Page 2 of Monster's Heart

Intention was everything though, and I was not rude. Merely shy, clumsy, chubby, and curious. Also abhorrently bad at most things involving magic, which for me, was so far non-existent.

I was such a disappointment to the Cordoza Coven, and my family in general, that our crest, a flame circled heart, practically withered in on itself at the very thought of my existence.

Fuck.

Professor McEwan was leaving, and I really needed a word. I shuffled my backpack around, stuffing the hated test inside, and got out of my seat without tripping over my robe, which was, by all means, an improvement.

“Professor! Professor!” I shouted, running after him down the hall.

“What? Oh, yes, Miss Cordoza, what can I do for you?” he asked, leaning back so that his potbelly was almost touching me.

Eek!

I stepped back and offered a hesitant smile. Students milled about around us, and I hated that I had an audience, even if they weren’t paying attention. He looked at his watch and I could tell he was growing impatient with mer.

Now or never, Amrin. Hop to it.

“Professor, I heard a rumor you offer extra credit for this class?” I hedged.

“Indeed, I do. Are you interested in hearing it?”

“Yes, Professor. Anything to not have to retake the course, er, not that it isn’t wonderful, you see. But I, well, that is,” I said, clearing my throat as I tried to talk my foot out of my mouth.

“Yes, yes, I see, Miss Cordoza. You know, you are not like your sisters,” he began, and I nodded in total agreement.

What else could I do?

No. I was nothing like my tall, thin, perfect sisters. I was short, chubby, and my spells were mediocre at best. I was hopeless at Astronomy, but I took the class because I was interested in the subject. I just didn’t see it the way the professor did. More fool me, I guess.

“Nonetheless, all my students are able to make up for failed tests by completing a project and lucky you, you are just in time. Here,” he said, ruffling through his briefcase. He pulled out a sheet of paper and handed it to me.

My brows furrowed as I read it quickly. He had to be kidding.

“Is this a joke?” I blurted, before I could stop myself.

The sound of someone chuckling off to the side caught my attention, but when I looked, no one was there.

Odd.

But whatever.

“No joke, Miss Cordoza,” Professor McEwan said, looking down his long nose at me. “I look forward to seeing your project.” Then he was off to his next class, or more likely, to snag something from the caf.

Not that I was in any shape to comment on someone else’s eating habits, but my gods, he needed to slow down on inhaling those extra orders of pancakes. I’d seen him on Thursday mornings, and he was so not there for the yogurt parfaits or excellent selection of teas and coffees.

I sighed and read the paper he’d handed me again. This could not be happening to me.

I mean, really?

A love quest?

How was that even ethical at a school?

My lips moved as I made sure to read every word as written, instead of filling in the blanks, which was something I did on the regular and could account for half my failures. Following directions was not my forte. Nothing was, really.

Hello Blackthorn Academy student!

In danger of failing my course?

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