He flinches. Then his shoulders relax and so does the pressure in the air. I didn’t realize how much he was using until it waned.
“Sorry. Habit.” His expression tells me he’s not at all sorry.
“So, what do I owe the pleasure?” I ask, still holding tightly to the note.
“Why don’t you sit, Miss Montgomery.”
Inwardly groaning, I obey without comment.
He examines me closely. I refuse to squirm.
“I invited you in today just to check-in.” He tilts his head innocently. “Make sure you’re comfortable.”
I flick a brow. “Yep. Perfect. Guess I can go now, then.” I begin to stand.
He clears his throat, and I smirk. I knew it wasn’t that simple.
“I get the feeling you do not like me, Miss Montgomery. Or perhaps you are simply under the impression that I do not like you, given the note you sent along with your application.”
I flop back into the chair. At least we’re over the fake pleasantries and onto the elephant in the room.
“I am not concerned with your information. If you think it’s the first time someone has tried to blackmail me or this school, you’d be wrong. There are other ways of dealing with those kinds of threats than bowing to commands.”
My muscles tense. Was that a threat?
“I did not admit you out of fear. I admitted you because you are the exact kind of student we want at Shadow Hills.”
I flinch. The hell? “Humans?” I ask incredulously.
“You are not strictly human, are you?” he asks with a tone that implies he knows exactly what’s in my blood.
I narrow my eyes. What difference does that make? “I have zero magic.”
“And how much magic do your parents have?”
“None. Or close to it.”
“And yet, they are two of the most famous potionists in history.”
I blanch. History? Really?
“You’d be correct in assuming we pride ourselves on recruiting the most powerful young supernaturals to our school. It increases our clout and our ability to develop world class facilities and renowned teachers. But there are very few top schools that commit to also developing weaker supernaturals. It is one of our core philosophies that even the weak can become powerful. You do not need to have a strong level of magic to be influential in the magical community. Your parents prove that. We want the best possible students on both ends of the spectrum.”
I’m a potential feather on his cap. If I can have any kind of success in potion making like my parents, I’d make this school look good. I suppress a sigh.
“Okay, so you want me here. Cool. Anything else you’d like to discuss?”
“Yes, there is one other thing. According to my records, you have only passed through our spell blocking arches in the lunch hall once this week.”
Oh. Right.
“There have been rumors spreading about you, and though I don’t have any actual concerns, please be sure to pass through the arches, even if you decide not to eat our food. It’s an important part of public perception.”
I give him a sharp nod.
“You are dismissed.”
I stand immediately and rush for the door, ready to be done with thisconversation as quickly as possible.
