Page 25 of Moon Cursed

“Excuse me?” I craned to look around her as if I could see the front gates through the massive castle between them and me. “No they’re not.”

“I assure you, they are,” she replied. “A fact which has moved a new priority to the top of my list—security.”

“Your new priority?” My eyes narrowed. “Once again, who are you?”

“Oh, do forgive me, I am being terribly rude.” She extended her hand. “My name is Rianna Ash, you may call me Mrs. Ash. It is a pleasure to meet you, High Priestess, as it is a pleasure to be your new vice headmistress.” Her smile took on a sinister edge. “I’m so looking forward to working with you, and assisting in carrying out the blessed vision handed down by our wolf mother, Luame.”

I didn’t take her hand, so she surged forward and grabbed mine, squeezing hard enough to make her point. “I’m certain with my guidance we will achieve her true purpose.”

Chapter Three

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

“No,” I repeated, yanking my hand free. “You are not my new vice headmistress. Sunella and I had a deal. She was to send five candidates and thenIwould choose my vice.”

Ash clicked her tongue, cocking her head. “My dear, Sunella did hold up her end of the deal. She sent all the willing and available candidates. They stand before you now.”

I glanced at Nia, flicking my head for her to take off. I didn’t need the council knowing who my allies were. “I don’t understand,” I said to Ash. “You were the only one willing to take the job?”

“Of course I was, dear.” The condescension in her tone set my teeth on edge. “How many grown and educated professionals did you believe were willing to take orders from a girl who hasn’t even gotten her back teeth? Let alone graduated from the very school she’s daring to run.”

I growled. Our wolves had more teeth than our human halves did, and those forty-two fangs came in at different stages. Our wolves wouldn’t get the last few in the back until we were around twenty-six, which led some people to believe anyone under twenty-six was still an under-developed child.

Pretty much what Ash just called me.

My growl was cut off by a sharp hiss. I winced as a sudden spike of pain went through my skull. I knew this pain—all too well. “Apparently there’s one grown and educated professional willing to take orders from a little girl,” I said, pushing through the agony. “Why is that, Mrs. Ash? Is it all for the pleasure of strangling my hand and insulting me to my face?”

She gasped. “Oh my goodness, no, High Priestess. I meant no disrespect, and if I hurt you, I deeply apologize. I am here for exactly the reason I gave, and it matters more than petty pride and power plays. If Luame gave you a vision for the future of Corvin Academy, it is my pleasure—no, my duty to help you carry it out.”

“Let’s be clear,” I said, closing the distance between us. “It ismyduty to carry it, and your duty to obey me with a slavish devotion that’ll make me blush. Understood?”

Her smile went nowhere. “I am here to serve, High Priestess. You need never question by devotion to Luame.”

I have no doubt you’re devoted to Luame, but that doesn’t mean you’re devoted to me, and you told me so just as clearly.

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