shit-stain Ryan has her…at least, I think that’s why.

As I enter Crowhurst House, despite the drugs having worn off, I’m still in a bit of a daze. Exhaustion from the task has my limbs growing heavy, and the painkillers the doctor gave me are making me a tad woozy. My whole body is screaming that it needs sleep, but I head straight for the kitchen, needing some water first.

It’s almost three in the morning, and the house is cast in darkness. The ground floor seems completely empty, which isn’t unusual for this time of night.

My eyes are heavy, and I’m moving on autopilot as I enter the kitchen. It’s only when I hear a loud gasp that the daze clears and I’m suddenly on high alert again.

The beautiful woman who haunts my dreams is standing in front of me, her bright blue eyes wide as her mouth drops open. The colour drains from her already pale complexion as she looks me over, from top to bottom. I can imagine I’m a sight to behold with my sweatpants covered in blood and dirt, and my T-shirt ripped and bloody. Not to mention my bandaged shoulder.

While she’s staring at me, I take advantage of her frozen state to drink her in. She’s wearing a flowery dress that stops just above her knees, and black ballet flats that do nothing to show off her legs the way heels would. The dress hugs her perfect figure, but doesn’t emphasise her curves the way it should.

A girl like Harper should look fucking gorgeous in everything she wears, but she insists on choosing dresses that make her seem sweet and innocent, instead of the queen she is.

Before I even realise what’s happening, she strides towards me like we’re more than the enemies we’re supposed to be. She places her hand on my cheek and swipes her thumb under my nose, showing me the fresh blood she wipes away.

I blink down at her, struggling to understand why the girl whose life I’ve made miserable for the last year is tending to my nosebleed. I’m frozen in place as she reaches up with her other hand, having grabbed a tea-towel from the counter, and presses it against my nose.

I don’t feel even a hint of the pain I expect when she pushes against my cartilage, as all I can feel is her soft hand against my cheek, and despite everything in me screaming not to, I lean into her touch, like it’s the most natural thing to do.

“What happened to you, Lawson?” Her eyes are filling with tears as she takes in my ragged appearance, and once again I wonder why Harper is getting upset over me.

I shrug my shoulders, implying it’s not a big deal, but let out a loud hiss when the stab wound on my shoulder screams at me. Harper lets go of my cheek and takes a step back, afraid she’s hurt me, but I stop her. I grab hold of her hand and place it back on my cheek, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world.

“It was just an assignment.”

“You’re hurt,” she states, as I focus on the way she’s swiping her thumb over my cheek, letting the soothing motion ease my pain.

“I’ve had worse,” I tell her, which makes her brow furrow before anger flickers across her beautiful face.

“You shouldn’t have to go through this.” She lets out a frustrated sigh, since we both know this is nothing compared to what I’m signing up for as a lifetime Order member.

“It’ll get easier when I’ve proven myself.”

She shakes her head rapidly, a tear slipping free as a scowl slips across her lips. “You’ve already proven yourself. You’re the High Crow, and have been for a year. Nobody has even come close to taking that from you. You shouldn’t have to do more.”

I can’t hold back the cocky grin that erupts at the thought of her fighting for me, and that she’s recognised my achievements. But in true Lawson fashion, I ruin it by opening my big mouth. “Don’t let your boyfriend hear you say that.”

At the mention of her arse-wipe boyfriend, her eyes widen frantically and she takes a staggered step back, her hand dropping from my face as if I burnt her. She looks around the room, making sure nobody saw our strange little interaction.

“I better go. Will you be okay?” She’s already walking towards the door, even though she seems hesitant.

I want nothing more than to call her back, to return to the weird alternate universe we slipped into for a few moments, where we get to be more than the enemies we are here. But that’s not real life.

I give her a curt nod, choosing not to be an arsehole since she was kind to me, though that won’t be the case when I next see her. There’s something about Harper that messes with my emotions, and even though I try to hate her, I can’t seem to make myself truly feel it. So I’ll have to settle for making her hate me.

END OF SECOND YEAR AT SHADOWMERE UNIVERSITY