Read Cold Blood Online

Authors: Heather Hildenbrand

Cold Blood (4 page)

"Apparently. Is that a problem?"

"Well, I mean, you're a kid. I guess I expected a teacher or something."

A hint of a smile appeared, but it was rough at the edges and sarcastic, like his words. "We'll make do." He gestured to the schedule I held. "Is that your class list?"

I nodded and handed it over. He skimmed it and handed it back.

"Defensive Maneuvers Two, huh? They must think you're capable enough. Hopefully they're right and training will be easier than I thought." He headed for the doors without waiting to see if I was following, or noticing that I was now glaring. "Coming?"

I rolled my eyes and followed him out.

 

Chapter Four

 

 

Alex led me around the side of the building where he'd disappeared earlier. As soon as we turned, several more buildings became visible. Apparently, the main building was so enormous it hid the rest of the campus from view. The buildings behind it were set up across from each other, two on each side, forming a large square, with a grassy courtyard in the middle. Each one was made of the same stone material, worn smooth and half hidden by layers of moss and climbing vines that made them seem to spring up from the ground like a part of the forest; especially since that’s what closed us in on all sides. Despite the season, there was green in every direction. A fair amount of them were fir and pine trees so the ground was littered with needles and small twigs but it was packed tight from years of foot traffic (or an expensive landscape company), creating a narrow path that led straight into the center of the square. There was even a small garden with a fountain in the center of the courtyard, lined with decorative trees and marble benches. I breathed in the crisp smell of bark and dirt and stared. It looked like the secret woodland home of garden fairies.

All around us, kids were milling around; some standing in small groups to whisper to each other, some sitting in pairs hovering over their open books, or horsing around in the courtyard. I resisted the urge to stare, to look for differences between these kids and the kids at my school back home. I knew there shouldn’t be, but I’d never actually seen this many Hunters up close, especially my own age. A part of me was excited by it.

Someone laughed, though the sound was soft, somewhere closer to bells tinkling, and I looked up to locate the source. It was a girl my age, with flowing blond hair that reached past her shoulder blades standing with her back to me, near a bench in the center of the courtyard. Even though I couldn’t see her eyes, I knew they’d be a perfect blue. I knew it in the way you just
know
when you’ve seen the most popular kid in school.

A group of girls stood in a circle around her. One of them broke eye contact with her long enough to glance over and spot me walking by. Then the girl, a skinny brunette with lashes that seemed to hold an entire bottle of mascara on them, turned back and said something to the blond, too low for me to hear. She began to turn, flipping her hair over her shoulder as her neck swiveled. Our eyes met and held for only a second before I glanced away. I immediately cursed myself for being the one to look away first. That is
not
how you were supposed to overcome “new kid syndrome”.

A couple of snickers went up, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of her smirking at me with a curled lip and a manicured hand on her hip before she turned back to the group and her jaw began moving again. Something about the way she smirked made me think of Cindy Adams, and I felt my hands close into fists automatically. My tension must’ve shown because I felt Alex glance over at me, one eyebrow raised. I forced a smile, eased my hands open, and willed myself to relax.

As if the rest of the student body was taking their cue from the blond, more heads began to turn in my direction. When they did, it was like a domino effect. One alerted another, who alerted another, and another. Soon, everyone was pointing at me and whispering. None of them looked outright hateful, but none of them looked particularly friendly either. It was the same expression I’d seen from those first two kids, in the lobby. The ones who’d called me a freak. I was beginning to realize there was something going on here; something bigger than rumpled clothes and smudged makeup. It was starting to get to me.

I kept my face carefully blank and my eyes averted, making it a point to notice the scenery above their heads, instead of their faces. I stared purposefully at the bright green ivy that covered the front of the building we approached. It wasn’t entirely difficult to be distracted by it. The shade of green was mesmerizing. It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen ivy before, or woods, but the colors here were so vibrant; brighter than the woods at home.

Somewhere nearby whispered voices drifted over.


