Page 75 of Spark of Sorcery

A dread that is probably warranted because, as I shuffle into the classroom behind Fly, Fox’s head snaps around and he glares at me, his nostrils flaring and his eyes glowing even more vividly than usual.

What the hell?

I feel those glowing eyes on me as I cross the classroom and take my usual seat on the bench in the middle row. He’s still glaring at me once everyone else has taken their seats and the minutes tick by, the other students fidgeting uncomfortably on the benches.

Henrietta Smyte turns around in her seat to determine what exactly the professor is staring at. When she discovers it’s me, she rolls her eyes.

“Professor, are you planning on starting the lesson?”

He frowns and drags his gaze away from me. For amoment, he seems lost in his thoughts, then his shadows swim across to the blackboard and words appear as he begins a monologue about the responsibilities of safe magic.

“What the fuck did you do to upset him this time?” Fly whispers in my ear.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” I whisper back. But unease is flooding through my veins.

This isn’t good – I’m absolutely sure this isn’t good.

A feeling that is only magnified when Professor Tudor’s gaze flicks between me and the blackboard non-stop. He doesn’t even pretend to make the lesson interactive or interesting. The monologue drones on and we’re forced to copy down notes from the board. I’m already struggling to stay awake after my interrupted night and this lesson is not helping. The classroom may be cold but it’s also dark and Professor Fox has a deep, rumble of a voice that lulls me towards sleep. Twice I jerk awake; thankfully only Fly notices, giving me a look that suggests he does not believe I spent my night alone.

However, the third time, Fox spots me.

“I’m sorry, Miss Storm, am I keeping you awake?”

Everyone in the classroom turns around to stare at me.

“Falling asleep in lessons, Professor Tudor,” Henrietta chimes with obvious glee. “That definitely warrants punishment.”

Her eyes positively gleam and I half expect her to offer to be the one to mete out said punishment.

“For once, Miss Smyte, we are in agreement. Stay behind after class Miss Storm.”

“Seriously?” I can’t help blurting out. I’m beginning to take this personally. Half the other students appear to be snoozing around me, but I’m the one having to stay behind. Professor Tudor has it in for me and I have no idea why.

“This is starting to become a habit,” Fly mumbles under his breath.

I glare at Fox who simply glares right back.

When the bell clangs to signal the end of lessons, I’m more than annoyed. I’m furious.

He’s the only teacher in the academy from a commoner background, who comes from Slate Quarter. You’d think he’d give us kids a break. He knows where we come from. What it’s like. Instead, he wants to pick on me.

I stride to the front of the classroom, stopping a few paces from him, folding my arms across my chest and scowling at him. He’s leaning against his desk, but even then, he’s much taller than me and broader and stronger. I should be intimidated. For once, I’m not.

His arms are folded over his chest, and he’s scowling right back, his cool magic sparking with annoyance in the air.

I wait until all the other students have filed out of the room, Henrietta clearly taking her time as if she’d like to hang about and watch my berating. However, eventually, with a glare from the professor, she leaves too.

I open my mouth to give the professor a piece of my mind, but he beats me to it.

“Why the hell do you smell like a lizard?” he grunts.

That … that was not what I was expecting him to say.

And do I? Do I smell like a lizard? I hadn’t noticed.

I lower my chin and give myself a subtle sniff. All I can smell is milk.

“I do not,” I say.