She Entered the Academy with a Crush, Three Men Fought to Keep Her novel · Chapter 6 of 24

Chapter 6: Scorched Glass

Nobody moved.

The smoke drifted in a thin grey ribbon past Mr. Hunter's shoulder.

Matt went very still under me, and I felt every muscle in him tighten.

"Mr. Calloway," said Mr. Hunter, quietly.

"Dress and leave."

"Sir..."

"Now."

I slid off Matt's lap and pulled my skirt down.

My face was burning.

Matt got to his feet with his jeans half buttoned and looked at me.

His eyes asked a question he didn't say out loud.

"Go," I told him.

"I'm fine."

"You're sure?"

"Matt." I put a hand on his arm.

"I'm sure."

He grabbed his shirt and went past the director with his head high.

He was brave, and he was shaking, and I loved him a little for it.

The door swung shut.

The scorched wood left a smell of burned cedar hanging in the air.

Mr. Hunter turned to face me.

I had never seen him angry before.

His shirt was open at the throat.

A line of black scales ran up the side of his neck, shining in the light.

"I have one question," he said.

"Did you choose this, or did it happen to you?"

"I chose it."

"I am twenty-three years old," I said, "and nobody in this school gets to choose for me."

"You came to my office and let me touch you."

"I did."

"Hours later you were on that boy's lap."

"I was," I said.

"And?"

His nostrils flared.

His eyes had gone gold again, and the air in the greenhouse was getting hot enough to curl the tomato leaves.

"You are mine," he said, low and rough.

I felt it in my knees.

I felt it in my stomach.

It was the exact thing I had wanted him to say, and it made me furious.

"No," I said.

His head turned.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm not yours. Chris has been saying it since the arch, and so have you."

"I'm not a coat you hang up when you come home."

"Chloe..."

"Let me say it, then. Nobody owns me, Gideon. Not you, not Chris, not Matt. I'm not for keeping.

"If you want me, you can have me. On my terms."

His jaw clenched so tight I heard it.

He took a step toward me.

I held up a flat hand.

"Stop."

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