“Me too.” I swallow hard, knowing that really my mind has been elsewhere. Ever since my last punishment from Professor Nitkin, I can’t think of anything else. A part of me feels I should back off, and another part wants to push further, to see how much pushing Gavril Nitkin will take until he snaps.
It’s been a week since he treated me like a pet in an attempt to punish me. If I land in detention with him again, I wonder what exactly he would try next. A mix of fear and uncertainty has kept me from finding out.
“Is it odd going to class and being taught by your husband?”
Eva shrugs. “Not really, I guess because it’s been like this since I met him.”
I nod in response, wondering what it would be like if Professor Nitkin and I were in a relationship. I’d imagine it would be exciting, tantalizing even. My desire for him clearly knows no bounds, considering he reduced me to nothing more than an animal on a leash.
“Have the complaints slowed down now?” I ask.
Eva looks a little sad and shakes her head. “No, a lot of parents are disgusted by the news, but Oak sends the same generic letter back to them. If they have a problem, pull their kid.”
I squeeze her arm. “Hey, you are lucky to have a found a man who would risk everything for you.”
She smiles. “I know. I just wish people were more understanding.”
“It’s inevitable. It’s not exactly traditional for the principal to marry a student, especially one still attending the academy.”
Her brow furrows. “Well, it’s not exactly a traditional academy. It’s an academy where students are taught how to kill and maim and poison and fight.”
“Touche,” I say, nodding. “You have a point, there.”
“Of course I do.”
I laugh as we enter Byrne’s classroom, where he’s already sitting behind his desk.
The moment Eva walks into the classroom, his eyes flash with desire and he watches her take a seat. It’s intense the way he watches her, but it kind of reminds me of the way Nitkin has been looking at me lately. I shake my head, trying to ignore the hope which is trying to worm its way into my heart.
Professor Nitkin and Principal Byrne are oceans apart. For a start, Nitkin is a sadist that many say is borderline insane. Byrne has always been the in control and calm principal of this school who rules with an iron fist, but he’s not crazy. He’s not a monster, as many brand Gavril Nitkin.
I sink into my chair next to Eva, my mind racing.
“Good afternoon, class. I’d like you all to read chapter thirty-two, as we’re going to look at the legal methods for circumventing evidence in a case against you.”
It sounds beyond boring and I make a split second decision not to open my book but open my notepad to do other work. Digging in my rucksack, I find a pen and write the name of the anatomy assignment at the top of the page. The assignment isn’t even due until next week, but I know Principal Bryne hates it when students are writing when they shouldn’t be.
It should be enough to land me in Professor Nitkin’s office once he realizes I’m working on an assignment for another class.
Eva nudges me softly. “What are you doing? You will get in trouble.”
I shrug. “I’ve got so much work to do, I’m drowning. Hopefully, he won’t notice.”
She looks at me skeptically, shaking her head.
After a few minutes, I hear Principal Byrne’s footsteps stop right in front of my desk. “Did I tell you to write, Miss Morrone?”
I look up and swallow. “No, you didn’t.”
“Have you even started reading the chapter I assigned?” He glances at my law book, which is still closed.
“I… No.” My shoulders slump. “I apologize.”
“What exactly are you working on, then?” He snatches the notebook up and shakes his head. “An anatomy assignment?”
I nod in response, swallowing hard as he scans over the words.
“And what possessed you to do work for another class during my class, Morrone?”