Page 143 of Academy of the Wicked, Year One

We all flinch as Mini Grim announces his presence, now awake and sporting an adorable cloak ensemble complete with oversized glasses. He floats upward, beginning to chant.

Just when I think this place can't get any more surreal...

"So... I guess we just have to find one more member for our odd equation of powerhouses and we'll enter Year 2," I say brightly. "That should be easy! Think happy thoughts."

The words leave my mouth before I can stop them, hanging in the air like a challenge to fate itself.

Even Mini Grim pauses his chanting to give me what I swear is a judgmental look from behind his new glasses.

I can only hope I didn't set myself up for failure with such lines of hope.

24

THE PRICE OF POINTS

~GWENIVERE~

"Nope. I set myself up for failure. Had to... because this has to be pure mockery."

"Aww look. He's fucking crazy and talks to himself now."

More soured milk splashes across my uniform as I sit in the cafeteria, attempting yet again to eat something.

I've been starving all day – they pulled the same shit during breakfast after classes started at six in the fucking morning. After the endless spell work to avoid losing fifty points for our team, I'm beyond hungry.

Hangry might be the better term.

I haven't managed a single bite before the torment begins again.

It's only the third day of this madness, yet it feels like an eternity. The first day wasn't even bad – I foolishly thought I could handle this. Being treated like garbage by anyone who thinks they can walk all over you, then going home to Cassius and Nikolai apologizing for their lack of involvement because they can't interfere without losing points.

That's a whole other issue that's pissing me off.

It's harder than expected to watch your newly bonded mates sit as far from you as possible, witnessing everything while maintaining cold shoulders.

They even add to the gossip, wondering aloud about the "new student who took down the trial" and placing bets on how long until he breaks.

At this rate, I won't last until the weekend.

Starving yourself only triggers migraines, and a grumpy, hungry, thirsty vampire hybrid isn't exactly known for impulse control.

Gritting my teeth, I abandon my food.

Soggy sandwiches aren't appetizing anyway.

My gaze sweeps the cafeteria, taking in the various paranormal males pretending they're not fascinated by the show.

Those who don't bother hiding it laugh openly, encouraging others by throwing their garbage my way. Yesterday, I had to test my vampire reflexes dodging a used condom – because getting an STD from random trash wasn't on my academic bucket list.

"Running away already?" Thaddeus asks, his smirk dripping with mock concern. "Not gonna tell us which kingdom you're from? Must be royal, right? Is that why you keep trying to get Nikolai's attention even though he won't look at you?"

His laughter spreads like a disease, others joining in with slurs meant to belittle my very existence. But the growing pang in my gut warns me I'm reaching my limit – blood hunger combined with regular starvation isn't a great mix.

The first wave of dizziness hits, accompanied by that familiar gnawing sensation that screams for blood. The real dilemma is how I, the newbie Wicked Academy student Gabriel, is supposed to get blood, when Cassius and Nikolai are across the cafeteria, pretending I don't exist.

Neither of them are getting coochie tonight. I don't care if I have to sleep on Mortimer's sofa.

Deep down, I know this situation is out of their hands. They warned me that outside our rooms, they'd have to be complete assholes to gain points. But knowing doesn't make it easier.

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