24. Violet

24

VIOLET

The adrenaline from my confrontation with Briar is still coursing through my veins as I sit down at the table with Thorne and Caine, while Flint goes to get me some blood. My hands are trembling, and I can feel my fangs pressing against my lower lip. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but the rush of standing up to her, of finally fighting back, is exhilarating.

The hunger that's been simmering beneath the surface since I woke up is now roaring to life, amplified by the stress of the situation. It's a gnawing, desperate feeling.

"That was quite a show," Caine remarks, a hint of admiration in his voice. "I didn't know you had it in you, snowdrop." His green eyes sparkle with pride, and I feel a flutter in my chest at his use of the pet name .

I give him a shaky smile. "Honestly? That was nothing. Before… all of this, I wasn't someone to back down."

Thorne squeezes my hand gently with a fierce pride in his gaze that makes me sit up a little straighter. "You did good, princess. Briar will think twice."

"Hopefully, and everyone else as well. What that guy said… I don't want to give them ammo."

Caine leans in close to whisper in my ear, "Are you saying you aren't going to feed from me again?"

I turn my head so that our lips are millimetres apart. "I didn't say that."

He grins and sits back, twirling his cane in a wide arc, probably to keep people at bay.

Flint returns with a large cup of blood, setting it down in front of me. The scent hits me immediately, rich and metallic, and I have to resist the urge to snatch it up and gulp it down. Instead, I take it with a steadier hand now and sip it slowly, feeling the warmth spread through me. The taste is different from their blood—less vibrant, but still satisfying. As it hits my system, I feel my nerves start to settle.

The guys chat and get up in turns to get some food, and I just sit there, sipping my blood and feeling about as good as it's going to get for a while. As I finish my blood, feeling more myself with each sip, Professor Blackthorne approaches our table. His presence is commanding, drawing the eyes of nearby students. "Miss Violet," he says, his voice kind but firm. "A word, if you please."

I nod, standing up to follow him. The guys make to stand as well, their protective instincts kicking in, but Blackthorne holds up a hand. "Just Miss Violet, gentlemen. This won't take long."

I follow him out of the dining hall and towards his office, dread welling up inside me. I see Briar standing off to the side, that wicked smirk of hers back in place and the fear that she is going to get me kicked out of MistHallow suddenly rears up, and I choke it back.

When we reach his office, he ushers me inside and closes the door. Rounding the desk, he sits down, but I remain standing this time. The atmosphere has definitely shifted on its axis.

He clears his throat. "It has come to my attention that you and Miss Frostwick had an altercation in the dining hall earlier. We do not tolerate physical threats at MistHallow."

I frown. "Physical threats? I didn't threaten her, and to be honest, she came after me first with her snide remarks."

"You'll find out just how much of a newbie vampire I really am, I believe you said."

"What?" I shake my head. "That wasn't a threat, it was…" I let out an exasperated breath. It was a threat, but it's not like I was going to follow through with it, for fuck's sake.

His expression softens slightly. "I get it, Miss Violet. I do, but you have to understand that any manner of threats has to be treated accordingly, even in this case."

I want desperately to tell him that Thorne and Caine did way worse than me, but clearly, they weren't told on like me.

Part of me wants to play the sympathy card, but that makes me no better than Briar, so I lift my chin and swallow. "I understand." But before he can say anything, I blurt out, "Please don't expel me. I'll do better, I swear. I lost my temper after she has been having a go at me since I got here and I just… It won't happen again, Professor, please, just don't throw me out."

He blinks, taken aback by my outburst, and he smiles. "Miss Violet. I have no intention of expelling you. That would be a cruel and unusual punishment for someone in your position. However, we must maintain order and respect among all students."

"It won't happen again," I agree quickly.

"See that it doesn't," he says firmly, but there's a hint of kindness in his eyes. "Dismissed."

Frowning, I take a step back. No punishment?

As I reach the door, he adds, "Be sure to apologise to Miss Frostwick as soon as possible."

I turn to him, mouth agape, and he gives me a smile that tells me he knows exactly what that has done to me. Yeah, he has punished me, the giant prick.

I feel bad for my thoughts after he has been nothing but kind to me, but geez. I'd rather go up a hundred foot ladder to wash the windows of all the towers at MistHallow than apologise to that rabid cunt. But I force a smile and say, "Of course."

I leave his office absolutely fuming, knowing Briar will be waiting.

She is.

Briar is leaning against the wall, examining her perfectly manicured nails with an air of smug satisfaction. My blood boils at the sight of her, but I force myself to take a deep breath. I won't give her the satisfaction of seeing me lose my cool again.

"Well, well," she drawls. "If it isn't the little vampire with a big mouth. How'd your chat with the Headmaster go? Packing your bags yet?"

I clench my fists, willing myself to stay calm. "Sorry to disappoint you, Briar, but I'm not going anywhere."

Her eyes narrow with anger. "Oh? So what was your punishment then? Extra homework? Detention?"

I consider lying, telling her I got off scot-free, but I know that would only make things worse in the long run. Besides, she'd find out eventually. "I have to apologise to you," I say through gritted teeth.

Briar's face lights up with malicious glee. "Oh, this is too good. The mighty Violet, brought low. Well, go on then. I'm waiting."

I take another deep breath, reminding myself that this is just a temporary setback. I can get through this. " Briar, I'm sorry for threatening you in the dining hall. It was inappropriate and won't happen again."

She leans in close, her voice a vicious whisper. "Not good enough. On your knees, vampire."

I feel a surge of anger and humiliation, but I force it down. I won't give her the satisfaction. "That's not happening, Briar. I've said my piece. Take it or leave it."

Her eyes flash dangerously. "You think this is over? Oh, honey. I'm just getting started. You may have won this little skirmish, but trust me, the war is far from over. I'm going to make your life here a living hell."

I meet her gaze steadily, refusing to be intimidated. "Bring it on, bitch. I'm not some helpless victim and seeing as you seem to know soooo much about me, you must know who my sire is and what he will do to you for threatening me." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Flint freeze as the words hit him hard. The guilt rips through me, but I see Briar tilt her head slightly, curiosity getting the better of her. She won't ask if she doesn't know, but she will make it her mission now to find out.

She storms off, and I turn to Flint, who gives me a glare of serious magnitude. Before I can make it right, he turns on his heel and marches off, leaving me feeling even worse than I did when I woke up this morning.

What did you do, Violet? You fucking idiot. Go. Go to him and tell him the words came out before you could stop them.

But will it even help? How can I explain to him it wasn't really me who said that?

It was Nathaniel.