Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 103

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13:08 Tue, Dec su

Thornhill Academy.

Of

Marks of the King

Allison

71

I wake to the sound of purring. It takes me a second to realise it’s not coming from the floorboards or the shadows, but from the chest

under my ear.ml blink, squinting at the slant of morning light spilling through the skylight. I’m on the couch, half draped across Rhaziel.

The last thing I remember is trying to shuffle us toward the bed, but our tails had refused to untangle. Apparently, this was as far as we

made it. I shift a little, testing the distance between our bodies. His arm tightens around my waist on instinct, still asleep. A low hum

rolls through him, deep enough to vibrate against my ribs. For a minute, I just lie there, watching the dust in the light, feeling absurdly

safe. Then a thought hits me, and my hand flies to my hair. No horns. I check my nails. No claws. I reach behind me and give my bum a

quick pat, just to be sure. “Thank the gods,” I whisper. “No tail.”

Rhaziel stirs but doesn’t wake. I smile, a little giddy with relief. I’m me again, human–looking me. Then I notice a faint shimmer on my arm, right where his hand rests. The light catches it, pale blue and soft, like water glinting under moonlight. Lines…no, sigils, curl over my skin in delicate patterns, weaving around my wrist and climbing toward my shoulder. My breath catches, and I sit up carefully, dislodging his arm, and the blanket slides down. The markings continue across my chest, glowing faintly through the thin fabric of my

shirt.

“