Page 62 of Fractured Fates

I’m waiting.

Agonizingly slowly she types out a response with one finger.

And? Can’t we talk at school tomorrow?

My phone nearly cracks as I squeeze it tight and hammer out my response.

When your fucking head of house asks to speak to you, you don’t say no.

The little piggy actually has the nerve to roll her eyes, like I just requested she trek across the Salbian desert to come see me. Then she messages me again.

Fine, I’m coming, your highness.

She rises to her feet, pushes back her chair and wobbles her way to the exit.

I give it three minutes then follow her out. I’m not having her hanging around on the street alone dressed like she is.

I crash through the door and march out into the steamy night air, the door slamming shut behind me. She’s waiting six feet away, her arms wrapped around her middle like she’s trying to shield herself from my gaze.

“You look like a fucking hooker,” I tell her.

“You pushed me over.”

I ignore the accusation. “Where did you come from, pig girl?”

“What?” she says, full of incredulity. “That’s what you want to talk about?”

Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. Maybe I just wanted to talk to her, that hook yanking in my belly.

Is she feeling it too? There’s no sign of it. No hint in her eyes, in her demeanor. In fact, all her eyes and her demeanor tell me is that she’s mighty pissed off.

“Yes. Where are you from?”

She mumbles some place I’ve never heard of.

“Where is that?”

“Two days’ drive south from here.”

I shake my head. “No, pig girl, where did you transfer from? I’m not interested in whatever swamp they dragged you out of.”

“You know this is none of your business.”

She spins unsuccessfully on her heels, and I grab her arm before she tumbles again. Her skin is soft under my palm and warm.

She attempts to shake off my hold but I won’t let her go.

“There’s something up with you. I know it. You come from one of those batshit schools in the North of Aropia.”

“No.”

“Then where?” I grip her harder.

“Ow, you’re hurting me,” she says, and then to my utmost surprise, she sends a jolt of her magic straight into my hand.

I yelp and let go, the shock stinging through every finger.

“Did you just electrocute me? You know you can get kicked out of school for that,” I thunder.