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Ah, so she’s the self-appointed queen bee.
“Incoming,” I warn Ever, turning in my seat to face the threat rather than trying to hide from whoever this asshole is. I learned a long time ago that there are two ways to deal with bullies. Let them win, or beat them at their own game. Since everyone is already staring, perhaps I can give them all a show. As soon as the girl reaches the table, I extend a hand, leveling her with a frosty look. “Raina. Lovely to meet you.”
Her nostrils flare in irritation. Aw, she wanted to be first to speak. “I know who you are, Feral blood.” She looks at my hand like it’s diseased.
I pull it back and rest my forearm on the table, wholly unbothered. “Well, I’m sorry, but I don’t sign autographs while I’m eating.”
She scoffs and crosses her arms, cocking her hip. “You think you’re funny, bitch?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I say with a wave of my hand. “I know I am.”
Ever laughs, slicing off a piece of apple with a wicked-looking knife.
“See?” I point at her. “She thinks I’m hilarious.”
The queen bee glares at Ever. “Who let the dog in?”
“Melody Tweed, right? Aren’t you a tether? Why are you worried about us?”
I reassess Melody, being careful not to underestimate what she can do. She has to be incredibly strong to be a tether. With how haughty she’s acting, I already feel bad for whoever she ends up with.
Melody’s focus slices toward me. “We know you cheated during the order assignment.”
“Is that the story we’re telling?” I nibble on my bacon. “And how exactly did I do that?”
She frowns. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. My uncle’s the chancellor, you know.”
Ever and I trade looks, and I set the bacon down, picking up my coffee. “Good for you.” I take a long drink, assessing Melody and her friends. The one with medium-brown skin has distinct red rings around her irises, and she flashes her fangs at me. The other, with light skin and East Asian features, waggles her fingers, fire dancing along the tips of each one.
The rest of the student body is watching us with rapt attention. Melody might be queen bee, but these two must be important Foundations too.
Melody waits expectantly, probably anticipating me babbling about how I didn’t cheat or throwing myself at her feet. The worst kinds of Foundations are those who seek to hold power over the Ferals they think are weaker. They’re the types who will step on thousands to position themselves above everyone else.
I’m not pandering to this bullshit. Tipping my head, I ask, “Is that all?”
Anger scrunches her face. “You can drop the act. We all know you don’t belong here.”
“Well, we can’t all be Uncle’s favorite, now can we?” I stick my tongue in my cheek, making it bulge like a cock was stuffed in it. “Maybe you’ll have to give me a few pointers for winning over Tweed’s affections.”
Ever stifles her laugh with her hand, ducking her head to keep from literally laughing in Melody’s face.
Melody bristles. “Who do you think you fucking are?”
Shrugging, I say, “No one, which is why I don’t understand why you want to be friends.”
“As fucking if, gutter scum,” Melody snarls, hands slapping on the table, ignoring the way Ever’s eyes are glowing in warning.
My fingers curl into fists, and I shift in my seat, readying myself.
“Me, Brittany, and Chelsea? We run this school,” Melody begins, but I cut her off before she can continue to bore me with some vague threats.
“And you’re like, proud of that?” I ask with a laugh.
“You should incinerate her,” Melody’s mage friend says, edging closer.
“Oh, it speaks,” I say, eyebrows lifting in surprise. “I didn’t know pets could talk.”
A fireball forms in her hand, and I only have a second to duck before she launches it at me. Someone at a nearby table yelps as it hits their seat. They jump up and dump their water on the fire before it can burst into a big flame. “Let’s see if I miss this time.” The girl prepares another fireball, but before she can throw it, Bree, the redhead who talked to me and Ever in the auditorium yesterday, shoves between us.
