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Her clothing is just as vibrant as it was the first day she appeared in front of the crowd of students gathering to attend the academy. Something tells me she’s never had to hide away or shield herself from the spotlight. No. She’s a confident vampire who destroys any obstacle standing in her way with some side eye and a pout.

Her color of choice today is yellow. A happy color, filled with joy and hope, yet she somehow manages to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Maybe it’s the sinister red lips she’s paired it with, or the raised eyebrow that begs anyone to question any of her actions.

This is going to be fun. Said no one ever.

She steeples her fingers as I take my time entering the room, her eyes raking over me from head to toe before repeating the motion. She’s weighing me up more than anyone else I’ve ever come across in my life, and I have to give it to her: it’s unnerving. But once again, my father trained me well, for this kind of assessment and so much more.

“Bozzelli, you called for Addi. I’ll step out and give you a few moments,” Fairbourne states, and I can’t stop myself from turning to gape at him. That fucker is just going to hang me out to dry, and I don’t even know what for. I could have sworn it felt like he would have my back a few days ago, but now, at the first hurdle, he’s ready to sidestep so he doesn’t get caught in the crossfire. No wonder the walk over here was so damn quiet.

“You should stay, Professor Fairbourne,” Dean Bozzelli insists, a hint of disdain in her eyes when I turn back to see her giving him the same once-over I was privileged to experience moments earlier.

The door clicks shut behind him, deepening the dwindling energy that fills the room.

“Take a seat, Miss Reed,” Dean Bozzelli orders, waving her hand at the seat on the other side of the desk.

I’d sat in that same seat last week, being showered with words of confidence from Fairbourne, but I know when I drop into it this time, it will be to receive the complete opposite.

“You’re causing quite a stir,” she states, and I frown.

“I’m not sure I know what you’re referring to.”

I mean, I do, but I’d rather she be more specific. There are a lot of things she could be pulling me in here for; which one of them is the real question, and I deserve to know what I’m defending myself against.

She laces her fingers together with a glare, silently calling me on my bullshit before she finally offers anything in the way of explanation. “I have the vampire head of council demanding you be escorted off campus immediately.”

“Why would they even know I exist?” I blurt before I can think better of it. But realization washes over me as she explains.

“I believe you’ve caused issues for their daughter. Vallie.”

Fucking Vallie. Nothing irritates me more than her damn existence right now, and that’s saying something since there’s a running challenge for the top spot on my shit list.

Rolling my eyes, I take a deep breath, but processing the fact that this is actually happening leaves me speechless. She stares me down for what feels like an eternity, making it clear that she wants my thoughts on the situation before she proceeds.

I clear my throat, finally finding the ability to speak again. “Why does another student’s opinion of me in this competition warrant expulsion? I thought we were here to learn how to work together and show who’s the best candidate for the heir.” I ask, and Dean Bozzelli’s gaze narrows.

“Did I say it did?”

I shrug, clearly having hit a nerve. “You’re insinuating it.”

Adjusting herself in her seat so her spine is straighter, she peers at me with distaste. “I make the rules at this academy. The new heir will be announced by myself, not The Council,” she bites, but it’s a complete contradiction to why we’re even here to begin with. Clever. We all know the decision doesn’t rest solely on her shoulders, but the way she says it would make you think so. She’s full of the power moves it seems, even if they are an illusion.

Her ego just grew before my very eyes with the power she believes she wields. Combined with the defensive undertone of her words, though, it’s clear she’s easy to falter. I could sit here and point out all of her flaws, but instead, I decide getting out of here is the best option.

“Great, are we done then?”

She shakes her head with a smile that looks more like a grimace. “I’ve also had the Kenner pack calling to pull you from the academy too.”

I stiffen at the mention of Cassian’s pack, or old pack, whatever the semantics are. Of course they had to wade in with their opinions, too. Assholes.

“How have I upset them?” I ask, intrigued to understand what they said.

“By claiming his son.”

Ah, so it was Kenner himself. Great. Not Leticia causing more issues because I won, but their alpha. That’s not what I need right now, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

Dean Bozzelli gives me that same look, waiting for information, and since she seems intent on keeping me here longer than necessary with this shit, I give it to her.

“I did no such thing. I defended myself, albeit on their land, but I didn’t technically agree to the duel. If someone comes to attack me, I have a right to defend myself. If that weren’t the case, I wouldn’t even be at the academy as a student.”