The Art of Teasing

DELLA

Sorin and Micha join us at the table, and I make a point of avoiding Oz’s gaze. As we eat, I catch Kade’s smile from across the cafeteria, where he’s surrounded by a few other Nephilim.

“So, we’re back to demonology, huh?” Oz inquires.

“Yep,” I respond, taking a bite of my muffin. I nearly choke on it when a burning piece of paper materializes in front of me out of nowhere.

~Come to my office.~

–Dr. Tenn.~

I can’t help but stare as the paper continues to burn, ensuring no one else can read it. What the hell?

“I gotta go,” I tell the table, and get up to carry my tray to the trash. I send Kade a playful wink as I exit.

I can sense him trailing behind me in the hallway. Ignoring his presence so I don’t get distracted, I knock on The Doctor’s door.

Tenn greets me, looking dapper in another flawless suit. This one is slate gray, paired with a royal blue tie. He looks absolutely irresistible, and I realize I might be in trouble.

“Doctor,” I greet him.

“Miss Hearst, please come in.” He glances over my shoulder with a puzzled expression, then shuts the door, leaving Kade in the hallway.

I can feel his gaze on me as I settle into the chair I sat in when I first arrived. That seems so long ago now.

“So, I hear you had quite the day yesterday,” he begins, arching an eyebrow. “I’ve received a complaint about you.”

“Was it about my impromptu striptease in power training or my threat to a cupid?” I ask.

“The cupid.” He scowls. “We’ll deal with the other issue after.”

“Goodie.” I huff, folding my arms across my chest.

“I can’t believe I have to say this, but you cannot be waving knives around and threatening other students! You shouldn’t be carrying weapons in school, period! What were you thinking?!” he scolds.

“It’s not like I go around threatening people for kicks!” I shout back.

“Could have fooled me. How did we meet again?” he snaps.

“Yes. Let’s recall that. You two dragged me into an alley that night!” I point out angrily. “And as for your precious student, did he mention his attempt to reach up my skirt?” I ask, my gaze deadly. If looks could kill, that cupid would be long gone.

“No. He failed to mention that detail.” He winces. I can tell I’m not going to like what’s coming next. “Why didn’t you report him?”

“Because I handled it. Besides, he’d already tried once before, and Professor Raziel talked to him about it. That obviously didn’t stop him from trying again. So, what were you going to do?” I shrug. “No one ever does anything to actually stop this sort of stuff. And I’m perfectly capable of dealing with a pervert like him myself.” Unfortunately, this seems to be the wrong thing to say.

“You should have reported it, Della! You’re a student here now, and you need to start acting like it. You have to tell us when things like this happen! Now we only have his complaint on file. And you have detention for using weapons outside of weapons training.” Asshole!

“Of course I do.” I snort, shaking my head. What did I expect? “Next time something like this happens, I’ll report it.” I just want this to be over. I don’t want to be here.

“Good. I’m in charge of your detention. Come here after your last class tomorrow,” he commands. Just fucking perfect.

“Fine.”

I march out, letting the door bang closed behind me, and find Kade still waiting in the hall. He raises an eyebrow at me, and I nod. I understand his silent question. I’ll be fine.

He fights a smile as we walk, and I roll my eyes.

“What?” I ask, giving in.

“I was just thinking Micha would have had a feast if he’d been here,” he teases, and I can’t help but smile, feeling my anger falling away.

“You’re terrible. I have detention tomorrow.”

“I heard.”

“Ugh.” I groan. “Oh, so you were right about Micha. We kissed.”

“I know.” He grins smugly.

I just can’t with him today, so I change the subject. “So, what are your classes today now that you’re free from Della-sitting?” I ask.

“Demonology, gym, and flying,” he rumbles.

“You can fly?” I ask, intrigued.

“Yes. I can. I just hide my wings,” he explains nonchalantly, but I notice the tension in his jaw. I’ll ask him about it later. I’m pleased that I still get to share two out of three classes with him.

We walk into class and take our seats. I turn to grab my book and see Caleb staring at me. No, not staring, leering.

~Beware.~

A cold shiver snakes up my spine. If my little voice is chiming in, there’s something really wrong with this guy.

