Chapter16:Cold Lessons, Hot Games
270 Words
Afternoon sunlight poured through the tall windows of the hall, spilling like golden water over the ancient stone floor.
I sat in the last row, bored out of my mind, staring at the vampire teacher—Elysium—who looked like he was auditioning for the role of “Most Intimidating Being.”
He wore a dark coat buttoned all the way up to his throat, radiating cold that felt like it came straight off a glacier.
And every word he said carried that tone—condescending, like testing how much patience you really had.
“Miss Isolde.”
Great, he called on me.
I sat up straight. “Here.”
Dozens of eyes snapped to me.
Elysium walked down the podium slowly, his steps silent.
“Since you seem so alert,” he stopped by my desk, eyes fixed on the unopened textbook, “tell me—what was the third point I just made?”
I smiled, pretending to think hard.
“The third point is…” I paused for effect, “that the teacher’s wearing a very expensive coat today.”
A few chuckles erupted from the back rows; some gasps came from the front.
Elysium’s expression didn’t change, but I swear I saw a flicker—like I’d poked at something in him.
He leaned in, voice low, “Isolde, do you know you’re wasting a very good opportunity?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Wasting what?”
He said nothing, just shot me a sharp look, then turned back to the podium.
But inside, I felt it—the opportunity wasn’t about school at all.
- Writer
