Page 75 of Malcroix Bones Academy

I felt my face grow unexpectedly hot, even as I glanced at the tall, ridiculously handsome mage with the dark eyes. “Really? I assumed I just walked back in a daze. You carried me? The whole way?”

Drake opened his mouth to answer, but a different voice echoed mine from behind where I stood.

“YouCARRIEDme?” the voice said in a high, scathing falsetto. “TheWHOLEway? Oh my soaking wetPANTIES,Hollywood… you’re myHEERRROOO…”

Giggles and deeper chortles broke out at several tables.

I turned my head, more in disbelief than anger.

I glared at the platinum blond sitting there, again with Alaric Greythorne wincing by his side, the three hulking mages with mean eyes from the night before, and Elysia Warrington from my summer bridging course. Warrington smirked at me like it was her birthday and her favorite person in the world just gave her a present.

“Rasputin’s saggy ballsack, Shadow,” Bones said in disgust. “Just crawl under the table and suck him off, already.”

I stared, a little thrown by the spark of real anger in his eyes.

My mouth firmed.

“You seem awfully concerned about who other witches are sucking, Bones,” I retorted, refusing to blush every time he made a crass remark. “In fact, you seem awfully concerned about other mages’ sex lives in general. What? Are you feelingunsatisfied?”I gave Warrington a look, and folded my arms before turning my eyes back on him and quirking an eyebrow.

Bones didn’t flinch.

“Deeply,” he said.

My jaw tightened when I saw the meaning behind his stare. In spite of my resolve, my face grew hot, but I refused to drop my gaze.

“Maybe you’re not doing something right?” I retorted. “Or maybe the equipment’s a bit small? A bit bent in the wrong direction?”

“Or maybe my witch needs some lessons from a slutty little cur,” he shot back, his eyes flashing hotter. “You know any, Shadow? Or maybe you’ve got some extra time this afternoon? If you can peel yourself off Hollywood’s nub for five seconds, that is?”

“I’m surprised you wouldn’t simply pay an actualprostituteto train her for you, like one of those dogs you’re so fond of mentioning,” I cut in. “It’s pretty clear you respect women about as much as pixie dung you scraped off your shoe?”

“Are you looking out for my witch for me, Shadow?” He smirked. “You can beg and beg, but I’m not interested in a threesome with a rangy little mongrel, not even one with nice tits and a talented tongue. ‘Fraid you’ll have to ask one of Hollywood’sotherslags for that…”

The silence in our part of the dining hall suddenly felt deafening.

I felt eyes on the two of us, noting it without taking my own eyes off the gold irises in front of me. I considered going all-in on his ridiculous back and forth, then realized, like I had with Draken yesterday, that me trading increasingly crass insults with him was exactly what Bones wanted.

Better to shut him down altogether.

“Cat got your tongue, Shadow?” he sneered.

I blew a curl out of my face, and rolled my eyes.

“No, I was just thinking how deeplyboringyou are,” I said, my eyes drifting towards the ceiling. I exhaled with mock-concern. “I can’timaginewhy you aren’t able to attract anyone genuinely interested in you, Caelum. But thank goodness for daddy’s and mummy’s money, right? Wherewouldyou be without it?”

Louder chortles and laughter broke out in the room, along with scattered applause.

I heard the most delighted laughs from the table directly behind me. When I held Bones’ gaze, I was surprised to see another flash of real anger there.

Before I could analyze that too deeply, I turned and walked the last few steps to the table filled with my friends.

I realized only then that Draken had risen to his feet again, his expression wary as he glared at Bones. He gave me a friendly smile when I got closer, though, and touched my arm as I passed. Miranda grinned up at me when I sat down next to her. I’d deliberately chosen a seat between the two of them, my back firmly to Caelum Bones.

Clearly, as part of our new “deal,” he meant to keep the status, wealth, and blood hierarchy firmly in place, at least in front of everyone else.

Fine. I could do that.

No reason why I couldn’t sharpen my own claws on the Prince Prick’s back, if that’s what he so desperately wanted.