AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Professor Halyet had bronze skin and a tail that flicked back and forth behind her. It was the only thing that indicated what kind of paranormal she was. She nodded graciously to me, causing her brown curls to bounce.
“So, I’ve done a lot of academic writing,” I began.
“And you want to skip my class?” she guessed in her husky voice, making me think she must get this all the time.
“No!” Well, that would be ideal, but I knew I wouldn’t get away with it. “I just… I do my best studying on my own. It’s what I’m used to, and I think I could really give you my best work through independent study.”
She sorted through the stacks of papers on her desk. “I’m afraid that’s not possible.”
“I’ll turn in everything. You could even give me more complicated assignments,” I pushed, not ready to give up. “Here! I’ll email you a paper I wrote, and you can see for yourself—”
“I know you’re a good student, Seta,” Professor Halyet interrupted, her voice gentle. “But part of the Slaymore experience is learning to work with others. The paranormal experience often leaves us suspicious of outsiders. Believe it or not, sitting in class with your peers will help you with that.”
I didn’t believe it, and I opened my mouth to say so, but Professor Halyet fixed me with a prim look that made me shut it again.
It was clear I wouldn’t get anywhere with her, so I nodded. Hoping I didn’t look too disappointed, I turned and headed for my next class.
You only need one yes,I tried to reassure myself.Word will get around about how studious you are, and then all the professors will let you do what you like.
* * *
“No.”Professor Mackenzie, my Marine Mythology professor, was firm.
My shoulders slumped.
It was Friday, and my last lecture of the week started in five minutes. None of my teachers had agreed to let me study independently, and I no longer had the energy to plead my case.
It was time for Plan B.
If I had to prove myself, I would prove myself. I’d already spent my first two study periods flicking through the textbook, so I knew I could get the job done in Marine Mythology.
Thanking the professor, I scurried back to my seat and took out my laptop.
“Deus!” someone called, and my eyes moved to the door as though a string were pulling me.
Amadeus shared this class with me, and I low-key hated it.
I disliked the tumultuous emotions inside me that made me want to run to his side and give him a hug. And I hated the way his smile made me bite my lip.
At least I knew my reactions were magically inspired. Almost every female on campus looked at Amadeus as though he held the answer to all their prayers.
It wasn’t just the girls who were affected by him. Guys were eager to banter with him and offer countless invites to their parties. Amadeus was magnetic somehow.
I hadn’t figured out his species yet, but maybe he was an incubus?
Deus gave out several high-fives and nodded to a girl in the front row, who stretched like a circus performer, unabashedly showing off her arching back and lifting breasts.
I rolled my eyes and looked down at my laptop.
“Let’s get started.” Professor Mackenzie clapped his hands, and Deus took a seat in the back with a muttered apology.
I leaned forward, focusing on the professor. Not only did I want to ace this class, but Mackenzie had a Scottish burr that I could barely understand.
For the next hour, my fingers flew over my keyboard as I tried to write everything he said, word for word. Mackenzie was a genius.
He’d confirmed the existence of the Loch Ness monster. After that, he’d spearheaded a thirty-man team that had transported her from her loch and into private waters where she wouldn’t be discovered or harassed by humans.
Professor Mackenzie had studied a dozen different mermaid communes, discovered several previously unknown shifter forms, and even opened communication with the Skopuna Kraken clan.
