When the class ends, I gather my notes and slide from my seat. Holding the professor’s textbook under my arm, I turn to Kenzie. “I’ll meet you outside?”
She eyes the book I’m holding and nods.
“Miss Shade,” Professor Yevar says a moment later when I bound down the stairs.
His cobra lifts its head for the first time since the class started, and its red eyes fixate on me. I shiver.
“You know, your animali doesn’t look big enough to carry you,” I muse, staring curiously at the creature. Black bat wings protrude from its body, but the snake doesn’t look nearly large enough to carry a person.
“Are you here to discuss your perceived inadequacies of my companion?” Professor Yevar says, his keen eyes boring into me. His power washes over me, mingling with the air, and the hairs stand up on the backs of my arms. His power isn’t the same as my guys. It slides over my skin like oil, and I have to stop myself from taking a step back. His greasy hair is slicked back against his scalp, and his smile is a dangerous slash across his face.
I clear my throat, pulling out the book from under my arm. “No, professor. Sorry. I just wanted to give this back.”
He nods once, not bothering to look at the tome. His cobra moves from the lectern, sliding down to the floor then slithering over and winding up Professor Yevar’s body, curling loosely around his neck and draping across his shoulders.
“How did you find it?” he asks, his black eyes fixed on me. “I trust you took the time to read each chapter. I would hate for you to be disadvantaged during the graduation games.”
I’m pretty sure all of the newer students will be disadvantaged no matter how much we try to catch up, but I fake a smile. “It was great, thanks. I read every page,” I lie.
“In that case, if you please.” He holds out his hand with his palm up, his slender fingers stretched toward me. The man is attractive. Not quite as pretty as Galen, but he has a harsh beauty to him. He looks like the type of man who would make a perfect villain in an enemies-to-lovers romance, but that’s not the story I’m living.
“Of course,” I mumble quickly. As I go to place the book on his hand, his fingertips brush against mine, and a chilling sensation goes through me. I suck in a sharp breath as the skin on my hand starts to tingle. I quickly yank my arm back, butProfessor Yevar’s questioning gaze goes to my face. A burning ignites on my back, and it takes me a moment to realize it’s coming from the place where my tattoo is.
“Is something wrong?” Professor Yevar asks. He’s looking at me strangely like he’s scrutinizing my expression, and his cobra lifts its head, hissing as it watches me.
“I—” I splutter, trying to control my emotions. Desire races through me, but it’s twisted. Broken.
He can’t be my mate as well, can he?Whatever I felt, it didn’t feel the same as when I first met Galen and the others, but it was…something.
I blink rapidly as I struggle to breathe. It doesn’t feel right. Everything about Professor Yevar tells me this is wrong, and yet, I can’t deny that my body is responding to him. But why? Why would it do that?
The professor’s eyes brighten as he stares at me, intrigue entering his gaze, and the look makes my skin itch.
“Are you sure something isn’t wrong?” he repeats, looking at me way too curiously for my liking.
What if I have five mates, not four?I ask myself.I don’t want it to be true.Please don’t let it be true. Knox is already a pain in the ass. The last thing I need is another asshole to add to my harem.
“Nope! Everything is great,” I blurt, taking a step back.
“Hmm…” he muses, his dark eyes keen with interest. He taps his black nails on the hardback I returned to him. “You know, the games are practically upon us. If you need extra tutoring, I would be happy to set aside some time for you tonight after dinner.”
Tutoring? From Professor Yevar?I struggle to contain my horrified expression. “It’s a generous offer, professor,” I say quickly. “But I couldn’t possibly waste your time like that.”
“Nonsense,” he replies smoothly. “Unlike Professor Knox and some of the other professors, I don’t enjoy watching students die needlessly. I would be happy to help.”
“Knox?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes, the rest of the originals do enjoy the sport of the graduation games. I am positive they will ensure it’s a bloodbath. But you needn’t be amongst the fallen. I see potential in you.”
Potential? Ha!Now, I know the professor is lying, but I’m not sure why.
“Thanks, but I couldn’t,” I mumble.
“Well, if you change your mind?—”
“I won’t,” I blurt, then I quickly amend. “Thank you.” Hastily, I turn, hurrying from the room and not looking back, even though I can still feel the professor’s gaze lingering on me.
“Be careful of that one,”Tarlaz rasps as I near the door.
