Read Online Bittersweet by Michele Barrow-Belisle - Free Book Online

education.” She beamed and her emerald eyes shined with malice. “A girl’s gotta learn those three R’s.”
    More like the three T’s… terrorize, torment and torture. I pushed back the panic rising in my throat.
    Adrius gnashed his teeth.
    â€œI thought you said he didn’t know her?” Abby whispered.
    I ignored her and took Adrius’ hand. “Speaking of education, we’re going to be late,” I said, giving him a subtle tug.
    He turned mechanically and followed me. But Venus bounced in front of us, blocking our path. He narrowed his gaze, and his eyes turned hurricane dark. His voice dropped to a low, stone-cold tone only the three of us could hear. “Stay out of our way.”
    Venus looked back over her shoulder at the curious group still watching us. With the quick flick of her wrist she held up her hand. From a small gash across her palm a steady stream of blood dripped down her forearm. I gasped.
    â€œOuch,” she said dramatically. “Lorelei, think you can take a look at my hand for me?” She waved it in front of my face. “I hear you have the healing touch.”
    I leaned into Adrius as the nausea I’d just gotten over resurfaced. The strength seeped from my legs and I was already light-headed. Adrius wrapped an arm around me and pushed her hand away. With one last glare he said, “We’re leaving. Move.”
    Her eyes flashed make me , but she stepped aside for us to pass. “Don’t worry,” she said in a honeyed tone. “I’ll still be here when you’re done. Wouldn’t dream of leaving without you.”
    When I looked up, her hand had healed and the blood had disappeared. While the handkerchief bandaging my arm still seeped fresh blood.
    Adrius pulled me down a few halls, and once we were far enough away from her, he led me into the custodian’s storage closet and shut the door.
    â€œOk, what is she doing here?” I burst. “And did you see her arm? I can’t seem to heal at all and somehow she can? How does that work exactly?”
    â€œShhh,” he pressed a finger to his lips. “Listen to me. We have to get you out of here. Now. It’s not safe if she’s here.”
    â€œI’m not letting her drive me away from my home, Adrius. Besides, where would we go? If we returned to the Nevermore she’d only follow us. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants.”
    He dragged his hand through his hair. “We don’t even know what that is.”
    The realization that came over me left me queasier than the blood.
    â€œI know what she wants,” I whispered. It was the ultimate payback.
    â€œShe wants you back... and she wants me dead.”

 
    Chapter Eight
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    â€œI wish we could get out of here,” I murmured. With my world crumbling around me, school was the last place I felt like being. But even in the midst of crisis life pressed on. Besides, explaining to the office that I needed to be excused from the rest of my classes because a psychotic witch was after me would land me in the guidance councilor’s office.
    Adrius looked over at me. “I thought you didn’t want to run.”
    â€œNot run. Just.... escape, for a while.” I sounded like a whiny two-year-old, but I really didn’t care.
    His golden olive eyes were distant, brooding. For a second, a flicker of pain crossed them. “I’d like nothing more than to take you away from here. But I think you are safer staying put for the time being. Right next to me.”
    It was the irresistible velvet of his voice that held me in place, the arm he wrapped around my waist was just added insurance.
    The urge to take off was outweighed by my need to stay. Adrius was here. For now. My very human friends were here. And since my mother was still in town playing the responsible semi-doting parent, cutting class wasn’t any more of an option than running. But Venus