27. Cassian

27

CASSIAN

I storm through the academy building. A man on a mission. Raiden and Brody stay one step behind me as I prowl through the halls until Bozzelli's office looms up ahead. I could use my speed and get it over and done with quicker, but fuck that. This bitch can stew on it for a few more moments, expecting Addi to appear at her command.

Over. My. Dead. Body.

It was me who was involved in that duel. I was forced to lay her out even though I really didn't want to, but I didn't have a choice. Crystal herself took that choice away from me, and there's no way in Hell Addi is paying the consequences for my actions. She already has to live with enough at the hands of my family; I refuse to add more to it.

As I reach the open door of Bozzelli's office, I signal for the guys to wait outside and I step into the room, not bothering to knock. The dean's gaze finds mine immediately, and I watch as it narrows with distaste.

"I do believe I summoned Miss Reagan," she states, steepling her fingers together on her desk as Professor Fairbourne, the professor to the fae, stands behind her. A small grin spreads across his face at my arrival, and he nods as though his approval matters to me.

"And I do believe you gave the wrong order," I bite back, kicking the door shut behind me as I saunter across the room and take the chair across from her.

She looks down her nose at me while I try not to cringe at the garish neon green dress and matching blazer she's wearing. She's a goddamn walking highlighter. For a vampire, she sure doesn't dress as a dark and mysterious weapon that lurks in the night. She demands attention, and her attire projects that.

"I'm struggling to see how you think I care what you believe," she states, cocking a brow at me, and I shrug.

Tilting my head at her, I narrow my gaze. "Is it because you were worried you might upset my father if you called me here?" I ask, watching as she balks at the accusation, but I see the smallest flicker in her eyes that confirms my assumption. That, and the fact that she wanted some bullshit excuse to have Addi in her grasp.

Fuck that.

She shakes her head with a sneer. "I would never?—"

"Are you sure?" I interject, leaning forward as I match her sneer. "You don't look sure," I goad, watching her eyes widen, her jaw ticking as her irritation comes to life. Getting under her skin is easier than I thought.

"Mr. Kenner. I am the dean of this academy because I do not waver to anyone else who believes they should make the rules," she snaps, rising to her feet as she presses her palms flat against the desk that separates us.

"If you say so," I muse, rolling my eyes as I lean back in my chair. Fairbourne remains tight-lipped from his spot behind her, but the amusement on his face is clear.

"Don't push me," Bozzelli warns, and I shrug.

"Let's stay on track then, shall we? Am I here because of the duel I took part in at lunchtime?" I ask, getting straight to the point, only to have her tsk me as she straightens her suit jacket.

"Need I remind you, Mr. Kenner? You were not called for."

My gaze narrows. "Why would you require Miss Reagan's presence?" Intrigue coils around me, waiting for whatever bullshit she's about to come out with.

"That is no business of yours." Or no bullshit at all, it seems. Should I have expected her to share?

"I think it is," I push, ready to prove to this woman what it actually looks like to be unaffected by others' attempts at power.

"I've already told you: I don't care what you think," she grinds out through clenched teeth, and I wag my finger at her.

"No. No. No. You said you don't care what I believe ," I reiterate, and she huffs in irritation.

"They're the same thing but different words."

"You seem flustered, Dean Bozzelli. Are you okay?" I feel every inch the gaslighter I am in the moment, and it feels so fucking good to worm my way under her skin. She fucking deserves it.

"Get out of my office. Now. And send for Miss Reagan immediately." She directs the latter to Fairbourne, waving off my presence with a flick of her hand.

Like the fool he is, Fairbourne stands tall. "Yes?—"

"No," I interrupt, and Bozzelli spins around to give me a deathly stare.

"Do you need a reminder of who I am?" There's that fire, the exact one I saw in her gaze before she hurt Raiden the other day. But she's never been punished at the hands of my father. I don't fear anything she may try and throw at me, and I think she knows it. That's why she doesn't want me here; she wants Addi.

"There we are. Do you get off on throwing your weight around? Is that why you wanted Addi? Is that why you applied for this position? Does it make you feel good?" Every word that leaves my lips comes out darker as my eyes narrow.

"I'm not engaging in this conversation with you," she states, lifting her hand to stop my pestering.

I stand, matching her stance. "Understandable, but I'm still intrigued by why you're calling for Miss Reagan," I persist, and Bozzelli throws her arms out wide.

"Because she will pay for her actions today," she blurts, no longer able to contain her anger.

"She didn't take any actions." It's a fact and she knows it, but she gives me a pointed look nonetheless.

"That's not what I've been told."

"And what is it you've been wrongly told?"

She stands tall, running her hands over her dress as she blinks profusely, only confirming the bullshit that spills from her mouth. "That she knocked a wolf unconscious outside the main academy building. A whole audience saw."

"That was me." I say the words slowly so she understands, yet she shakes her head like it's me who needs the gentle approach.

"Covering for her won't negate her punishment," she promises, causing me to pull my brows together in confusion.

"I'm trying to figure out this little vendetta you have here."

"I don't have a vendetta," she insists, wetting her lips nervously, but Fairbourne nods subtly behind her. Pity he can't open his mouth and put her in her place instead of leaving a student to do it.

"Well, what would you call it? Is it because she's the former king's daughter? Is it because she's simply a fae, or does her strength leave you feeling threatened?"

That's the straw. I know it. I've pushed until I can push no more.

"Excuse me?" she bites, venom laced in each word.

"Oh, you're excused," I retort, folding my arms over my chest as I give her a pointed look.

She waves me off, slipping behind her mask of indifference, as a malicious grin spreads across her face. "It doesn't matter. I have the perfect consequence in place anyway. I'll kill two birds with one stone."

"What does that mean?" I can't hold back the question. I can see the chaos swirling in her eyes, and I know it involves Addi.

"You may follow me," she orders, rounding the desk, and I scoff.

"I'd rather not," I grunt, but she continues to wave me along. I hate the fact that my intrigue pulls me to trail after her.

"Summon the students," she murmurs to a member of staff I don't recognize, and they scurry off. Brody and Raiden hear the same words, and instead of getting answers from me, they take off. I know they've gone in search of Addi, and I would have done the same.

Following her outside, I'm not surprised to see the masses gathering already by the time we get there. Fairbourne remains beside me, but his lack of protection over Addi is wearing thin on me, so I don't even bother to acknowledge his existence.

I spot Addi first, then the guys, and I leave Bozzelli's trail to join them.

"What's going on?" Kryll asks, and I shake my head.

"Fuck if I know," I admit, hating that I don't have the answers to the concern growing in Addi's gaze.

Bozzelli doesn't waste a beat, though, drawing everyone's attention to her in the next moment. "Good afternoon, students. It has been brought to my attention that there are people here on campus who feel they should know more about what's happening outside of our protected walls to better understand the dangers we face. After some consideration, I agree with this statement, and what better way to gain knowledge than to receive it firsthand," she offers.

I frown. Where the fuck is she going with this? It has nothing to do with what we were discussing in her office. She's playing games, but I can't figure out the rules just yet.

"Where is she going with this?" Raiden asks, but I don't have the answer, so I continue to stare the dean down expectantly.

"Field trips will be prepared for each class to take turns experiencing the frenzied vampires that roam the streets at night. We'll begin this evening with Professor Thornhill's homeroom."

"That's us," Flora blurts, and I startle at her arrival, unsure when she and Arlo joined us, but nonetheless, she's right.

We're up first.

Bozzelli's eyes settle on mine, the corners of her mouth tilting up in a wicked grin as she delivers the blow she intended.

"Do make sure you don't get yourselves injured, won't you?"