Page 46 of Taste of Thorns (The Firestone Academy #3)

Chapter Forty-Two

F ox

I raise my fist to the door and hesitate.

Am I doing the right thing? Do I even know what that is anymore?

I grimace, the scent of her infiltrating my senses.

What choice do I have?

I slam my knuckles against the wood three times and wait for my answer. It comes almost immediately.

“Who is it?” she calls from within.

“Fox,” I grunt, drawing myself up to my full height and rolling my shoulders back as if to prepare for battle.

“Come in.”

The door clicks and slides open and a waft of her sickly cigarette smoke twists around the door towards me.

I consider turning around and walking right in the other direction, but it’s too late, I’m committed now.

I made a promise. So, ducking my head down, I step inside her office, trying not to see the ghosts of my previous visits floating around regardless. The door slams shut behind me.

“Fox,” she says, perched against her desk, arms crossed over her chest, left hand clutching her right elbow, cigarette pinched between her fingers and hovering close to her scarlet-painted lips.

She’s wearing one of her slinky black dresses, but she’s kicked off her shoes and she stands barefoot.

“You know it’s always a pleasure to see you.

Although I am somewhat surprised you have found the time.

Aren’t you too busy creeping around with that little girl of yours? ”

I don’t answer her. There is no point. She is trying to antagonize me and I will not take the bait.

She squeezes the cigarettes between her lips, eyes fixated on me, and sucks on it hard, then releases a long slow cloud of gray smoke that curls from her mouth.

“As lovely as your company is, and as pretty as you are to look at, Fox darling, if you have nothing to say, then perhaps we ought to leave this for another time. The next trial is fast approaching and I have plenty of preparations to see to.”

I’m itching to ask her what those are. I’ve been tasked by the others to find out as much information about the next trial as I can. Veronica would tell me if I asked, but it would come at a cost. It always does with her.

“No,” I say simply. “This can’t wait.”

Her eyes brighten. Does she actually think I’d choose to see her? That I’ve come to rekindle old flames? By the way she pushes off the desk and saunters towards me, I think she must do. She stops right before me, blowing more smoke directly into my face.

“Then to what, Fox darling, do I owe this visit?”

“I have orders to report any students with unusual abilities to you.”

She flinches. Then spins on her toes, marches back to her desk and stubs out the cigarette into a crystal ashtray.

“You do. It’s a condition of your continued employment. And yet, so far, you’ve uncovered no such students and brought me no such reports.”

“I’ve had nothing to report.”

She pauses with her back to me. There’s a tension in her spine.

“But now you do?”

“Yes.”

She turns around slowly, her eyes glowing with that excitement I remember from the first few times we were together, the first time she sunk her fangs into my neck.

I swallow. I can’t think of that now. I need to hold myself together.

“Who?” she practically growls.

“I think you can guess,” I say as neutrally as I can.

“The girl?” A smile creeps across her face.

I couldn’t have given her a better gift.

“Your little girl? I knew it. I knew you would have a nose for this, Fox. I knew there must be a reason for your silly obsession. And now it all makes sense. The girl possesses the power.” Her smile twists, and I read on her lips, “Just like her sister.”

“What will you do?” I ask, curious to know if she’ll spin me a lie or if she still trusts me enough to tell me the truth.

“I will follow protocol,” she says. “I will inform the Empress’ privy council.”

“And?”

“And then, if you’re right, and she does indeed have powers, she’ll be sent to Onyx Quarter.” Her lips twist cruelly. “She was only ever going to be here for a year, Fox.”

I ignore the obvious jibe. Whether sent to Onyx or Slate, Briony was always going to leave the academy when the year was up and her destiny was decided. I am acutely aware of her departure. All too aware.

“Have there been others, Veronica?” I ask her.

“I think I remember you asking me that once before, darling. There has always been the odd commoner who shows potential. Sometimes it turns out to be just that – potential and nothing ever comes of it. Sometimes it turns out they are not so common after all. I assume you have looked into the girl’s parents. ” I nod. “And?”

“Nothing.”

“Then maybe she is one of those true rare flowers. Congratulations, I knew you would find one eventually.” She glides her tongue down her fangs, an action that used to drive me half crazed.

“Did you tell her you were fated mates?” I bristle and she laughs.

“Of course you did.” She turns and pulls another cigarette from her case, knocking its head against the top of her desk and then lighting it with a flick of her fingers.

“And have you tried her blood? Is that how you know? They taste different don’t they, the ones with powers? ”

I consider my answer carefully. “I just know.”

She stares at me, her eyes glistening with excitement.

“This calls for a celebration.” She takes a drag of her cigarette, then strolls to a cabinet, and pulls out a bottle of fortified wine and two crystal glasses.

She splashes the rosy pink liquid into one glass and paces the distance between us, placing it into my hand, stroking her fingers down my arm as I take it. Then she returns to fill her own glass, lifting it above her head.

“To the first of your finds, Professor Tudor. May it be one of many.”

I don’t lift my glass, but I take a sip of the liquid anyway.

“You were always destined for great things, my darling.”

I stare into my glass. If these were the great things I was promised, I’d like a refund on that deal. I tip the liquid down my throat and it burns all the way down to my gut.

“You can remove the boy from Slate …” She smiles indulgently.

“But not Slate from the boy,” I finish.

How many times have I wished I’d been left there? That I’d never left at all.

I push the thought aside. No time for whimsical nostalgia.

“The next trial?” I say, hoping as I’ve given her this gift, she’ll reward me in return.

“You know I’m forbidden from revealing any details, Fox. Can’t be accused of favoritism now, can I?”

“But you’re just dying to tell me, Veronica,” I say, pacing towards her, an action that has her shivering, especially when I tower above her.

I lean against the cabinet, caging her with my arms. “You want to tell me how clever you’ve been.

You want me to admire the genius of whatever test you’ve devised this time. ”

“Is that what you like about me? My mind,” she purrs. “Or is it the way I make you feel? I bet she doesn’t come close. But you’ve done your duty now, darling. No need to suffer any longer.”

I lean closer, breathing cold air against her ear. “Tell me, Veronica, what you have planned for the next trial?” She doesn’t answer and I nip my fangs against her earlobe. She moans.

“It’s going to be glorious, Fox. It’s going to test your little girl right to her limits.”