"Do you have to look like you're going to rip someone's head off?" Bryce demands.
I sigh loudly. The Bryce of a few days ago is completely gone. This man won't be making me dinner any time soon. More's the pity. The pasta he made was delicious.
"Do you have to act like you have a stick up your ass the whole time?" I mutter.
I don't have to turn around to know he's glaring at me. I can feel his gaze boring into my back.
It doesn't matter. However he feels about me, I'm not going to worry about it. So long as he keeps to what he's supposed to do, it won't be a problem. And if he doesn't do his job, then it won't be my problem. Despite what he seems to think, I'm as deadly with my hands as with a weapon. Defending myself won't be a problem. But I don't think he'll have such an easy time of it when Ashryn finds out what happened. Having her on my side is going to help.
Though that may be exaggerating it a bit, I'm not sure she's fully forgiven me for what my hunting partner did to her. Not that I blame her. She wears the scars proudly, but there's no escaping them.
I push through the people around the classroom door and make my way into the room.
"What are you doing here, blood bag?" a boy sneers.
I spin around so I can face him, cataloguing at least three different things I can make a stake out of as I do. No. I'm not supposed to be doing anything like that.
"I'm here to learn. Same as you," I say, flashing him an easy smile.
"And yet, I'm meant to be here, and you're not," he retorts.
A girl comes to stand next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder in a possessive move. Does she think I'm going to try stealing this idiot? One look is all I need to know he's not my type, even if he wasn't being rude.
I cross my arms over my chest and stare him down. "I have every right to be here."
"You're human," he spits.
"And you're a regular detective. Congratulations," I mutter.
"How dare you?" His face burns red. Interesting. I didn't know vampires can show embarrassment the same way humans can. It's useful information to have.
"I'm not sure what I'm daring to do," I say evenly. "If I'm not mistaken, you engaged me in conversation."
Oh, the poor boy. It's almost possible to see the thoughts whizzing around his head. He's not the sharpest fang in the jaw.
"You're here," he splutters.
I narrow my eyes at him. "Are you serious? You're annoyed at me because I'm in the room?"
"No, not the room," the girl next to him corrects me, sounding as bratty as she looks. "The academy."
A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. "I don't have time for this." I turn away from him and go to take my seat.
His hand clamps down on my arm, a firm grip I've felt so many times in my life from people who think because I'm slight, I'm not a threat.
"Let me go," I warn, my voice barely more than a growl.
He doesn't remove his hand.
Where is Bryce? Isn't he supposed to be around to stop this kind of thing? Not that I expect him to always step in for me. I know how this really works. Someone attacks me, I don't retaliate, he doesn't step in fast enough, and I end up hurt.
Well, I'm not going to let that happen.
"Let go of me, now," I threaten. "Or you will regret it."
"What's a human like you going to do about it?" the boy demands.
I count to three, hoping he'll let go and I won't be forced to do anything drastic. When he still doesn't let go, I try to pull away, knowing all it will do is make him tighten his grasp.
Once he's done that, I move quickly, and flip him over my head in one practised move. He slams down into the desk at the same time his hand unclamps from my arm. Every time I've used that move, it's worked mostly because the other person underestimates me.
"I told you to let me go," I hiss.
"Lillian Daniels?" the teacher shouts over the din of the other students chattering about what I've done.
"Yes?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
"What is going on?" she demands.
I glance around, my gaze locking on Bryce standing in the door looking helpless.
"I was defending myself," I answer honestly. "I asked him to let me go, and he wouldn't."
She narrows her eyes at me, then flicks them over to Bryce. Ah, I'm guessing she knows the situation between us then. That's almost reassuring.
"The rest of you, get to your seats and get ready to begin," she barks. "The two of you, outside, now."
"Miss, what are we doing about Carlton?" the girl from before asks.
The teacher gives the groaning vampire a once over. "He's fine. I want him sat behind his desk by the time I come back in the room." She doesn't wait for the girl to respond and marches outside.
I follow behind, not seeing what else I can do, given the circumstances.
"What was that?" she demands the moment we're out of the room.
I glance at Bryce, hoping he'll be able to help. I know it's probably wishful thinking after the way he stood aside in there, but a girl can dream.
To my surprise, he coughs and pulls her attention to him. "I was stopped from going into the room after Lily by Carlton's friends. I suspect they were trying to provoke a reaction from her."
I shuffle from side to side and stare at the floor. And I gave them exactly what they want. Great.
"And what happened in there?" the teacher asks me.
I need to learn her name. I push that thought aside. Now isn't the time to seem rude.
"He started taunting me. Then he grabbed hold of me..." I push the sleeve of my cardigan up so she can see the marks left there. I may be able to overwhelm a vampire, but they still leave marks. "I asked him to let go. He refused, and then my instincts kicked in." It's honest without going into how I know the best way to loosen the grip of someone that much stronger than me.
"I must admit, I'm impressed," she admits. "When the Dean told us you were coming, I had my doubts."
I blink, still processing what she's saying. She knows who I am. All the teachers must.
"I'm sorry," I say through half-gritted teeth. I don't want to apologise, nor do I think I should have to. Carlton invaded my personal space and did what he could to belittle me. He's the one who should be in trouble for it, not me.
"I'm sure you're aware that I'll have to inform the Dean about this situation," she says.
I nod. And I'm sure it'll be reported back to Ashryn and her den of vampires in turn too.
"But so long as it doesn't happen again, I'm sure nothing will come of it."
"Thank you," I whisper.
"Now, take a moment to compose yourself, and then present yourself for class, please." She turns and leaves the two of us standing outside the door.
I spin to face Bryce the moment she's gone. "Where were you?" I hiss.
A guilty expression crosses his face. "I should have tried harder to get past them."
"Yes. You should."
"I saw you slam him down though. Impressive." A smug smile replaces the guilt.
"Thanks." I flush, enjoying the compliment more than I want to.
"We should get inside," he murmurs, no doubt in an attempt to cover up the odd look in his eyes.
"Yes. We should."
"I'm sorry," he whispers.
"Apology accepted," I answer instantly. And oddly enough, I mean it. Huh. I know vampires aren't as bad as the guild taught us they were, but I still didn't think I'd be coming around to them as quickly as this. Best not to think about it too much.
Bryce pushes the door open for me, and I don't linger any longer. Besides, I can't wait to see Carlton's face when I step back into the room. I've gotten away without a punishment, but he's just been outwitted by a human in front of his friends. That's got to sting.