Bastial Explosion (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

it was rude. But he’d learned to accept the Krepp’s differences without judgment.
    “That’s fine, Zoke,” Reela answered for everyone. “Until tomorrow.”
    Zoke just stood there, glancing at them uncomfortably. “I’m not sure where to rest,” he said, keeping his eyes lowered as if expecting them to point to the floor beneath the black claws on his feet.
    “Cleve’s room, across from Steffen’s.” Reela stood and waved him over. “I’ll show you.”
    Gabby stood as well. “I think I’m ready for bed, too.”
    “You’re sleeping with me, you know,” Effie said.
    Steffen felt his heart sink, noticing Gabby’s shoulders had drooped as well.
    “I was going to stay with Steffen,” she said meekly.
    Effie folded her arms in a motherly posture. “Don’t you think it’s a little too soon for that?”
    Steffen’s eyes fell to the table in embarrassment. Is this conversation really happening?
    His suspicion unfortunately was confirmed when Gabby replied, “We’ve known each other our whole lives. No, it’s not too soon.”
    Suddenly he didn’t care anymore whether she was sleeping in his bed. “It’s alright, Gabby,” he blurted. “Stay with Effie tonight.”
    Gabby’s head spun to him, hurt evident in her eyes.
    She’s taking this to mean I don’t want her in my bed at all, he realized. His arms swung around to squeeze her to him.
    “I just mean it’s better not to argue with Effie,” he whispered. “I’m not going anywhere. Don’t worry.”
    A surge of pain ran through his jaw before his mind could grasp that she’d head-butted him.
    “Bastial hell!” Gabby yelled, holding the top of her head.
    Steffen was nursing his chin. “What was that?” he asked.
    “I was trying to be romantic.” Gabby was grimacing as she rubbed her head. “Like the way you kissed me so suddenly. I wanted to do the same. Bastial hell, that hurt! You moved your head above mine right as I swung my head upward!” Her tone was accusatory.
    A dull ache spread through his lower jaw. “That was all your fault,” he accused, expecting her to agree.
    “It was somewhat your fault as well,” she argued back. Her other hand came up to her head as she rubbed it with both hands now.
    “Not in the least!”
    “I see you two are going to be quite the couple,” Effie said sarcastically.

 
     
    Chapter 5:
    EFFIE
     
    Effie found it interesting how familiar it was to share a bed with her sister, even though everything had changed since they’d last done so. Gabby had slept in her bed the first night Effie’d moved into campus housing. But Effie had battled other people and Krepps since then. She’d also come to discover that the feeling of being unable to breathe came from anxiety and not a physical malady, making her relax somewhat now that she knew she wouldn’t suffocate during the attacks.
    Unfortunately, this didn’t mean she was cured. All the same physical symptoms were there. In fact, as Gabby squirmed to get comfortable beside her, Effie’s chest was tightening.
    Recently, this breathlessness made her feel like her lungs were frozen. The air had grown colder with the changing season, so when she breathed hard, searching for the satisfaction of a deep breath, there was an icy burn that filled her chest instead of relief.
    Too much was on her mind—she knew this was the reason, her biggest worry being whether Reela would get over losing Vithos.
    Reela finally seemed herself again tonight, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be the same in the morning.
    “Why aren’t your eyes closed?” Gabby asked. “Aren’t you tired?”
    Why does she care?
    Then Effie realized what it was.
    She sat up to give her sister a glare. She knew the moonlight coming in through the window was barely enough to illuminate her face.
    “Stop waiting for me to fall asleep,” Effie ordered. “You’re not sneaking out of here to visit Steffen.”
    “That’s not why I asked,” Gabby lied, flipping to face the other