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“Prance around where you aren’t wanted, and someone, somewhere will think you want to join the club, Red,” he continued, his voice still gruff against my ear. “Don’t give them that chance, little witch. I don’t think you’ll like it much.” He pulled away and gave me a push toward the door. “Now go, before I start getting other ideas.”
I already had other ideas but wasn’t about to say as much. Mainly because I was a little irritated with the way he’d just dismissed me. I staggered, caught myself on the bench, and had to fumble around in the dimness of the hall to find my bag. Then I turned my back on Rook and walked away, keeping my wildly racing heart in check. I was a Depraysie witch. I wasn’t going to let one arrogant vampire think he could run me off.
This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
Chapter Eight
“Up,” Mads said in a short, clipped tone.
The word was accompanied by a sharp prod between my shoulder blades. I groaned, trying to burrow under my pillow, hoping she’d go away, but no such luck. The first poke was followed by a second and finally a bruising third before I gave up trying to ignore her. If I was going to get wake-up calls in the morning, I’d request Elly do the honors. She was gentler.
But when I finally lifted my head to peer blearily at my wind-up alarm clock, I was surprised to see I’d only been asleep for a few hours. I’d gone to bed around midnight, spending most of my non-working hours trying to conquer my mountain of homework. Every single professor had assigned homework that was due at the end of the week. It had ranged from easy (potions and history) to moderately challenging (practical application of witchcraft for Professor Vervain and Uncrossing and Other Defensive Magics with Professor Lavant.)
But it was the Runecraft homework Professor Hecate assigned that had truly confounded me. I only had a shaky grasp on Elder Futhark, so I’d been playing catchup all night, trying to reacquaint myself with the runic alphabet. Mother used some Runecraft in her spells, but Wanda rarely bothered, preferring to rely on quick and dirty evocation to get the job done rather than use written spell craft. Quick evocation was good for productivity, but it was really biting me in the ass as I tried to catch up with my peers. My determination to beat Vivian in every subject was flagging. Maybe I’d beat her in every subject except Runecraft.
“It’s three in the morning,” I said thickly. “Work doesn’t start for a few more hours.”
“Aye, that’s true for everyone… except you, I’m afraid,” Mads answered on a sigh, like she didn’t like this any more than I did. “That Grimsbane girl has sent down a request for a dozen cupcakes.”
“A dozen cupcakes?” I repeated, still too groggy to fully feel wrath towards Vivian the asshole.
Mads nodded and sighed again. “Study snacks are included in some of the premium scholarships some of them students get. So… I ‘spose you could say it’s a given that a relative of one of the co-founders has such privileges.” She propped her weight from one hip to the other. “Anyhow… the order came in ‘bout two hours ago.”
“Two hours ago?” I frowned, confused.
“Aye an’ she’s sent them back three times, findin’ something to complain ‘bout every time. I figure it’s not the cupcakes that are the problem, just the messenger.”
It took my muddled brain a second to put the words together with Mads’ weary and faintly disgusted expression. A jolt of anger roused me from my stupor then, and I sat up, muttering curses under my breath. Vivian was doing this on purpose. It wasn’t enough that this new schedule was going to keep me hungry and tired, she had to make it that much worse by forcing me out of bed in the wee hours of the night to deliver sweets right to her door. And if I didn’t smile while doing it, she’d probably send me back one more time.
“Son of a bitch,” I grumbled.
“Indeed,” Mads sighed for the third time. “I’m afraid them girls have it in for you, Astrid. I won’t blame you if you wanna request a meeting with the headmaster an’ get out of this blasted place tonight. It’d save you the embarrassment o’ havin’ to face any o’ them stuck up witches.”
I considered it for a moment before shaking my head. I wasn’t about to let the Grimsbanes chase me out of school. This education would help me in the long run, and I wasn’t going to deprive myself of it because the elite witches in the school disapproved of my family, friends, and me.
“I’m staying.”
Mads gave me a smile. “You got a fire in you, girl.”
I shrugged. “I’m a redhead.”
The large woman pushed away from my bed and strode back the way she’d come. I pushed myself out of bed, then spent a few minutes hunting down a loose jacket and some slip-on shoes. There was no way in spell I was going to put on my full work or school uniform just to make one trip up to the dormitories. Vivian would just have to put up with me in my pajamas. I was at least confident mine were better than hers.
Most of my wardrobe had been fashioned by Wanda, which meant it was made to my exact specifications and designed to make me look stunning. This particular nightgown was sleeveless and ended just above my knees. It was made of silk and a cornflower blue which went well with the fire of my hair and the paleness of my skin. The top was lace and didn’t cover much where my breasts were concerned.
Since I wasn’t trying to impress Vivian, I threw on my puffy winter jacket and glanced down at the silk chemise. “Someday soon someone will see you,” I whispered to it. “I promise.”
I had to admit that I’d bought the nighties and then enchanted them with the hope that they’d aid in a romantic encounter sometime during this school year. I’d been outstripped in the sexual arena by most of my mundane high school peers and was something of an outlier in witch terms, as well. Maybe I’d find a night class boy on my way back from delivering Vivian’s snacks and take care of the problem. That incubus who’d been hanging around Rook had seemed eager enough, and a tangle with a literal sex demon would be a memorable and pleasant first time, I imagined.
But as I gathered up the chocolate cupcakes Mads had spent hours laboring over, I couldn’t shift my thoughts from Rook to his friend. If I was honest with myself, the demon wasn’t the one I wanted. As stupid and masochistic as it sounded, I didn’t want Klaus. I wanted… Rook. I wanted him to kiss me again. And a shameful little part of me wanted him to nip at my throat. I couldn’t say when the flip had been switched in my brain, but the terror of vampires had morphed over the years into more of a sort of taboo fascination with the undead.
Though I’d been tempted, I hadn’t thrown myself at Wolfram, Erasmus, or Vicinte in the months since they’d moved to the Hollow. My newfound cousins, William and Amos, were the head of their clan, which meant the rest would turn me down, just to save face. I had the feeling most of them looked at me more like an annoying little sister anyway, which was a definite mood killer. And if Maverick or Wanda caught wind of my failed seduction attempts... well, a tongue lashing was the mildest thing I could expect. More likely I’d have been hopping around saying ‘ribbit’ until Wanda was certain I’d learned my lesson. But she wasn’t here, and now I was free to date anyone I wanted, even if said someone had fangs. As to my brother? Yeah, I didn’t really care what he thought.
I was so absorbed with my thoughts that it came as a surprise when I stepped out into the upstairs hall. The sun had set hours ago, and the torches had been lit sometime in the interim. The corridor above the kitchens was empty, save for a pair of people talking in heated whispers beneath a stained-glass mosaic. I paused, not sure if I should interrupt them so I could ask for directions. Vivian hadn’t bothered with that part of the tour, knowing full well I wouldn’t be joining her in this part of the dormitory. The voices rose in pitch as I waffled, still trying to remain hidden. Both voices sounded familiar, though it took me a moment to place them.
“I can find another teaching assistant if you insist on pushing this,” Professor Valserak hissed. “The headmaster was very clear. The students left of their own accord. Spreading wild conspiracy theories will only upset the other students and restrict your freedom in the bargain. Do you really want to risk that by feeding the rumor mill?”
The figure across from Valserak shifted, bringing his profile into the light. The firelight glinted off his hair, bringing out the reds in the auburn waves. My heart beat a little faster when I recognized him. Rook. I hadn’t realized he was a teaching assistant, but given how long he’d been at Blood Rose, I figured it made sense.
