Page 25 of A Curse So Cruel
“Those two are academy favorites,” Kenzie whispers, gesturing with her head to Galen and Raith as Arizak and Kazer settle in behind the men. “Professor Galen can create illusions that seem painfully real, and Professor Raith can transform into a beast, growing in size and gaining fangs and claws.”
“A beast form?” I squeak.
Kenzie nods like it’s no big deal. “And out of all the professors, those two are the only ones who have a sense of humor. They also have a habit of sharing, which makes them popular.”
“Sharing?” I give her a questioning look. “Sharing what?”
Color flushes to her cheeks.
“They share anyone who’s able to hold their attention for long enough,” mohawk guy next to me answers for her, giving me a stupid grin.
“Okay,” I mutter, then as understanding dawns on me I say more slowly, “Ohhh.” I don’t know why I’m surprised. Raith had made comments about sharing me with Galen, but I’d thought he was simply teasing. I peer at the guys, unable to stop the images popping into my head, even as a strange and completely unnecessary jealousy filters through me.No, it’s not jealousy, it’s concern,I tell myself.Yep, that’s it. I mean, it can’t be healthy sleeping with that many people, can it?
“Do they have STIs here?” I blurt, staring seriously at Kenzie. “Or do the rings give us magical sexing abilities or something? What about babies?”
Kenzie coughs like she’s choking.
“I’ve changed my damn mind. I like this new girl.” Mohawk guy laughs under his breath.
I want to ask why he didn’t like me when we’ve only just met, but something tells me no one needs a reason in this place. Instead, I grin, simply glad there might be at least one less person who has it out for me.
“No STIs,” Kenzie says, gaining her composure. She taps her ring. “And no babies, either. I’m not sure if it’s intentional or simply a side effect of the magic.”
Not long after, two more professors enter the dining hall. One is a woman with beady black eyes, and fiery red hair that’s pulled into a tight bun. According to Kenzie, Professor Lankinhas the power to temporarily imbue objects with shadow magic, and she’s a strict teacher, but not unreasonable. Provided I keep my head down and do the work in her shadow basics classes, I shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Her creature sits behind her—a red fox with gleaming fangs and cunning red eyes.
The last professor to enter glides across the room, almost looking like he’s floating on the shadows that slither under his long, olive-green cloak. His straight, black hair drifts down his back, and while the male has a handsome face, there's something in his eyes that makes me uneasy. Icy dread twists through me, though I have no idea why.
The professor’s gaze connects with mine, and I finally listen to Kenzie’s earlier advice and avert my gaze.
“What about him?” I whisper to her.
“That would be Professor Yevar,” she answers. “He teaches Battle tactics and warfare. It’s all theory, so provided you can pay attention in class you’ll be fine. From what I gather, he can amplify a person’s fears and play with their emotions.”
I turn my gaze back to the professor as he sits. His creature is an abnormally large cobra that remains completely silent as it slithers behind him and watches the students around the room. The creature isn’t as large as the shadow beasts of Raith and the others, but I get the feeling it’s just as deadly.
When the professors are all seated, I’m surprised when the students around the room slam their closed fists to their chests.
“Uh, Kenzie…” I ask, belatedly copying what everyone’s doing.
“Follow along,” she whispers back, her fist already at her chest.
Hundreds of voices fill the room as the students begin to chant.
Where the black sky weeps and shadows reign
A darkness stirs, born of pain
They must rise, shadowed blades
Take the oath, decide our fates
Where the land bleeds, and the skies fall
Forests of ash, before the final call
Stand as one, our forgotten, lost warriors
For without you…