Page 12

The class let out a collective gasp. I bet no one had ever dared to curse at the vampire prince right in front of his face.

“Will I?” he sighed. “Now you even deny my ownership. If you don’t belong to my house, then which house do you belong to?”

“A good house!” I said.

The vampire chortled. The professor and her class all snickered on cue. Then I realized the first rule in Mist of Cinder. These people couldn’t care less about being good.

“A powerful house,” I amended.

The vampire prince arched an eyebrow and taunted. “Which powerful house, little Bob?”

“Fuck you,” I said.

The class growled on behalf of the vampire prince.

“If I were you, I’d be very careful what comes out of your mouth next, little Bob,” purred the vampire viciously.

He still held me in the air by the throat as if I were a goose. If he wanted to punish me, he could break my neck in front of everyone.

Fear bubbled up my throat, but I managed to put on a bored expression. It was futile to struggle, so I didn’t bother; it’d only excite a predator like him.

“Allow me to show your insolent servant boy the consequences of slighting an heir, Prince Louis,” America offered, flashing him a syrupy smile before narrowing her blue eyes on me like I was less than dirt.

He gave her an appreciative glance. The Fae chick was a classic beauty with a creamy heart-shaped face and perfect full lips. Her reddish hair cascaded down her elegant shoulders in flowing waves. She could be one of those chicks who combed her hair a thousand times a day.

“I’d be honored to teach Little Bob a lesson with magic.” The girls now fought over the task of punishing me.

Suckers must’ve thought my name was Little Bob.

Louis clicked his tongue in delight. “It appears that no one likes you, little Bob. However, I’m going to give you the chance to decide which house you’ll join. Choose wisely, or I’ll let those pups dole out harsh punishments on you. I’d hate to dirty my hands, as I’ve got a date tonight.”

“What date? With whom?” I asked, waving a hand at the class. “These little sluts are all giving you moon eyes. They want to get fucked by you, especially that redhead.”

My honest statement elicited hisses and snarls from almost everyone, and their teacher looked aghast, but Louis laughed, which sounded sensual, amused, and nasty all at once.

He turned to the angry class and snapped his fingers. “All right, newbies, have your fun and let our little Bob have a taste of magic. But remember not to damage him too badly, as I still have use for him.”

He’d gone through this much trouble to chase and discipline a low servant like me. My blood must taste too good, or he’d have offed me already with his bare hands, even though he claimed that he wouldn’t dirty his hands.

“My pleasure.” America rose to her noble feet, purring for the vampire prince and hissing at me.

The entire class stood up, their hands out, aiming at me. Their teacher smiled and nodded in approval.

“Bring it on, little shits,” I said.

“You’re dead, servant boy!”

A fireball formed between America’s palms, and I squinted at her. “Is that a firebug?”

She tossed the fireball at me with a smirk, aiming to make me bald while showing off her skill.

I could easily eat her fire then toss it back at her, tit for tat, but I restrained myself from being too aggressive and thus exposing myself, so I remained still. Only my eyelids fluttered a couple of times to acknowledge her offensive magic.

The fireball sank into my golden curls, probably tainting them red before vanishing. A few hot sparks fell on Louis’s head and singed a strand of his blond hair.

“What the fuck? Watch it!” he snapped, his free hand swatting ash from his head.

“I’m so, so sorry, Your Highness.” America widened her eyes and called out her apologies. “Let me try again.”