Page 67 of Her Feral Beasts

Suddenly, I realise how alone I am.

But this guy is supposed to help feral beasts, right? He boasts about his high success rate on the national news. This place is supposed to rehabilitate people like me. As I stare at him with this realisation, his face softens just a fraction. It’s so small that I think I imagine it, but I suddenly know it’s really there, and a strange feeling settles at the base of me.

It pains me to ask for help, because when has anyone except Minnie ever offered it to me? But I steel my pride and ask in a resigned voice, “What do I do?”

I’m in such a hyper-alert state that I’m attuned to his every micro-expression. The corners of his lips twitch as if he’s pleased that I’ve asked him.

“Your situation depends on your behaviour, Miss Aquinas. The council will hold their trial, but since the school is a safe-house, they cannot touch you for your first month. The trial is set four weeks from now.”

The rope around my lungs that is my panic loosens just a little.

“In that time, you will have to show your character. You will have to show improvement. I am the one who will assess that, and I have to say that we’re off to a bad start.”

Just when I thought he was going to help me, it turns out he’s to be my judge and jury. I clench my teeth in annoyance. So I have to impresshimnow? It sounds like a set-up. Some dark joke played on me by the Wild Mother.

But he’s not laughing. In fact, his face is suddenly so impassive as he observes me that I don’t think he even cares about this much at all. I’m just another bothersome student he has to deal with. This is his job.

“Okay,” I say begrudgingly. Henry makes a choking sound, and I realise I’m clutching onto him like my life depends on it. I ease up my grip, placing him back in my lap. He shakes out his fur and looks up at me accusingly.

“Your student history will help in your trial. You’ve proven yourself to be a satisfactory healer, and your grades are good.”

Satisfactory?Oh no he didn’t! “I’m the best healer of my age in this city,” I bite out. “I assure you.”

He quirks a brow. “Arrogance does not a good healer make, Miss Aquinas.”

I refrain from rolling my eyes, but honestly, he’s right.

Holding up one large hand, a piece of paper from his desk shoots so fast towards us that I flinch. I’m sure he’s showing off, but he’s staring down at the paper like he does this all the time and says in his shopping-list drone, “You will assist in the healing and medical clinic on Friday and Saturday nights. Those are our busiest shifts.”

And thus depriving me of any recreation time. I suppose felons don’t get that luxury. He hands me the paper with instructions for the medical wing.

“Usually, we wait until second year to assign you a job, but in this case, I will take pity on you and we can fast track it.”

I barely contain my anger at his jab.Pity on you.I hate myself when I say, “That’s very kind.”

“And you will attend weekly sessions with me to discuss your issues until the trial.”

My frown is back because I don’t have anyissues. Any that I want to talk about with him, anyway. “I beg your pardon?”

He actually smiles at me and my heart does a little jump. “I’m pleased to see you have some manners.”

I take a jab back. “I was once a princess of the Serpent Court, Mr Pardalia. You would do well to remember that.”

His smile drops quickly. “But no longer.” He pauses as I rage internally. “Your father has been very vocal about your guilt.”

Fear is an obsidian hewn sword in my chest. “What?”

“Indeed.” I can tell he finds this interesting. “He was the one who presented the evidence of your alleged crime to the council. He was sure you were trying to kill him, too.”

I close my eyes and pinch the bridge of my nose. Henry starts vibrating again.

“We need to work on your temper,” Lyle says.

Remaining in that position, I say darkly, “It’s a new development.”

He huffs through his nose and I drop my hand to stare at him. He asks, “Doyou want your father dead, Miss Aquinas?”

The question is a loaded gun that could go off in my face. Do I want him dead? I don’t even know. Half my problems would go away if he died. But do I want his death? I sigh because this is all too much. “No. And if you’re going to ask me if I’m going to kill anyone or have any plans to maim, destroy, murder, manslaughter, or burn anyone’s house, the answer is also no. Even being forced to marry Halfeather, I would not have tried to kill anyone. I was just going to run.”

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