Page 28 of Buried Secret 295

My shadows found Ember, and she came over after Simon left. I don’t know why I want to keep him a secret. Maybe it’s what he has said about needing a low profile, but I feel like being seen with a teacher at my fuck shack is a bad look. She came over and helped me decorate for a few hours. We spent that time talking and enjoying our time. Ember never talked about anything heavy. She brought over a lot of things that I cared about when I was young. Some of the little dolls made me laugh, reminding me of Constantine’s nightmares.

Ember and I plan to meet on the footpath this morning to get breakfast. Thankfully, I only have two classes today. My stomach growls. I missed dinner last night. Just because I need less food now doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it.

I throw on my workout pants and a T-shirt before I check my phone as I lock the door. I frown as Constantine texts me to let me know I must meet Samuel Louis this morning for training. Monica trained me to use my phone, but I would prefer if Constantine sent his shadows to communicate with me. That’s how I told Ember we would keep in contact, though she insisted we had each other's numbers. I don't understand the appeal of carrying this device around, but apparently, it's a must.

When I see Ember in the distance, I can’t muster up the joy that reflects on her face from seeing me. “Did someone wake up on the wrong side of her fuck shack?” She says in a sing-song voice this morning.

I roll my eyes and let out a huff. “Slept just fine. Thanks for asking. Constantine informed me I have to meet my new combat teacher. It’s too damn early to fuck everything up.” She gives mean unamused look. “You will see!” I point at her and stick my tongue out like a small child. “I am terrible at first impressions. He will take one look at me and be super awful like Professor Merrick.”

She lets out a laugh. “You always have been. It’s nothing new. Why do you think I was your only friend?”

“Shut up.” I scoff and laugh. “Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me even a little bit.”

“Who is your new teacher?” She inquires, looping her arm in mine.

“Constantine had to pay for some fancy guy. Samuel Louis. Probably the only one that would train me.”

She stops and pulls me to a halt as well. Ember tilts her head weirdly and smiles darkly. “Whoa. You’re telling me you’ll get trained by Samuel Louis? The Samuel Louis that helps train the officers from the Fae Protection Services? Sweet baby in a handbasket. I want to watch! Please let me watch!”

I raise my eyebrows at her. “What the hell? Why?”

“Well, it certainly isn’t because I want to see you get all hot and sweaty.” Her hand motions around me. “This doesn’t do it for me, but Samuel Louis, yum.” She fans herself as if the thought of him is getting her hot.

I scoff at her and shake my head. “Gross. He is probably old and gross with his liver-spotted hands reaching out to touch you.” I shiver with a look of disgust on my face. “Gross.” I mock gag.

“Real mature. I know he’s maybe in his mid-thirties. I only want to look, not touch. Maybe I have daddy issues, I don’t know, but he does it for me.”

As we approach the campus, I can hear whispers and people pointing at me, all of their stares and snickers. I could have played off one or two, but something isn't right. “Em, stay clear of me.”

“You called me Em.” When I look at her, tears are in her eyes.

“Ember, I need you to focus. Something isn’t right. If you want to see Daddy Louis, meet me at the training grounds.” I motion my head to the various people pointing and laughing while recording us with their phones. “Branch off ahead, don’t follow me.”

Ember seems to want to argue, yet she does as I ask. I walk in alone to the cafeteria's hub entrance. It doesn't take long to see what has made me popular. Thousands of fliers of various colors hang all about. They look like something out of an old cowboy movie, where they plastered the same bounty wanted posters. The only person with a bounty on her head was me. My face stared back at me from every poster plastered wall to wall of the hub. No wall remained untouched, thousands of them taunting me with the words on them. Under my face, the words Salem Tempest with my last name crossed out. I rip one off the wall to read what they say about me.

‘Salem, who used to be a Tempest, is a liar. She will spread lies about you without proof and try to ruin your life. Not even her own family wants anything to do with this trash. Beware of the bitch who spreads lies and her legs. She ran away because she is nobody and craves attention.’

