Pascal crossed his arms. "Couldn't get rid of me that easily, could ya?"
Her rage briefly turned to shock when she saw me, but it was gone a second later. I sensed she was not the type to put her real emotions on display. Whatever horrifying creature she thought I was, she kept it to herself. Exerting her dominance over the two omegas came first.
"Oh well," Headmaster said with a shrug. "It doesn't matter. I got the money. Those orc sympathizers got the bad end of the deal, but that's business sometimes."
What was an orc? The word was unfamiliar to me.
"How can you talk about Pascal like that?" Florian asked, true anger straining his voice. "He's a person, he's not something you can sell!"
Headmaster wriggled her overstuffed briefcase. I noticed it jingled heavily, just like the sack the skinny man from the carriage was carrying earlier. It must have been full of coins.
"And yet I sold him anyway," Headmaster went on casually. Then her gaze hardened. "Too badyouwere too useless to sell, Florian. You've been a thorn in my side since you were young. In fact, I was glad to hear you scorning me, even after all I've done for you, because it meant I'd finally be rid of you. But now here you are again, begging to return."
"I'm not begging for anything," Florian stated. "The only reason I'm here is to get the truth about why you did what you did to Pascal, and to make sure the children are safe."
Headmaster grinned, but it was cold and cruel. "The truth? I needed the money. Do you think orphanages run for free? Who do you think gives you money for errands, for food and clothes?"
Florian frowned. "Doesn't the counsel fund the orphanage?"
"Wrong," Headmaster spat. "I do. Me. And my funds were running low after all these years."
There was a haunted look on Florian's face, like he was slowly realizing something awful. "What funds?" he asked quietly.
I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach even before Headmaster opened her twisted mouth to reply.
"The funds from selling Noel, of course."
Florian and Pascal were both shocked and horrified.
"YousoldNoel?" Pascal snarled.
"I had to," Headmaster said. "Nobody pays me to watch these snotty kids. So I thought of my own solution." She glared at Florian. "Though in hindsight, I should have sold you instead. Noel would've been more useful around the house."
"That is enough," I growled, unable to stand back and listen to this any longer.
Florian was so upset he was shaking. He gripped his cane so hard his knuckles went white.
"You're disgusting," Florian muttered. "Where is Noel now?"
Headmaster shrugged like she was discussing something meaningless instead of the life of one of Florian's friends. "How should I know? It's been years. He could be anywhere."
"Who did you sell him to?" Pascal demanded. "The same people whoboughtme?"
Headmaster examined her bulging briefcase. "No... Maybe. I don't recall. Like I said, it's been a long time. It's best you boys forget about him. Don't you have enough of your own problems? Like that hideous beast trailing behind you?"
It did not surprise me to hear her speak about me that way. If anything, I expected more insults from her by now.
"Be quiet," Florian said. "Don't ever talk about Devereaux that way!"
"Oh, so this is the infamous Devereaux," Headmaster said coldly. "Spreading your legs for monsters, Florian, hm? Since you love it so much, maybe Ishouldhave sold you to the orc sympathizers. At least Pascal does something useful around the house. You're just a—"
My stone nerves were ablaze with fury. Before Headmaster could utter the disgusting word forming on her lips, I shot towards her. She had been calm up until now, but being face-to-face with a towering gargoyle broke her facade. She grunted and staggered away from me, still clutching her briefcase close.
"Do not say it," I growled. "I have been merciful until now, but if you harm Florian in any way, even with your ugly words, know that I am a living weapon—one that Florian alone wields."
"Get away from me, you freak of nature," she snapped. "Get off my property!"
"Apologize to him, and to Pascal."
