Blaine
I slam shut the fridge in the staff room harder than I’d intended.
“What the fuck is wrong with you today, Bly?” Arch asks, watching me with an arched brow.
“Nothing,” I mutter, opening the can of coke and tipping the contents down my throat. I need something strong, but I know Oak hates me drinking on the job.
Ever since I forcefully took Azira’s anal virginity two weeks ago, she can’t stay away. She either gets herself into trouble so that she gets sent to me, or I’m dragging her away regardless and having my way with her. Never have I been this hooked on a girl, but I fear Azira is getting too attached.
“You’ve been off for weeks now. What is it?”
I glare at him, as he’s always sticking his nose into other people’s business. “Mind your own fucking business. Since when have I been into sharing and caring, you fucking fag?”
He chuckles and shakes his head. “Okay, there’s definitely something up with you.” He holds his hands up in surrender. “Keep it to yourself. I don’t give a shit.”
Oak enters then, narrowing his eyes when he sees us both. “What are you two bickering about? Every time I come in here, you are bickering like an old married couple.”
I give him an irritated stare, as he knows it’s not me that instigates it. “Archer being a fucking asshole, as usual.”
Oak chuckles. “After almost six years at this school together, I’d think the two of you would have got used to each other’s bullshit by now.”
I sigh heavily and run a hand across the back of my neck. “Any news yet on a replacement for math?”
Oak knows I hate fucking math, and he twisted my arm to cover it, but my patience is wearing thin. “A few leads, but you might need to give me until after Sring Break.”
“That’s four weeks from now, for fuck’s sake.”
He nods. “I know. I’ve had trouble finding anyone who has the qualifications.”
I shake my head. “Fuck the qualifications. We’re a secret and illegal academy for mafia heirs. Find someone who knows their math.”
Oak looks at me thoughtfully. “You have a point. I think you’ve given me an idea.”
“Good, well, I hope that idea means I’ll be able to stop taking math class ASAP.”
He shrugs. “Hopefully.”
Archer claps me on the shoulder. “It can’t be that bad.”
“It is impeding my time to dole out punishment. I’ve got less free periods and so I’m getting fewer students sent to me.”
Archer laughs. “You are fucking crazy. Did you know that?”
“Yes, and proud of it.”
“There’s a hockey game on tonight at the stadium in town. Either of you up for a guy’s night out?”
Oak shakes his head. “Sorry, I’ve got plans.”
Archer rolls his eyes. “Fucking married life is cramping your style, Oak.” He glances at me hopefully.
I nod. “Sure, I could do with a break from this place.” Going out with Arch suggests I’m desperate.
It’s because ever since I fucked Azira in the ass against her will just under a week ago, I’ve been barely holding it together.
The darkness inside of me wants to tear free and rip everything apart in its wake. The deeper I go with my pretty little masochist, the closer the darkness rises.
A break from the academy is exactly what I need.
“Perfect, shall I drive?” Archer asks. I can tell he wants me to say I’ll drive so he can drink.
I shake my head. “I’ll order us a cab. I want to drink and so do you, right?”
He smirks. “Yeah, sure.”
“I’ll book it for seven o’clock out front.”
Archer winks. “See you then.” And then he walks out of the staff room, leaving me alone with Oak.
When I turn toward him, he’s watching me with an odd look.
“What?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Nothing, you just seem…”
“Different?” I ask.
“Yeah.” He looks concerned.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to fly off the handle.” I’m not entirely confident of that declaration, but all I can do is hope that somehow I hold it together. “I’m just pissed off with covering math.”
His brow furrows. “I promise I’ll get it sorted. Maybe I can ask Arch to cover some classes.”
I snort. “You know he can’t take a class that doesn’t involve moving around.” Archer has ADHD and can barely keep his attention on anything. It’s why combat and gym suit him as subjects to teach.
He’s always moving.
“I’ll ask the other professors, see if any of them can split their time and help.”
I nod. “I appreciate it.”
“You sure that’s all that’s bugging you?”
Oak has known me for too long, and I know he can sense something else is wrong, but I can’t trust him with the thoughts swirling around in my head.
If he knew the depraved and fucked up things I’d done to Azira, he’d lock me in my dungeon until I see a shrink and sort myself out. A shiver races down my spine as I remember him forcing me to see a fucking shrink for months after he found me and gave me a home here.
“Certain. It’s just the workload that’s put me off kilter.” I head for the door. “I’ve got anatomy junior anatomy class starting in five minutes.”
“Sure, see you later,” Oak says.
I walk out into the hallway and take a deep breath to settle myself. If I don’t get it together soon, Oak is going to call me up on my shit. Somehow, I need to get Azira out of my mind and stop pushing the boundaries, before the darkness tears the both of us to shreds and leaves the academy in tatters.
It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve left carnage in my wake. I fear if I don’t get a handle on the darkness inside of me soon, we’re heading for a train wreck like that night in the motel when Oak found me. Only this time, I know better and if I let the darkness return to the surface; I know I won’t come out unscathed this time.