Page 81 of Gemini Queen
Somehow I know he’s talking about Neo, and that pisses me right off. Neo fucking made the earth move last night—literally as well as figuratively—in my bed. Although I didn’t actually realize he must have been channelingmypower through our mating bond (our temporary mating bond that I’m going to sever when I leave) when he did it.
Somehow the thought of leaving this insane asylum of warlocks and witches in my rear view mirror doesn’t spark the urgency it should. Probably because I’m feeling guilty and therefore conflicted about hurting Neo. If I’m being totally honest, I’ll even miss Ronin a tiny bit.
Not that it’ll stop me from going or anything.
Frowning, I tap my pencil against my lips.
“Now, now, one mustn’t allow oneself to betooblinded by one’s own parochial squabbles and prejudices, Mr. Romanov.” Zerxes smirks. And I get the distinct sense he too is thinking about Neo. “Which brings us to the final arcane race, the verminous Proteans, colloquially known to the masses as theshifters.” The sneer in his voice is audible, and now I’m annoyed on Lucius’ behalf. “Ms. Gemini?”
I blink and lower my pencil with a frown. I’m way behind in this class, just like I am in all my classes, and admittedly I haven’t made much headway in the reading since I know I’m leaving.
Which means I’m going to struggle with this impromptu quiz. Still, I know a little just from watching Lucius and hearing him talk.
“Um, rarest of the four races. They’re kinda on top of the endangered species list. Capable of shifting into their animal form at will.” My prof seems to be waiting in mounting impatience for more, so I rummage around in my head. “The animal coexists as, like, a separate entity with the human inside the same skin. There aren’t many purebred shifters left, and I’m guessing Lucius—uh, Master Aries—is probably one of the few on this whole rock who can even shift.”
“Nearly correct, but not quite,” the prof murmurs. “There’s a bear shifter among the custodial staff. Polar bear, for your information, greatly to be avoided when he shifts. In addition, we claim a shark shifter in Villa Tiberius. A great white, to be precise. Also to be avoided.”
Fuck, I didn’t even know it was possible tobea shark shifter. Talk about feeling out of my depth. The concept of a great white shifter who answers to Bucephalus Zerxes sharking around this island definitely gives me second thoughts about my whole deep sea dive idea.
“Great. Thanks for the warning,” I mutter.
Zerxes looks like he’d love to keep grilling me to expose the full extent of my ignorance to my classmates’ mockery, but the deep toll of the church bell brings this whole ordeal to a blessed close. Around me students shove noisily to their feet, slamming notebooks closed, tossing books into backpacks. I pop up too, using the opportunity to give my ponytail a brisk shake in the hope of dislodging any clinging spitballs.
“Kindly recall Schedule A students have midterm examinations next week,” Zerxes projects coldly above the bedlam. “I’m certain you’ll all distinguish yourselves in your examinations and emerge covered with academic glory.”
Yeah, me? Not so much. I’d love a hard pass on those midterms myself, but Lucius already told me they’ll use the tests to gauge my level, then assign remedial learning as needed. Of course, that’s only if I’m going to stay.
Which I’m not.
Grim with resolve, I swing my backpack over my shoulder and motor for the exit. Most of the students are already gone, and I’m definitely not eager to be alone with—
“Ms. Gemini.” The prof’s voice curls around my waist like a bullwhip. “Kindly remain behind. With. Me. We must arrange the details of your impending detention.”
The detention I have no intention of serving. But no point telling him that. I’ll just cross my fingers behind my back and agree to whatever I need to in order to get out of this room.
Ahead of me, Dez loiters in the doorway like she’s unwilling to leave me alone with the monster.
Bless that girl for her loyalty.
“Kindly close the door on your way out, Ms. Maali.” Zerxes’ icy gaze veers behind me. “And take Mr. Romanov with you.”
Actually, I’m surprised Vasili’s stuck around. I pivot to find him right behind me, looking like a rock star in his tailored blazer with his tie loose and his collar popped, his gorgeous face hard and unreadable as one elegant hand reaches to flick a spitball (disgusting) out of my ponytail. His smoky eyes narrow on Bucephalus Zerxes like the man’s a crouching menace.
“The little queen can’t serve detention with you tonight,” Vasili says flatly. “She’s already serving detention with Master Aries.”
That’s a blatant lie, and I suck in my breath to hear it. Vasili’s gaze flashes a wintry warning, which tells me I’m projecting again. I remember barely in time to throw up a hasty wall between me and the telepathic Zerxes.
“How interesting, and how irrelevant.” The prof’s voice slashes through me like a razor, and I pivot to keep the apex predator in sight. “In that case, it sounds like double detention duty for our future queen.” His burning stare crawls over me and his tone thickens. “I’ll take her after Lucius is finished. I do hope you don’t require much sleep, Ms. Gemini.”
Yeah, no. There are so many things wrong with those sentences I can’t even list them. One of them being the hint of a predatory sexual undertone from my fucking middle-aged teacher lurking under those doubleentendres.
“He has the bitch all night. Rest assured she’ll be quite thoroughly occupied,” Vasili says coolly, like I’m not even in the room. “She’s barely been at this Academy a day, yet it seems she’s been quite the naughty girl.”
My mouth pops open and I glare at him. Now it’s apparently his turn for the doubleentendres.
“You think I’m a bitch now? Just wait till I get going,” I mutter.
But I don’t say it too loudly, because for whatever reason, the Goblin King appears to be momentarily on my side.
