He cringed at my words. I struck where men clawing their way up the ladder were softest, his meal ticket. A win for the princess of… well, whatever kind of princess I was anymore.
It was becoming increasingly hard to decide who I identified as. But like all of my other issues, it was a problem for another day.
Assessing his broad stature, accessorised in tailored clothing, I had a pretty good idea of who he was. He came from money and looked rugged but preppy. He obviously cared about his looks, though he tried to hide beneath simple choices that fit well. Not a crease or mark out of place—another control freak.
‘Listen, Mister I-don’t-even-know-the-girl-but-will-show-up-and-burden-her-with-my-emotional-instability, we can make it easy or hard on ourselves, but as far as I understand, this show will go on.’
The man’s eyes never faltered either, though a glint of surprise and violence shone there as a warning to compose myself. The slight turn to a corner of his lips indicated one of two things: the professor reflected on his previous approach, reaching the same conclusions, or things were going to go seriously sideways.
‘Perhaps you’re right.’ Welp, that was a relief. Of course, I could try to burn him, but what if his shadows made him inflammable?
I wasn’t exactly sure where shadow and fire stood in the food chain when it came to battle. Didn’t Alecmention a duel with River? I added it to the list of things I needed to enquire about.
‘So, truce?’
‘Only because you’re a Nightborn.’ The man was serious, and it looked like his previous threats were real.
I pitied the people who got on the wrong side of him with no leverage. For once, sharing somebody’s blood proved useful.
‘Okay. That’s progress. Yay.’ The pretended enthusiasm clearly rubbed him the wrong way as he cocked an eyebrow, an incredulous look dominating his face like he couldn’t school it away.
The professor bent into a low curtsy, his glare shooting daggers. ‘Would you so kindly bestow upon me a precious gift of revealing your shadows? A plebeian servant such as myself would need to assess those to train accordingly.’
Having faced enough ridicule in my life, something inside me snapped.
‘Oh, cut the crap!’ I stormed off, heading downhill towards the estate, ignoring the man’s shouts to come back. Only upon reaching the very bottom, toes strained due to shoes incompatible for hiking, he appeared in front of me in a storm of black clouds.
Annoying as he was, that trick was great.
‘We need to train,’ he warned, standing between me and the route back to the estate. I was never tempted to physically harm anybody, but at this point, I wouldn’t mind wiping the floor with the obnoxious professor.
As if he sensed the direction of my thoughts, he stepped closer in a challenge. He was ready to battle, his power ready ever since he landed; it kicked my witchcraft into overdrive. Laced with heatless power, I could probably even do some real damage.
‘Well then, you should have thought of that before you arrived, acting like a dick.’ I moved to take a step beforethe same vicious storm that he had exited from snatched me back to the top of the hill. Though they looked more violent than Alec’s, they portalled with unparalleled gentleness before dropping me a foot above the ground.
Prick.
Displeasure warred with a flicker of delight on his sculpted features. The man was aggravating. ‘I’m not here to make friends; I’m here to train you. The sooner you understand it, the better.’
Talk about delusion. ‘Who said I want a friend like you?’
‘I am your professor, for Gods’ sake. Behave like it.’
He could cry me a river. ‘Listen, man, I don’t know what kind of bullshit you’re projecting on me, but deal with your personal crap at your own time.’
Maybe training wouldn’t be so bad if it meant wiping that smug look off his face.
Chapter Forty-One
Avari
Assuming the worst had always been my go-to preparation for any upcoming battles. Getting lulled into a false sense of security by River, and now by gentle promises of family, had worn that habit thin. Then came the grumpy professor, and with him the spark to set my instincts ablaze once more.
It was a safety net I needed to keep a semblance of sanity in my chaotic life. People like me couldn’t afford hope; without it, when the world came crashing down, we were spared the torment of what-could-have-beens.
Rain drummed a steady lullaby, the perfect backdrop for me to lie in bed and dwell on my failure to reach my dragon andhim. I tried not to think of River, but the smallest things brought him back: a tone of voice, a half-remembered smile.
The hollow his betrayal left behind was a wound that refused to close.
