Page 65 of Academy of the Wicked, Year One
"Most don't like listening to Duskwalkers," he states quietly. "We don't have opinions."
"Yeah, because you guys only like speaking of desolation and madness," Damien interjects from behind us, his voice dripping with casual disdain.
The words hit something raw inside me.
Before I fully realize what I'm doing, I've spun around to face him, my finger jabbing into his chest with enough force to make him step back.
"Just because everyone else encourages that bullshit doesn't mean you, hisfriend, get to contribute like some sort of bully."
Damien's eyes narrow dangerously, fangs flashing in the crystal light.
"Are you even listening to yourself?" he demands, batting my hand away. "You're not some savior, and that's not what Wicked Academy is about." His voice carries centuries of ingrained superiority. "We have to be menacing to one another. When school starts, you'll realize very quickly we're not your friends once that bell rings."
The laugh that escapes me holds no humor.
"I have no intention of being your friend," I inform him coolly, planting my hands on my hips. "But I absolutely despise bullies. You want to be mean to me for show? Go the fuck ahead." My lips curl into a dangerous smile. "But you'll get payback the moment the end-of-school bell rings. And trust me, you should know vampires enjoy holding grudges."
He waves off my warning with casual dismissal that makes my blood boil.
"I'm not afraid of any grudge you might hold against me."
The smile never leaves my face as I suddenly strike, my foot connecting solidly with his groin. The sound he makes is somewhere between a wheeze and a death rattle as he doubles over, clutching himself as he drops to his knees.
"Oops, my bad," I say with exaggerated innocence. "I have really bad knee jerks. No grudges please." I affect my most harmless expression. "I'm just a chill girl trying to get through these trials so I'm out of your way like a fine comb threading through silky strands of hair. Complete the deed and be on my way back home where people actually need me."
I spin away with a huff, ready to continue down the tunnel, but warmth suddenly encircles my wrist.
Nikolai's hand catches mine, the contact sending an unexpected shiver through my entire body. We both glance down at our joined hands, the sight somehow both startling and perfectly natural.
"Why did you stop me?" I ask, trying to ignore how his thumb seems to have found the pulse point in my wrist.
"Mortimer has to lead," he explains, genuine concern softening his features. "You're not of royalty, so he's shielding us through this tunnel. I don't want you getting hurt."
The laugh that bubbles up from my chest is pure delight at his protective instinct.
"You're so nice and protective," I tell him, enjoying the way his eyes widen slightly at my directness. "Though it'll be interesting to see you be a ruthless motherfucker since you guys have to be 'evil' and mean."
Before he can respond, I slip my hand from his grasp and move past Mortimer, stepping beyond his protective barrier. Their collective gasp of horror turns to shocked silence when I remain very much alive and intact.
"See?" I raise my hands in dramatic demonstration. "Wasn't lying about the royal thing."
"What kingdom are you from?" Damien demands, his voice still strained as he struggles to his feet, bent slightly at the waist.
I giggle, pressing a finger to my lips in an exaggerated gesture of secrecy that I know will drive him crazy.
"It's a secret."
Spinning on my heel, I continue down the tunnel with deliberate grace, letting my steps carry the confidence of someone who knows exactly where they belong.
Behind me, I hear Mortimer's thoughtful hum.
"I find myself increasingly intrigued by this woman."
"Don't fall for her," Nikolai groans, his footsteps quickening to catch up with me. "You're a professor and older than all of us."
His hand finds mine again, the gesture somehow both possessive and questioning as he slows my pace. I glance over my shoulder, giving him a look that probably carries more heat than I intend, but I don't resist as he brings us to a stop to wait for the others.
The tunnel's crystals pulse around us, their light catching on the mark that still adorns my neck. Each beat of power feels like a reminder of everything I'm risking — everything I'm potentially sacrificing — by playing this dangerous game.