Page 78 of Hero of Havoc

My pulse thrums in my ears as her threat hangs there, followed by the sharp scrape of a chair.

“Then I’ll save us both the trouble and get the fuck out now,” Archer declares. The professor stumbles back as she hurries toward us.

“Sit down, Mr. Bowen.”

“I won’t,” he says with a sigh, completely unfazed as she stops in front of him, chest heaving and fingers twitching at her sleeve.

“If you don’t sit, I’ll report you.”

“I’ll do it for you,” he offers, snatching her device. I’m certain her eyes will pop out of their sockets with how hard she’s gaping.

“Mr. Bowen, I insist!”

He holds the device out of reach, glowering down at her. “And I insist you rethink your groups.”

She shakes her head, exasperated. “Mr. Bowen,” she repeats, but he just cocks a brow. I’m shocked at the size of this man’s ego.

I have no desire to intervene; I don’t want any of them paired with my enemies either.

“This academy doesn't revolve around you, your mate, or her other pairings,” she snaps, hands on her hips. “Now give me my device and⁠—”

“You’re really testing me today, Delores,” he interrupts. I wince as he exhales, calm and controlled. “The castle has enough to deal with. Let’s not add this to the list.” His voice is softer now, but she’s not budging.

“If I’m giving you such a menial task, there’s no reason why you can’t just get on with it,” she fires back.

“Delores, I thought we were getting somewhere. Let me talk to Viola, and⁠—”

“Fine! Fine!” she screeches. Archer lowers the device just enough for her to snatch it. She takes a step back, trying to compose herself. “Sax, Theodore, Baron, Archer, Ivy, and Silas are a team,” she declares, and Archer grimaces.

“Not Silas,” he says, but she shakes her head.

“Pick your battles, Mr. Bowen.”

Archer sighs, but I see him give in.

“I’ll take Silas if you give us security.”

“I said it isn’t an option.”

“Then make it one. Merge decor and theme—they’re the same anyway—and give us security. I’ll even say please. Just say yes.”

She tips her nose up, sighing heavily. “Fine. Now sit down and be quiet.”

She turns to walk away when Bonnie gasps and stands. “Professor, I must insist⁠—”

“Be. Quiet!” the woman rages, her fingers curling into her hair a second before she shifts. I’m enraptured when a lean panther suddenly fills the space.

A ball of fire erupts in Bonnie’s hand as she glowers at the beast. Her mate whispers her name, hand on her shoulder, but she shoves him away, vibrating with fury.

She’s truly insane.

“You think I’m afraid of you?” she snarls. The panther’s eyes narrow, but Bonnie just snickers. The flame in her hand burns brighter, but then her mate whispers to her again.

She freezes.

The fire dies to nothing.

“Everybody out,” Baron snaps, and nobody argues as the room descends into chaos.