Unlike every other luxurious palace I’d been to, this place was built on ideas as much as it was wealth. In a place like this, you could make your own name, secure your own future.
I hope these kids know just how lucky they are…
But as we rounded the corner of the building, my heart leapt, freezing all my thoughts. A girl about my age in a big band tee and a leather skirt was standing right outside of the door. Not just standing, but smiling, staring right at us.
I tensed, pulling on Leo’s hand to turn. But that just made the girl laugh. “It’s okay. I’m a friend.”
She turned her back to us, pulling aside her brown and purple curls to reveal a sword and scales tattoo at the nape of her neck: a close sister to the sword and wings that my lovers wore.
“Kiera, this is Teresa Mendez: hacker extraordinaire from Atwood’s most exclusive sorority.”
“Leo thinks too highly of me.” She winked, “Really, I just play a lot of video games.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Leo laughed. “She’s most dangerous when underestimated.”
“Nice to meet you, Teresa.” I held out a hand, admiring her manicure as she shook it.
“You too, Kiera.” She smiled, “I’m guessing you’re the reason Spencer’s stopped coming to all our parties?”
My face flushed red as jealousy and embarrassment clashed in my chest. “Oh, I don’t, uh?—”
“Relax, it’s a good thing,” Teresa laughed. “Spencer never took a break before you came around. It’s been nice to see her attention so focused for once. I’m not sure that’s ever happened before.”
Teresa laughed, color deepening at her cheeks. “All I meant to say is that I knew it would take someone special to tie Spencer down. And meeting you, it makes complete sense. You’re a total catch.”
“Thank you,” I chuckled, relieved to have the tension mellowed, if only a smidge. “I love your hair, by the way.”
“Thanks,” she smiled, twirling a loose strand before flicking her gaze back to Leo. “Okay, but you’re not here to chat with me. Let’s get you inside and settled, yeah?”
Pulling a student ID from her purse, Teresa swiped us into the building and led us up the stairs to the third floor. “The building should be pretty empty this morning, but just in case, I’ll keep an eye on the security cameras in the halls. Keep your ringers on in case I text with any issues.”
She flung the stairwell door open before striding over to an empty classroom and swiping that open too. “Be careful, and when you’re ready to leave, head out the back staircase. If you run into any issues, just shoot me a text, yeah?”
“Thank you, T. You’re a life-saver,” Leo nodded.
“Anytime. Have fun you two,” she wiggled her brows before disappearing down the stairwell, leaving Leo and I alone in the hallway.
“After you,” Leo held the door open, gesturing for me to walk inside.
And as I did, I was truly confused at what Leo had planned for us.
The room was huge, with natural light pouring in through the tall, studio windows. But aside from a few easels spread out across the room and a platform at the center, it was completely empty.
Closing the door behind us, Leo rested her hands on my shoulders excitedly. “Welcome to your first drawing class.”
30
KIERA
“A class?”my head swiveled, counting up the easels and wondering how long I had to run before someone saw me.
“Well, not exactly a class.” Leo rubbed the back of her neck, “But as close as we can get to one in the present circumstances.”
My shoulders dropped as I wheeled to face her, gaze sharpened by irritation. “You need to choose your words more carefully. I almost had a heart attack.”
“Sorry, Princess. Just excited. Want me to hang your hoodie?”
Tugging the rumpled gray sack over my head along with the Lucky Strike cap, I handed it over to her with a deep breath. “Alright, what do you have planned for us, Major? Or should I say Professor?”
