Page 40 of Baneful Magick

Ambrose’s eyes narrowed in clear disbelief, and he sat there silently, maybe hoping that would make me change my answer. His ash-blond hair was the same as it had been when he appeared in my garden, a wavy mess that fell across his face, making him seem more brooding and handsome than should ever be allowed.

‘If you start lamenting in poetry, I will take over and throw us off the nearest building.’

‘I don’t do poetry,’I retorted, praying that I wasn’t blushing.

‘If you start imagining him in some porno, I will also do the same. Just for the record.’

‘I hate you.’

‘No, you don’t.’Cassius, the smug bastard, was right, but I wasn’t going to let him know that.‘I already know I’m right, beastie.’

‘You’re literally the worst.’

“Miss Hallowes?” Ambrose’s voice made me jolt. I blinked at him a few times, and at his expectant expression, I realized thatI had missed whatever he had said. He must have realized it too because he clicked his tongue and repeated himself. “See that you’re paying better attention next class. Inattention can be a costly mistake at Greywood.”

“Yes, Professor.” I nodded, my cheeks heated.

“You’re dismissed.”

I walked out the door without looking back at him. I made sure not to move too fast, so he didn’t think I was running from him. As soon as I was outside, a shuddering breath broke free from my chest.

“You okay?”

The voice came from off to my side, where a girl was watching me. Her wide blue eyes were filled with nothing but concern as she brushed straight blonde hair out of her face.

“Professor Ambrose can be… a lot.” Her mouth twisted in a sour smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied, lifting my bag higher on my shoulder. “Though being singled out the first day of class doesn’t bode well.”

A tinkling laugh escaped her even though she tried to smother it.

“Professor Ambrose likes to single out a few students every semester.”

“Perfect,” I muttered. Irrational jealousy shot through me. Did he flirt with all of those “special” students?

Of course he does, you idiot. Besides, flirting doesn’t mean anything. It sure as fuck doesn’t equate to feelings.

“Don’t worry too much about it,” the girl continued, oblivious to my internal turmoil. “Just be prepared for class and expect him to call on you a lot. There’s really not much you can do. He isn’t the worst professor to be singled out by.”

An odd look flickered across her face before it smoothed out.

“I’m Isla,” I offered, holding out my hand with a smile.

She carefully studied my face, then my hand, before hesitantly reaching out. A barely there handshake, then she dropped it and focused on my face.

“Violet.” She chewed her bottom lip nervously. “You’re a first year?”

“Yeah,” I replied, trying to figure out why I made her so nervous.

“Odd,” she murmured, twisting her hands hard enough that her knuckles became white. “Forbidden Magick is a final-year class… Well, looks like they are setting you up for an interesting time here. I’ll see you next class.” Violet left, not trying to hide that she was running away. From me? I honestly wasn’t sure. She seemed nice enough though a bit skittish.

At least this was my last class of the day. Aside from finishing up my paper, I could take a break since today’s classes hadn’t given me busy work like Familiar Care. As I thought over what to do with the rest of my afternoon, I stared out at the quad only to find my roommates and Wells walking together.

Zhara was laughing at something Aizel was saying while Wells appeared to be barely holding back his own laughter. Echo was shaking his head at their shenanigans, and a smile took over his face when he saw me.

Ignoring the butterflies in my stomach, I headed for my friends, dodging groups of students and swerving around someone setting up what looked like a summoning circle.

“Did you all have fun in sex class?” I asked them innocently, coughing when Zhara elbowed me.

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