God of Wrath (Legacy of Gods #3) by Rina Kent

“No, it’s fine. I could use the walk.” Walking to and back from the shelter is the only workout I get, which is why I don’t drive here in the first place.

A slight frown appears between her brows as she casts a quick glance at the night staking its claim behind me. “Be careful, okay? It’s dangerous for a young lady to walk on her own.”

“Will do, thanks.”

“Text me when you get home.”

I give her a thumbs-up and a smile, but the crease doesn’t disappear from her brows as she gets into her car.

It’s not the first time I’ve gone home alone after sunset. And it’s not really that late.

Anni and I volunteer here, but she never stays after four p.m., and if she does, the place is filled with her security, so she saves everyone the trouble and leaves early.

As for myself, I’m just glad to get more time away from the world. At least animals show their silent support without judging.

After throwing a mint gum in my mouth, I check my texts and pause at the ones from my friends in the girls’ group chat.

Annika: Jer is locking me up in the ivory tower again *crying emoji*

Ava: OMG want us to put on our Superwoman capes and come save you?

Annika: Not unless you’re ready to be locked up with me.

Glyndon: So sorry, Anni. Your brother is really scary.

Ava: But we can take him! @Cecily Knight let’s kick his misogynistic, sexist, patriarchal arse.

My fingers shake and it takes everything in me to type.

Cecily: I have to study for a test tomorrow.

Ava: Boo. You’re always studying.

Cecily: A little thing you should be doing sometimes since you’re at uni and all.

Ava: Kay, Mum!

A dark shadow moves in my peripheral vision and I freeze, but I don’t look behind me.

Instead, I slide the phone into my back pocket and inhale deeply before I continue on my way.

There’s no change in my pace or my breathing, but I can feel the stiffness in each of my muscles.

I can smell the air that’s mixed with the scent of the trees and the salt of the sea.

My heartbeat picks up, too, gradually, almost like I’m ascending stairs and exerting more energy as time goes by.

The books in my hands are heavy, and I tighten my hold on them as if these ancient, long-dead psychologists could materialize in front of me or protect me.

Though I don’t need it.

Probably.

Fact is, this isn’t the first time I’ve had this feeling, or the second.

Or the tenth.

It started a week or so after the most shameful night of my life.

I’ve felt eyes on me since.

Watching me, following me in the dark, utterly and completely shadowing me.

Maybe it was there long before that, but I only started noticing it about three weeks ago.

Probably after he made himself noticeable.

For instance, the discreet shadow from now is nothing more than a twisted and cruel homage to that night.

I know it’s Jeremy.

Not because I’ve searched much, but once, he let me see him on the hill opposite the shelter, on his bike.

He was wearing a helmet, but I knew it was him and kind of pretended I didn’t see him and ran back inside.

Maybe Dr. Stephanie saw him, too, which is why she’s always worried about me going home alone after sunset.

But he’s never gotten close, never talked to me. In fact, he’s kept his distance and only allows me to see him when he thinks I’m getting too comfortable.

It’s like he’s intent on not letting me live in peace.

But then I realized what he was doing, or more like, I found out after a conversation with Lan as soon as I realized my movements were being watched.

Cecily: I think I’m being followed by Jeremy. No. I’m sure I am.

Landon: Oh? I wouldn’t expect any less from him. Of course he’d be suspicious that you used Creighton’s invitation to get into the initiation.

Cecily: What should I do? I don’t want to get involved with Jeremy.

Especially not after the clusterfuck of that night. He rattles me more now that he’s seen that part of me.

Landon: I’ll get one of my guys to watch from afar in case he becomes a danger. In the meantime, ignore him. Pretend he’s not there and he’ll eventually get bored and leave you be. Didn’t he say you were bland? Make him believe it again.

Cecily: How…how do you know he said that?

Landon: Glyn was talking about it to Bran. He said you’re bland and Ava has a social butterfly complex, and Glyn went off like a gun at his throat. Is our little princess loyal or what? At any rate, paint that image again in his mind. Don’t stand out.

Cecily: Am I bland?

Landon: I don’t think so? But he does, or he did before he saw you at that initiation, a scene that he doesn’t think fits your character and, therefore, made him suspicious. In order to restore that belief, you need to remove the source of his doubts and be exactly what he thinks you are. Lay low, and don’t get in touch with me unless absolutely necessary. Stay safe, Cecy. I mean it.

I’ve been taking Lan’s words to heart and have kept my distance from him.

Even I know that Jeremy is following me so that I’ll either lead him to Lan or reveal what he thinks was my plan for barging into the initiation.

But it’s been over three weeks. Doesn’t he get bored?