Page 71 of Midnight of Ashes
Bile surged up my throat as Brent shifted to move my backpack.
I jumped to my feet, grabbing the bag and starting for the door.
Brent was faster, though. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
“Out of here and to report you to the dean,” I snapped.
Redness crept up his throat. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Move,” I ground out, shifting my backpack on my shoulder.
Brent’s gaze shifted to my neck, his eyes flaring. “I guess you do like it rough.”
And then he lunged.
36
HAYDEN
Professor Brent moved so quickly, so unexpectedly, that I didn’t have a chance to block his attack. He grabbed me by the throat, shoving me back toward his desk. I batted at his arm, trying to knock it away, but Brent was far stronger than he looked.
I tried to scream, but the sound came out garbled.
Brent tightened his hold on my throat, his other hand slapping across my face in a stinging blow. “You fucking bitch. You think you can tease me, then threaten me?”
The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth as his fingers tightened again.
I kicked out, connecting with Brent’s shin.
He cursed, and this time, the blow that connected with my face had me seeing stars.
“You want this,” he snarled, tearing at my blouse and sending buttons flying.
I kicked again, this time harder. I landed a shot right between his legs.
The sound that Brent let out wasn’t entirely human. He lunged, sending me crashing into the desk. “I’m going to kill you for that.”
His hands closed around my throat just as a knock sounded on the door.
“Professor?” Knox called.
I tried to scream, but no sound came out. My vision tunneled as another more insistent knock sounded.
“Professor!”
Spots danced in front of my eyes.
The sound of wood splintering came from far away. Then a roar of fury. And suddenly, the hands at my throat were gone.
I collapsed to the floor, coughing and sputtering. It took a few beats for my vision to come back, but in that time, someone was next to me, hands so incredibly gentle.
“Hayden,” Knox croaked. “Oh, God.”
I blinked up at him, still coughing.
He hauled me against him, cradling me. “Breathe, baby. Just breathe.”
I tried to do that, but they weren’t coming easy.
