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Much less all the words I wanted to say to hihtly, "Mr Cross showed excellent technique there, although I would have definitely stayed on the opponent's chest longer"

Archer nodded very slightly atto say that's why he'd done it; I would have been worse off if it had been the Vandy I really didn't care I was still pissed

"And now, Mr Cross, Skill Four," the Vandy chirped

But this time Archer shook his head "No"

"Mr Cross," the Vandy said sharply, but Archer just tossed the stake at her feet I waited for the dise up, but once again, the Vandy just sht smile She picked up the stake and handed it toto throw up Wasn't there soht a few sympathetic looks, but everyone else just seeet squashed

"Very well Watch and learn, people Skill Four Co at her

She pursed her lips in irritation, and then, without warning, her hand shot out to grab ry and hurt Without thinking, I pulledup and thrust it out

Hard

I saw my sneaker-clad foot slaed to someone else It couldn't possibly have been mine I'd never kicked anyone in my life; I certainly wouldn't kick a teacher

But I had I had kicked the Vandy in the chest, and she went sprawling onto the blue mat, not far from the very spot where I had sprawled earlier

I heard the other students draw in a collective breath I asp at the saht about then that the enormity of what I'd done hit me

I knelt down and offered her my hand "Oh my God! II didn't ot to her feet, nostrils flaring I was so very, very screwed

"Miss Mercer," she said, breathing heavily,me think of a bull,

"is there any reason you can think of that I shouldn't give you detention for the nextcaodsend, I remembered Elodie's advice "I like your tattoos!" I blurted out

I only thought the class had gasped before Now the sound theyfrom a balloon

The Vandy tilted her head at me and narrowed her tiny eyes "You what?"

"II like your tattoos Your ink Your, um, tats They're really cool"

I'd never seen anyone have an aneurysm before, but I was afraid that was exactly what the Vandy was about to do Frantic, I looked out at the crowd of students until I , and I realized that I had just made a truly horribleany free time here at Hecate, Miss Mercer," the Vandy sneered "Detention Cellar duty Rest of the semester"

The semester? I shook hteen weeks? That was insane! And cellar duty? What was that?

"Oh, colaring at the Vandy "She didn't know, okay? She wasn't raised like us"

The Vandy shoved a lock of hair off her forehead "Really, Mr Cross?

So you think Miss Mercer's punishment is unfair?"

He didn't answer, but she nodded as though he had "Fine Share it, then"

Elodie squawked, and I took soet out ofher chest

Archer was out the door almost before the words left the Vandy'sa little stunned, not toElodie and Chaston's glares

Archer was already way ahead ofso fast that I could hardly catch up

"You like her 'ink'?" he all but snarled when I was finally next to hih reasons to hate you"

"I'm sorry, but are you pissed atmy spine, buddy, so let's check the attitude"

He stopped so suddenly that I actually walked three steps past him and had to turn around

"If the Vandy had pulled that ht now Sorry for trying to save your ass Again"

"I don't need anyone saving ht," he drawled before walking toward the house But then so he'd said struck h reasons to hate , so I had to jog to catch up

"Your dad's the one who gave her those 'tats'"

I grabbed his elbow,on his sweaty skin "Wait

What?"

"Those h the Removal They're a symbol of her screwup, not a point of pride with her Why would you"

He trailed off, probably because I was glaring at him

"Elodie," he irlfriend and her friends were really helpful in filling hed and rubbed the nape of his neck, which had the effect of pulling his T-shirt even tighter across his chest Not that I cared "Look, Elodieshe's--"