Free Ashes (Book 2 The Kindred Series) by Erica Stevens

muffling
the “sluts” and “freaks” that they dropped as they moved past.
Cassie fought the urge to start punching them all, or just walk
out, but she would not give them the satisfaction of seeing her
snap.
    “I understand. I heard about what
happened in the forest, I’m glad to see that you’re ok.”
    Cassie’s eyes widened in shock. No one,
other than the teachers, had bothered to ask her if she was ok. No
one had cared enough to, and she was fairly certain that most of
the female student body wished that she had died so that they could
have a crack at Devon. She would like to think their hatred of her
was because of the strong appeal Devon had told them about
yesterday, but Cassie knew that it had always been there, bubbling
just beneath the surface. The girls had been looking for any excuse
to turn against her. And the boys of the school hated her for
turning them all down, but accepting Devon. Especially since Devon
made them all feel a little awkward, uncomfortable, and self
conscious.
    “Thank you Dani.” Dani smiled knowingly
at her, reaching out to touch Cassie’s hand gently. Cassie glanced
nervously around the hall, noting the attention that their
interaction received. “You might not want to be seen with me
though,” she said softly, knowing that the girl would receive some
backlash for speaking to her.
    Dani glanced around the hall, nodding
as she noted the stares. Dani gave a small wave of her fingers to
Julie Jenks who turned quickly away. “I’ve never cared what these
people thought of me, and believe me Cassie, being on the outside
is better. You don’t have to play by their rules all the
time.”
    Cassie couldn’t help but smile at the
small, eccentric girl. “I suppose you’re right.”
    “I’m always right,” Dani declared
forcefully.
    “Is everything ok here?”
    Devon appeared suddenly at her side,
his emerald eyes fierce as he stared hard at Dani. The girl colored
as she ducked her head shyly. Although Dani was one of the few that
did not hate her, apparently she also had a crush on Devon. Cassie
quirked an eyebrow in amusement, Devon’s eyes burned questioningly
into hers, his body tense as he prepared to defend her. Something
he had been doing far too much of lately.
    “Everything’s fine,” she assured him.
Though he relaxed subtly, he still seemed weary of Dani. “Devon
this is Dani, she was just making sure that I was
alright.”
    He relaxed even more. “It’s nice to
meet you.”
    Dani’s face was bright red as she
thrust her hand out; she kept her head bowed, unable to look Devon
in the eye. He shot Cassie an amused look before gently taking hold
of her hand. “It’s my pleasure,” Dani muttered.
    Dani pulled her hand swiftly away, the
heat in her face spread down her neck. Cassie felt sorry for the
younger girl; she knew how overwhelming Devon’s presence could be.
“I um… I should be going,” Dani stammered. “I’m glad that you’re ok
Cassie.”
    “Thank you Dani.”
    She turned, hurrying swiftly away
before disappearing into the thick throng of students. “Where did
she come from?” Devon inquired softly.
    “I met her a few weeks ago, when you
first arrived.”
    Devon nodded, his arm slipped easily
around her waist as he pulled her tight against his side. She
melded against him, loving the feel of his hard body. Warmth
erupted in tingling waves that swamped her from head to toe. She
pressed tighter to him, her hand resting on his chest as she
dropped her head to his shoulder. The strength and comfort he
offered pushed aside all the nasty comments and looks of the day.
It helped strengthen her, buoying her confidence once
more.
    Gently nuzzling her hair, he dropped a
soft kiss on the top of her head. Cassie sighed in delight. “Let’s
get you some lunch.”
    She frowned up at him, aggravated at
the interruption. She did not want to move. He grinned at her, his
green eyes twinkling brightly. She loved it when he smiled. It gave
him an air of