25. Kitten with Claws #2
I smother a laugh because no one’s breaking my heart. They won’t get close enough to try. He lifts his arms in surrender.
“You got me, I was waiting for Kyra, but she and I are just friends. No hearts being broken, you have my word.” He beams, and I capture the criminal intent of his smile.
“You’re right, Kyra, those dimples are dangerous. I say go for it, and if he hurts you, I’ll feed him to Terra. Message me later.”
Who’s Terra?
Angie gives me a tight hug and strolls away, leaving me speechless and slack jawed. Russ takes this opportunity to pry. “Dimples are dangerous, huh?” He reminds me of how true it is.
“Hush you. I have class.” I scoot past him before glancing over my shoulder. “See you after, if you’re around.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” He grins. “Oh, and a heads up. Rebecca’s on a warpath this morning. Rumors of someone entering her office unannounced.” Shit. Does she know it was me? Instead of panicking, I nod and wrestle back the thought. Right now, I’m preparing to deal with Tish .
“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll see you later.”
“It’s a date,” he confirms, and I frown. “Not a date, in that manner–I meant like the time is set in stone.” Russ shifts nervously, and my eyes roll in tandem with a genuine smile. He is cute.
“Go to class and find me after,” I suggest, strolling in and waving over my shoulder.
Ryan rushes past, saying “Morning, Kyra,” and takes his seat. I can’t help but notice Ethan’s golden sigil still in effect. I’ll try getting it removed. Maybe Angie can put in a word, but for now, Tish needs her ass handed to her.
Based on her scowl, she is thinking the same thing. Let’s do this.
“Russ, you don’t understand. I trained all night preparing for my match with Tish, and the bitch pulls a fucking giant fire frog out of her ass.
For one, I’m terrified of frogs and lizards.
For two, what frog do you know that wields weapons and spits fire.
Who comes up with this shit?” Throwing my arms up, I don’t care about the disapproving stares.
Reliving the thought alone has me searching for a corner to hide in.
“So, you lost?” he whispers.
“Lost? She damn near killed me. If it wasn’t for my shield and the time running out, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation. Fuck her!”
“You didn’t have any attacks to take her down?” He snickers, and my heated leer pierces his skull.
“I do, but ‘someone’ forbade me from using it, saying it’ll kill her. I should have used it anyway.” My anger is besting me while Russ enjoys the show.
We round a corner, treading the hall of House Earth’s Green Wing. “I see. Well, if you’d like to practice some more, I’m more than happy to be your punching bag.” He nudges me with a shoulder, and some of my anger dissolves.
“You’re too kind, but I won’t use you in such a way. I have a feeling you’ll give me more than enough reasons to punish you as it is. But thanks for offering.” I nudge him back, and we share a chuckle. Those dimples set in deep and ease my aggression.
We continue walking and reach the hallway’s end. A strong gust follows Russ opening the doors, and a crisp cedar scent washes over me. I relish in students casting magic, racing to see who will be the first to finish their sculpture.
The air here feels light. Not too cold but not warm either. Like someone set the thermostat to seventy degrees, and I’m not mad at it, which is why my wardrobe consists of all hoodies.
“Will Kyra Urai report to the Assistant Dean’s office.” A loud voice flies overhead, and I startle.
“What the hell is that?” I ask, searching for a culprit. Russ points to a soaring bird made of mud. Its earthy, frail build lands on a branch facing us as pieces of clay chips from its flapping wings.
“Will Kyra Urai report to the Assistant Dean’s office. Will Kyra Urai report to the Assistant Dean’s Office. Will–”
“Damn, can it shut up already. I get it.” Yelling over its annoying pitch, I make my palms glow, and a red dagger forms above my left shoulder, heeding Alex’s teachings.
“You should answer, or it’ll go on forever,” he responds, noticing my weapon with a curious peek. “But in case you didn’t know, the Assistant Dean–”
“Don’t you dare, or this one’s for you, punishing bag.” Another dagger forms beside the first, and its sharpened blade points his direction. He simulates locking his mouth as a simper creeps up mine.
Students outside turn, scowling and furrowing their brows while the mud bird continues its gawking. My dagger sets a course, flying and piercing its head, exploding on impact. Cheers erupt in an uproar, and my smile widens watching clay and wood tumble to the ground .
The entire tree collapses–the one next to it also–and the next one after that. Shit.
“Sorry,” I yell, “still getting a hang of how much aura is required.”
