Chapter 7: Warmth Beneath the Cold

*Esmerelda*

It took me a moment to realize that Elijah had asked me a question. I cleared my throat, trying not to avert my eyes from his like I wanted to do. “I got hungry and was trying to find the dining hall,” I said, hating how pathetic that sounded when I said it aloud.

Because of how cold he had just been in class earlier, I figured he would start to ridicule me for not being able to find the dining hall. I was shocked when instead, he nodded in understanding. “This is a large campus,” he said. “It’s rather easy to get turned around.”

I just nodded numbly. “Yes.”

Elijah’s purple eyes hardened, causing a shiver to go through me. “I can’t have students wandering aimlessly about,” he said flatly. He turned and started off. “Follow me. I’ll escort you to the dining hall.”

I felt my face grow warm with shame. “You don’t have to do that,” I said quickly, following after him before he could get too far ahead.