Page 14 of See Me After Class

I stopped in my tracks. "Why would you say that?"

"You're charting paths for living creatures that are external to you," she replied slowly. Her gray eyes held no sentiment, no light. It was oddly unsettling. "It's a form of being in control."

I cleared my throat uncomfortably. "If you'd like," I said, more to myself than her, "you can attend one of my classes and get a feel of what we do here."

"Oh, okay." She frowned. "Am I allowed to audit other people's classes?"

"Of course you are," I replied, all too hurriedly. "We're all just one big, happy family here."

I had reached my class. Students were filing in, some of them casting curious stares in our direction. The new girl paused at the same time as me and cast a tepid look my way. There was a flicker of what looked a lot like distaste in her eyes.

Damn, she makes me feel like I'm back in school and about to get my pants pulled down."Not that I'm forcing you or anything," I hastened to add. "It's just something you can do, should you wish to."

"What doyouwish?" She threw the question at me, sudden and unexpected.

"Huh?" I was acutely aware that I'd begun sounding like a fish out of water.

She bit her lower lip, searching my face with that gray gaze of hers. "I mean, would you like me to attend one of your classes?"

I was out of my depth here. "Sure, if you'd like," I repeated once again. "As I said, we're supposed to make the new entries feel at home."

"By getting them to attend classes? That's… not the same as beer and a conversation, but when in Rome, I suppose." Her riposte was dry to the point of being served on ice.

Okay, this strange being was getting on my nerves. I furrowed my brows at her. "I really am late. So, if you don't want to attend this class, please excuse me."

"You're very far from home, Dr. Magnusson," she replied, breaking the line of conversation completely.

I blinked.

"Does it ever get lonely?"

What the fuck?

I turned away from her.Egotistical and intrusive.I didn't need more of this woman in my life. She was trouble.

"Thank you for accompanying me to my class," I hurled over my shoulder. "But you seem to lack boundaries. I value my privacy."

Her reply made me stop in my tracks. "Fair enough. I'll leave you alone."

Most would have hastened to make an apology or been offended by my choice of words. I had expected her to reply with something shrill and more affected. I almost stumbled as I veered around to look at her. She was retreating with a slow, unfazed walk, almost sauntering away. She did not seem offended in the least.

I watched her languidly stroll into the distance, only remembering I had a class to teach when a familiar hand knocked on my shoulder. Leon, looking like he hadn't had mounted a living being in three days. Knowing Leon, that was akin to a lifetime of abstinence. He looked distinctly annoyed.

"What did the new girl tell you?" he demanded, sulking to the point of sticking his lower lip out. I frowned.

"I wasn't listening." For some reason, I didn't want to share anything from our conversation. Not yet, anyway.

Leon responded with a petulant glare.

I sighed heavily. There was no escaping the inevitable discussion where he'd draw out all the things missing in my life. But it would have to wait.

"Leon, I'll talk to you after class."

Before he could come up with a response that would hold me back, I disappeared.

It was much harder to focus on the topic of today's lesson. I was glad when it ended and I stepped out, sniffing the scent of caffeine that lingered in the evening air. Good. Coffee would be a welcome distraction from all of it. Fromher.

"We're having that discussion, Viktor."

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