CHAPTER 49: TROUBLE IN HIS SHIRT

She was stricken for a moment. He had come out of nowhere, read the situation and blocked Jeremy and Finn from seeing her.

At the same time, she stared at his back. Maybe it was because she was always focused on other things, but Aurelius looked dashing from behind. He had a thick body, and a rugged haircut for that aesthetic of his.

She smiled cheekily, "You look good,"

Aurelius paused, then turned around to look at her, "What?"

"Nothing," She said and glanced behind him.

Finn and Jeremy were gone.

"What were you doing watching two guys kiss?" He questioned.

"I wasn’t watching them kiss. I was watching Eric get cheated on by that punk he’s obsessed with," She replied, then clutched her chest hard as her eyes fell, "I was watching the guy I like get cheated on by someone who doesn’t deserve him,"

"Ah, you mean the guy from last night? The one that made you drink?"

She didn’t answer. She turned around and started to walk away, but didn’t make it far with all the swaying. Aurelius gave her a slow once-over. What the hell was she wearing, and why does it smell like a certain someone? He was curious.

"Where are you going?" He came up to her and grabbed her arm to keep her steady, "You do realise that if you’re caught by the authorities this drunk, you’re gonna get detention, right?"

"Detention?" She repeated, "Does it have to do with mirrors and silver chains?"

"I don’t know. There are different kinds of punishments given for detention here,"

He kept watching her as she went and noticed she was going in no exact direction.

"Let go of me," She said, trying to pull away from his grip.

"You’ll fall,"

She glared at him, "You’d love to see that,"

He grinned, "I will, but not today,"

"Aurelius, let go of me,"

"Where exactly do you think you’re headed?" He questioned as she turned another random corner.

"I’m going to find Eric. I have to tell him what’s going on,"

"I don’t know how acquainted you and this Eric guy are, but judging from your encounter with him last night, that might not be a good idea,"

She paused, "What do you mean?"

"What if he doesn’t believe you?"

"Eric is my best friend. Best friends don’t lie to each other,"

"That’s not entirely true,"

She glared again, "Why do you say so?"

"Haven’t you heard the phrase, ’The ones closest to you would hurt you the most?’"

"Eric will never hurt me,"

"You didn’t exactly drink all that wine because he made you happy last night," Aurelius stated.

Theodora didn’t really remember anything of that sort. The memories of last night were still very hazy. She recalled some scenes from last night, but barely remembered anything that happened between her and Eric.

"It doesn’t matter. I need to find him,"

"You’re going the wrong way," His grip tightened as he pulled her with him this time, "You keep going in circles. Moreover, this part of the school isn’t active like the rest - almost like it’s been abandoned. If you want to get to the academic areas, then follow me,"

She eyed him, and reluctantly followed, "Aren’t you supposed to be in class?"

"I skip," He said.

"Why would you do that? Won’t you be subjected to mental torture?"

"Only if I’m caught,"

"What does that mean?" She asked.

"It means I can get away with it. You see, I get away with a lot of things,"

"Why? Because you’re from one of the strongest Wolf families?"

"Partially. Also because I know my way around everyone here at Gravemont. At least, ninety per cent of the Professors,"

"That’s a lot," She remarked, "What about the remaining ten?"

"Well, let’s just say I’ll definitely get detention if I run into any of them," He glanced back at her and saw that she was staring up at the sky with a silly grin on her face.

His eyes danced with delight as he watched her squint at the sunlight, then she extended a hand in an attempt to catch a ray of the sun.

Her red hair turned into liquid fire, and her amber eyes burned like the last drop of sunlight before dusk. He was caught up staring for more than a moment, and didn’t notice they were approaching the active side of school.

Theodora looked down from the sun and saw a familiar blonde hair that turned golden in the sunlight. She wasn’t sure if it was really him, but the euphoric feeling in her belly exploded and she ended up yelling his name, bursting into a run.

"Liammmmm!"

Liam was with her before she could even blink. He gripped her shoulders, his eyes dripping with relief and worry, "Where the hell have you been?!"

Then, his eyes darted from her face to what she was wearing, instantly darkening, "Is that...,"

"We need to find Eric," Theo said, palming Liam’s face and forcing it back to look at her, "We need to find Eric, Liam,"

"Eric? Why?"

"You won’t believe it. I just saw...,"

"Thaddeus Douglas," A familiar deep, cold voice called.

Theo’s eyes widened, and she did the only thing her foggy brain was smart at the moment. She hid behind Liam.

Liam blinked in confusion, "What are you doing?" He murmured at her.

"Shshhh," She said loudly, enough for anyone around to hear, "Don’t say anything. He’s right there!" A hand peeked from his back, pointing directly at Sylas.

Aurelius chuckled under his breath, "You do realise he can see you, right?"

She peeked behind Liam’s shoulder, and sure enough, his cold eyes were on her. That calm, cutting stare that told her she was in a lot of trouble. The one that stripped away all excuses before she could even try to think of one.

"What are the two of you doing during class hours?" Sylas questioned sternly, his eyes lingering between her and Aurelius.

Theodora straightened, trying to look dignified but failed woefully when the world spun again and she almost tripped.

"I was going to class, I swear! But then, everything began to move...I think,"

Aurelius snorted.

"Well, you’re late for class," He said flatly, "And clearly...not sober. You’re supposed to be in class, both of you! Not wandering around the academy like lost cubs!"

"It’s not...I...," She stammered.

"Voss, Sinclair, leave my sight," He commanded, his eyes never leaving her.

Liam shifted uneasily, glancing at Sylas, "But sir...,"

"If you do not want to be assigned to the detention room, you’ll be out of here in seconds!"

Liam looked at Theo, concern flickering in his eyes before he reluctantly turned around and left.

Aurelius walked not too far behind him.

Theo watched them go, then slowly turned her gaze back to Sylas. She avoided his gaze at all costs, biting her lips till she drew blood.

The air grew heavier. His gaze grew heavier.

And then, his eyes swept her from head to toe.

His shirt. His pants. Her flushed cheeks.

Theo didn’t know what to say. So, she said the first time that came to mind, too drunk to give it any deep thoughts, "Professor, I lost my boobs again,"