Chapter 171

Lucius could tell at a glance that something was wrong. Valerie's face was pale and drawn, her eyes bloodshot, and an unhealthy flush burned on her cheeks. He lifted a hand to her forehead, his expression darkening. "Are you having a fever?" She brushed his hand away, not harshly but with clear irritation, then gestured toward the chaos around them with a tilt of her chin. "What's going on here?" How annoying. This was the second time Lucius had ruined her chance to fight back. If he'd shown up just a few seconds later, that bottle of water would've hit her face, and she would've finally had an excuse to retaliate the way she wanted to. Lucius didn't bother explaining. Without a word, he scooped her up in his arms, his tone and posture leaving no room for refusal. "You're coming with me." As he carried her past the crowd of gawking students, he didn't look at a single one of them—not even Owen, who had clearly been about to step in as the hero. After two days and nights without s