Page 54 of Group Studies

I peeked around the hall for the creepy MA agent I’d seen the other day, but it was empty. In a few light steps, I found myself sitting in my hairdresser's chair while he caught me up on some gossip.

“It’s four girls now not coming to classes anymore,” Gabe said. “I mean, I don’t know why...but MA are clamping down on our asses.” He threw his hands into the air. “It’s like record high attendance in my classes. I’ve got a bad feeling in my bones.”

I chewed the last bite, thinking about the bruised handprint on my roommate's arm. “I don’t trust the MA.”

Gabe frowned. “Yeah, a few of them seem to enjoy their jobs a little too much.” A chill filled the air between us. “Girl, I hate to rush you, but I’ve got a waxing job.” He took a deep breath. “Gotta mentally prepare.” He winked at me. “A few more days now until you get your hair back. Though, short’s still a hot look.”

I bobbed my head. “But it’s not me.”

Gabe gave me a smile before taking the rest of the rations off my gem. I waved goodbye and walked toward the library. Crunching on my first pickle, I started cataloging the stack of books I needed to check out to replace the ones still in my ‘missing’ bookbag.

As I approached the library, I shoved the remaining spear into my mouth. It tasted so much better than I ever remember the sour things being. I sucked the salty juices off my fingers, waiting for a group of students to hide behind so I could creep past Alice.

After a bit of hunting, I found a section with extra textbooks for the standard classes and pulled out the ones I needed for tomorrow. With the books in my arms filling most of my view, I almost missed the person sitting on my blue loveseat.

“Hello Dot, or Aphy, or A,” a mellow tenor said. “Or Kitten. Can I call you Kitten?”

I set down my stack of books onto Ashe’s empty desk and met Alrick’s beady, almost black-rimmed gaze. Fear ran down my spine.

“Aaahhhhh,” he drew out the word, “I’ll get right to it.” He pushed himself forward, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “I believe you have some shiny new dragon scales.”

My breath caught in my throat and I forced myself to suck in air.

Alrick turned his phone around with a video already playing.

Saffron’s frame almost completely hid me where he’d pinned me against the wall. His hand slid up the inside of my thigh and disappeared under my skirt. The video moved slightly and zoomed in just as Saffron’s tongue pulled out of my mouth.

‘You didn’t text.’

Alrick turned the phone back to himself and paused the video, a triumphant grin filling his face. “If putting this on Mêler and destroying Saffron isn’t enough, I’m willing to bet it’s Ashe who cut your scales off.” He grinned.

I clutched my hands to my chest to keep them from shaking.

“Super illegal, enough to get you a pink slip in here.”

I jumped when he stood and rapped his knuckles on top of my stack of books.

“Here’s the deal. I have two pieces of information, and you have two scales. It’s an even trade.”

My knees shook. “You don’t understand. I need those scales.”

“You don’t understand,” Alrick said, jabbing a finger into my chest. The almost black rims around his eyes glowed a dark purple.

I took a step back, only to run into a solid chest. Ram pulled on my scarf, yanking it off me.

For a heartbeat, I thought Ram might save me, but my hope vanished as he fingered the bruises blooming across my neck.

“She doesn’t.” Ram licked his lips and grinned. “Explain it to her.”

“Outside of here,” Alrick began, “I have people. And inside here, I have allies.” He looked around. “Unlike you.”

Ram clamped his hands on my arms and squeezed. A bit of his magic swirled around my legs and worked its way up the inside of my thighs. My body tingled while my mind screamed no.

“Now, I’ve no doubt the scales are safe in that the cone you grew around your bed,” Alrick continued with an evil smirk. “We’re heading there right now. You’ll be our good little puppet and retrieve them. If you’re very good, I’ll keep the information to myself, but the minute you're bad, well...” he shrugged and tilted his head.

One of Ram’s hands ran up my neck and dug into the bruising he’d already left. He squeezed, the dull ache became a sharp burn.

I stood on my toes in an attempt to relieve the pressure. Ram’s magic rose with me, threatening my most personal area.

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