Crossroads (Crossroads Academy #1)
Page 59
Chapter Twenty-Four
We manage to sneak back onto campus through the stables. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I’ve seen Keegan jump the horses over the back corral more times than I care to count. I don’t know how the Pazitor ever left such an obvious breach in security, but I’m not complaining. I know that even if Keegan catches us, he won’t give us any trouble.
Nik escorts me to my room and leaves to update Anya on the night’s events. I need to call Aldo, but I’m not doing anything until I’ve had a chance to shower and feed. Or maybe feed and shower. I need blood badly. Between the stress of the night and the stab wound, I’m thirsty. I drain two pouches of blood, not even bothering with a glass. Etiquette is the last thing I need to be worried about right now.
Every inch of me is caked with blood and dirt. To top it off, I smell like death. The cloying stench emanates from me. I doubt any of my clothes are salvageable. I peel them off and throw everything in the trash bin. I quickly assess my shoulder and find that it’s fully healed. Other than the layer of dried blood there’s no evidence of my previous wounds. I climb into the shower and let the scorching hot water pour over my head. I wash my hair twice and scrub my body until the water runs clear down the drain. If only my soul were so pristine, I think, shutting off the water. I towel dry my hair and avoid looking in the mirror.
Once I’ve dressed in my favorite sweats, I climb into bed. I’ll call Aldo after I’ve had a chance to rest. My head will be much clearer then. As is my habit, I’m stalling. I tell myself that I have the right after everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours. Exhaustion sets in as soon as my head hits the pillow, and I easily drift off to sleep.