Page 245 of Depraved Boys

My mouth gaped open. “But—”

“The Board of Directors heard my side of the story.” She raised her patrician nose in the air. “Unlike you, they see the world in shades of gray, rather than black and white. ”

I ground my teeth. Mr. Byrd’s approval, I could understand. The psychopath probably thought Miss Claymore was a kindred spirit, but what about the others? Didn’t they seem to care that a grown woman couldn’t keep her hands off an unwilling, male student?

“Is this where you warn me to stay away from Sebastian?” I snarled.

Her gaze flicked to Leopold, making me wonder if she was tired of brunets. Then she turned back to me and said, “No, but Mrs. Brunswick was very vocal about keeping you away from her son.”

“Why?” Leopold snapped.

Still addressing me, she said, “Perhaps she doesn’t want her son poisoned when the relationship inevitably goes sour.”

Right. I tore my gaze away from the subtle glee on her face and pressed my lips together. The Board of Governors probably saw how bad things had become in the academy and decided that reemploying Miss Claymore was the lesser evil than allowing more students to die or become maimed under Mrs. Benazir’s lack of direction.

Blood roared through my ears, punctuated by the pounding of my pulse. I imagined that they’d justified it by telling themselves that Sebastian was seventeen and over the age of consent. Never mind that their relationship had started when he was just thirteen.

“Miss Evergreen?” Miss Claymore gave me an expectant look.

My shoulders slumped. What was the point of arguing with her when she’d regained her position of authority? It would be foolish of me to lose my shit, get a detention in her office, and get myself strangled.

“Yes?” I said.

“I will be keeping my eye on you. Any sign of trouble and you will be expelled.”

Nausea roiled through my gut, making me want to heave all over her polished, black shoes. If there was any justice in the world, Miss Claymore would be behind bars. The woman continued staring at me with those glittering, black eyes. Whatever smugness she radiated now turned to an intense examination. I hoped she wasn’t plotting my death.

“Let’s go,” murmured Sebastian.

Without a word or a backward glance, we continued down the hallway. My fingers trembled, and the fine hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Every instinct screamed at me not to turn my back on a predator, especially one who had tried to kill me on at least two occasions.

“Mr. Brunswick,” she snapped.

Leopold turned around and shrugged. “Mother didn’t tell me to stay away from Sebastian, did she?”

Miss Claymore didn’t reply, but I would bet my entire bursary that she would soon try to separate me from Leopold. And from Sebastian.

We hurried through the hallway toward the nearest stairwell. I was tempted to track Mrs. Benazir down and hand in my resignation, but that would only mean repaying my bursary and having to stay alone in the cottage where Miss Claymore could sneak in and kill me in my sleep.

Nobody spoke until we were safe behind the doors of Leopold’s room. Sebastian sat on the sofa and pulled me down on his lap, enveloping me in his masculine, cedar scent. He wrapped muscular arms around my middle. Strong, frantic heartbeats reverberated against my back, revealing the anxiety behind his calm exterior.

Leopold paced from left to right. “Shit. Just when I thought you could sleep easy, she comes back.”

“Did Miss Claymore bother you when you slept in Kash’s room?”

“No,” said Sebastian.

“You can sleep here, I suppose.” Leopold stopped pacing and glanced around the room. “But the sofa’s not the most comfortable.”

I shook my head. “Hiding yourself away isn’t the solution. We have to face her.”

Sebastian groaned. “You don’t know what she’s like.”

I twisted around in his lap. “An overpowered, vindictive harpy who takes what she wants and throws her rivals into deadly situations?”

“Maybe Wills has the best idea of Claymore’s true nature.” Leopold sat on the edge of his bed.

“Sorry, Willow.” Sebastian pressed a kiss on my cheek. “Sometimes, it’s hard to believe she went that far to get rid of you.”