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“I have also been entrusted with her security.”
Storm glances from one woman to the other, sensing the battle of wills. She’s not sure who will win. Jane is formidable, but Laura is a big, strapping, ex-special forces soldier. But this isn’t a physical match, and even if it was, she gets the idea Jane is pretty scrappy when she needs to be.
“Go to my office, please, Storm.” Jane is looking Laura dead in the eye as she speaks in a way that makes Storm pretty happy she’s not Laura.
“But…” Storm argues, only because she’d much rather go have a shower and ideally lie very still for quite a long time.
“Go,” Jane says firmly. “And no loitering nearby, or you will taste the cane.”
“What the hell did I do?” Storm is immediately indignant. “It’s not my fault she decided to take me on a goddamn death march.”
“Right now, you’re talking back and being insubordinate. Go. Before I take your…”
Storm is gone before Jane can finish that threat.
* * *
Turning back to Laura, Jane composes herself. She has been rather worried since discovering the fact that Storm appeared to be missing once again. Laura’s intervention feels like interference, though it might have been well-intentioned.
“I appreciated your help the other day, but I can assure you, I have her in hand.”
Laura gives a brief shrug, a gesture Jane finds frustrating for several reasons.
This woman has been something of a mystery for days now. Jane has spent time with her, most notably on the way back from Basel, but only in the company of Hannes and she said little to nothing on that journey. It was easy to make the assumption that she was unfriendly or perhaps disinterested. But Jane is starting to think she might be something else. She might be the sort of person who watches for a long time before saying or doing anything.
Laura is watching her now, wide, perceptive blue eyes taking in everything about Jane. Jane is being observed deeply, and she can feel it. Every expression, every little flicker of brow or lip is being noted with interest. She looks back, seeing a woman in her prime. It would be easy to dismiss Laura as masculine, but there is an elegance to her bone structure, a powerful femininity that does not apologize for itself. Her thick blonde hair is tied up behind her head, a few light flecks of gray blending with blonde in an effortless way. Jane finds herself wondering what it might look like down. Laura’s features are generous, strong, and warm, and seem to become moreso the longer Jane looks at her.
“Frau Lotte does not agree. Hannes has become a laughingstock and retreated to Zurich to recuperate. I have been instructed to ensure there are no such further incidents to bring shame upon the school.”
Jane feels a prickling of pride. She knows very well that there should never have been an incident, let alone two of them on two consecutive days. There is something about the brusque, Germanic way Laura made those comments that is quite challenging not to rise to. Jane finds her own speech becoming short, practically clipped.
“In future, if you would like to take her anywhere, please let me know first.”
Laura puts a hand on the door frame casually, as if she is unaware that this position makes her cast a twilight shadow over Jane. Her gaze sweeps up and down Jane’s perfectly poised frame before she speaks. When she does, her voice is just a fraction lower with something like warning.
“I do not report to you, Miss Strict. Do not speak to me like one of your students.”
Jane might say the same in response, but she knows Laura barely says a word to the students. The woman has been enigmatic since she arrived.
“I am fortunate I am not one of your students,” Laura adds. “Your work is impressive.”
“Thank you,” Jane says, relaxing slightly at what seems to be a genuine compliment. “I would still appreciate being consulted before you take Storm anywhere. I worry when she is missing. She has a habit of disappearing.”
Laura’s expression softens slightly. “I understand. She is lucky that you care. Few instructors would go find a runaway student. They would let her be lost or expelled, whichever came first.”
“I’d like to see that not happen, if I can possibly help it.”
Laura nods. “Also…”
“Yes?”
“Frau Lotte is a trustworthy woman. You do not need to defend the girl from her.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Laura lowers her head slightly and looks at Jane under her brows with an expression that says she is not buying that at all. “I think you do. You should enjoy your time here. You are in the most beautiful place in the world. It is the weekend. You should experience Zermatt, go skiing. Enjoy yourself.”
Jane thinks about that for a moment.
