Nightworld Academy: Term One(Nightworld Academy #1)(37)

"Would you rather she reported me to authorities?" he throws back.

"What would that matter to me?"

He shakes his head and looks at me with a sympathy that annoys me. "Simple human."

"Simply an arsehole." I jerk my head at Tobias. "He isn't much better."

I don't catch the rest of the conversation between Sally and the professor, but she leaves, footsteps buoyant as he escorts her from the room with a guiding hand in the small of her back.

The moment their echoing footsteps fade along the hallway, I slam the door closed and lean against it.

"What the hell was that? Did he just brainwash Sally?"

Andrei puffs air into his cheeks and regards me for a few seconds. "Brainwash is a strong term, Maeve."

"Will she remember any of this tomorrow?"

"No."

"How?"

"Like I said, there's a reason Tobias teaches this class."

I rake a hand through my hair in exasperation. "You disgust me. Both of you."

Andrei strides over to me and this time, I move sideways before he can loom. "You can't tell anybody what happened, Maeve. She didn't die. I just lost control."

"You moved from making out to sucking her blood? Quite a change in direction."

"I didn't make out with her," he protests. "I invited her to the party to shut her up and when we arrived on campus..." He shakes his head. "I'm not explaining or justifying my behaviour to you."

I reach behind for the door handle. "She's alive. That's all that matters to me."

"And me, Maeve."

I yank at the door, willing him not to stop me. "I can't believe the academy allows killers to attend."

Andrei slams the door and holds his palm against it. "Don't be so high and mighty. Every student here could accidentally hurt or kill a human. That's one reason we're all at the academy."

I glower. I can't argue because I don't know if this is true.

Andrei lowers his voice. "One day, Maeve, you'll make a mistake and need to use the skill Tobias teaches you, and you'll be thankful."

Hidden thoughts spill from my mouth. "I thought I could trust you. You helped me, but you're a predator who can't control himself. That makes you the worst kind of person."

I flinch as Andrei leans forward, face close to mine. "At least you know exactly what I am and what I struggle with. If you trust others over me, you're a fool."

Where is this going? I don't want to be here when Tobias returns. I turn and fumble with the door handle before bursting from the room.

Jamie and Ash will be looking for me, and I don't want to explain my absence in the last hour. I need to find and reassure them I’m okay, then go.

I don't want to leave my room again this weekend.





Chapter Twenty-One





MAEVE



I successfully fielded questions from Jamie and Ash, especially Ash as he'd drank more. I could see Jamie's suspicion, but I convinced them I'd become overwhelmed and taken a walk around campus. Of course, they had strong words to say about the decision, but I smiled through their anger and told them I was headed to bed.

I spent much of Sunday alone, escaping the last week by watching Netflix and eating. Amelia returned on Sunday evening, quiet about her family and how she’d spent the weekend.

Monday passes quietly. I'm now aware that many students sleep in the daytime, all races exhausted by late nights studying or at class. I'm not a morning person, so that suits me. I mooch around, waiting for class to start with Amelia by my side fussing about how behind she is on work.

Andrei passes but doesn't look at me. He's with Katherine and Clive, and their hangers on. I hate that I ever trusted him. Do they know what he does when he loses control? I half-wish Andrei would look at me, but he keeps his eyes front, sauntering in that cocky way that makes me want to stick my leg out and trip him over.

If this had been an academy for witches, I think I'd get my head around everything quicker. Now I'm second-guessing the world. How many vampires and werewolves—shifters—are out there? There’s a whole other world I know nothing about. What will happen if the Dominion's aim to reveal themselves to the world comes to fruition?

I don't know, but if my gift can help stop a war that humans would lose, leaving a blood-soaked world, then I’ll commit to helping in every way I can.

Amelia stops by the library to pick up a book she needs, and I wander in behind her. The tall bookshelves arranged around the circular floor hold more books than I’ve seen in my life, and this is just one floor. The book Amelia wants is in the section on the top floor. I stare at the staircase leading upwards and bemoan the lack of lifts.

"I might stay here," I tell her. "I don't want a workout."

Amelia chuckles and hands me her bag. "Take this. I’ll be back in five."

She heads off and I hold her bag against my chest as I take in my surroundings. Feeling conspicuous in the room’s centre, I head to the one part of the library I know. The dark wood table with the wide legs is always the first place I’ll go if I’m looking for Jamie, but the area is vacant today.

Why do I feel the need to hide? Because I’m sick of scrutiny. If I’d arrived as a mere witch, I’d be interesting for five minutes before people moved on. But I’m the future-sighted rare witch who’s given special treatment. Not the best way to become popular.