"So don't be mad at me, okay?" Emma asked. Marcus wasn't actually upset. He just felt like Emma's attention had been wrapped around Lucien lately, and it stung more than he wanted to admit. He was jealous. He just wanted to pull her focus back to him, make her fuss over him a little. But the moment he saw her trying so carefully to soothe him, the tight knot in his chest loosened. Most of that petty bitterness faded away. He suddenly leaned in and kissed her, deep enough to steal her breath. He only let her go when she was gasping a little. "Ms. Tibarn, you said we mattered the same to you. Don't lie to me." "I swear to the Beast God I'm not lying," Emma said right away. She let out a quiet breath in her head. Thank goodness, Marcus isn't hard to coax. A few words and he's back to normal. Once he calmed down, Emma circled back to her question. She wasn't making the same mistake again. This time, she didn't ask only about Lucien. She looked at him, trying to sound sweet. "Marcus, why are you here? Where are Calum and Lucien?" "Calum and Lucien left early. They had something to do. They told me to stay with you," Marcus replied. He pressed his forehead to hers and eased her back against the bed. "Ms. Tibarn, did you miss me?" Calum and Lucien are still out there fighting, who knows how long? I can use the time before they get back to be alone with Ms. Tibarn… Emma lay back down, and her fine brows drew together in a slight frown. What are Lucien and Calum even doing running off so early? Don't tell me they're out there picking a fight. Emma had drifted off for a moment when a tiny sting at her neck snapped her back. She looked up and ran straight into Marcus' annoyed stare. "Ms. Tibarn, you're really zoning out right now?" He looked genuinely put out. Maybe my skills just aren't good enough. Is that why Ms. Tibarn can't stay focused? "I'm not. I didn't. Just let me defend myself. No wait. Let me explain," Emma said. My stupid mouth better not mess this up. I just got him calm again."Marcus, just let me explain." She said it softly. "Explain?" Marcus let out a short laugh. He looked at Emma, and those silver wolf ears pushed through his hair. His fluffy tail slipped out as well and wrapped tightly around her waist. "Ms. Tibarn, you can explain all you want. But I'm not interested in whatever story you want to feed me. I want you to show me your explanation." His voice dropped as he spoke, and then he leaned in and sank his teeth lightly into the artery along her neck. His sharp fangs pressed against her pale, delicate skin. "Ms. Tibarn, have you figured out how you plan to explain this to me?" Emma felt a jolt shoot through the spot where his teeth touched her. The tingling heat rushed through her whole body before she could even breathe. Her muscles locked up on instinct, and her breath stumbled for half a beat. Am I going through a rough patch? Why does it feel like everyone around me is suddenly turning shady? "I…" Emma started, but a wave of nausea hit her stomach out of nowhere. She shoved Marcus away hard, spun around, and bolted off the bed straight to the bathroom. Marcus got shoved and was left stunned.What's wrong with Ms. Tibarn? Did I actually make her sick? No way. I was just trying to copy Lucien, that shady phoenix. She's been with Lucien all this time and never got grossed out by him. So, why is it happening the moment I arrive? Or… does she just not like me, and that's why I made her throw up? "Ugh!" The sound of dry heaving echoed from the bathroom. Marcus snapped out of his daze, shaking off all the stupid thoughts running through his head, and bolted toward the noise. … Out in the outer, Lucien was standing on a floating starstone, staring at Calum across from him. "Calum, you've been standing there, watching me for half an hour. Why did you even bring me here?" Before dawn, Calum had messaged Lucien, asking him to meet. He said it was about Emma and that he needed to tell him something. Once Lucien showed up, Calum led him straight out of Z-1689 and brought him here. I get it now. Calum says he wants to talk to me about Emma. It's all a lie. The whole point was just to lure me out. Lure me out—who does that even benefit? "Calum, don't tell me you sent me off just to give Marcus some alone time with Emma?" Lucien asked. With Calum and me here, Marcus gets a chance to be alone with Emma. "Calum, since when did you and Marcus start teaming up?" Lucien asked again. These two guys flip-flop so fast. They were barely getting along before, and now, in just a few days, they're already teaming up. Calum stretched a bit, loosening up his shoulders. He looked at Lucien and said, "Stop jumping to conclusions. Yes, I called you out, and, sure enough, it gave Marcus an opening. But that wasn't my real goal." Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Then what was it?" Calum didn't bother with any beating around the bush. He just said, "I wanted to see your ability for myself. See how good you really are." Lucien scoffed, half laughing in disbelief. "Ha! Just admit you want to fight me. You don't need some fancy excuse to cover it up." I'm a Rank 11. No matter how strong my ability is, I can't take on Calum at level twelve.