by R L Medina
“That’s enough, pupils.” The professor held a hand up.
“This school is not for the weaker minded. Nor the weaker bodied. GRIMM Academy is grueling. There will be times when you’ll want to quit. Wish you’d never heard of this place. Tell me, Rose, are you a quitter?”
I gaped at her. What was she doing? Trying to intimidate me into dropping out?
I wish I could, lady.
“No. I’m not.” I met her gaze dead on.
She smiled. “Don’t tell me. Show me. You may sit.”
Just like that, she went back to the front of the class and started lecturing as if nothing had happened. As if she hadn’t passively threatened or possibly tried reverse psychology on me. I wasn’t sure how to take it and I was almost sure, she meant it to be that way. To make me think and be on my guard with her.
One of the students handed out books to everyone. I flipped mine to the page she commanded, not daring to answer any of the questions she asked. I had no idea what they’d been studying, and it was clear, nobody was going to go out of their way to help me catch up.
Snobs. I don’t even want to be at your stupid school.
The next class was a sophomore class that I was able to skip out on with the promise of starting the online course as soon as possible. That left me with some time before lunch. A lunch I’d have to eat alone. There was a depressing thought.
I glanced at my class list. After lunch was a junior class and then my first training class. That was one I actually looked forward to. My body thrummed, remembering the feel of the sword in my hand. Did my mom feel that way too? I glanced down at my pendant and sighed. There was so much I still needed to know about my parents’ history, but I couldn’t muster enough energy or strength to do it. What if I found out things about them that I didn’t want to? That would ruin my memories of them.
Being an orphan, I could handle. Finding out your parents were horrible people—not so easy to swallow.
My thoughts tangled together and the idea of facing the massive cafeteria alone was sounding worse and worse. Maybe I could go in and snag something to go. Was that possible or was there some rule about not taking food out?
Time went faster than I realized and soon I found myself in line in the busy lunchroom, putting in an order to go. Some students smiled and greeted me, but the vast majority ignored me or downright scowled at me.
Either way, I didn’t care.
I wasn’t there to make friends, but with such a heavy class schedule and so many hidden cameras everywhere, how was I supposed to find the time to formulate a plan of escape?
Excusing myself from the social vultures, I took my sub and chips outside, looking for the garden listed on the tablet map. I passed the student dorms and the giant gym, making my way back toward the gatehouse.
An arched trellis covered in vines greeted me as I approached the garden. A cobblestone path led into the lush landscape. I followed it deeper, marveling at the vibrant flowers and plants. A gurgling fountain stood in the distance, the water sparkling in the sunlight. I took a deep breath and released it into the fresh air.
This was exactly what I needed. I cut through the grass, heading for a bench past the fountain.
“Watch out!” a voice startled me.
I froze, unsure of what I was supposed to watch out for.
“Great. You broke it.”
It was the boy from class. The jerkface.
I glanced around, trying to figure out what he was talking about. I didn’t see anything broken.
“Broke what?” I asked.
He gave me an incredulous look. “Ward.”
As if that answered anything. I shrugged it off and took my bag to the bench past him.
He scoffed. “You could at least apologize.”
I turned to him. “For what?”
He gestured to the empty air and green grass. “Breaking my ward.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t see anything.”
He slapped a hand to his forehead. “You don’t see anything? It’s a ward. Wards are invisible by nature. Which GRIMM school did you transfer from?”
My face flamed. Right. Wards again. I probably needed to look that up since it seemed to be a popular thing there.
“Well?” he asked.
His question. Which school… what was I supposed to say to that? I was supposed to keep to the story my tío wrote for me.
I lifted my chin. “Sorry about the ward. But maybe you shouldn’t put it where people have to walk.”
His brows knitted together. “What? It’s not a problem once the ward is placed. But I couldn’t even finish putting the runes up before you came stomping in here. What are you doing here anyway, Rose?”
I bristled. This guy was really getting on my nerves.
“Eating. Is that a crime?”
His body stiffened. “Actually… it is against the rules.” He pointed to a sign. “No food or drink except water in the gardens.”
I sighed. “Of course. Oh, well. I’m already here. I won’t tell if you won’t.” I smiled.
He didn’t return the smile.
“Oh, what? You’re going to rat me out to the school police or whatever?”
“You mean the guard?”
“Whatever.”
“I should.”
“Then go ahead and do it so I can get back to my lunch.” I pulled out my sub and took a bite, never dropping my gaze from his.
His mouth gaped. Stunned by my audacity? Well, too bad. I was hungry and I wasn’t moving from my spot. Admittedly, a part of me wanted to push this guy. See what he would do.
“Why does this garden have to be warded, anyway?” I mumbled.
He ran a hand through his short brown hair and shook his head at me. “To keep students from practicing unpermitted spells.”
Taking another bite, I ignored him.
“I know it’s your first day, but this blatant disrespect for the rules is unacceptable.”
I snorted. “You sound like my uncle.”
His eyes narrowed. “I know your uncle and I know for a fact he wouldn’t approve of your behavior.”
I shrugged.
He stomped over to me, face reddening. I bit back a smile.
