Page 162 of Depraved Boys

“I can’t tell you how relieved I am to see you back,” he whispered. “Since hearing about your departure, I’ve been worried sick. It was hard to imagine how you could balance all those A levels with a part-time job.”

“Same here,” I muttered.

The teacher walked around to our bank of computers and asked us to keep our voices down. I turned back to my screen and worked on my project. It was hard to concentrate after hearing Sebastian’s account of how he’d seduced Miss Claymore. The conversations, the grand gestures… It all sounded too familiar.

It was even harder not to wonder whether I would be the next victim of the pull-a-pig game. Corrine was dead, Ashley expelled, and Miss Claymore would be fired. If I wasn’t careful, how would things end for me?

I shook off those thoughts. The emotions Sebastian had shown today had been real, and Leopold had always been upfront with his intentions. In a place like Brittas Academy, paranoia was an act of self-preservation. I just had to make sure it didn’t consume me and ruin my relationships.

At dinner time, I sat at the royal table between Leopold and Sebastian. Mrs. Benazir sat in the center seat of the head table for once, and Miss Claymore moped at her side, her broad shoulders slumped, and dark strands loose from her usual pristine hair bun.

“Do you think this is her last supper?” asked Leopold.

“I fucking well hope so,” muttered Sebastian. “Otherwise, she’ll drown me in my bath tonight.”

I glanced from Leopold to Sebastian, wondering if that was an exaggeration.

Prakash rubbed his chin. “Save the melodrama until Miss Claymore has finished her speech.”

The deputy headmistress stood. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention.”

The dining room chatter stopped, and I placed my knife and fork on the edge of my plate to listen. Miss Claymore rarely spoke during mealtimes except to give someone detention for a misdemeanor.

Once the entire room went silent, she said, “It is with a heavy heart that after eleven years of teaching at this wonderful institution, I have been asked to move onto alternative employment.”

Hardly anyone reacted to the announcement, but the queens exchanged shocked gasps, and someone from the knights’ table snickered. A relieved breath escaped my lungs. At least Mrs. Benazir had come through on one of my demands.

“Guiding young minds has been a dream for me, as has seeing you all grow from first-years to the bright and attentive students you’ve become.” She wiped a tear from her eyes.

“A-and I forgive the deluded young woman whose accusations lost me a position I have come to take as my vocation in life.”

The sincerity in Miss Claymore’s words twisted my heart. On the surface, she had fought so hard to stamp out bullying, her lectures had been great, and she had helped me pull up my grades following the accident. But I hardened my heart. This was also the woman who had slept with a thirteen-year-old boy. Not only had she pursued Sebastian relentlessly for years after, but she had tried to kill me for being involved with him.

“T-thank you all.”

Someone’s hand shot up. “Miss, I have a question.”

Miss Claymore turned to a table full of first years. “Yes, Miss Verens?”

“Are you going to become a headmistress in another elite school?” asked a little girl.

“I would hope to obtain such a position.”

“Miss?” asked Geraldine.

“Yes, Miss Hill?”

Instead of facing the head table, Geraldine turned her head and stared directly into my eyes. “Was the young woman who got you into trouble the same one who reports people to the police for the slightest complaint?”

I clenched my fists. Now everyone would know I was behind Miss Claymore’s firing. I glanced at Cormac and raised my brows as though to ask him whether he was sure that Geraldine was as kind as she had portrayed herself. Cormac scowled and dipped his head.

Miss Claymore gave the girl a watery smile. “Please do not bully her.”

My nostrils flared. Why had a woman who had slept with a minor get to throw me under the bus while making herself look like the victim?

Bianca’s hand shot up. “Will you reveal how Willow Evergreen got you fired?”

Her gaze roved over to the king’s table. “I will not.”