“She punishes rapists but is a rapist herself?” I ask, raising a brow at the skewed logic.
Veles answers quietly. “She takes your summoning of her as consent, and your consent is irrevocable. She says that’s just how magic works.”
“Shesays?” Byron echoes. “You speak like you’ve had the experience.”
“Didn’t you?” Veles responds in offence. “She mentioned you to me.”
The silence that follows is long and deafening. Other than to stare, Byron did not correct the counter.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Gotarzes bursts out with laughter. “She’s not real, you all.”
“How do you know?” Veles snaps.
“I just do! And even if she is real, I’m not so hard up as to summon some magical bitch through a mirror to come touch my dick.”
“Hey, I’m doing a story for class,” Byron mutters, apparently offended. “It’s research.”
“You both are fucking pathetic?—”
Veles launches his half-filled water bottle at Gotarzes. “Fuck you, Tar. If she’s not real, then go into the bathroom and summon her.” He narrows his eyes. “I dare you.”
“That’s stupid,” Gotarzes replies, hurling his own cup back. “I’m not going to play into your delusions. You should change your major, Vel. You really need to be the patient, not the doctor. Have your damned head examined.”
Veles shoves the table. “Just admit you’re too scared to do it, you fucking pussy?—”
“Enough!” I bellow. “I’ll do it.”
CHAPTER THREE
ASTERIOS
Lord, save me from the raging hormones of young bulls.
“I’ll do it,” I reiterate to the group of gaping mouths with a more composed volume. “I don’t believe in the supernatural, but if it’s real, then you are all safe.”
“Professor, um…” Veles shakes his head. “D-don’t. Don’t do this.”
“Go ahead,” Gotarzes laughs. “Nothing’s going to happen.”
“If nothing will happen, then do it yourself.” Veles points at Gotarzes. “Or just admit you’re a fucking coward.”
“It’s fine,” I assure.
“It’s not,” Veles counters. “I mean that respectfully, of course.”
I smile tightly. “Tell me what I have to do.”
“Wait—” Byron puts a fist to his mouth. His pleading eyes reflect his anxiety. “Maybe youshouldn’tdo this, Professor Bove. I mean?—”
“You all are fucking killing me!” Gotarzes throws his hands up in exasperation. “Daman, what do you think?”
“Methinks you protest too much.” Daman shrugs. “Me thinks there’s a small part of you who believes it canbetrue, so youwon’t risk it. However, I’m with Professor Bove. I don’t believe it’s real.”
“It’s settled,” I declare, my tone leaving no room for further argument.
The group turns their backs to me.
I follow their gaze to a closed door on the other side of the room.
