Page 46 of Lessons in Touch

“I’m not interested, Liam,” I say, stepping away. He’s drunk, not violent, but his pushiness grates on me. I want nothing to do with this.

“Come on, you’re one of us now. Let me show you how—hiccup—fun this can be.”

“Back off, I said! I’m not playing with you, Liam! This is a warning!” I snap, and my voice is sharp. “I’m here to learn, not… this.”

I gesture at the orgy, my stomach turning as another couple starts fucking nearby, her ass bouncing as he thrusts.

“Well, like I said. You are a dumb—burp—bitch.”

He finally leaves me alone and joins one of the fucking groups. I watch as a girl immediately starts sucking his dick, even though it’s not even hard. It looks like she’s trying to French kiss a gummy worm.

Feeling overwhelmed, I know I’m not staying here. This world is too twisted and dark. I don’t fit in, and I’m okay with that.

Before I leave, I take one last look around the chapel. Cassandra is at the far end of the room, wiping her mouth. I didn’t see her doing it, but I’m sure she just gave someone a blow job.

I slip toward the door and keep my head down, trying to avoid Liam’s sloppy wave. He’s still getting a blow job, and he’s still not hard.

Chapter 16

Gabriel

Wolfswood is getting ready for Christmas. I look out my office window at the snow-covered grounds—eerie and beautiful, like the setting of an old film. Everything outside has turned to black and white: the land, the buildings, the trees. But inside, the staff has started putting up decorations. Strings of warm lights, garlands, little fir trees in corners. The contrast feels almost surreal.

I focus back on reviewing student essays, but there’s a knock on my office door. A student walks in. Her face is serious, almost apologetic. I get a sense that something is wrong. And in that moment, my thoughts go straight to Rose.

"Professor Thorn? Headmistress Velmont wants to see you immediately."

I stop writing. Mrs. Velmont never calls professors to her office without warning. When she does, it's bad news.

"Did she tell you what this is about?"

"No, sir. Just that it's urgent."

I put down my pen and fix my tie. Whatever this is, I need to be careful. Mrs. Velmont runs Wolfswood like a dictator. She doesn't put up with anything that makes the school look bad.

Her office is at the top of the admin building. I take the private elevator up, the ride feels too long, and I realize I’m nervous. Once I’m at the top, her secretary waves me toward the big doors without saying anything. Another bad sign.

I knock twice and go in. She doesn't look up and just keeps reading some file in front of her, on her desk.

"Sit down, Professor Thorn."

I do as she asks me and take the chair across from her desk. Her office always feels like a courtroom—everything in here is so sharp and cold. The windows open onto the campus, but today it looks more like a prison than a school.

She finally closes the file and looks at me.

"Gabriel." She only uses my first name when she's about to ruin my day. "We need to talk about some rumors I've been hearing."

My stomach drops, but I keep my face blank. "What kind of rumors?"

"The kind that could destroy this place." She purses her lips and stares at me like I'm a bug. "The students are talking about professors having inappropriate relationships with some of the girls."

The words hit me hard, but I try not to show it.

"That's definitely a problem," I reply neutrally.

"It is." She taps her fingers on the desk. "Especially when these rumors are about you."

My head starts to buzz, and I feel like I might throw up. But I keep looking at her. "Me?"