When I look up, a guy with a mohawk spits in my face. “Marcus Tempest is the best! He has done more for my family than any other person in the Ministry,” He shouts out loud, raising his arms. The crowd that is gathering goes wild, clapping and shouting their praises. My fingers wipe the spit from my face, and the mohawk makes the clearing sound of his throat, preparing to spit again. I move fast and knee him in the balls before pulling him up by his hair. I grip his hair tightly, jerking his head back, making him look up at me as I spit on him in return, then shove him down like the garbage he was. The crowdgoes silent, and I bare my teeth. I can feel my eyes change, which causes a few gasps.

I shove through the crowd and make a breakfast sandwich before sitting down and eating. That lovely interaction put me slightly behind schedule. I am on my second bite of my sandwich when cold liquid spills down the back of my shirt. I shove my chair back so fast and have the girl’s throat in my hands. “Are you clumsy or just fucking stupid?” Her blue eyes go wide, and I squeeze my hand against her throat a little tighter. She makes a gasping sound, and I pull her close. With gritted teeth, I let out a grumble of a growl before managing to find my words. “We will go with clumsy, and you will leave me the fuck alone.” I push her back, and she stumbles to the ground, giving me time to grab my sandwich.

“Psycho bitch. Lulu warned us about you!” She chokes out with false bravery as she pushes herself backward on the floor. Her heart rate accelerates and her eyes haven't left mine. I smile down at her like she is my prey.Yes, she knows she made a mistake. Let's give her a small taste of our power.I smile as the smell of her fear hits the air around me. It smells delicious, causing me to lick my lips.

I pull some of her fear into me. Her face pales, yet I only took a sample. My face hardens, and I step the distance between us before I lean closer to her so my words would only be for her ears. “You’re lucky I am full.”

She isn’t worth the trouble. Somehow, it will all be my fault because why wouldn’t it be? I don’t have time to change before meeting Mr. Louis, so he will have to deal with me being sticky with orange juice. I make my way to the doors before anyone else corners me. As I grab the door handle and step outside, I feel like I can breathe again. Away from people and posters of my face plastered everywhere. No more sounds of people laughing at me. I sprint away, wanting to get away as quickly as possible.

When I reach the sidewalk, Gage, the guy from yesterday, runs up to me. “Hey! How did you learn to fight like that?” I push past him, and he speeds up to walk beside me. “Come on! Like, I wasn’t expecting it. When we face off tomorrow, you better bring the same energy.”

“Yeah, that’s not happening.” I try walking faster, but the smug bastard walks faster, trying to cut in front of me to get me to talk. Doesn’t he know my mood is foul? His stupidly handsome face keeps looking at me to talk more. I didn’t know if I had a type, but if I did, he would check almost all the boxes: tall, muscular, and handsome. Check, check, and check. Part of me wants to play with him a bit. Yet, no matter how pretty they are, I don't have time for distractions.

“Oh, are you scared I might kick your ass, baby girl?” He runs backward to look at my face while raising his pierced eyebrow. He should look into a lip ring. I would enjoy playing with it, and I think he could pull it off. Damn, why when I look at him, I feel almost weak at my knees? I don’t want to be mean to him, but I can’t help myself. It’s like I want to beat the shit out of him but cuddle with him afterward. It makes no sense.

Finally, I stop walking and glare at him. He must be fucking stupid. My eyes narrow, and I shake my head at him. “There is no way you could kick my ass. But if you must know, I’m no longer allowed in the class. You are safe from the likes of me, the bitch who spreads lies, and apparently her legs.” I try to move around him, but he moves in front again. “Seriously, get out of the way. I can’t be late.”

“Hold up, what are you talking about? They can’t kick you out of the class without cause.” He holds his hands in front of his chest like he is surrendering. “Was there a little of a come-on there?” He waggles his eyebrows. I seriously want to throat-punch this man, maybe kiss it better after the fact.

“You can’t be this stupid. If you don’t know, you will.” My voice gets low. “I’m a social pariah, don’t you know? The kind you probably wouldn’t want to be seen socializing with. If you know what’s good for you, you will stay away. I’m on my second strike with Dean Campbell.” My eyes look him up and down before giving a small smile. “I don’t think you are worth my third strike.”

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