“Damn, Kitten, that’s one hell of an attack. Talk about sharp claws.” I enjoy the way his coral lips stretch into a smile, changing their shade to a deeper pink. Heels click from behind, and I shift. My smile curls into disgust.
“Russ, hunny. What are we doing?” Of course, if anyone can make the start of my morning worse, it’s Sofia. “Shouldn’t you be heading to your lecture? We’re pairing up, and I don’t want to miss the chance of you being my partner. We have the best times, wouldn’t you say?”
She lays her arm over his shoulder, ensuring the pristine polish of her nails faces me, and I frown. The word ‘THAT’ is spelled in purple.
“Sofia, you know we haven’t shared a lecture since our first year. What do you want?” He huffs, and we both share an eye roll.
“Silly me. You’re right. I guess the past is hard to forget when it feels so damn good remembering.” Placing her other hand against his chest, she rubs her finger over his blazer, and I laugh. The word ‘BITCH’ is painted across the nails. Is she serious?
Flinging a clump of silken hair behind her, she nearly grazes my face. Instead her hair meets the fine blade of my dagger, slicing off the ends.
“You bitch,” she yells, raising a hand to strike me, but Russ catches more than her arm, maintaining his exquisite demeanor.
“I wouldn’t if I were you. Unless you plan on losing more than a few inches of hair?” He points to her ribs, where another of my creations sits. Waiting…Eager…Longing…Lethal . I lift a curious brow, and he releases her, joining my side. “Well?” he asks, seeing Sofia’s trepidation.
The facade shell of perfection shatters, and a burst of energy gathers inside her palm. Water freezes into a ball of solid ice and stretches, forming a short, double-bladed sword.
“I’ve never been one to play nice, Horus. You know this.” Malice coats her tongue.
She lurches forward, raising her weapon as a rush of ink surrounds us. A fog scales the walls and smothers any outside light. Who’s doing this?
My dagger illuminates a small area, and Russ steps in front of me. His blazer and shirt are gone, leaving me to face the hardened physique of his illustrated back. Beasts and other primal animals are tattooed over every cut of muscle, and I blush.
“My turn to get rid of the pest.” He grins over his shoulder, filling my blood with excitement, and I bow.
“By all means.”
In an instant, whips of ink pull from a depicted panther along his side and vanish. Searching within the dark for easy prey, I maneuver my weapon closer, using its glow when a yelp calls out.
“Let me go!” Sofia screams. Her aura reaches for a source to latch to.
“Aht-Aht. Come here.”
Russ jerks an arm, flexing the sculpt of his muscles, and I watch every drop of shadowy ink retract onto him. A visual painting happening along his skin. Much like the glooms but…different. Or at least I hope it is.
Light returns, and Sofia stands disheveled. Her clothes are tattered and soiled with obsidian liquid, heels broken, and she wears one pissed off expression. So, this is his magic.
“Go ahead, Kitten. I’ll meet you later.” He issues a wink, and I smirk. Cute ass.
“Don’t kill her. She’s not worth it.” I say, summoning a sigil beneath me. I can’t believe I have to say that. His eyes stretch with astonishment, and I return a wink.
“This isn’t over, bitch,” Sofia scoffs.
My dagger disappears, and for a heartbeat, she holds my attention. Before disappearing, I give her a smile, saying, “I’m ‘That Bitch.’”
Spawning outside Rebecca’s door, I’m both shocked and relieved at my luck. Twice today this sigil has taken me to the right location. But then again, Alex beat it into me about feeling my magic. Only now, all I’m feeling is nerves.
Students pass, whispering like always, and the one thing separating me from Rebecca’s wrath is this golden door.
She must know it was me who saw Caspian and another red-haired guy taking her to pound-town.
Pound-town? Is that something Caspian would say?
I mean he appeared pleased to be sleeping with Rebecca, so why not.
Metal bites my knuckles from a single knock, and the doors swing open.
“Kyra, come in,” she demands, leaning against her desk. She is far from happy, rather downright pissed, and minutes tick until hell rains down. “Take a seat. I have a few questions.” Shit.
There is a vacant seat closest to my right, where Caspian sat indulging in our Assistant Dean. A single chair is clean with a pine fragrance, not a trace of their events lingering.
Hesitant, small steps lead me to sit. Her perception calculates my every move, watching for any discrepancies.
“Mrs. Rebecca, I–” She holds up a finger, silencing me, and points at the maroon chair, beckoning me to sit. Coldness of its leather seeps into my tights, and I run a hand over the House Death emblem against my thigh.
