Page 58 of A Drop of Anguish
“Are they all hypnotizing? So, you’re going to think you’re stuck in a painting for hours as part of your class?”
“Yep. And we have to write a detailed description of everything we see and experience while inside it.”
“That’s so insane.”
She nods. “It’s a little scary but not dangerous. They won’t allow us to do anything violent in the spells or the paintings.”
“What about you, Thompson? How are your classes going?”
“All right. I’m caught up on most of them, thanks to our friendly neighborhood potions master.” He nudges me. “Only one I’m having trouble with now is numerology. I’ve never been much for numbers, and this class is savage.”
“I’ve heard those advanced classes can be brutal,” Lola says. “My cousin is in that track, and she’s had three mental breakdowns since last year.”
My eyes widen. “That sounds unhealthy.”
“Her parents are crazy strict. The pressure is really high.”
My lips part, but I shut them. Is that all pixies? Is that why her family treats her so badly for being in Minor Hall? I’m not brave enough to voice the questions now, especially considering I don’t know if she’d want to discuss her less-than-pleasant family dynamics in front of Thompson.
The moment we pass into the main hall, we all stop and shiver as one. Yep, that heavy magic is even worse here.
“Is he ever going to chill out?” I mutter.
“Nope,” Thompson says definitively.
I groan. “Ever? You really think he’s gonna try to suffocate the entire school with his magic for the rest of the year?”
“And beyond, I’m afraid. Of course, you could alleviate some of the pressure…”
I cross my arms. “What does that mean?”
Thompson stops and gives me an uncharacteristically serious look. “The Crown Prince of the Under World is desperately in love with you, and you won’t give him the time of day.” His gaze softens when I tense. “I’d be willing to bet things calm down a little if that were to change.” He nudges me with his elbow, and we resume walking.
Is Thompson really pushing me to get back together with Jarron? Just three days ago, he was convinced it was at least partially due to an illness. Now, he thinks I can solve everything by dropping into the demon prince’s lap?
I cross my arms, but it sends a shooting pain up to my shoulder, a reminder that my wolf bite is not even close to gone. It’s getting better, but it still hurts, and it’s not fading. I don’t want to think about what that means.
“Word on the street is that, even when you were dating, you wouldn’t let him mark you. What’s up with that?”
“None of your business, that’s what.”
“Mmhmm.”
“She’s just afraid,” Janet says sweetly as we wade down the hall through the overwhelming darkness.
“Hey,” I complain.
She shrugs. “The supernatural world is still kinda new to her, at least like this. She wouldn’t let him bite her or anything.”
“Janet!”
She smirks. “What? It’s true.”
“Interesting,” Thompson purrs. “I wonder if we’ll need to give her an intervention.”
“Oh my God! Stop.”
The rush of an icy wind swoops over us, and we all freeze.
