Page 95 of Class Studies

My walk to Doctor Roy’s office went by in a daze. I suddenly found myself seated on his leather couch, blinking.

Doctor Roy’s finger shook as he pushed his glasses further up his nose. “A. Why’s there a demon covered in blood sitting on my couch today?”

I looked over at Vac, who managed to somehow wiggle his giant butt onto the leather cushion next to me. A glob of red saliva dripped onto the table in front of us. He whined before his tongue lulled out the side of his mouth. He leaned toward me, and I instantly jerked back.

“No licking.” I booped his bloody snout.

My numbness faded, and I took a deep breath. “Cozbi attacked me in the hall, and Vac defended me.” I folded my hands in my lap. “I don’t know why he’s staring at you. Maybe he has something he needs to get off his chest?”

Doctor Roy blinked at me. “Maybe he has something to get off his chest?”

I bit my lower lip and raised an eyebrow. “Not funny?”

“Timing, A,” Doctor Roy hissed. “He won’t attack me?”

I shrugged. “I don’t think so.”

“That’s not very reassuring.”

Doctor Roy’s hands didn’t move with his words, and his unnatural stillness made me uneasy.

I frowned at my hands. “I watched Vac almost tear Cozbi’s arm off. I didn’t look away, and I enjoyed watching him do it. Just like I enjoyed obliterating Ram.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “I murdered a turtle last night.” The sound of its scream echoed in my memory. “Did you know they scream? What’s happening to me?”

Doctor Roy took a deep breath and leaned back. “So, no card games today.”

I flattened my lips. “No card games.”

Doctor Roy nodded. “As far as Ram and Cozbi, you’re finding joy in seeing the people who hurt you get hurt. It’s natural.” He rubbed his chest. “It might not be one of our best human qualities, but there’s nothing wrong with what you’re feeling. In fact, the Buddhist even made up a word for it, karma.”

Pressing my hands to my heart, I let out a long breath. “I don’t know if I’m doing this right.” My gut twisted. My admission applied to so much more than just this situation.

“A, there’s no real right,” Doctor Roy said softly. “In the extremes, yes, but the rest of life isn’t black and white.”

A tear leaked down my cheek, and I buried my face in Vac’s rough fur, wishing someone would just tell me what to do.

I pushed off the demon dog. No. I didn’t want to be that person anymore.

Doctor Roy cleared his throat. “Officer Keres, Ashe, and Saffron have all come to me for help finding your birth parents.”

I cocked my head at the sudden topic change.

“But Damon didn’t have any record of you online.” He tapped his closed laptop. “We didn’t find anything in your recovered paperwork either. As you already know, even a DNA search didn’t find a match. I’m glad you permitted them to look, but I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

“They’re not up.” I searched inside myself. “Some people never get to know who their parents are, and that's how the world works.” I closed my eyes. “I’ve accepted it.”

Doctor Roy smiled. “I know you have, and it’s why I brought it up. Acceptance is the first step to moving forward. Where else can you apply this to your life?”

I narrowed my eyes.

With a crash, the door to his office burst open. I dove into Vac’s side, my heart racing.

Director Flemmings, flanked by two MA officers I didn’t know, froze as the demon bear-dog stood and growled, vibrating the floor.

I disentangled myself, wiping bear-dog hair off my face, my heart rate already slowing. This wasn’t like last time when the Director put me in cuffs. No one would grab me with Vac here, and I still had my Beads of Will if they did.

I straightened my shoulders and placed a hand on Vac’s bloody snout. He stopped growling. “I have limited control, so maybe just don’t.” I held up my hands. “I’ll come with you peacefully.”

Director Flemmings’ narrowed her eyes. “Tanwyn’s already in my office.”

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