The professor turned around and studied Rook with a strange expression on his face, but didn’t say anything. Then he turned to me again.

  “Anyway, I don’t want a demerit,” I continued and leaned over to set the box on the ground. “So, I guess I’ll just leave these here and maybe one of you might deliver them to her?”

  I didn’t wait for a response, but turned to descend the staircase when the professor caught my wrist in a split second and turned me back around. His fingers were cool, his grip like iron. Then he released me. When I turned to look at him, he was towering over me, expression annoyed.

  Chapter Nine

  “Where are you going?” the professor insisted. “I told you to go back to your room.”

  I pointed down the staircase. “I am going back to my room,” I answered. “My room is next to the kitchens, just like the rest of the kitchen staff.”

  Professor Valserak’s expression fell. “You work in the kitchens?”

  I nodded. “Vivian was pleased to inform me that my scholarship had been revoked shortly before term, so I have to work for my tuition.”

  “Revoked?” he repeated.

  “Right,” I answered with a quick smile. “And Vivian’s determined to make me deliver these cupcakes to her, so don’t be surprised if you see me in another... ah... thirty minutes or so when she sends for more.”

  The professor’s eyes narrowed once more. “You’re not telling the truth.”

  I looked at him then, directly in the eyes, and frowned. I did not appreciate being called a liar. “If you don’t believe me, then ask Mads, the head cook. She was there when Vivian told me I’d have to work for my keep. Now, do you want me to go back to the kitchens, or can I get directions to the witch dorms?”

  Professor Valserak’s gaze searched my face. I must have looked especially earnest, because a moment later he snorted and strode past me.

  “Stay put,” he called over his shoulder.

  “But I,” I started.

  “You’re going to need a hall pass if those girls intend to make you wander the corridors at night,” he said as he paused and turned back to face me. There was anger in his eyes, but I didn’t think it was directed at me. “I’m sure they meant for you to rack up demerits when night class professors caught you wandering the halls like some lost lamb. Chesley can escort you to the west wing while I conclude my class. He’s familiar enough with the layout of the dormitory by now.”

  There was an unpleasant insinuation in the way he said the last bit, though I couldn’t put my finger on exactly what it meant, if anything at all. Was he implying that Rook was dating someone who was living in the day class dorms? It couldn’t be a witch, if so. I was probably the only witch within a hundred miles who would deign to touch a vampire, let alone kiss one. Was he dating a faerie or a werewolf, maybe? Was it one of the beautiful Winter Sidhe I’d seen in class? Maybe he wasn’t dating anyone at all but just was popular with the ladies?

  “Asshole,” Rook muttered as the professor slipped into a nearby classroom. He sidled closer, glowering at the spot where Valserak had just disappeared.

  I bent over to retrieve the cupcake box from the ground. It looked like I’d be delivering them after all. “How is it you know your way around the west wing so well?” I teased him, raising one brow towards the ceiling.

  “None of your business,” he snapped.

  “It sort of is,” I pointed out. “For all I know, you’re dating Vivian and leading me into a trap.”

  Rook’s expression twisted into a rictus of disgust. “Me dating a Grimsbane? Never. Not on your life. Even you’d be preferable.”

  Of course, I was offended by that but I held that offense in. I wasn’t going to let him know he was under my skin. Instead, I laughed it off. “Ooh, Checkers, you really know how to turn up the sweet talk. And for the record, I’m waaaay out of your league.”

  Rook jerked in surprise. I caught him giving me a deliberate (and dare I think it, thoughtful) once-over. Then he crossed his arms over his chest and grumbled, “Why the hell are you wearing lingerie?”

  I glanced down at the winter coat which was open, revealing the chemise underneath. “I’m wearing a coat.”

  “Underneath the coat.”

  I looked up at him and smiled sweetly. “Oh, I was just hoping to run into you, of course,” I drawled sarcastically and batted my eyelashes at him like the joke was on him. “You left such a stellar impression last time that I couldn’t contain myself. I just had to have you.” His expression shifted from one of irritation to one of intrigue and then confusion. I had a feeling most people didn’t talk to him quite so… freely. “In fact, my entire convoluted plan has now come to fruition!” I said with a big, fake smile. “The box isn’t full of cupcakes, but ropes and ball gags. Time to pull you into an alcove, tie you up, and have my wicked way with you.”

