Libra Ascending: An Epic Urban Fantasy Romance (Zodiac Guardians Book 1) by Tamar Sloan (adult books to read .TXT) 📗

They all spin around to find Ms. Grotberg, the vice-principal, striding down the corridor, her hand already slipping into her skirt pocket. “This is unacceptable. The bell rang several minutes ago. I’m going to be forced to issue you a late slip.”

Cassandra’s entire demeanor changes, her body loosening as she hoists up a smile. “Ms. Grotberg, you’re looking well today. We got caught up talking about our History assignments.”

Ms. Grotberg turns to look at Brielle, who frowns as her gaze slides away. It seems she’s not willing to back Cassandra up in her story, and if Brielle has to live with seeing people’s lies, then Tristan understands why. There’s enough untruth in the world as it is.

Ms. Grotberg raises a brow as her gaze settles on Tristan. He shrugs. “I’m in Geography. But what they were talking about was pretty interesting.”

Apparently, there’s a lot of bad blood still flowing under the bridge between Brielle and Cassandra.

Cassandra stiffens, although the motion is slight. Anyone else would probably have missed it. But Tristan’s been trained to pick up on subtle changes. Cassandra ain’t happy with how things are turning out.

Ms. Grotberg’s hand dives back into her skirt pocket. “If that’s the case, I’ll be issuing you each with a late slip. If you hurry up, I’ll reconsider giving your parents a call.”

Even if this were Tristan’s fiftieth late offense, Zarius and Tess wouldn’t care about late slips. Ms. Grotberg obviously doesn’t realize there are more important things in life. Tristan thanks her as he takes the slip. At least Ms. Grotberg is taking her job seriously.

Brielle holds her hand out, accepting the piece of paper. Either the orphanage wouldn’t care or she’s willing to take this on the chin.

But Cassandra goes extremely still. Tristan glances at her from the corner of his eye, noticing she suddenly looks like she’s been molded from steel.

Ms. Grotberg holds out the late slip and Cassandra stares at it, unmoving. Ms. Grotberg shakes it, raising her brows. “Cassandra? You’re not showing that you’re in a hurry to get to class.”

Stiffly, Cassandra reaches out and takes it. There’s a tiny flash of yellow light and Ms. Grotberg’s eyes widen as she jerks back.

Cassandra flushes. “Sorry, static electricity.”

Tristan glances down. They’re not standing on carpet.

Ms. Grotberg frowns. “Of course. Now, back to class. I don’t want to see you out here when I come back.”

Ms. Grotberg strides away, her back looking like that little zap just shot a cranky-pole up her spine. Tristan turns back to Cassandra. He’s spent his whole life looking for anything out of the norm…

She turns furious blue eyes to Brielle. “This is all your fault! If my dad gets a phone call—”

“So,” Tristan jumps in. “I’m thinking class would be a pretty good idea right now.”

He hears Brielle take a step back behind him as he watches Cassandra closely. His spidey senses are on high alert, even though he knows it’s probably another false alarm.

Although Cassandra is an orphan…

Cassandra pulls in a deep breath, her eyes focusing on Tristan. Tristan scans down, noting the way her hand grips the paper slip. Maybe she was telling the truth. It could’ve been nothing but static electricity. When his gaze comes back up, Cassandra is looking at him with her brow ever so slightly hitched.

It’s totally saying “So you had lunch with her, but you’re checking me out…”

Which is about as far from the truth as she can get, but there’s no way for Tristan to clarify that. Especially seeing as there’s now a question mark bobbing over her head.

So he smiles. “I’m pretty sure no one wants to be here when Grotty gets back. Let’s just head to class.”

But Cassandra juts out a hip as she lifts her hand to it, the paper slipping out and fluttering to the ground. “I actually came over to see if you were planning on putting my number to good use anytime soon. Like for that date you promised.”

Behind him, Brielle gasps and it’s like a shot straight through Tristan’s back. This isn’t what she needs to see, not after the lunch they just had. With a sharp slap, one of her books lands on the ground.

Tristan frowns, bending down to pick it up, conscious she hasn’t moved. Hurting Brielle was never part of the plan. He grabs the notepad and straightens. “I’m pretty sure that’s not why you came over—”

The words turn to ash in his mouth. Cassandra’s late slip flips up as the wind from the fallen book hits it and hovers as if it wants Tristan to get a really good look. A split second later, it flicks and flutters back down to the ground.

Tristan blinks, a whiff of burnt paper tickling his nose. The slip lays on the linoleum floor, the sight undeniable. The edges of the paper are singed. Burned.

And static electricity sure as hell doesn’t do that.

Tristan gets himself vertical again, knowing this should be good news. But it’s come at the worst possible time. Brielle hasn’t moved a muscle behind him. She’s waiting to see what he’s going to say to Cassandra’s flirty question.

And he has no choice. He has to find out if she’s a Zodiac Heir.

Tristan yanks up a grin. “But now that you mention it, no harm with the new guy wanting to make friends, is there?”

But Brielle’s tiny intake of breath tells him otherwise. He spins around but she’s already walking away, leaving him holding her notepad.

And a truckload of regret.

“Smart and good-looking,” says Cassandra, her voice full of admiration. “I like.”

Tristan turns back, telling himself if Brielle really is his soulmate, then something small like this won’t get in the way. He angles his head. “What have you got against Brielle? She’s not exactly the arch nemesis type.”

Cassandra flicks her hair as she spins on her heel. “We’ll have plenty of time to chitty chat over dinner. Tonight?”

Wow. And Brielle thought Tristan worked fast. But at least this way it’ll mean he