Chapter 25 : Backing Down

*Lily*

I lingered for a moment longer in the deposit room's semi-darkness, my breath still catching in uneven hitches. The air was thick as I gathered myself—my clothes now righted, but my composure frayed. I felt an odd blend of satisfaction and shame churning within me as I walked out of the room.

There weren't any students walking through the hallways, so the coast seemed to be clear. I was grateful because I had no idea how I looked. Judging by the way my legs were still weak beneath me and my cheeks burning with heat, I could guess it would at least catch the attention of some passersby.

The walk back to my dorm was a blur. My mind was a battleground where insistent desire clashed with the remnants of rational thought. The diary Jenna had given me now seemed useless and uninteresting. I wasn't in the mood to dig into the story of the Order anymore–not at that moment, not when my body was still feeling Adrian's touch, my senses a complete mess.

Once inside my room, I collapse