She’s the one I was telling you about. The wolf chic,” whispered a girl’s voice.


No way. Eww,” was the response. “Why did they let Kane’s crew help her anyway?”


I don’t know. She’s not one of us.”

Beside me, I felt Alex stiffen and then relax again. He said nothing but he picked up the pace and we hurried on. We’d almost made it to the doors of the building when I heard it.


Hey, look. That’s the dirty blood.”

This time, I was sure Alex noticed–in the way that people try to politely ignore an uncomfortable situation. He kept his eyes forward and his expression neutral, but again, he picked up the pace. When we reached the doors, Alex stepped over and opened one, holding it wide for me to pass through. When we were both inside and the door had clicked shut behind us, I sighed. Alex made no move to continue. He stood, staring at me with a curious look on his face.


What?” I asked bracing myself because I wasn’t really sure I wanted to know what. Crossing the courtyard had been a combination of being the raggedy new kid in a school full of rich kids, and doing the walk of shame after prom and being caught by your mother. Horrible.


Nothing,” he said after a pause. “C’mon.”

We started walking again, bypassing a grand staircase wide enough for an eighteen wheeler to come down – sideways, down a long narrow hallway to our left. The scent of bleach and floor wax mixed with the smell that was inherent to any learning institution. The halls were empty, thank goodness, but every few steps I passed a flyer advertising some student club or event. I saw one for a “Fight Club”–yes that’s what it was called–and stopped to read it.

Three spots available in the junior class Fight Club. Tryouts held every Monday and Wednesday after last bell. Not responsible for injuries sustained. Medical team on standby. Come on out if you think you’ve got what it takes.

There was more about waiving liability for possible injuries and I probably would’ve kept reading, but Alex waited with arms crossed over his chest and a scowl at the end of the hall. I hurried to catch up and we took a right down another hallway.

"Why is everyone staring at me?" I asked.


What do you mean?”

I looked at him with narrowed eyes. “You know what I mean. I know you heard some of the comments being made outside.”

The muscles in his jaw tightened. “Most of the kids here have been together since they were kids. Same school, same social circles. You know how it is. Not everyone is so quick to adjust to a new face.”

I shook my head, not willing to accept such an easy answer. “No, it’s more than that. I heard what they were saying about me. They know that I’m – you know, mixed or whatever. And they have a problem with that.”


Of course they do,” he snapped. “Do you think any of us want a Werewolf–even a half-ass one–at our school? Learning our moves? Fighting with us?”

I hadn’t been prepared for that; I had no idea what to say. I blinked up at him, mortified by the tears I could feel forming, and looked away while I tried to get myself together. Underneath the urge to cry, I was mad. So I clung to that and grit my teeth before glaring back at him.


I see,” I said. “Well thanks for the heads up. In the meantime I’ll need a new tutor. One who isn’t a bigoted asshole.”

Alex exhaled, and some of the fire went out of his eyes, leaving them pale and apologetic. “Look, I’m sorry.” His shoulders relaxed and he was running a hand over his buzzed hair like he didn’t know what to do next. “I didn’t mean to – I don’t feel that way. I’ve known your Grandma for a long time. She was good to me and I intend to return the favor, so I’ll tutor you, and I’m sorry for what I said. The truth is the warehouse fight still has me wound up. That’s what the kids are still talking about and none of them have all the right details, which is probably why you’ve been labeled the enemy. Give it a few days and it’ll pass.”

I purposely held back from answering for a few seconds. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe him. I wanted to; but the look he’d given me when he’d talked about having a Werewolf in their midst – something told me he’d meant it. Even if he was trying not to. Finally, I nodded. “Okay, fine. Apology accepted.”

Alex looked relieved, and we started walking again. I thought about the warehouse fight. It made sense something like that would’ve been passed through the halls of a Hunter school, especially since Grandma’s rescue team apparently went to school here. I’d have to ask her about that. Between that, and how well she seemed to know Headmaster Whitfield, it seemed Grandma was more involved–or at least connected–than I knew.


