Mack frowns. “Summer, go shower. I’ll explain to your teacher what happened—”
“No.” I cross my arms, cringing as they stick together. “If I miss my first class, they win. It proves that I can’t handle being here. I’m already on thin ice after my expulsion last semester, and now, with Inara’s incentive to get me kicked out . . .” nods, a gleeful smirk lifting her cheeks.
Anger and fear darken my heart. If they hurt Mack, I’ll gut them.
Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
Relief loosens my shoulders as Inara’s cruel focus drifts back to me. “It’s hot, isn’t it?” she asks. “Why don’t you take off your shirt and shorts?”
No. I refuse. Hell no . . .
Looking down, I watch in horror as my fingers curl under my shirt and tug up up up—
A cold breeze ripples over my bare stomach and chest as I lift the shirt over my head and chuck it to the ground. My shorts are next. When I’m done, only my gray underwear and black sports bra cover me.
I know none of this is my fault. I know I’m not in control. But shame fills me anyway.
A deep, raw, overwhelming shame.
“Pathetic.” Inara looks me up and down. “What? Did you think you could force your way back into the academy with that stunt last semester and escape punishment?” She glances around, her blue lips curled in derision. “As long as Summer is enrolled in the academy, I will punish all of you. But I’m not without mercy.” She flashes an icy smile to prove her point. “The first shadow responsible for making Summer flunk out or be expelled will not only have my favor, but you’ll receive a fourth year’s stipend.”
By fourth year, shadows actually earn a wage for their services. It’s not much, but considering our work conditions now, being paid anything is like winning the lottery.
The morning air felt pleasant moments ago, but now it seems to slip right through my flesh and into my bones. I shiver, unable to move, to speak, to do anything but watch as Inara orders the students to come forward.
“Let’s remind this mortal of what she really is: trash.”
A few seem to enjoy the spectacle, but most shadows’ eyes are apologetic as, one by one, they dump their plates and cups over my head.
Hot coffee. Cool orange juice. Greasy eggs. Still-warm biscuits sticky with blackberry jam. A veritable feast cascades over me.
Stay strong. Inara can only hurt you if you let her.
But each time I feel someone’s breakfast fall around my shoulders, each time sticky apple juice soaks my hair and wets my bra—the one I carefully wash every night because it’s the only bra I own—a piece of my dignity gets chipped away.
When it’s Mack’s turn, tears clump the eyelashes framing her soft blue eyes. Tears I know she won’t shed because she’s strong, and we prepared for this possibility.
It’s not your fault, I think, trying to will my thoughts across the air between us.
After she’s through dumping her latte and bowl of oatmeal over my head, Inara dismisses her.
Grinning, Inara waves her fingers in front of my face. My lips soften; the magic muzzle preventing me from speaking falls away.
“Ready to leave the academy?” she asks. “I promise, you don’t want this to escalate.”
It’s hard to summon dignity when you’re half-naked and covered in other people’s breakfast, but hell if I’m not going to try.
I refuse to let her break me.
I. Fricking. Refuse.
Holding her stare, I lick a glob of chocolate from the side of my cheek and grin. “Thanks. I was starving.”
That’s right, you snowflake psycho. You can’t break me.
Reina’s grin falters. She lowers the camera. Kimber and Lyra exchange surprised looks. There might be a sliver of respect in Kimber’s face . . . or she might simply find me more appealing as a mortal snack when I’m lathered in sugary pastries.
But the emotion beneath Bane’s icy features is one hundred percent rage. “Are you going to let her talk to you like that?”