Chapter 54: A Little Psycho
Chapter 54: A Little Psycho
"The dead cannot speak. That is why the living must decide whether to honor them, or betray them."
~ Rebel Beast
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The girls let out collective gasps, unable to believe the professor would actually go that far.
"What?!"
"No way!"
"That’s impossible!"
Even Aria’s brows lifted in genuine surprise. She had expected Professor Nightshade to give Karen a harsh scolding, perhaps assign her extra duties around the residence. Punishment? That was unexpectedly satisfying.
"You all heard me," Maverick said, completely unmoved. His gaze briefly drifted toward Aria. Whatever he saw on her face only reinforced the decision he’d already made.
Liv scoffed. "With all due respect, Professor, do you even know who Karen’s parents are?"
Judging by the confidence in her voice, she clearly expected that revelation alone to make him reconsider.
Maverick looked at her with complete indifference.
"So?"
Liv’s face fell. That single word completely derailed her.
Charlotte’s muffled protests grew louder behind the sheet of ice sealing her mouth. Had she been able to speak, she would’ve undoubtedly joined Liv in reminding everyone just how influential Karen’s family was.
Since she couldn’t, Liv decided to continue on her behalf.
"What Karen did was wrong, but she’s already apologized. If her parents find out you punished their daughter after everything she’s been through today, you’ll be creating unnecessary trouble for yourself."
She folded her arms afterward, clearly pleased with herself. Surely the professor would think twice now.
"Oh, she’s dead," Alek commented under her breath. Honestly, she had no idea what gave these girls the confidence. Just because they had money?
Well, good luck to her.
She hadn’t known Professor Maverick long enough, but from their few interactions, he struck her as the kind of unorthodox, cutthroat teacher who couldn’t care less about things like status.
And as expected, it was exactly as Alek predicted.
"You do realize you’re threatening the wrong person, don’t you?"
Maverick regarded Liv with a look that bordered on pity.
"My family isn’t exactly known for being reasonable people."
But Liv wasn’t backing down.
"My first father has the ability to compel people to do just about anything. If he truly wanted to, Karen’s parents could spend the rest of their lives eating their own shit while thanking him for the privilege."
A collective wave of disgust swept through the room.
"Eww!" Trisha gagged. "I don’t think I’ll ever recover from that mental image."
Karen wished the ground would simply swallow her whole. This was embarrassing.
"My second father prefers handling problems in his dragon form," Maverick continued as though the first threat wasn’t enough. "If Karen’s parents become too troublesome, I’m sure he’d consider them a decent afternoon snack."
"Ooh," Brittney grinned. "Two to nothing."
And yes, Aria and her girls were having fun here.
"My third father commands lightning. I doubt there’d be enough left afterward to identify the bodies."
By now, Liv’s confidence had all but disappeared. She’d only wanted to protect Karen. Instead, she’d unknowingly invited Professor Nightshade to compare family pedigrees.
She suddenly remembered exactly who his mother was.
Violet Purple.
The woman every child in Novara had grown up hearing stories about for the past twenty years.
Everyone knew Violet Purple had multiple husbands. Very few people ever bothered looking into what those husbands were capable of.
Liv was beginning to regret that oversight.
"My fourth father," Maverick resumed, "is known simply as the Beast. He has an unfortunate habit of solving problems with his fists."
He shrugged casually.
"Then there’s my grandmother, the Queen of the Free Fae, whose army would make Karen’s parents’ private security look adorable. As for my mother..." A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Well, if Violet Purple truly wanted to conquer the world, she’d probably have it done before dinner. Then there are my siblings, who are somehow even more troublesome."
"So tell me something, Liv." Maverick rolled his broad shoulders, a gesture Aria seemed to notice.
"If you were standing where I am, would you give a single fuck about Karen Donovan’s parents?"
Liv’s throat worked soundlessly.
"Answer me."
His voice cracked through the room with enough authority that nearly every girl flinched.
"N-No!" Liv blurted immediately, unable to look Karen in the eye.
She had only wanted to defend Karen and gain her favor in the process. Instead, she’d embarrassed her beyond repair.
"Good." Maverick rubbed a tired hand through his purple hair before letting out a weary sigh. "I’m done entertaining this conversation."
He looked directly at Karen.
"Karen Donovan will remain in this residence."
Confused murmurs immediately spread through the room. The girls looked at one another, unable to understand how remaining in the residence counted as punishment.
Maverick anticipated the confusion.
"The rest of you," he announced, "will be coming with me to House Therion."
For several long seconds, nobody reacted. It was as though the announcement had been so absurd their minds refused to process it.
Then the room exploded with screams.
"Oh my God!"
"No way!"
"We’re going to live with the beasts?"
"That’s impossible!"
"Is this really happening?"
"I think I’m dreaming!"
"This is insane!" Fatima exclaimed.
"Yes," Maverick agreed dryly. "I’ve finally lost my mind."
Threatening beast students with failing grades had been one thing. Bringing twelve human girls into House Therion was something else entirely. It wouldn’t be long before the entire academy accused him of trying to turn Bestiaris into another Lunaris.
Frankly, he couldn’t blame them. He only hoped he hadn’t just moved the girls from one danger into another.
"Wait..." Meredith spoke up, the realization finally settling in. "If Karen isn’t coming with us, does that mean she’ll stay here alone?"
Her expression slowly shifted to horror as the true weight of the punishment dawned on her.
Just like that, thirteen pairs of eyes settled on Maverick, waiting for his answer.
"What do you think?" he replied without a trace of sympathy. "She sacrificed Philippa because she happened to be standing in her way. Now she gets the opportunity to survive with nobody left to stand in hers."
"Oh shit," Brittney muttered before slowly turning toward Aria. She didn’t say a word, but the look on her face said enough.
Your man of interest might actually be a little psycho.