Here it goes.
“Look, I don’t know who you were back at your old school, nor do I care, but you’re at GRIMM Academy Cali now. If you want to stay here, you will have to fall in line.”
My smile turned vicious. “Fall in line?”
His eyebrow arched in challenge. “Yeah. Follow the rules.”
Heat rushed through me. Who did this guy think he was? Who made him the rule enforcer?
I took another bite of my sub, chewing it carefully. There were a million things I wanted to say. Tell him how I really felt about his precious school, but would the bracelet let me?
“Look, what’s your name?”
“Grayson. Grayson Chapman.”
“Okay, Grayson. Clearly, you don’t like me. Whatever. I don’t care. I don’t like you either and I don’t like rules. So, it’s only a matter of time before they kick me out. I’ll be gone and you can move on with your miserable rule loving life.”
His jaw clenched. “Is that why you’re here? You got kicked out of your old school, so your uncle used his status to get you placed here?”
I rolled my eyes. “Sure. That’s what happened.”
There was obviously no talking to this guy. I packed away my food and stood up, the garden suddenly losing its appeal. It was almost time to get to class, anyway.
“Why?” he called after me.
My gaze slid back to him. “Why what?”
“Why did they kick you out?”
I paused. What was I supposed to tell him? Javi didn’t give me much to go on. His blue-gray eyes bore into me, making me flush. Intense was the word. I didn’t scare easily, but this guy’s dead eye stare was intimidating.
His mouth quirked into what looked like an amused smile. “Tha
t bad, huh?”
“What?” I blinked, turning my attention back to his question and not on his lips.
He waved me off with a hand. “It’s fine. You don’t have to tell me what you did. Just know that I’ll be watching you.”
“Okay, creeper.”
There was that amused quirk again. And why the hell did it look so hot on him? I pushed away the thought. My experience with guys taught me that I had a weakness for the same type—hot as sin, but always, always turned out to be a royal ass.
“And if I see you breaking the rules again.” He nodded to the sign. “I won’t be so easy on you.”
I snorted. “Consider me thoroughly warned.”
With that, I continued toward the classrooms. My cheeks reddened as I felt his stare on me, but I didn’t dare look back. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction.
12
The junior class was boring as hell, but the professor, who happened to be the same one who’d threatened me, gave me a code to enroll for the online version.
Just one more class to go.
When I got to the gym, I was surprised to find myself the only one there. I wandered around, checking out all the amenities. Not only was it a dojo, obstacle course, and boxing ring, but there were also rooms with actual exercise equipment, and a basketball court. I tried to get outside to check out the giant pool, but my key card wouldn’t work.
A beep from my cell interrupted my second attempt. My chest tightened. Was it one of my old friends trying to reach me again? I almost didn’t answer, but curiosity won out and I pulled up my messages.
It was my tía. A wave of sadness washed over me. Had they already given up on me back home? Pushing away the wall of grief, I skimmed over her giant block of Spanish text:
Heading to the dorm now with all your stuff. I will let you know when I’m there so you can come help me set it up. Normally, we have family dinner on Friday night, but Javi asked if you guys could stay on campus. What do you think?
My finger hovered over the letter keys, about to respond when the door burst open, making me nearly drop my phone and tablet.
I turned to find the same tall, older man Javi and I had run into yesterday. He was scowling at me. Apparently, he didn’t like me much better today than he did the day before.
“Miss Perez.”
“Hi,” I answered lamely.
His lip curled. “Professor Cassiano, please.”
“Right. Sorry, Professor.”
His eyes narrowed.
“Cassiano,” I added.
“You are supposed to wait outside of the training hall before class. Not come in and waltz around.”
I was taken a back at his harsh tone. Did every GRIMM have to be an elitist jerk?
“I don’t even know how to waltz.” The words flew out with more venom than I’d meant.
His dark eyebrows shot up to his thinning hairline. “Excuse me?”
My gaze slid to the door behind him. Just in case I needed to make a hasty retreat.
“Professor Cassiano, sir,” I added.
He cleared his throat and folded his hands in front of himself. “I am aware this is your first day at the academy and somehow you managed to enroll in my class before completing orientation.” He paused at this, blue eyes studying me. “However, the board has selected me as your mentor, Miss Perez.”
Shock ran through me. Him? That was just perfect.
“And as your mentor, I must ensure your success at the academy or at least your active participation.”
I frowned. What was he talking about? I was participating. I showed up, didn’t I?
He sniffed. “On the mat, please. We will see what skill you have and where best to place you.”
Dread rolled in my gut. Sword playing with Javi was different. I highly doubted this man would be impressed or even tolerating of my lack of skill.
Glancing down at my uniform, I paused. “Shouldn’t I change first?”
He stared at me. “You were supposed to do that before coming to class. On the mat.”
I squared my shoulders and walked to the center of the hard mat. Not exactly the safest place to land if I fell. Professor Cassiano turned his back to me and strode over to the locked doors. Was he really going to do this now? He was going to teach me how to fight with weapons dressed like he was going to a business meeting? How did they move in such stiff clothes? I took off my jacket and glanced down at my own shirt and tie and shook my head. How was I going to move in my uniform?
