Page 30 of Tainted Hearts

Ihate school. I hatedit when I was in Hell, and I hate it even more now. Sitting in a classroom for an hour at a time while people whisper about you, not knowing you can hear every damn thing they’re saying, isn’t how I want to spend my time. I should be in all of Abby’s classes, because how the hell am I going to keep an eye on her if I’m not? But none of her classes had openings.

I’m going to have to see who I can...convinceto change classes.

“Done,” I say, adding the last stitch of the dress we’re making in fashion and apparel class.

“Already?” my teacher asks as she walks over to my station. “My, my. It’s very... black,” she comments, giving me a tight smile.

I repress my laugh as I smile brightly at her, pretending the very gothic looking dress didn’t stand out from all the pale pink and champagne-colored ones the others are working on. “Thank you. I’m thinking of making of a pair of stockings to go with it next class.”

“Don’t you think maybe something more... school appropriate would be better?”

“Why?” I ask. “We’re not allowed to wear these inside school anyways.”

“Very well.” Her answer comes out overly reluctant.

The bell rings, and I quickly put my mannequin away in the back before grabbing my backpack and rushing out the door. I try not to use my speed, another thing I don’t like, as I head to the bathroom.

Just as I’m about to go in, I hear Abby’s voice. “Look, I don’t know what kind of crazy bullshit you three have concocted in your head, but I don’t want to hear it anymore. I didn’t steal your men. They are mine. My mates. I didn’t ask for it, but it doesn’t mean I’m just going to give them up.”

“They don’t want you. They don’t even like you.” I recognize the red headed Heather’s voice. Isaac’s ex, I’ve come to learn. “Whatever witches’ powers you're using on him, you better stop now. Or you're going to regret it.”

“I’m a demon.” I smile at the dull sound in Abby’s voice. My girl is sick of their crap, and so am I. “And mind control isn’t one of my powers. Lighting your ass on fire is one, however.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” the red haired Heather says in a dangerous tone that has me on edge, the smile falling from my lips. “But you're going to fear me. Give them back,” she demands.

“They’re not some kind of toy I can just hand over when I’m done,” Abby’s voice rises, her patience with them running thin. “But I am done with this conversion.”

“You’re going to regret this. Isaac is mine! Luke and Noah are theirs. We will get them back.”

“Fuck you,” Abby spits.

I hear feet pounding against the floor toward me. Ducking behind the corner, I wait until Abby is out of the bathroom and heading down the hall before I use my speed to get inside the bathroom, locking the door behind me.

It’s just Isaac’s ex in here, standing in front of the mirror as she applies a coat of red lipstick.

She sees me in the mirror as I step forward. “What do you want, freak?” she sneers.

My smile grows, slow and eerie, making her sneer drop as I stalk toward her. “You know, you have a pretty mouth. Shame about the amount of shit that comes out of it.”

“Watch how you talk to me,” she snarks, lifting her chin. “I can have you kicked out of here before you can blink.”

Before she can blink, I’m rushing forward, wrapping my hand around her throat. She gasps, her eyes filling with a satisfying amount of fear as I slam her against the mirror, making it rattle. “And you better fucking watch how you talk to me.” I show her my fangs, making her whimper. “I don’t like you. I think you're a sad little girl looking for love in all the wrong places. It’s pathetic, if you ask me. Working so hard for a man who clearly doesn’t want you. Who belongs to someone else. Where is your self-respect?”

“He doesn’t belong to her!” she struggles to speak, anger flashing in her eyes. “He’smine.”

“He really isn’t though.” I sigh, shaking my head. “Here's the deal. You're going to leave Abby and Isaac alone. Your friends are going to leave Luke and Noah alone. Find another poor man to leech off of because they are no longer an option.”

“A-and if I d-don’t?” she manages to get out. I let go of her, and she slumps forward, her hand reaching for her neck as she coughs.

“Then I’ll kill you,” I say simply, giving her a shrug.

She looks at me with tear-rimmed eyes. “You’re fucking crazy.”

“Oh girl, you haven’t seen anything yet.” I chuckle.

“I’m reporting you to the school board. You need to go back to Hell where you belong and take the devil bitch, while you're at it.”

I didn’t use compulsion last time, but gripping her chin painfully, I look her in the eyes and use it this time. “You will not tell anyone about what I’ve said to you in this bathroom, but you will remember my warning, so I suggest you act wisely. If not, I won’t hesitate to follow through.”

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