Page 41 of A Dusk Of Stars

I put my feet up again, determined not to let him affect me like this.

Just as I finally start shifting my focus onto my homework, I hear him say, “They did what?”

I don’t look away from the book, but my ears prick up. Normally, his business calls are all about numbers and there’s no emotion in his voice while he’s on them.

“If we’re not ‘targeting vulnerable individuals’,” he tells the person on the other side of the line, “what are we even doing?”

The words make me frown.

He lets out a scoff. “You’re naive if you think this kind of thing will get any closer to legislation than it has so far.”

I don’t know what the ‘thing’ is, but I hope it does.

There’s a moment of silence before he says, a touch of mockery in his voice, “No, I don’t want you to ‘ignore it’, Colin. I want you to prepare a reassuring little statement for the next shareholder meeting.”

With that, he ends the call. He throws me a glance, leans back in his chair and goes back to typing away on his phone.

Disgust twists my face. All of a sudden, I can’t bear the thought of spending anotherminutein here with this man, let alone having to come for these pointless classes for two more months.

Pressing my lips tight, I lower my feet to the floor and pin him with my stare, clearing my throat.

He stops typing. He doesn’t lift his head, but he does make eye contact. “Yes, Novak?”

“Can we finish early today?” I ask as I close my book shut.

He quirks an eyebrow at me. “What’s the rush?”

“There’s just something I need to do.”

“Have you learned to shift? Did I miss something?”

“No,” I admit, however begrudgingly.

“There’s your answer.” And he goes back to typing, a little more diligently this time.

For a second, I just stare at him.

Then I go back to trying to do my homework, counting the seconds until I can get the hell out.

***

The next day, I step into the gym where the midterm exam is to be held, determined to pass despite the fact that I’m nowhere near being able to compete with humans, let alone Originals. The space is as wide as an average classroom, but at least three times as long.

Almost right in front of the entrance, I find the line for the obstacle course taking up most of the space and I stop to waitfor my turn, stealing glances at the students before me. They’re chatting as they’re waiting, most of them looking as casual as if it’s just another class they’re in for.

Well, it’s no wonder really. This is not something your average shifter will get her panties in a bunch over. It’s basic stuff, things you get over with before the second term, when real trouble starts.

I let out a sigh. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get in touch with my animal at least enough to make use of the sharpened senses. It may be enough for me to pass, who knows? But right now, all I can do is scold myself for not forcing myself to work out twice a day.

It startles me, when I hear Professor Ahearn’s voice boom from somewhere ahead. “Shall we get started.”

I lean to my left, seeing her sitting at the professors’ table placed along the wall halfway down the line of students waiting for the exam. It makes my eyebrows shoot up, when I see Bane sitting next to her, chatting up that assistant of hers.

I feel the animal inside me stir and my senses sharpen, making my lips curl into a smile.

But I don’t have time to be smug about it, because the exam is starting.

There will seem to be no pomp around it. I fix my eyes on the girl who shifts into a snake to climb up the obstacle wall, slithering left right to avoid the spikes shooting out.

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