Page 3 of A Drop of Anguish
I nod absently. A year ago, I was in some snooty human private school with my sister on a fast track into human politics. I’d have crushed that too.
But then, my sister was murdered by a supernatural being, and I threw that path away in the name of revenge. That was only eight months ago. My stomach aches now, the same way it did back then. Only now, the rage I used to cover up that pain is gone, and I’m left with… a whole lot of questions.
After Liz’s death, I spent the next several months bound and determined to find her attacker and make him pay. To do that, I rejoined the supernatural community—something I’d sworn off years ago. I also started a fake relationship with the most powerful student in the school after he promised to help me.
Jarron was an old friend, but I also secretly suspected he was my sister’s killer.
Obviously, I was making sound choices back then. Dating a demon prince who may have murdered my sister?
I’m lucky I survived the semester.
Good thing he turned out to simply be an incredible person that I’m not supposed to miss since I maybe possibly smashed his heart when I broke things off.
A bright-yellow pixie darts by us but gasps and doubles back. “Candice?” she asks in her tiny tinkly voice. Lola settles on Janet’s shoulder, unusually still as the second pixie hovers in front of my face.
“I have a message for you,” the yellow pixie says and then drops a letter into my hands. It’s smaller than the average letter but still nearly the size of her entire body.
The pixie darts off, leaving her yellow glitter fading away in the air. I unfold the paper quickly. I honestly have zero clue what it could be.
But if I had to guess, it wasn’t good.
Candice Montgomery,
Please see the headmaster immediately.
2
I Won’t Let Anything Tear This School Down. Including You
“Candice Montgomery,” a smooth voice drawls slowly as I open the mahogany door. I clench my jaw at the familiar view. A sleek, hand-carved wooden desk, curved computer monitor, and a wall of bookshelves. Mr. Vandozer’s office.
Of course, it doesn’t belong to Mr. Vandozer anymore, but I still remember sitting across from him—my sister’s lover, statutory rapist, and the evil bastard that pushed her to enter the competition that ultimately led to her death.
If only I’d known then.
I cross my arms and take a seat across from the woman sitting with her hands clasped over his desk. Well, hers now.
Ms. Bhatt is the new headmaster at Shadow Hills Academy.
She’s very pretty, with dark skin and sleek straight hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Her eyes are a normal honey-brown, but her winged eyeliner is meticulous. She’s a powerful witch from an infamous family in India.
My parents spoke with this woman once already, and they seemed less than pleased by the experience. She’s not exactly a fan of mine, apparently. Probably the kind of supernatural that thinks people without magic are worthless.
I puff out my chest and prepare to be looked down on.
“Hello, Candice. I’m glad to see you here and well.”
“Thanks,” I mutter.
“I must admit, I was almost surprised you decided to come back to this school after everything.”
My eyebrows rise, but I give her no emotion—only the disdain I’m expecting to receive from her.
“Is there a problem?” I ask. Because my reasons have nothing to do with her.
“No problem.” She forces a fake smile. “Of course, having a talented potionist in our school is a wonderful thing. However, your situation is ratherunusual, given the events of the last several weeks.”
“I suppose so.” I squirm in my chair.
