Page 42 of Vampire's Vixen

I shook it and took the seat that he indicated. I had never met him—he took the job long after I’d left school—and he seemed young to me, but then again, witchblood kept us younger than if we were human.

“I don’t mind if she stays,” I said. “I need to discuss the actions of one of your professors.”

Morrison sighed. “You said it’s Jason Willows?”

I nodded. “Yes. As you may know, I was a student here when I was younger—I attended from first grade through twelfth. I loved it here. So, I was excited to sign up for some continuing education classes when I moved back to Midnight Point a few months ago. But…” I paused, not sure how to approach the subject.

“Just tell us what happened,” Morrison said.

“I’m taking his cryptozoology class. We were supposed to go on a field trip yesterday, out to Hollow Hill.”

The principal flinched, giving me a wary look. “He planned to take students to Hollow Hill?”

I nodded. “It ended up with only four of us going all the way in. At first, some of the students left because they hadn’t realized that it would be that much of a hike through the woods. But four of us stayed, and when we got there, he unlocked the gate—he said he had a permit from the city—and a ferandal came bursting through the woods. It came after me.”

I stood and removed my cape, wincing. Then, holding out my arms so they could see the array of punctures, I said, “I managed to escape getting gored, but as you can see, I ended up scrambling through a bramble patch. I have over twenty punctures on my body, as well as all the accompanying bruises. I think Jason destroyed the ferandal, but I could have been gored. I could have been killed. I had to go to urgent care and I’m on antibiotics now.”

Principal Morrison sat back in his chair, staring at me. He glanced at Amanda, who gave him a look that I couldn’t read.

“All right, can you tell me what you’re thinking? Are you planning on suing the academy?”

I could tell that he had to ask that question; it made sense. “No, I don’t want to sue Midnight Manor. I love this school. But he’s dangerous. If I’d been older, or unable to move as fast, I could have been killed. He gave us no warning that this would be so incredibly dangerous. I’m just grateful I had quick-enough reflexes. He asked me not to say anything,” I added. After pausing, I said, “Then I did a little research on him…”

“Understood,” Morrison said. “I know what you found. All right, are you willing to put this in writing? And would anybody corroborate what happened?”

I nodded. “I’ll write up a complaint. I think that at least one of the other students will, too.” I was pretty sure Kyle would agree to make a formal complaint.

“Amanda will help you. And Ms. Tripwater, please accept my apologies. This is inexcusable, and the fact that you aren’t suing the academy…well, I’m not sure I’d have the reserve that you do. You don’t know how much I appreciate this.”

“The academy is a necessity for witchblood students. Given this teacher was already problematic, and still kept on staff, well…that wouldn’t look good.” I stared at the principal, thinking that he knew exactly what would happen if this hit the news. Midnight Manor Academy would be under intense scrutiny. And if I had sued, I would have made out like a bandit.

“Exactly,” he said. “As I said, I won’t forget this. Please, make a formal complaint, and we’ll make certain that nothing like this happens again. If you can get a second complaint, so much the better.”

I texted Kyle. would you be willing to make a formal complaint against jason willows? i’m at the academy, talking to the principal. i found out some extremely disturbing things about jason that makes me even more determined to see him out of here.

Kyle must have been watching his phone, because seconds later I received a text. of course i’d be happy to make a complaint, given all that happened. just let me know what to do.

I looked at the principal. “Can my classmate make a report via email?”

“As long as it’s in writing and he’s signed it,” the principal said.

“What email address should he send it to?”

Morrison gave me his email address. I texted Kyle.

here’s the email address where you’ll send your complaint. just describe everything that happened yesterday. if you could send this off today, i’d be grateful. i’ll tell you more at dinner tomorrow night.

sure thing. see you then.

“Okay, Kyle will be emailing you with his complaint. Thank you for taking me seriously.” I stood, gingerly easing my cape back on.

“I’m sorry this happened,” Principal Morrison said. “This never should have happened.”

I nodded, gathering my purse and keys. “Just do something about him. Next time, someone might die from his stupidity. Field trips like that need to be monitored, and…tell me, do you think this was really approved by the city?”

“I doubt it,” Morrison muttered. “I’ll be checking on that as well.”

As I followed Amanda back to the main office and sat down at a desk with a laptop on it, I thought about what I was doing. I was ruining a man’s career. But then my common sense took hold. He had ruined his own career—twice. And he put my life in danger. I shook off the feelings of guilt and began to type out everything that had happened, along with giving the name of the urgent care clinic where I’d been seen, and how much Jason’s mishap had cost me.

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