Page 24 of Shattered & Returned

I perched on the edge of the bed that I’d assumed was mine and folded my hands in my lap.“I don’t know any rules here.”

“There aren’t many,”she said, leaning against the desk. Her gaze lingered, assessing but not intrusive.“Fights are allowed. They happen all the time. Challenge is encouraged.”

My stomach twisted. I wasn’t a fighter, and everyone here looked strong, like athletes, or worse, battle-hardened warriors.

“Maiming isn’t a big deal.”

My face went cold as the memory flashed: a body crumpling in the courtyard, a blade glinting, and not a single person reacting. But that wasn’t right. You didn’t juststabpeople. Weren’t we supposed to be in a civilized society?

But from the moment I’d stepped through the gate, I’d known that civilized society had been left far behind.

“Murder in cold blood is against the rules,”she added.“Get caught, and you’ll be punished.”

That offered little comfort. Murder was merelyfrowned upon? That had already gone too far. How could fighting, even stabbing, be allowed?

“That’s…”I fumbled for words, my voice deserting me.“What kind of schoolisthis?”

“One of a kind.”She grinned, delighted by my shock.“A cutthroat one. And the weak don’t survive.”

Iwasthe weakest here. She’d probably already seen it but was kind enough not to say it to my face.

“How do I avoid fights?”My voice shrank.

Orren hadn’t mentioned any of this. But then again, hewasone of the ruthless kidnappers who’d dragged me here, only to suddenly grow a conscience and decide not to terrify me further.

“You can’t.”She gave me a sympathetic wince.“Lying low won’t work here. You either get strong or you make sure everyonethinksyou are. Otherwise, the predators will circle.”

I couldn’t tell her about my condition. She seemed friendly, but I knew better than to judge a book by its cover. Weren’tbest friends always the first to sabotage you? In stories, in life, weren’t they the ones who stole your lover, your husband, your worth?

No one wanted a liability. She might smile today and slit my throat tomorrow. If it came to a fight between us, I’d lose. No question. I might even lose an eye, and she’d shrug, becausemaiming wasn’t a big deal here.

“Fine,”I said.“What’s this cardinal rule you mentioned?”

Her smile turned dreamy.“Never screw a professor. Especially not Professor Ravencrux or his rival, Professor Kingsley—though everyone wants to.”She licked her lips.“Ravencrux is the most forbidden. Dangerous. But if he ever looked my way? I’d risk it. Punishment be damned. You only fucking live once.”

My throat went dry.“What…what’s the punishment?”Please let that stranger whose face I’d sat on not be either professor.

“You don’t want to know.”She waved a hand.“You’re not the wild type. Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh, I worry.”My fingers dug into my knees.“It’s what I do. Tell me.”

“If caught, you draw a card.”Her voice dropped.“Public stripping. Flogging. The dungeon. Expulsion. They say there’s even a death card.”

“Are you serious?”

“I haven’t read the fine print on punishments. Not that I care—no professor would fuck me anyway,”she said with sadness in her big eyes.“I’m Sindy Vexley, by the way.”

“A witch?” I ventured.

“Yes!”Her face lit up with pride.

“That’s amazing!”I mirrored her smile, pleased with my correct guess.“I’d never met any supernaturals before today. I’ve always wanted to meet a real witch.”

“Witches are pretty common in the States,”she said.“We just don’t advertise it.”

“I’ve only read about witches and shifters and vampires in books,”I admitted.“LikeTwilight.”

“Where have you been all this time?”

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