Here we are,” said Alex, swinging to a stop outside the last door on the left.

Through the small window, I caught a glimpse of desks filled with students. Posters with various fighting stances hung on the walls.


So here’s how this is going to work,” he said, pulling my attention back. “I’ll meet you after last bell to show you the way to where we’ll train.” He glanced down at my jeans and hoodie. “You might want to change into more suitable clothes.”

I looked down at myself and then back at him. “More suitable how? We’re just studying?”


No, we’re training,” he said. He raised an eyebrow at my blank look. “Combat? Fighting?”


Oh. I didn’t know. They said tutor and I thought… my bags are being sent to my room for me. I didn’t have time to change.”


No biggie, today will be a light day. Starting tomorrow, though, you’ll want to be comfortable.”

Something about the way he'd said
light day
made me defensive; like he expected me to suck or something.

The door opened and a petite red head appeared. “Mr. Channing. What can I do for you?” she asked Alex, and I realized she was the teacher.


Professor Flaherty, this is Tara Godfrey.”

The woman turned to me and smiled. “Miss Godfrey, it’s nice to meet you.” I took the hand she offered and shook it, trying to figure out where I’d seen her before. She wore black pants that molded to her and had a mass of red hair secured in a haphazard bun high on her head.


Nice to meet you, too,” I said. “Do I know you?”


We’ve never been introduced. I know your grandmother. You might have seen me at the warehouse incident a few days back.”


Oh, right.” I remembered the tiny red head, but I hadn’t been close enough to make out facial features – and I’d assumed based on her size that she was a student.

Professor Flaherty looked at Alex. “It was nice of you to show our new student to her class. I’ll take it from here.”


I’ll see you at three,” he said, nodding to me as he retreated down the hall.

Professor Flaherty turned to me with a knowing look. “Not what you expected for a combat teacher am I right?”

For a second I thought she was talking about Alex and I didn’t know what to say, but then I realized she was gesturing to herself. “Oh, no, I guess not,” I admitted.

She smiled wider, which lit her face and hair, making it all seem to glow. It helped soften the sharp glint that she wore in her eyes. “Then again, if we’re being honest, you’re not what I pictured either, for the daughter of a legend.”

I opened my mouth to ask her what she’d meant, but a movement behind her cut me off. An object was sailing through the air, heading straight for the back of Professor Flaherty’s head. I opened my mouth to yell a warning but there wasn’t time.

Professor Flaherty twisted and her hand shot out, grabbing the object out of the air just before it made impact against her skull. She held it up and frowned. It was a rock the size of my fist. Her smile disappeared, replaced by a scowl that intimidated me far more than any other teacher I’d ever had, and turned back to the rest of the class.


Who did this?” she snapped.


Sorry Professor Flaherty. I was aiming for Justin,” called a male voice from a few rows back. I caught a glimpse of a jock-looking guy with messy brown hair, smiling apologetically.


Your aim is atrocious, Levi,” Professor Flaherty responded.

She stepped further into the room, motioning for me to join her, and set the rock on her desk, the incident already forgotten. I stared, trying to understand how almost getting your skull bashed in was no big deal.


Class, this is Tara Godfrey,” Professor Flaherty said, placing a small hand on my shoulder. “She’s new here, and I expect every single one of you to treat her like you would anyone else.”

Quiet snickers and mumbled words followed as I shuffled to my seat. A foot shot out a few rows in, and I barely missed face-planting in the aisle as I stumbled and slid into the empty desk. I got another round of snickers and laughter. If Professor Flaherty noticed, she didn’t comment. I glared at the kids around me until they looked away.

Up front, Professor Flaherty gathered papers and files while she talked. “We’ll be working outside today, so go ahead and assemble on the lawn. I’ll meet you out there in a couple of minutes.”

Smiles appeared and a couple of whoops went up around the room as kids jumped up and began filing out a side door. I took a step in that direction, but Professor Flaherty’s voice stopped me. She was bent over her desk, rummaging through its drawers as if she’d lost something.

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