Void(31)

I groaned. The headmaster hated me more than that history teacher did. I followed Gritt all the way to the other end of the building and up the long, spiral staircase. But when we got to the headmaster’s corridor, we found people standing around arguing.

Judge Braxton, Headmaster Torne, and a man I’d never seen before all stood there, and it was clear how much they all disliked one another just by their glares and halting body language.

“Doesn’t matter. This is completely unnecessary, and you don’t have my permission, Braxton,” the headmaster snapped.

“I don’t need your permission,” the judge replied. “This is how it’s going to be. Selik is the only person suitable for the job.” He turned to the third man. “Banner?”

Before Banner could answer, all three of their heads swiveled around to look at Gritt and me, our movement having caught their attention.

Headmaster Torne’s face turned red with anger. “What are you doing here, Void? You should be in class.”

I opened my mouth to explain, but to my surprise, Gritt did it for me. “Nero is refusing to teach with her in the class. He canceled history lessons.”

For some reason, this made Judge Braxton smile. “See? Exactly as I said. You need Selik.”

“The only thing I need with Selik is for him to leave. This school is still my jurisdiction, Braxton,” Headmaster Torne growled.

I could tell the judge did not like hearing that. “The school may be under your direction, but don’t forget that your position is appointed by members of the council, and the council is under supervision by me.”

I saw the headmaster’s jaw tic. It looked like the two men were seconds from pummeling each other. I wasn’t sure who I preferred to win since I detested them both.

“And this is what your supervision entails? Bringing in not one but two dangerous supers to my school?”

“My decision is final,” Braxton said with a sharp nod. “Now, the academy is still set to host the ball tonight, is it not?”

The headmaster’s jaw ticked. “Of course.”

“Good. I hope all the arrangements have been made according to my specifications.”

The two of them started going back and forth about things like music and linens—of all fucking things.

The man, Banner Selik, ignored the both of them as they continued to argue, and came walking toward me. He had jet black hair, and was a bit older than me, probably in his late twenties. He had pale skin with dark, nearly black eyes. He was just as tall as Gritt, but had a tapered silhouette with broad shoulders and naturally red lips. He was handsome, in an unconventional sort of way. He stopped in front of me, his body towering over my height. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked over me calculatingly. A strange cooling sensation fluttered over my skin at his proximity. I’d been burning hot with hunger from the Void so long that it felt like balm over my soul.

“Selik?” Judge Braxton pressed, but the man didn’t acknowledge the demanding judge. Selik kept staring, kept searching for something that I didn’t understand.

My eyes darted over to the judge before going back to Selik again. His eyes had shut, but it still felt like he was assessing me, still searching my powers, and I didn’t understand it. Was he some sort of elemental? Why wasn’t he scared of me like everyone else? I looked down at my amulet, which had been glowing since the moment I arrived at this damn school, and was shocked to find that it was dull and still, no glow to it at all.

After another intense moment of scrutiny, Selik opened his eyes and nodded. “Okay. I’ll teach the girl.”

Judge Braxton sighed in relief and started walking away, despite the pissed off headmaster. “He stays out of my academy when he’s not teaching! I won’t house him!” Headmaster Torne yelled at the judge’s back.

Braxton ignored him. “You’ll find other arrangements, won’t you?” he asked Selik.

Selik simply nodded. I had a feeling that the headmaster’s dislike of him was something he was very used to.

Braxton clapped him on the shoulder as he passed by. “Perfect. Your pay from the council will be pending weekly updates. Good luck.”

With that, the judge breezed past us and down the stairs, disappearing from view. For all his concern about my abilities, it sure bothered me that he didn’t so much as nod in my direction. No sooner had the judge left than Headmaster Torne was at our sides. He gave us both a scathing look. I couldn’t even be sure who he hated more, Selik or me.

“You are to stay in a secluded classroom for your lessons,” he ordered, staring hard at Selik. “The moment you aren’t having a lesson, I want you off school grounds; is that understood?”

Selik looked at him with a bored expression. The two of them couldn’t be more different. Where the headmaster was rotund and angry, Selik was thin and blasé. “Sure thing, Torne,” he said with a cool wave of his hand.

The headmaster’s jaw ticked, but before he could say anything else, Selik looked back at me. “Looks like I’m your new teacher. Shall we get started?”

“Umm, sure.”

Anything to get me away from this awkward situation. I was dying to know the history between the two men, but more than anything, I just wanted to get away from the headmaster’s furious glare.

Selik’s dark eyes swept over Gritt. “Ah. Your paragon chaperone. And you are?”