Page 89 of The Bond That Burns

Who did Hassan really answer to? I had to find out.

The door creaked open. I slammed the dossier shut and darted out from behind the desk as quickly as I could, my heart pounding as Hassan stepped back into the room and her gaze swept over me.

“What are you doing?” she demanded suspiciously.

I forced myself to meet her eyes. “Waiting. You told me to stay, but I was bored and cold. So I was walking back and forth, getting some exercise.” I faked a yawn. “Is that all right with you?”

“No, it’s not,” she snapped. “You should be contemplating what you’ve learned here today. Not wasting your time walking about like an empty-headed ninny.”

“I was contemplating as I walked,” I replied flippantly.

Her eyes narrowed. “Disrespect will not be tolerated.”

“Would you like me to leave and come back another day?” I asked innocently. Now that I knew she was evaluating me for my death, I suddenly didn’t give a shit if I failed her little course.What was the worst that could happen? They’d execute me sooner rather than try to steal my body later? “You seem a little distracted today. Is everything all right?”

Her face flushed with anger. “I am the instructor. You are the pupil. You will wait as long as is needed when I am required elsewhere. Is that understood?”

“Absolutely,” I said, with false politeness. “Are we finished for today?”

She studied me in silence. “You may go.”

It wasn’t an answer. But I could tell she wanted me to get out.

Fine by me. Right now, I never wanted to see the detestable woman again. I’d known she disliked me. I hadn’t thought she’d be willing to actively plot my death. I’d been naive not to expect it though.

I knew I’d have to go back. I had to find out who was pulling her puppet strings. And how much time I had before they decided on my fate.

CHAPTER 21 - MEDRA

After my last class with Professor Hassan, I was on pins and needles waiting for my thrallguard session a few days later.

I arrived outside Professor Rodriguez’s office early. I shifted from one foot to another, my nerves coiling tighter with each passing minute as I waited for him to make an appearance. I was shaken. Desperate for answers or some semblance of reassurance from the only person who might be able to provide them.

By the time I finally spotted the dark-haired blightborn instructor coming down the hall, I was a mess of anxiety.

Rodriguez raised an eyebrow as he saw me. “You’re early.”

“I really need to talk to you,” I blurted, following him inside his office.

He set his leather bag down on his desk and gestured for me to sit. “That much is obvious. But after the skill you showed with thrallguard earlier this summer, I didn’t think you’d have as much interest in continuing our lessons.”

“I don’t... I mean, I do. I definitely want to continue them. I’m not that much of an expert with thrallguard yet.” I was a little surprised by his compliment. “We’re talking about Viktor Drakharrow here. Part of me is convinced my ability to block him out was simply a fluke.”

“A fluke you were able to repeat,” he reminded me. “I know he came to see you.”

I didn’t want to think about Viktor in my room and his awful threats. I still wasn’t sure what had made him leave and not return.

“Still. I’m not going to turn down any help I can get,” I said with determination.

Rodriguez frowned. “Is that why you’re so on edge? Has Viktor been threatening you again?”

I took a deep breath. “You could say that. But I don’t know if it’s him or not.”

Rodriguez cocked his head.

“I don’t know who the real threat is. I mean, obviously Viktor is a jackass as usual, yes. But...” The words poured out of me and I told him everything I’d seen in the dossier.

When I was finished, Rodriguez looked stunned. His face, normally so composed, had paled.

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