Page 23 of The Devils They Are

When she comes for me again, I eye her stance carefully. When her knee tenses up, I count to a quick two before pivoting to my side, letting her knee brush past my stomach as she tries to launch it into me.

The move throws her off balance, so I swing to test the waters. As I suspected, she's not strong with reflexes. There’s no time for her to block, still stumbling to recover when my fist connects with her cheek bone.

Oof. That’s going to leave a mark.

Hissing, she takes a few seconds to shake it off, eyes flaring as she throws a side hook at my head. I speedily lift my arm into a L shape, deflecting the move away but her other fist comes out straight away, this time smashing into my jaw.

I rotate my neck to clear the little head spin. “Is that all you’ve got?”

The fighter, formerly known asFuck You, soon to be known asToast, smirks, the two of us dancing around in circles. “Not even by a long shot.”

“Good,” I breathe out, darting forward to drive my knee hard into her lower stomach.

She hunches over with a groan, struggling to pull up from the pain as she clutches her torso. I decide enough is enough and to put her out of her misery early. I'm not a monster.

Tackling her to the ground, I maneuver her onto her stomach while I push my weight into her back and place her into a choke hold.

One… Two… Three.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

And just like that, it’s all over.

Chapter nine

Bexley

Mondaymorningrollsaround,just like the random clouds that have appeared overhead today.

Maybe it's a sign or an omen.

A new week, a fresh start.

"Ms. Spencer," a voice calls out to me as Arch and I step through the main entrance.

I glance over at the tall, stern looking woman in her dark brown dress suit. Her arms are folded, looking like she's never smiled a day in her life. Being here, I can't blame her.

Arch shoots me a confused look and follows me over.

"Yes, that's me."

"Dean Lannister needs to see you in his office," she informs me, completely ignoring Archie's presence.

My brows furrow. "No worries. Lead the way."

As Arch steps to follow, she finally acknowledges him with a sharp glance.

"Head to class. Your attendance isn't required for this."

He looks like he wants to protest, but I put my hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay," I tell him with a soft smile. "I will catch up with you afterwards."

"Alright," Arch says suspiciously, heading to join the crowd of students flocking to their classes.

I follow Miss. Power Suit up a staircase to an open office setup. Besides the initial landing, there seems to be only one other room up here, with two large polished wooden doors blocking my entrance. There's a desk outside the room on the landing, and my personal escort sits down, gesturing her hand toward the door. "Straight in."

"Okay," I nod, as she turns to her computer without so much as a backward glance at me.

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