  The vampire approximation of a growl trickled through his lips. His dark eyes were flat and unfriendly. When his lips parted, I caught a glimpse of his fangs, sharp and extended. Me and my big mouth. Clearly, I’d managed to piss him off, so now I’d be wandering the corridors with a man who’d rather tear my throat out than rip my clothes off.

  “Don’t mock me, Carrot Top,” he hissed.

  “Or what?” I shot back, unable to keep my wayward tongue in check. “You’ll bite me? You don’t scare me, Checkers. I’ve faced worse than you. A whole lot worse.”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Um… do you know who a vampire named Janeth is?” I asked, real heat in my voice now. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he did know or know of Janeth because it seemed her antics were pretty much known to all.

  Rook’s anger evaporated at the sound of Janeth’s name. He straightened out of his aggressive posture and smoothed his expression into a cool mask. I didn’t realize I’d been mirroring him, leaning forward, gathering power for a spell until he leaned back. I didn’t relax until his fangs shrank back to normal size.

  “Sure,” he answered.

  “Well, I do too, because she kidnapped me. If my brother hadn’t intervened, I wouldn’t be on the witch side of this equation any longer.”

  “Your brother?”

  I nodded. “And she didn’t take it easy on him for interfering. She tortured him, and if my coven had turned up even a few minutes later, she probably would have turned him.” I took a deep breath because thinking about Janeth always unsettled me. “Anyway, point is: she scares me a hell of a lot more than you do. So put your fangs away unless you intend to use them.”

  Rook didn’t quite look at me as Professor Valserak returned. Valserak reached out and handed me a folded up piece of paper which I assumed was my hall pass. I took the note without looking at it and stuffed it into my pocket.

  “I recommend completing your errand in the next thirty minutes,” the professor said smoothly. “The bell for next period will sound, and you don’t want to wade through the night class, especially wearing so little,” he continued as he took me in from head to toe. There was nothing lascivious in his gaze though. “An incubus will eat you for dinner.”

  At this rate, I might let him. Rook could barely stand to look at me, let alone get close enough to divest me of my underwear. I might as well give up on the pipe dream of tangling with him again. It would serve him right to hear lewd tales of my exploits from his incubus friend.

  Yeah, Astrid, I thought acidly. Lose your virginity for spite. There’s nothing more witchlike than that.

  I followed behind Rook, scowling at the ground. This wasn’t how school was supposed to go. I was supposed to make friends, start dating, and become the best witch I could be. Instead, I was tired, lonely, a hex-magnet, and likely to flunk out before the end of first year, and the only guy I was interested in seemed to hate my guts.

  We were within spitting distance of the dorms before Rook spoke again. He was keeping a few steps ahead of me, face turned upward to watch the night sky. This far away from civilization, the stars studded the sky, undimmed by light pollution. The half-moon provided enough light to navigate by as we wound our way to one of the side entrances.

  “Janeth,” he said softly. “I haven’t heard that name in decades. We thought she’d been killed during the last Blood War. She was supposed to have been executed for her crimes.”

  “Well, she wasn’t. My Aunt Celestine must have helped her escape.”

  “Why would your witch aunt help Janeth, a vampire?”

  I shrugged. “Because Celestine was working with Janeth.”

  “That doesn’t sound right.”

  I frowned at him. “Celestine had been feeding undesirables to Janeth for years, including Maverick and me. If he hadn’t been there, I...”

  My voice failed me. I’d had too many nightmares about exactly what might have happened. Janeth had taken sadistic pleasure in tearing into my brother, but she wouldn’t have bothered if he hadn’t posed a threat to her. If I’d been alone, the coven wouldn’t have gotten there in time. Wanda would have found Janeth crouching over my still-warm corpse. And then I’d have woken up three days later, confused and tied by blood to a maniac. And even if Wanda had somehow managed to kill the crazy bitch, I’d have been cast adrift in a world I knew nothing about, sans magic. I could handle losing my magic if it were purely my choice (and I couldn’t imagine ever making said choice), but to be robbed of it... no. That was something I wouldn’t have been able to cope with.

