Professor Nelson continued his lecture like nothing was happening, but others stole glances at us.
“What sins do you need to atone for, Blair?” he whispered in my ear. “I’ll tell you if those sins are worse than mine.” He brushed his lips along my neck before reaching up and untying the ribbon from my hair. “Let’s trade. Sin for sin.”
I squeezed my eyes shut to trap the memories that always came up like monsters in the night.
He slid the ribbon free from my hair, lifted it, and then looped it around my neck.
“Maybe, little Fawn, we can commit them together.” He tied the ribbon around my neck. “Trust me, in the end, you’ll enjoy the pleasure.”
“I don’t want any pleasure from you,” I said with a tremble.
The ribbon shifted against my pulse when I swallowed.
“Does that mean you prefer pain?” he asked as class ended. “Even better.”
I clawed at the ribbon around my throat. It wasn’t tight enough to cut off air, but it still restricted my breathing.
People stared as they shoved their laptops and books into their bags and left the classroom. Professor Nelson simply gathered his belongings and walked out without a word.
When the room had fully cleared, the guy beside us stood and shoved his desk back. As he passed us, he flickedsomething toward me.
I winced as the heat from the lit matchstick singed my skin.
Enzo finally released his hold on me.
My body swayed with the sudden freedom as he untied the ribbon from around my neck and shoved it inside his pocket.
He grabbed my notebook from the desk and stood. His tongue traced along his lower lip before a sly smile crept across his face. “Until next time, Blair.”
Ten
Enzo
“You wanted to see me?”I asked, walking straight into Headmaster Arisono’s office without bothering to knock.
The room smelled faintly like old coins, layered with whatever cheap perfume she was wearing. It was a scent you’d expect from a hooker.
From her polished wood desk, Arisono glanced away from her computer and nudged the ergonomic mouse away from her. Releasing a breath, she gestured for me to shut the door and sit in one of the black leather chairs.
I stepped back and slammed the door hard enough that the framed degrees on the wall shook.
The only reason I’dfollowedthat instruction was because I never risked witnesses.
What I didn’t do was sit.
Instead, I crossed the room and kicked the chair she’d indicated out of my way. It skidded across the floor as I stopped in front of her desk.
She stared up at me, cautious but steady as I towered over her.
I was impressed at how she kept her composure.
Arisono had plenty of practice in dealing with men in powerful positions. Her history at Saint Vale went back to theFirst Benefactors. She was also a former Fawn. She’d survived hell and remained resilient. I supposed she deserved a little credit for that.
But it didn’t mean I liked her.
The truth was, I wasn’t fond of anyone in authority. Except my father.
She folded her arms on the desk and cleared her throat. “Blair Dupont.”
