Page 22 of Shadow Caster
Died.
My fangs elongated. The hunger was about to take over. There was only one thing to do.
I yanked the dagger from my leg holster.
“Indie? What the fuck?” Minnie said, wide-eyed.
But my vision was darkening, senses zeroed in on my prey. “I’m sorry. I just. I can’t let this happen …”
I plunged the knife into my chest.
Eight
Principal Brunner tapped her desk and studied me from behind her neat round spectacles. She was a minute woman with sharp, inquisitive features and pale blue eyes that seemed to peer into your soul. She was dressed in her signature long-sleeved, high-necked navy-blue shirt, hair up in a chignon and face free of any makeup. Not that she needed it. She had the clear, glowing skin that was common among the feybloods and a sweet honeysuckle scent which was probably her natural body odor.
Her office was small, sparse, and neat, just like the woman herself. Dark wood paneling was interrupted by a wall-to-wall bookcase lined with impressive-looking tomes. Two freestanding lamps parked on either side of the room lit it up in warm light. There was an old-fashioned coat rack with an umbrella stand attached, and the desk was one of those antique things, polished to such a shine that it made you afraid you might scratch it.
It was a pleasant, soothing space, and despite the knot in my stomach, I found myself relaxing. I was no stranger to being reprimanded. All that mattered was the sim was over. No more murder. I’d stopped it from happening again. No need to dwell, just shove it in a box and move on.
“Madam Garnet explained what happened in the sim,” Brunner said. “The fruit you came across was another test. Only feybloods can consume it. It has strange effects on other supernaturals, bringing their worst fears to the surface.”
In my case, my fear of draining a human. I took a measured breath. It was over.
She frowned. “You’re afraid to hurt a human. Not the modus operandi of a killer.”
“But I am a killer. I killed a human.” My voice was bitter.
“On purpose?” She canted her head.
I looked away. “Intent doesn’t matter. Only the outcome.”
“Hmmm. Yes, I guess to the council …” She pursed her lips. “I understand why you chose to exit. But in doing so, you’ve caused your teammates to fail the exam, and you’ve failed the class.”
I stared at a point behind her, a fraying edge of the heavy cream drapes that hung at the tall window. “I’m not here to pass classes.”
She frowned and sat forward. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean? You accepted the deal to come here, did you not?”
“Yeah, and I’m here. Doesn’t mean I have to participate.”
She made an ‘o’ with her mouth. “Miss Justice, I believe there’s been a huge misunderstanding. As far as I was informed, your grade must remain above a C average for you to remain here. If it drops below that, then the deal your father struck with the council will be void, and you’ll be handed over to the council for sentencing.”
The words coming out of her mouth took a moment to register, and then panic gripped me. They hadn’t said anything about grades or passing. That hadn’t been the deal.
“Indigo.” Brunner sat forward, her hands clasped in front of her. “At the risk of sounding cliché, you have much potential, and the only person holding you back is you. I don’t want to have to hand you over to the council, but I’ll have no choice if you can’t keep your grades up. There are four weeks until the end-of-term exams. Your test and coursework grades are low to non-existent. If you’re going to pass, then everything will ride on those end-of-term papers.” She sighed and sat back. “It’s up to you.” She looked to the door. “You may go. I believe Miss Faraday is in the lobby waiting for you.”
The ice that had filled my veins crystallized. Minnie … I’d let Minnie down. How the heck would I face her?
* * *
Minnie lookedup from her magazine as the door of the principal’s office closed behind me. Her brow furrowed in concern and she stood quickly.
“Are you okay?”
WasIokay? “Are you serious? You’re worried aboutme?”
Her frown deepened. “You stabbed yourself in the heart, Indie. Yeah, I’m worried. You were gone from sim class before we could exit the sim, and then Garnet tells me you were summoned to the principal’s office … I didn’t know what to think.”
“I just cost you the exam.”
