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“No.” It didn’t matter. “I’m going to take Miles.”

Damen frowned as his eyes moved off my face, and I could tell that he was on the verge of some inane argument. I found myself holding my breath, waiting for it.

“But,” he began, leaning closer to me. I could smell his cologne, and a shiver shot down my spine as he spoke directly into my ear. “If you go out with me, I’ll be sure to make it worth your while.”

My heart fluttered in excitement despite myself, even though my logical side warned me not to fall for it.

After all, every attempt thus far had ended in disaster. Sure, we were one-for-one, but considering his record, I didn’t hold out much hope.

Besides, he still wasn’t evenasking.

“Can you feel this thing between us?” Damen said, running his finger down my arm until he reached the tip of my finger. He grabbed my hand, placing it over his chest as he continued, “I already told you that you had me. Let me show you what that means.”

Well, Iwould—let him, that was—if he would stop being so moody.

“Mr. Damen, I’ve asked you to stop bringing your conquests here.” Dr. Stephens’s stern voice drifted toward us. The elder opened his door as he frowned at the onmyoji disapprovingly.

“Why can’t you…” His words trailed off as he spotted me, and his eyebrow raised curiously. “Oh, it’syou. Sorry then, for interrupting. I must have misunderstood the conversation. After all, there’s no way Mr. Damen would be propositioning my great-niece in front of my office. He isn’tthatreckless.”

Conquests?

I glared at the younger man, but he didn’t seem to notice. He was gaping at Dr. Stephens.

I should haveknown. Upon our first meeting, Dr. Stephensdidassume that I was looking for Damen. How could I have forgotten?

How many women did he ravage against this very wall?

Dr. Stephens was right, this was not the time nor place. We were in an institute of learning. And to know that Damen had been desecrating it…

“Bianca!” Damen reached for me, but he was too slow as I slipped out from under his arm and moved toward the older fae. “Baby, don’t listen to him,” Damen protested, flustered. “He’s only trying to mess with me!”

He wouldn’t resort to such tactics! Dr. Stephens was only ever proper and very stern. I didn’t think he had a mischievous bone in his body.

The man in question shifted his weight to the side, studying Damen with a critical expression. “I’m very disappointed you’d think that of me,” he said finally, sounding quite-so. “And after everything I’ve done for you.”

“Well.” Damen’s composure was slowly returning. “That’s not to say… I do appreciate that, but—”

“Good.” Dr. Stephens pet Damen’s shoulder. “So, now that we’ve cleared that up, you can go to the teacher’s lounge and pick up some scantrons.”

Damen pouted, looking between us before settling on Dr. Stephens. “We don’t even have class until tomorrow afternoon! Why do you need them now?”

“Goodbye!”

It happened so fast that I didn’t even realize what was going on untilafterDr. Stephens ushered me into the room and shut Damen out. “That boy needs a good, long walk,” Dr Stephens muttered, glaring behind him. “And maybe a few good hits to the head.”

Now I knew I was hallucinating.

“But…” I stared at the closed door. “What just happened?”

“Just another Abernathy learning to livehere, amongst us normal folks. You’ll get used to it,” Dr. Stephens said, and I, belatedly, realized I’d spoken out loud. “Don’t worry, learning a little bit of humility will be good for him,” he continued, walking around his desk and dropping heavily into his seat. “And it’ll keep Declan off my case.”

Dr. Stephens had begun to glare angrily at his desk, and my skin began to prickle.

Why was he mad?

“Dr. Stephens…” I began, waiting for him to look at me. “Are you okay?”

I didn’t expect him to answer—it’d be strange that he would confide in me at all—but I was surprised when he sighed, gesturing toward the only empty seat in the room.