“Tell me, Kyra, how’s this Academy treating you? Is your magic progressing?” She stands, clasping her fingers and holding my gaze. An interrogation tactic. Plenty of days before meeting Rosie were spent in a police station. This doesn’t surprise me.
Rebecca is much taller up close. Her lengthy legs are draped in a red pencil skirt, accompanied by a black, sheer blouse. Her make-up matches the subtle tones and gold jewelry against the glaze of her bronze skin.
“Well, I suppose, but it’s only the second official day. I’m learning a lot through practice. Amongst other things. All-in-all, no complaints.”
I lie. There are more than enough complaints to fill up one of Blaise’s little brown books. But she doesn’t need to know.
“Good-Good. Let me get to the point.” She moves before me, blocking my view of the door behind her.
Leaning forward, her breasts are on full display.
Why am I always introduced to women’s titties?
I disengage, peering at my thighs. “Did you travel into a room much like a closet and witness things you shouldn’t have? ”
I clench my fists. She is more spot on than expected, and two choices dwindle with time. Lie, which I hate, or be truthful. A fate much worse. Damn it.
“Well, it–”
“Before you answer, know it’s best if you’re honest. For both our sakes.” Her office drops a degree or ten, and chills rake down my arms. Is there a chance she is without proof?
“No. It wasn’t me. But if it was, there’s no reason for me to speak about it to anyone,” I edge, hoping she reads in between my invisible lines.
Two heartbeats pass when Rebecca ticks her wrist, summoning a flurry of glacial winds, and a pair of male fairies emerge from the cast. Their wings stretch before tucking behind their backs, identical in looks and thrumming with energy.
Appearing life-like and dressed in Rebirth’s attire, they are more human than myth.
“These are my ‘Absolute Fairies.’ They are able to detect truths and deceits of those under their scrutiny. I’ll ask once more. Did you invade my office?” Her eyes narrow, standing behind the two ominous beings.
Their leers are ice white, encased with a subtle yellow gleam, constructing a prison made of pure anxiety and self-doubt. My veins expand, circulating more blood into my chest, and panic increases my stress level. Where’s Alex when I need him? How do I counter this?
“How-How can they tell if I’m being dishonest? Unless it’s their word against mine.”
“My Libra twins aren’t biased. Apart, perhaps, but together, they judge both sides of the scale, using your aura and accelerated heart rate. As mortals put it, a lie detector.”
Thank you, Luck. She gives me a perfect reason to test something out. An idea Ethan has long since given me after our many encounters. This will take every bit of concentration to pull off, but if I do…Literal bad ass.
A shield around my heart can offset her twins reading. In theory, yes. In practice…I sure hope so.
Directing magic into my chest, around my heart, I create a barrier. It seems easy whilst thinking about it, not so much as it happens.
Sitting still is a battle. Three pairs of judgmental eyes search for a mistake in my posture, and a sudden breath or false expression makes this terrifying. But I sense my magic building, solidifying into a thin, protective shield, and I freeze.
Her Libras step closer, zeroing in on my chest without blinking. Who knew summons can have auras? Not me, that’s for damn sure, but I feel it slithering over my arms and neck.
“Rebecca!” Her golden doors explode open, and I jerk from Caspian’s insane entry.
Rebecca’s posture stiffens with a resounding gasp.
“Have you lost your fucking mind?” he yells, elevating my pulse into a frightened cadence.
I’m facing two out of three parties involved. Luck has betrayed me once again.
Does he know I’m aware of their sexcapade?
“Caspian, what are you doing here? You have no business with me.” She disperses her summons and thank God. I’d rather not know if my plan worked or not.
“Uhh, may I be excused? ”
“No–”
“Yes,” he growls, not turning away from our A.D.
, and I can give two shits about what Rebecca feels on the matter.
I’m not disobeying, nor passing up a reason to leave.
I’m out. I don’t get involved with lovers’ quarrels.
“Kyra, leave now. I’ll see you in class,” Caspian demands, and I do. In haste.
Reaching her door and stepping out, I hear their argument commence. “You have no right interrupting my investigation. Need I remind you–”
“Fuck your investigation. How long have you been using my likeness to get off?” And her office doors shut, leaving me in suspense and wishing I was back inside.
Today’s roller coaster came without warning. A ride filled with twists, turns, and abrupt stops. There is no way it can get worse.
“Kyra! You’re late, again!”
*Sigh* Cheers to being wrong.