  “I’m sorry,” Rook said as we approached the front door and I couldn’t hide my surprise. I didn’t imagine he was someone who apologized often. “I had no clue.”

  “Most people don’t,” I said with a shrug. “Witches don’t like to let that sort of thing get out. One of our own was betraying us, and the majority of covens are trying to pretend it never happened.”

  “Regardless,” he said and that icy set to his expression was back. “I’m going to give you some advice: vampires don’t like witches. Witches don’t like vampires and it doesn’t matter if your own kind have rejected you—in a vampire’s eyes, you’re still a witch.”

  “And in your eyes?” I asked, narrowing mine at him.

  “You’re a witch,” he finished, glaring at me.

  “Then I guess we aren’t friends,” I threw the words back at him.

  “No, we aren’t,” he responded as he took a step closer to me and I had to crane my neck to look up at him. “So, keep your flirtation to yourself.”

  “My flirtation?” I started, feeling heat starting in my fists. Just who in the hell did this pompous bastard think he was?

  He nodded. “There are those who’d react even more poorly than I did. Stay on your side of the equation. Stay a witch. And just stay away from me. I am not going to be your vampire toy.”

  “Whoever said I wanted you to be my vampire toy?” I asked tightly.

  “It was implied.”

  “Was it?” I laughed, but then didn’t give him a chance to continue. “I can make it the rest of the way from here.” I continued glaring at him. “And for the record?” I paused and took a deep breath. “I wasn’t flirting with you.” Well, that wasn’t exactly true but at this point, I just wanted to save whatever face I could manage.

  Rook gave me an expression that said he didn’t believe me, then gave me one last, appraising look before he turned and walked back the way he’d come. I stayed standing where I was until he’d disappeared into the shadows, ignoring the very un-witchlike desire to cry. He wasn’t worth the tears. But being rejected yet again... it hurt. None of this was turning out how it was supposed to.

  No matter, I wasn’t going to give up.

  In just a few short minutes I’d march up to Vivian’s door, present her with her cupcakes, and be laughed at. Then I’d crawl back to my dingy little room beside the kitchen, I’d force myself to go to sleep and then I’d wake up in an hour or two, and start the miserable process all over again.

  I waited until the desire to cry passed and then turned to the dorms, steeling myself for what was coming, then I marched on. Depraysie witches didn’t surrender to petty, vindictive bitches like Vivian, and they most certainly didn’t get told off by grumpy vampires like Rook.

  Somehow, some way, I was going to make that man eat his words, at the very least.

  Chapter Ten

  The next week carried on in a similar fashion.

  I’d wake up, work, and arrive to class with only minutes to spare. Then after lectures, I’d return to the kitchen to clean the day’s dishes, go back to my room with smarting fingers, do my homework, sleep, and start all over again.

  I usually sat by Oleander during class, though I paired up with Elly if one of our subjects or electives overlapped. I’d usually catch a hex or two before lunch, but could pick most of them off with ease, thanks to Poppy’s uncrossing potions. Only Vivian’s curses were heavyweight material, so I had to contend with them until I could fashion myself a talisman to combat them. Even the charm I’d given Oleander couldn’t tackle all the dirty tricks she’d hurled my way.

  I hadn’t been forced to scramble for textbooks or supplies after the first day. Someone, and I still had no idea who, had made sure everything I needed was delivered to my room on the second day of term. I even had five used but well-cared-for uniforms now sitting in my dresser. Of course, I’d asked Wanda if she’d had anything to do with it and she swore she hadn’t—then she’d grilled me about why I hadn’t had my supplies to begin with and I had to make up some ridiculous reason. And both Elly and Oleander couldn’t have helped me because they could barely help themselves. Really, I didn’t have any other friends at Blood Rose so I had no clue who was acting the part of my fairy godmother.

