Seeing Xavier's reaction, Cici's voice went shrill—like nails on a chalkboard.
"That's bullshit!" she snarled. "That hotel is locked down tight. The room was way in the back—no one would've found you! Who could've saved you? Who would even care? What, some knight in shining armor sent from the Goddess herself?"
I met her fury with calm steel.
"If you insist on calling him a knight," I said softly, "then yes—he felt like one."
His scent had grounded me. The warmth of his voice, the way he told me I was safe...
"I don't buy it," Cici hissed, eyes wild now. "This person doesn't exist. You're just lying so Xavier won't think you've been... ruined."
I laughed—cold and cutting.
"I don't need Xavier to think anything. And if something had happened to me, the ones who'd be dirty wouldn't be
