This is news. Even though phones and computers - anything with internet access - are forbidden at the Academy, I’m fortunate enough to be friends with Tatiana, who has her own Skylink account that gives us access through our highly illegal devices. I’d looked up Cormac on our first day, but there’s surprisingly little about the MacTavishes, given that they’re such a wealthy, influential family. In our world, not being able to access information about a family means they have power, and a lot of it.
“And you?”
Blinking, I realize he’s speaking. “You haven’t read my student file yet?”
His full lips twitch and I remember what it was like to kiss them. God, those lips…
“No, I didn’t think it was a good idea. And you should be on your way back to dinner, young lady.”
Aaaand, my fluttering hope falls flat on its face.
“Your dictates about my eating habits are unnecessary,” I said briskly, back in control. “I need to be going now. Goodnight Professor.”
My heart nearly freezes solid as I head for the door and realize Dean Christie is standing there. Her face is settled in its usual, pleasantly bland expression so I have no idea what she might have heard.
“Goodnight, Miss Chandler,” she says, patting me briefly on the shoulder as she strides back into her office.
“Goodnight, Dean Christie.” I hear the low murmur of their conversation as I speed-walk out of the entryway.
Chapter Nine
In which The Leader’s Challenge is even worse than Mala feared.
Cormac…
After watching that encounter, I don’t know whether to fuck Mala or hug her.
Her brother’s a cunt.
It’s clear he’s got some power over her, but she was magnificent, refusing to back down when he went after her. I have only one sister, Sorcha, and she’s treasured by all of us. She’s a wee bit spoiled, but I know she grew up feeling secure and confident that her brothers would always keep her safe. How long has Mala had to battle against that little bastard? From what I’ve heard, her father’s even worse.
“That boy’s a spoiled child,” Dean Christie says, “his father threw such a tantrum when he wasn’t accepted into the Academy. He doesn’t have the fortitude and strength of his brother and sister.”
“Aye, he tried to punch her.” My lips press together for a moment and she catches the movement. “She had his arm jacked up behind his back and he was crying for his mama in seconds.”
She smiles, a genuine smile of deep happiness, which is startling to see on the likes of Dean Helen Christie. “Good.”
Walking back to the cottage after an exhausting meeting with the Dean, I take the long way around the grounds, circling the student housing. I know I hurt Mala with my chilly dismissal, but it was necessary. I could see Helen’s shadow on the antechamber wall as she headed back to her office.
I walk faster. I can’t encourage her. It was irresponsible to be that soft with her tonight.
Mala and her friend Willow have a suite on the third floor, south side. I pass by that particular corner, slowing down. Their windows are brightly lit, one is open, and there’s music, something from Billie Eilish. They’re laughing, and then Mala passes by the window, leaning out a bit to shut it.
She’s wearing my sweatshirt.
Whistling softly, I walk back to my cottage. There’s something on my doorstep, a white card wrapped in a pink ribbon.
“For fuck’s sake…” I sigh. It’s a naked photo of a girl from my Assassins class, displaying her tits like they’re melons on a breakfast buffet, along with an impassioned note telling me how much she loves me.
This is the third one this week.
The vision of Mala, her slender body engulfed in my green sweatshirt takes over my thoughts, washing the image of the girl’s naked body away.
Mala…
I’m useless for the rest of the week, my thoughts ping-ponging from being underneath Cormac with our knives intimately attached, to The Dick and whatever poison he’s likely pouringinto my dad’s ear. There’s no one there at home to speak up in defense of me, now that Michael’s gone.
On the day of the Leader’s Challenge, I’m up early, drinking a painfully hot cup of coffee and staring out the window. The weather’s not bad, it’s sunny, but the ever-present ocean wind is whipping around the island.