“I want to see how you would hold this.” He handed me a thin sword.
My heart sank. It reminded me of my fencing sword back home I’d never been able to master. Sucking in a breath, I took it and lifted it in the air.
His brow furrowed. “No.”
Without explaining further, he took the weapon from me and returned it, coming back with a slightly thicker one.
I gripped it and lifted it in front of myself.
Professor Cassiano shook his head, took it, and returned with another one. It looked the exact same.
Frowning, I shrugged it off and held that one up.
He sighed. “No.”
Irritation stirred inside me as he replaced it again with another sword. I had no idea so many types of swords existed, and I couldn’t have named any of them had he asked me to—which he didn’t.
We followed the same routine. He handed me a different one, I held it up, he shook his head and returned with another one. Again and again.
“Maybe we should try a different weapon.” I grumbled after another no from him.
His eyebrow arched. “Do you have skill in another weapon?”
I snorted. “I don’t have skill with any weapon. I’d rather learn hand to hand combat. Can you teach me that?” I nodded toward the boxing ring.
He blinked at me. “Hand to hand combat should always be your last resort, Miss Perez. Weapons are our best chance against the extraordinaire.”
It wasn’t enough to stop Manny. I shuddered at the memory of his skin healing right in front of me.
“It’s just that… you haven’t found me a sword yet that you’ve liked. Seems like kind of a waste of time. For both of us.”
He turned his back to me and disappeared in the weapons room once more. “Tell me, Miss Perez. What weapon did your mother use?”
His question startled me. What was the story again? My mom was Tía Teresa’s sister who didn’t have the sight. So, she wouldn’t have been trained as a GRIMM, right?
Professor Cassiano stepped out and glanced at me. “It wasn’t a trick question.”
A nervous chuckle escaped me. “Right. Well. My mom died when I was a baby, so I don’t really know. My dad was ordinaire.”
I glanced at the bracelet, worried it was going to zap me for speaking the truth.
The professor stared at me. “So, you don’t know.”
I shook my head. “Nope. Sorry. You could ask my uncle,” I winced. “Or aunt. You know they were sisters.”
Shut up, idiot. You’re making him suspicious.
He folded his hands in front of himself. “I see. That will be all, Miss Perez.”
Sweat dripped from my forehead and my arm was sore from the constant lifting and slashing. A sigh of relief escaped me. I was so ready to be done. Hop into a cool shower and stuff my face with the whole buffet.
He sniffed, pushing back a long strand of silver hair that had fallen from his loose ponytail. “It’s not talent that you lack, Miss Perez. It’s training. Which thankfully is something I can provide for you, but I highly suggest you look for a tutor in addition. You will have to work very hard to catch up to the level you should be at. Very hard.”
I bit back a groan. Working was the last thing I wanted to think about that moment. My whole body protested the idea of it.
“Right. Thanks.” I nodded.
His eyes narrowed.
“Professor Cassiano.”
Lips pursed, he continued to eye me with interest. I fou
ght the urge to squirm under his watchful gaze.
He clasped his hands. “Very good. We will meet again tomorrow morning. First thing. 6:00 a.m.”
My eyes widened. No way in hell.
“Six?”
“When one is at a disadvantage, one must work extra hard.”
He lifted a shoulder and waved me toward the exit.
“But… tomorrow is Saturday.” I let my voice falter.
I picked up my tablet and phone and trundled past him, grumbling under my breath. I knew the school wasn’t going to be easy on me, but I had no idea it would be so torturous.
“And next time, I suggest you use a locker for your belongings. That includes your gym clothes,” he called after me.
Once outside, I sucked in the fresh air and released it as the breeze blew against my sweat-soaked skin. My nose scrunched. I really needed a shower before dinner.
Oh, crap. I’d forgotten to respond to Tía Teresa. I pulled out my phone and glanced at the message again. It was almost three? How long had she been waiting at my dorm? I typed out a quick apology and let her know that I was on my way and I’d be staying on campus for dinner.
Another message caught my eye. From Shiloh and one from Javi. Typing out a quick reply to both, I started retracing my steps back toward House Dragon. I glanced back and forth, making sure no cars were coming before crossing the road.
Once at the building, I scanned my key card to let myself in. The front room was empty, but noises drifted from deep within. Somewhere music played, a soft classical piece that instantly reminded me of back home. Papi always preferred Spanish ballads, but our cook, Marta, loved classical piano music. She always commented on how she felt she missed her calling by not pursuing music. That story always made me sad for her and remembering it now, was twice as depressing.
Would I ever see her or anyone else I knew again? I hugged my arms around myself as I stood in the giant empty entryway. Even if I could go back and pretend I was normal, how long would that last? Would my old friends still accept me if they found out the truth about me and my family? It was too crazy for me to believe and I was living it.
A ping came from my phone, snapping me back to the present. Tía Teresa was done with my room. I frowned. What did that mean? She didn’t go through all my stuff, did she? Putting away my phone, I headed for the elevator and pushed the third-floor button.
