Page 35 of The Paranormal Investigation Bureau
Marsden might not want to say anything, but Madame Lucinda didn’t tolerate drama in her classroom. Bellatrix, Ivory, and Julian always did their nonsense before she arrived. If anyone ever ran out crying in the middle of class, Madame Lucinda knew precisely who was responsible, and Bellatrix, Ivory, and Julian left soon after.
Bellatrix tossed her hair over her shoulder and glared at Madame Lucinda.
“You can’t kick us out of class. I’m the star of this company. I’ll have your job!”
Madame Lucinda threw back her head and laughed. It was a chilling sound, and my blood ran cold. Eventually, Madame Lucinda was going to snap, bite Bellatrix, and drain her blood… maybe that would be today.
“How many times have I kicked you out of my class, and how many times have you tried to get me fired? Marsden might be foolish enough to take you to his bed, but he always does what’s best for his company. I heard about your behavior in rehearsal yesterday. You don’t deserve that lead role. Maybe Marsden will finally realize that, and we won’t have to deal with your nasty attitude anymore. Now, get out of my sight!”
Bellatrix stomped her foot and let out a shriek. Ivory and Julian surrounded her, like she was a wounded bird and not a nasty bitch making a scene and delaying our class. Oh, shit! Bellatrix flew at Madame Lucinda then, like she would start a catfight with our ballet mistress in the middle of class. Julian and Ivory couldn’t even hold her back.
Beyla came out of nowhere and totally clotheslined her. Bellatrix fell flat on her ass and looked totally stunned someone had dared to stop her from attacking an old lady. Beyla stuck her hands on her hips and glared down at Bellatrix.
“We’re all here to take a class, and you’re making a scene. You’re a prima ballerina, not an infant, so start acting like it. If you think you’re too good for technique classes, then leave, though based on the fact that you kept blowing the lifts in rehearsal, you need them way more than the rest of us. The rest of us would like to start a drama-free technique class. Why don’t you scurry off to Marsden and complain? I’m sure he’d love to hear about how you tried to attack Madame Lucinda!”
Julian and Ivory dragged Bellatrix out of the studio, shrieking about how this wasn’t over. Beyla stopped Bellatrix from hurting Madame Lucinda, and the entire class clapped after what she said. People were laughing as her toxic companions hauled Bellatrix out of class.
But Bellatrix was right, this wasn’t over... it was only just starting. Marsden wouldn’t fire her over this incident. If Beyla was trying to start something with her leotard choice, she just all out declared war, sending Bellatrix flat on her ass and telling her off like that.
For some reason, I just had this feeling Bellatrix had met her match, and we might finally be rid of her.
Chapter27
Beyla
When everyone looked totally shocked at my leotard choice and told me to change, I should have listened. This was my favorite leotard, and I thought it was ridiculous no one else in the company was allowed to wear red to class because Bellatrix claimed it. I wasn’t going to be bullied by her, so I refused to change, then Nyx, Arden, and Bevan all put something red on in solidarity.
I thought Bellatrix was just a diva, but she was so far beyond that... she was certifiably insane! It was disrespectful not to be at the barre when the teacher was ready to start class.
Everyone seemed to be aware of this, because everyone hurried to the barre except the Terrible Trio when she popped her cane on the floor. Bellatrix wasn’t leaving without a fight. She could have just had her say, but she tried to attack Madame Lucinda.
Who did that? Madame Lucinda walked with a cane and she was always so lovely to me. I had to step in and stop Bellatrix, even though I knew I would be opening a massive can of worms. Marsden wasn’t going to fire me for that, was he? He needed me.
Like always, I forgot Bellatrix and her drama as soon as my muscles got warm in class. A few people stood next to me as they waited their turn to thank me for what I did. Some of them liked it that I knocked her on her ass, and some just appreciated I said something to her. In truth, I didn’t do it to be a badass, or to make friends, but because enough was enough.
I was panting and sweating after class, and had planned to eat lunch with Arden, Bevan, and Nyx. They were right. After what happened in class, Idid notneed to go anywhere alone, and I didn’t want to get ambushed by Julian again. Madame Lucinda asked me to stay after. I hoped I wasn’t in trouble so was relieved when she smiled at me when I approached.
“I’m glad you stopped her, because if she had gotten close to me then Iwouldhave beaten her with my cane and gotten fired.”
I started giggling.
“You wouldn’t have bitten her, would you?”
Madame Lucinda screw up her face.
“Oh, heavens no, I can just tell that one has rotten blood. I’ve spoken to Marsden endlessly about that one. He knows what she does in my class. He knows she’s suspected of permanently injuring promising dancers. He has a blind spot when it comes to Bellatrix.”
“I’m not going to get in trouble for stopping her from assaulting you, am I?”
“Please. There was a classroom full of witnesses. She won’t apologize but Marsden will pretend like it never happened, though I’m afraid Bellatrix is going to come for you now.”
“She was trying to hurt Bevan in rehearsal. She was blowing her lifts on purpose. He has to see that!”
Madame Lucinda tapped her finger to her nose.
“I know Marsden. He sees everything. You know the truth about this ballet. I’m sure you went home and researched. He has a plan.”
I didn’t have the files from Kaine, yet, but I was putting the pieces together. After this morning, I saw alotof similarities between Bellatrix and Selena. Which made me Tabitha. I wasn’t happy about that at all.
