Stretching my arms over my head, I blew out a long breath. “So you and the professor, huh?”
“We were just training.” Jack stared at the wall behind me. “It’s not like that.”
“But you were once, right?” I braced my hands on the lower wall, not sure where to look.
Jack stayed quiet long enough for me turn to look at her. That's when I noticed it. She wasn’t just watching the students walk by like a casual observer. She was studying them. Accessing them for potential threats. Just like the professor did. Just like a hunter did.
“How long have you been a hunter?”
My question made her eyes snap to me. “I don't know what you’re talking about.”
I shook my head and huffed a laugh. “Still hiding secrets, princess?”
Jack’s face pinched in a wince, then she glanced around and grabbed my hand.
“Come with me.” She gave my arm a tug.
I laughed at myself for how easily I went with her. I didn’t even hesitate or question, I just complied with her wishes. Where she led, I’d follow, even if it was into the depths of hell itself.
We moved through the hallway until Jack stopped at an open classroom. She stepped inside and glanced around before ushering me inside. Shutting the door behind us, she moved over to the desk at the front of the classroom and leaned against the edge of it.
“I don’t want to lie to you, Tate,” Jack began, her hands gripping the edge of the desk.
I sat in the student’s desk in front of her, peering up at her from below. “Good. Then don’t.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she stared down at her shoes.
“I didn't come here just to go to school,” she said. “To be honest, I didn't even want to come. My parents kind of tricked me into it.”
“Why not?” I cocked my head to the side, watching her expression change with her words.
“Because I wanted to be a hunter. And they wanted me to just enjoy being human.” She let out a hard laugh, eyes meeting mine. “Like I could pretend to be human with supernatural parents?”
I nodded, letting her continue.
“So I guess you could say they bribed me into coming. Even if it was a supernatural school, it was still a college experience, which they thought was a good compromise.”
“And you didn’t.”
She smirked. “Of course not. It felt like they were still trying to control my future. They wanted me to have a normal human life, and I wanted to be...” She trailed off and then said softly, “Strong.”
“So what made you finally agree?”
Jack shrugged. “There were rumors about some disgruntled supernaturals gathering at the school, and the guild wanted someone to check it out. Hence...” She waved a hand at herself. “My presence here.”
I studied her for a moment. “And the professor?”
“Julian.” Her gaze locked with mine. “He’s my handler. Partner. Whatever you want to call it. He’s here to help me in whatever way he can.”
“Seemed more like he was helping himself,” I snorted.
Jack winced.
“There’s more, isn't there?” I swallowed, almost wishing I'd never asked. “Is he your boyfriend? Have you been seeing him while you’ve been with us?”
“No!” Jack pushed off the desk and knelt before me, grabbing my hands. “Tate, no. Julian and I... are complicated. We had something a while ago, but it’s over now.” She then muttered half to herself. “He made sure of that.”
I watched her expression closely. She wasn’t lying, but it was clear she still had feelings for the professor, and it was obvious he wanted her.
