Page 10 of The Night Burning
Once upon a time, I had wanted to leave. When I started helping Shane, I had even thought about it, that once we freed the pack, I would leave … but that was before everything had changed.
“Leave me alone, Serge,” I said through gritted teeth. “You don’t want to get in trouble with me.”
Serge let out a dry chuckle. “Trouble with you?” His eyes settled on my legs for a second too long. “Maybe I do. Aren’t you a whore? You probably know all the ways to get us into trouble. Maybe I’ll do just that before making you leave.”
Rage coursed through my veins and I flung the notebook at Serge’s face.
It hit him squared on the nose. “Why—youwhore.” He rounded the counter, coming for me.
My rage escalated and I stood my ground. I would teach this old man some manners—
A cold sliver rushed down my back as the overhead lights flickered and went off. Shadows covered my hands. I lifted my arms and—
“What’s going on?” Roman demanded as he stepped inside the school.
Clarity came back to me, filling my chest with shame, and I hid my hands behind my back.
By the moon, what had I almost done?
Roman dropped the bags on the floor, Lavinia appeared behind him, her eyes on me, and Serge stepped back, toward his friends.
Serge put a hand over his nose. “The omega threw a book at me!”
My mouth fell open. That was so childish!
Roman advanced on Serge. “You know the alpha told us to treat her with respect. She’s the damn reason you’re alive!”
Serge scoffed. “She got Lonan killed; she’ll get us all killed. She’s like a virus, infecting and destroying everything around her.”
Roman growled. “That’s enough! The alpha will hear about this.”
Serge started for the door, his two cronies following him. “The alpha. Wet-behind-the-ears, cursed, and in love with vampires.” He threw a hateful glare at Lavinia. “He’s another one who should go.”
Before any of us could say more, Serge and his friends walked out of the school.
Roman turned to me, his eyes worried. “Are you okay?”
I nodded, my hands still behind my back. “Yeah. It was just … the same old thing. It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay.” Roman picked up the two bags he had left beside the door and brought them to the desk. “He should be thankful for you. He should respect you.”
I stepped back, afraid my arms were still covered in shadows and he would see them. “I … I’ll be right back.”
I zipped out of the office and raced down the hallway, toward the nearest restroom. Once I was safe inside and alone, I looked down at my hands. The shadows were gone.
By the moon, what had that been? Now I could conjure shadows by myself? What the hell was going on with me?
I leaned over the sink and splashed cold water on my face. Moon, I couldn’t keep getting into arguments with Serge every day. Besides draining my energy and putting me in a bad mood, I now had to worry about the shadows too.
I was so screwed.
The restroom’s door opened and Lavinia spied inside. “May I come in?”
Well, this was a restroom with three sinks and three stalls. Sure she could come in. I sighed. I shouldn’t be on the defensive with her.
I nodded. “Sure.”
She stepped in and let the door close by itself. “Are you okay?” I opened my mouth to answer, but Lavinia was faster. “And don’t lie to me. There’s no need for that.”