Page 55 of Twisted Elites

My autonomic nervous system turned to fight or flight, and my heart galloped into action. I wrapped both arms around Sebastian’s bicep in an attempt to keep her from snatching him away.

Sebastian’s muscles seized, and he ground out, “Oh, shit.”

Leopold gagged. “I thought we’d seen the last of that old battle-ax.”

We stood in the middle of the hallway as younger students walked in both directions around us. As she approached, a happy flush stained Miss Claymore’s cheeks, and the corners of her mouth curled into the subtlest of smiles.

“What are you doing here?” I blurted.

Miss Claymore raised her brows. “That’s no way to speak to your deputy headmistress.”

My mouth gaped open. “But—”

“The Board of Directors heard my side of the story.” She raised her patrician nose in the air. “Unlike you, they see the world in shades of gray, rather than black and white. ”

I ground my teeth. Mr. Byrd’s approval, I could understand. The psychopath probably thought Miss Claymore was a kindred spirit, but what about the others? Didn’t they seem to care that a grown woman couldn’t keep her hands off an unwilling, male student?

“Is this where you warn me to stay away from Sebastian?” I snarled.

Her gaze flicked to Leopold, making me wonder if she was tired of brunets. Then she turned back to me and said, “No, but Mrs. Brunswick was very vocal about keeping you away from her son.”

“Why?” Leopold snapped.

Still addressing me, she said, “Perhaps she doesn’t want her son poisoned when the relationship inevitably goes sour.”

Right. I tore my gaze away from the subtle glee on her face and pressed my lips together. The Board of Governors probably saw how bad things had become in the academy and decided that reemploying Miss Claymore was the lesser evil than allowing more students to die or become maimed under Mrs. Benazir’s lack of direction.

Blood roared through my ears, punctuated by the pounding of my pulse. I imagined that they’d justified it by telling themselves that Sebastian was seventeen and over the age of consent. Never mind that their relationship had started when he was just thirteen.

“Miss Evergreen?” Miss Claymore gave me an expectant look.

My shoulders slumped. What was the point of arguing with her when she’d regained her position of authority? It would be foolish of me to lose my shit, get a detention in her office, and get myself strangled.

“Yes?” I said.

“I will be keeping my eye on you. Any sign of trouble and you will be expelled.”

Nausea roiled through my gut, making me want to heave all over her polished, black shoes. If there was any justice in the world, Miss Claymore would be behind bars. The woman continued staring at me with those glittering, black eyes. Whatever smugness she radiated now turned to an intense examination. I hoped she wasn’t plotting my death.

“Let’s go,” murmured Sebastian.

Without a word or a backward glance, we continued down the hallway. My fingers trembled, and the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Every instinct screamed at me not to turn my back on a predator, especially one who had tried to kill me on at least two occasions.

“Mr. Brunswick,” she snapped.

Leopold turned around and shrugged. “Mother didn’t tell me to stay away from Sebastian, did she?”

Miss Claymore didn’t reply, but I would bet my entire bursary that she would soon try to separate me from Leopold. And from Sebastian.

We hurried through the hallway toward the nearest stairwell. I was tempted to track Mrs. Benazir down and hand in my resignation, but that would only mean repaying my bursary and having to stay alone in the cottage where Miss Claymore could sneak in and kill me in my sleep.

Nobody spoke until we were safe behind the doors of Leopold’s room. Sebastian sat on the sofa and pulled me down on his lap, enveloping me in his masculine, cedar scent. He wrapped muscular arms held me firmly around the middle. Strong, frantic heartbeats reverberated against my back, revealing the anxiety behind his calm exterior.

Leopold paced from left to right. “Shit. Just when I thought you could sleep easy, she comes back.”

“Did Miss Claymore bother you when you slept in Kash’s room?”

“No,” said Sebastian.