Viviette Tom stood at the end of the corridor.
She was carrying books.
Leather-bound volumes were stacked precariously in her arms. Some looked older than civilization itself. Others looked like they had personally survived a fire.
Knowing Viviette, both possibilities were equally likely.
Her sharp eyes moved from Jordan.
To me.
Then back again.
A pause followed.
A very deliberate pause.
The kind teachers used when they already knew the answer and were waiting for you to embarrass yourself.
"Wonderful," she repeated and then she sighed "Must every interaction with the two of you feel like a criminal investigation?"
"Usually," Jordan answered, unfazed and radiant in the indifference.
"That's because you're a wolf." Viviette snapped.
"I'm glad we've established my species." Jordan snorted.
I rolled my eyes, suppressing a laugh.
"Miss Carter." Viviette Tom turned to me.
My stomach dropped.
Teachers never used surnames unless trouble was approaching at speed.
"Yes?"
"I require assistance." Viviette adjusted the stack of books in her arms.
"I need these delivered to my residence."
"Fine," I muttered.
"Excellent."
Half the books immediately landed in my arms.
My knees nearly folded.
Sweet merciful death.
"How are books this heavy?" I asked her.
"They contain knowledge." She smiled.
"Looks like they contain bricks." Jordan said, one hand idly ruffling his hair.
I resisted the urge to hit the books on his head.
"Knowledge is heavy, Mr. Files. Ignorance is much easier to carry." Viviette said with an impatient scowl on her face.
Jordan nodded thoughtfully.
"That explains Derrick Vale."
I choked.
Viviette actually looked impressed.
For half a second.
Then she ruined it by saying, "That was moderately amusing. Don't get used to it."
Jordan placed a hand over his heart.
"I'll treasure this moment forever."
"I hope not."She said crisply, extracting a key and handing it to Jordan "I expect you to do what a gentleman does. Escort the lady."
She pushed the remaining books into his outstretched arms and added ""And if even a single page goes missing, I will assume Mr. Files ate it."
Jordan looked down at the stack.
Then at her.
Then back at the stack.
"You think I eat books?"
"Well you're a wolf."
"That is species profiling."
"It is experience."
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing.
Jordan looked personally wounded.
It was a performance.
A good one.
But still a performance.
Viviette wasn't buying it.
"Principal Scavenger has called an emergency meeting," she continued. "Which means I am already late."
"Of course you are" Jordan smirked. ..
She ignored him "Night, I am counting on you to be the one with good sense. Do not let him wander".
Jordan looked offended. He turned to me "When have I ever wandered, mon Cherie ".
I froze.
Viviette turned to him sharply "And I do not need to remind you that we are still reeling from Maren and Darren's tragedy. " Her voice was mercifully a low whisper but it had all the firmness of a rock. "Those silly pet names should have a time and place".
I swallowed hard.
Jordan said flippantly "Apologies, Ms. Tom.".
Viviette scoffed "You will apologize to the Council when the fire beckons, stupid reckless werewolf "
Jordan nodded solemnly.
The solemnity lasted approximately three seconds.
Then he smiled.
Viviette immediately looked exhausted.
I was beginning to understand why teachers aged prematurely.
"Third house in the Teachers Quarters" she said. "The key opens the front door. Leave the books in my study."
"Got it." I said.
"And lock the door when you're done."
"Got it."
"And don't go exploring."
Jordan's smile widened.
Viviette pointed at him. "That expression is exactly why I said it."
A pulse of pain struck behind my eyes.
Sharp.
Sudden.
My grip tightened on the books.
For a second the corridor tilted.
Clink.
The sound echoed through my skull.
Metal.
A chain.
Dragging slowly across stone.
The books shifted in my arms.
Jordan noticed immediately.
His smile vanished.
"Night?"
I swallowed.
"I'm fine."
A lie.
A terrible one.
Viviette's gaze sharpened. "You have a headache, Miss Carter ". She said "I think you should visit the infirmary".
"I'll survive," I muttered.
"That's exactly the sort of statement people make before they don't."
"Comforting." Jordan snorted.
"I am a teacher, Mr. Files. Comfort is not in my job description." So saying, Viviette Tom turned on her heel and began striding down the corridor toward the Administration Wing.
The click of her crisp heels echoed against the floor.
Sharp.
Precise.
Fading.
I watched her disappear around the corner.
Jordan shifted the books under one arm and jingled the brass key between his fingers.
The metal glinted beneath the corridor lights.
"You thinking what I'm thinking?" He smirked.
"No."
"Good."
I frowned."What are you thinking?"
"That we're definitely going to discover something horrifying in that house."
I groaned."Jordan."
"What?"
"Viviette specifically told us not to explore."
"Technically she told me not to explore."
"Jordan."
"I'm just saying the wording was very selective."
I hated how his logic occasionally worked.