Free Ex Nihilo Academy by Jennifer Watts Page A

I decide that I need some air so I cross the road to stand on the opposite curb. I want to head back in to tell Rowan how
     good they were but I need a minute to myself first. The air is cold enough that I have goose bumps on my arms and legs so I pull my jacket tight around my body and rub my hands together. It is pitch black out and the only illumination on the road is headlights moving toward me that are getting brighter as they near.
     That’s when two things happen simultaneously: to the left I see Rowan emerge from the bar with his hand raised in a wave and to the right I see a sleek black sports car jump the curb as it races toward me on the sidewalk. I stumble
     backwards and the car swerves into my path mirroring my movement. I hear Rowan yell right before I feel the pressure of two strong arms wrapping around my waist and pushing me out of the way. Seconds later my chest is crushed against
     a brick building and I try to struggle out of the hold.
    “Relax, Lily.” Luca is at my back shielding me. I hear the tires screech and the car peel off down the street before he finally releases me. Rowan is at my side in an instant and he grabs my hand and pulls me away
     from Luca.
    “My God, are you alright? You gave me a hell of a scare.”
    “Looks like I saved your date’s life, Savage.” Luca says flatly.
    “I can take care of my date just fine.” Rowan growls. Wait,
     what? His date? Why isn’t Rowan correcting him and how does Luca know his name?
    “You guys know each other?” I ask, thoroughly confused. My pulse is still racing from the near collision so I almost miss how they are
     glaring at each other with barely concealed contempt.
    “We’ve met before.” Luca speaks first and Rowan snorts.
    “Yeah, we’ve met. Thanks for the help, Morello, but I think
     I’ve got it from here.” He says sarcastically and Luca just shrugs.
    “I’ll see you at school then, princess.” He walks back across the street to where his vampire friends are watching the scene with interest.
    “How do you know him?” I ask Rowan who’s staring after Luca with a look of pure disgust on his face, making me wonder if he can unconsciously sense Luca’s otherness.
    “A few friends and I had a run in with him a long time ago
     and I don’t trust him. Look, I’m not going to tell you what to do but if I were you I’d stay away. Luca Morello is bad news.” At this point I’m more than a little exhausted from all of the testosterone swirling around so I take a deep breath to steady my nerves before speaking.
    “Thanks for the advice but as you previously pointed out I am very good at taking care of myself. Maybe you should take your own advice and be careful around him?” I say and he gives me a level look.
    “You don’t think I can handle Luca?” He asks, hurt flashing in his eyes and I know that I am entering dangerous territory. Luca is a vampire with speed, strength and power on his side but how can I say this to Rowan without offending his male ego? I decide that I can’t so I change the
     subject instead.
    “Hey, what’s with not correcting him when he called me your date?” I put my hands on my hips and Rowan shrugs apologetically.
    “I didn’t think it was important.”
    “Your girlfriend might disagree.” I say, trying to keep my frustration in check. He folds his arms across his chest and stares at the ground.
    “Does it matter that I didn’t correct him?” He’s trying to
     act casual but I think I detect a note of jealousy.
    “I don’t know.” I answer honestly. It’s pretty clear that Luca can’t stand me, but do I feel the same? Frankly it’s not any of Rowan’s business and I don’t want to fight about it so I move on to a safer topic. “You
     guys were great tonight. Like really, really good.” He looks at me again and his eyes soften.
    “Thank you for coming. I’m glad you were here.”
    “Have you played together for long?” I ask and he nods
     shyly.
    “I’ve known