Page 54 of Monsters Within (The Creatures We Crave 1)
Alexandra
“Alexandra?” a familiar voice called loudly, echoing up to us from the front of the library.
Shit, it was Professor Saggia. We couldn’t keep her waiting.
“Let’s go,” I suggested as I pushed from the couch. “We can dive more into this another time, or hopefully ask some of the other professors when classes start.”
They grunted their agreements, and we descended down the front staircase on the right, depositing us close to the professor. Her face lit up as she saw us. “Find any good books?”
You could say that.
“Yeah, this place is amazing!” I answered, glossing over the information she really didn’t need to know. Lucien chuckled behind me knowingly, and I sent him a glare over my shoulder.
I half expected myself to feel ashamed for what we’d done, but thankfully I didn’t. It had been thrilling and hot as hell, and I’d be lying to myself if I said I didn’t want to try that in other places as well.
Why was the act of almost getting caught so fucking exciting?
“Great,” she answered, breezing onto the next topic of conversation. Lifting papers up, she passed them out to us as we came to a stop in front of her. “These are your schedules. They might change as we learn more about your powers and the specific classes you need, but we figured we’d get you started with the basics at least, and you each are scheduled to visit with Victoria once a week on different days.”
Scanning over my schedule, excitement bubbled in my chest as I realized I’d be starting the day after tomorrow. It was approaching quickly, and I couldn’t wait to dive in.
Introduction to Dark Imaginarium Academy and the Territories of Praeditus
Finding and Channeling Your Power
Tactical Combat
Private Lesson with Professor Saggia
I would have the first three classes Monday through Friday, and only Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the fourth, it seemed, with meetings with Victoria scheduled for Tuesday nights. Glancing over at the guys’ schedules, theirs mimicked mine, except for their scheduled appointments with Victoria.
“I figured it would be essential to work with you four in private to see what we can pull out of you,” Professor Saggia explained as I glanced back up at her.
“Thank you,” I answered, really trying to infuse my gratitude into those two words. “We appreciate you taking us into your sector and giving us a safe place to discover ourselves.”
I didn’t need to voice the underlying part of that sentence: Thank you for getting us away from that fucking crazy woman, Helen.
Clapping her hands together once, she gestured towards the doors. “I’m happy to have you all. Now, if you’ll exit the library, I’ll show you which dorm is yours, Alexandra.”
The smile dropped from my face as I processed her words. My dorm? Not all of us?
Lucien was the first to voice his displeasure. “She isn’t going to stay anywhere without us. I don’t trust anyone else to keep her safe. The staff has already proven that this place is not without threats, and we won’t risk her.”
She held her hands up placatingly as I reached back to grab his hand, knowing this was a trigger point for him. I didn’t want him to scare the kind professor away with his rage.
As he gripped my hand, he gave a little yank and tugged me to his front before wrapping his arms around me and tucking my head under his. His breathing was uneven, and I knew he was trying to calm himself down.
“I know how you all feel,” Professor Saggia admitted with a small exhale. “None of us were happy with her actions today, and rest assured that Headmistress Estrid is handling her. Demigods, especially ones of her kind, have vain personalities that can be set off by someone they view as competition. But you won’t see her again.”
“No,” Lucien quickly chirped back, squeezing me tightly.
“Lucien, at least hear her out,” I whispered, which earned me a grateful look from the professor.
I wasn’t a fan of the thought of being separated either, but we were accepting the life that they were offering to us, completely free of charge, and if we had to play by a few rules, so be it. It didn’t mean we wouldn’t see each other. Hell, our schedules were identical.
Pushing the doors open to leave, she gestured once more. “I will explain more on the way.”
Elwin and Kylo went first, and we followed with a short stop at the desk to say goodbye to Mrs. Felicity and promise to visit her a few times a week. She told me not to worry about an old bat like her and enjoy my life, but I could see the hope in her eyes that I would follow through on my promise.
