Page 5 (1/2)

Talk about a twofer …

Nick returned Stone’s glare Though he physically appeared to be fifteen, Stone was a ho, in actuality, was in his late twenties Since Stone’s people didn’t age the way hu sent to school, which was supposed to teach them how to interact with hu, Stone wasn’t any ? Stone functioned on the level of a socially stunted five-year-old

And Stone, because of his father’s money and the fact that he played on the football, basketball, and baseball teaht he was above everyone, and that all should bon to him In particular, he and the other ania wolf to be picked on and belittled In part because Nick, until he’d started working for Kyrian, had been a poor scholarship student However lately, Stone’s aniirlfriend, Casey Woods, had beenadvances at Nick

But Nick had never been Stone’s willing victienetic code to back down frohts were the stuff of legends a the student body and faculty

As Richardson started calling roll, the door opened to admit two unfa them to Richardson’s desk, the principal spoke in a low tone to her while the boy and girl swept nervous glances over the room

"Must be new meat," Stone whispered loudly to his friend Mason

Mason nodded "He don’t look like irl’s edible"

"Mason!" Casey snapped as she turned around in her seat to griross Both of you" She paused to pass a hot look at Nick, who did his best to not react to it or let Kody see it

Too late He got that what-are-you-doing-Nick stare fro-to-pull-you-bald-headed-if-you-don’t-leave-my-boy-alone sneer to Casey

Casey rolled her eyes at Kody before she flounced around in her seat and tossed her hair over her shoulder

Oooo, not so, since he’d seen Nekoda handle a sword His girl had no quals she saw as a threat

Too bad Casey didn’t know that

He still didn’t knohat ga with hiirl off and on for the last three years But for the last year, every ti passes at hiet their attention "We have t students A brother and sister transferring in Joey and Jill Becker" She pushed her glasses back up on her crooked nose "Take your seats, children"

Joey grabbed the seat up front by Richardson’s desk--poor dude He’d soon learn Jill took her ti the room before she smiled at Nick and ive him an arch stare

Nick held his hands up in surrender I’ht to her

The look on her face said she didn’t believe his? More iet out of them?

He certainly couldn’t help it if his hotness attracted the opposite sex Yeah, okay, that was a joke He didn’t knoas in the water lately, but nohis teen clu body could ever seriously attract anything but flies and mosquitoes

Jill held her hand out to hi at him, Nick reluctantly shook her hand "Nick" Then he quickly let go

"You wouldn’tme to my next class, would you, Nick?"

Help me… Where, oh where art thou, hellmouth? Why have you forsaken me in my hour of desperation? Open quick and I’ll throw myself in

Caleb turned to face her "I’ll be happy to show you I’m Caleb, by the way"

"Mr Malphas?" Richardson snapped irritably "Do you have sorinned at the condescending shrew "No, Ms Richardson I was et lost or be late to her next class"

"While that is nice of you, you need to listen for your name"

"Yes, ma’am"

Gah, that had to irritate Caleb Thousands of years old, he was more powerful than anyone Nick had ever met, except for Acheron He had no doubt the demon could fry Richardson in her seat

And to think, he’d once been jealous of Caleb’s Hollywood-slick good looks, perfect body, great wardrobe, and money Until he’d learned the truth about hih money in the universe to co to put up with Nick’s cranky butt all the ti about hi the haunted shadows that darkened Caleb’s eyes whenever he thought no one was looking

It made Nick wonder if his own scars were that visible whenever he let his guard slip

Not soon enough, the bell rang, liberating theoodness he didn’t have her for English anyest of his life

Nick had just slung his backpack over his shoulder when Jill planted herself firlance to Caleb, then to Kody, who see him

"My first period is in room 214 Can you help me find it?"

Nick stepped back so that Caleb could slide in

"I’d be more than thrilled to show you," Caleb said in his deepest drawl