  The air was getting nippy, and even the sidelong glances from other witches couldn’t dampen my spirits much as Samhain approached—well, at Blood Rose, anyway. It was still January as far as the rest of the world was concerned. Just as Oleander had mentioned, the seasons at Blood Rose dictated themselves and with no choice in the matter, everyone went along with it. Regardless, I was excited. Even if it was only Samhain at Blood Rose, it was still a holiday I loved above all others.

  Because Samhain was a special day to most witches, it was also a school holiday, with a masquerade that was set to take place in the evening. It was the one night of the year that all students would be able to mingle, regardless of class affiliation. We were still a ways away from Samhain and the masquerade party, but I was already thinking happy, costume-making, apple-picking, and bonfire-dancing thoughts.

  Oleander smiled down at our linked hands. We’d been caught holding hands once or twice, which had started the rumor that we were dating. Protesting it would have only caused our enemies to go further on the attack. So, in the end, we let people make their own assumptions.

  Besides, I liked holding his hand. There was something soothing about his touch, like clutching a mug of hot cocoa at the end of a cold day. It wasn’t a romantic thing for me at all, and I doubted he felt that way either. He was still head over heels for Elly, and she seemed to have finally noticed that he existed beyond being her kitchen buddy, and I was more than sure that had everything to do with the fact that people were whispering that he and I were together. Nothing seems to be more attractive than someone who’s already taken. Le sigh.

  “What’s the smile for?” I asked, giving Oleander’s hand a light swing.

  It made the witches at a nearby table erupt into furious mutters. Dating a faerie was better than dating a vampire, but they still thought I was slumming it. Worse, I might be getting attached which was something of a cardinal sin in covens—well, in most covens anyway. Wanda’s was different. To most witches, men were just for sex—for procreation purposes. Anything more was a betrayal of ‘our’ values.

  Well, as far as I was concerned, they could stuff their values up their snooty asses. I’d get attached to whomever or whatever I liked. And that was the end of it.

  “I have a free period,” Oleander said with a smirk. “Professor Lavant is letting the faeries skip class today.”

  “Then why are you walking me to class?” I asked, slowing for a beat. “You could be doing anything you want right now.”

  He laughed. “Because, last I checked, you still don’t know the layout of the castle. Zipping around through portals to get to class has spoiled you, so someone has to make sure you don’t get hopelessly lost. The only reason you know your way around the west wing is because the Grimsbane hive keeps trying to rile you by ordering food at all hours of the night.”

  The reminder made me scowl. Vivian had started requesting special orders after dark, forcing members of the kitchen staff to ferry up all kinds of snacks to her dorm rooms. Within a week, half of the witches in the west wing were following her example. They sent complaints about anyone else who brought them food, which could eventually stack up as demerits on the victims’ records. As long as I went, the rest of us remained demerit free. How this behavior wasn’t stopped was beyond me. But it wasn’t. It was, however, an enormous effort not to stare into their gleeful faces and curse their eyebrows to grow together. But if I gave into my own need for vengeance, they won. And there was no way in spell I was letting a petty harpy like Vivian Grimsbane beat me.

  “Thanks for reminding me. I have to write a thank you note to Professor Valserak for giving me a hall pass.”

  “He gave you a hall pass?” Oleander asked with a confused frown.

  “Yeah, to keep any of the instructors from giving me a write-up for wandering after curfew. I’m sure that’s what Vivian was after when she started doing this. I think at this point I should do my homework in the kitchen, just to save Mads the trouble of having to constantly come and get me.”

  I owed Professor Valserak for that and more. He was probably the only reason Jack Collins hadn’t bitten me on my first day. In my more wishful moments, I liked to imagine that Rook would have stepped in to save me, even if the professor hadn’t turned up. It was a little pathetic how often I thought of the kiss (if you even wanted to call it that) we’d shared, when Rook had made it perfectly clear that he didn’t give a jar of rat tails about me. In the days since our little lip-touching session, he’d pointedly ignored me every chance he got. The only time I’d drawn his attention was when I shared a few suggestive comments with Klaus as I passed him in the halls. Just as I’d known he would, the incubus had eagerly flirted back. Rook had just glared at me until I disappeared up the staircase that led to the girl’s dormitories, carrying with me whatever confection they’d ordered for the hour.