“Have fun in detention tomorrow.” He sneers. How does he know it’s tomorrow?

“Caleb, this is your last warning!” Raziel booms from the front of the class. “If you cannot control yourself, you will be asked to leave. Again.”

I send Raziel a grateful look before getting back to class.

Afterward, I head to the cafeteria and grab a ham sandwich, then make my way to the table where Oz, Sorin, and Micha are already eating. I sit down next to Sorin and start eating.

“Oh, Micha, I can’t make it to the library tomorrow. I got detention,” I say between bites.

“What did you do now?” Sorin asks.

“Threatened Caleb with a knife. I didn’t report his hand wandering up my skirt, but he reported a knife against his wrist.” I shrug and mutter, “Tattletale.”

“That’s okay, Della. I’ll see what I can find out on my own.” Micha smiles.

“Thanks,” I say awkwardly as I feel Sorin’s fingers trail up my thigh under the table.

“So, who’s your detention with?” Sorin asks.

“The Doctor.”

“The Doctor?” Micha asks.

“Dr. Tenn,” Oz clarifies. “She thinks he looks like David Tennant.”

“He does,” I assert.

“He really does! How did no one see that before?” Micha agrees with wide eyes, making us all laugh.

We head off to the gym and find Kade waiting outside the changing rooms.

“Hey, there,” I greet him.

“Hey. Did you tell Sorin?” he asks with an impish grin as he glances in Micha’s direction.

“I haven’t had a chance yet,” I wince.

“Go.” He gives me a gentle push toward Sorin.

“Yes, sir.” I smirk and give him a little salute. I grab Sorin’s arm, and he looks both curious and excited as we walk down the hall a bit. “So, you know how you said you would share?”

“I believe I said I like sharing. Who is it?” He smiles.

“Micha.” His eyes go wide.

“What did you do, my little handful?” He grins, his eyes filled with desire.

“We kind of spent the night together,” I mutter, but then I hear how it sounds. “All we did was sleep! And we kissed once. This morning. But I wanted to make sure it was okay with you before we started anything serious.”

“Come with me,” he says, leading me to an empty classroom.

I hear Kade chuckling behind us as we leave.

Sorin sits me down on a desk and stands between my knees. “I’ve been friends with Micha for years. He’s a good guy. If you want to be with him, then I don’t mind.” He smiles down at me. “I’d also like to hear about all the trouble you get into with him and Kade.”

“Oh, really?” I ask, leaning in toward him. “So you would want to hear about me making Kade chase me around the school for a day and a half? How every time I caught him, I would tease him, and then when things started heating up, I’d leave him and make him chase me some more?” I ask, pressing my hand against the front of Sorin’s slacks and watching his face as he groans.

“I want to hear all of it,” he says before taking my mouth with his. The kiss is hungry and passionate, and I make sure to part with a bite to his bottom lip.

“Sounds good.” I grin, hopping down from the desk to dash out to class. I get changed and head over to run with Kade and Micha.

“Where’s Sorin?” Micha asks.

I shrug, making Kade smile. “He should be here in a bit,” I say with a nonchalant smile. Sorin joins us after our run, and we make our way through a thankfully uneventful gym class.

Kade and Sorin leave for their other classes, and Micha and I sit down and start meditating on our centers.

I find my small, dark, slightly chipped center and just focus on becoming familiar with it like Professor Coach said. It’s stronger than it looks, and it’s oddly beautiful. I’m still afraid to open it, but I’ll get there.

I step closer and feel an itch in my mind as I’m pulled into a vision.

~I’m looking up into worried copper eyes as I cover his mouth with my hand.~

“Fine. I’ll take care of Delaney… Well, she can’t be allowed to live… Fine. Sentimental fool. I won’t hurt her.” I hear a beep. “I’ll get that punisher to do it for me. No one would care. She’s a demon; it’s his duty.”~

Oh shit. Someone wants to kill me.

I’m forced out of my vision with a loud gasp. A few sets of eyes are looking at me, including a pair of worried copper eyes.

I feel like I should recognize the voice, but I can’t put a name or face to it. I keep my eyes downcast and just sit through the rest of class. I’ll try again when I’m alone.