Past the Ages: Book Two (22 page)
Read Past the Ages: Book Two Online
Authors: RaShelle Workman
Mr. Lundy gazed at the students, as though disappointed he had to make eye contact. “Fine. Fine. Bring up your slips and introduce yourselves. Hustle.”
Zaren went first. He placed the slip on Mr. Lundy’s desk and then turned toward the class. Clearing his throat, he began, “I’m Zaren Smith. Dervinias is my cousin. My, ah, sister and I will be staying with him for a while.”
The whole sister-thing irritated her again.
I’m not his sister, for cret’s sake.
Giggles and whispers went around the room. All the girls were smitten. Why wouldn’t they be? He was gorgeous. Still, Venus threw daggers, in the form of dirty looks, toward any girl who made eye contact.
“Young lady, are you going to keep us waiting all day?”
Dervinias smirked. He’d obviously been following her thoughts again. She glared. “Apologies, sir.” She rose and went to the teacher’s desk, dropped off the slip and turned. Her eyes immediately found Michael’s. She hadn’t meant to seek him out. A glimmer of surprise, maybe even pleasure crossed his face. He looked tired after last night’s game and the party. It probably wasn’t a good idea to wreak such havoc on a body, drinking and celebrating until all hours, only to get up the next day for school. Yet, even amongst the exhaustion on his face, there was a quality . . . He radiated a gentleness, which he seemed set on trying to hide, but it was apparent. His eyes were a caramel in color today, a hint of gold flecked around the edges.
“Venus is it?”
She jumped and looked at the teacher.
The class laughed.
Michael lowered his gaze.
“That’s correct.” Venus raised her chin, lowering her hands to her sides and clenching them into fists.
“I think your brother told us everything we need to know. Have a seat.” He waved her away.
As Venus walked by Cheverly, she gave her a strange look. Dervinias was laughing again. “That was the epitome of cool.” Clearly he needed a good alien butt kicking on a regular basis. Venus decided she was the kelarian to do it.
Zaren gently grabbed her arm and whispered, “You good?”
She took a deep breath struggling against the pressure on her lungs. “Perfect.”
After the initial humiliation, the rest of class dragged on. The teacher nearly put her to sleep. One guy, with curly red hair and freckles, actually snored. When the bell rang, they all bolted. Next, the three of them had Government. Then Computer Science. Michael wasn’t in either class. It gave her a chance to relax, settle in.
Both classes were slow, the computers primitive. There was a moment of horror when she reworked a program to increase its speed. The teacher slathered her in praise. Her face turned hot with embarrassment and Venus made a mental note to avoid messing with anything after that.
Then they all went to Spanish.
In a moment of bravery she picked a seat in the middle. Leaning over, Venus grabbed the South High notebook and dug around in her bag for the pencil. She must’ve forgotten it. “Cret,” she whispered, still searching in a panic.
“You’re in my seat,
Venus
.” His tone sounded mocking. She knew instantly it was Michael. Raising her head, she watched him bend down so his face was centimeters from hers. She could almost taste the spearmint freshness of his breath. “Need a drink?” He chuckled.
“No, I’m looking for a pencil.” Venus wanted to be nice—needed to be—but he was making it difficult.
“Well, do it in another seat.” He pointed toward the back with a thumb.
Nervous, she glanced at Zaren, who gave her a smile. Then she grabbed her bag and stood. “Great, Michael. I will,” she said sarcastically.
“Good,” he responded with the same attitude.
Venus found a seat in the back and slumped into it.
How am I going to become friends with a guy who hates me?
She glared at
the back of his head.
Thankfully this teacher didn’t make her introduce herself. Many of Earth’s languages were effortless to her. So when the teacher had them repeat after him, she did so beautifully. Zaren and Dervinias, too. But beyond parroting the teacher, she ignored the lesson. Instead she went back and forth between throwing curses at Michael in English and Spanish, and contemplating her dilemma.
Each breath she took challenged her body. She knew it would only get worse. What if he didn’t love Cheverly enough? What if she couldn’t help them get back together. Once again she decided the way to Michael was through Cheverly.
What else was there?
When class ended, she hurried down the aisle, in a hurry to escape the claustrophobic room. As she walked past Michael, he grabbed her arm. At his touch, a jolt of . . . it felt like she’d been lit from within . . . shot through her. Like a fire had started in her heart and burned its way through her veins. It scared her and she pulled away.
“Next time, take a picture, it lasts longer.” He scowled.
“How about if I slap you again?”
A wicked smile stole over his lips. “How about—”
Venus ran.
End of EXILED.
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RaShelle Workman is an international bestselling author in many genres. All of her series have been listed on multiple bestseller lists, including her BLOOD AND SNOW series, which has sold more than a million copies and the IMMORTAL ESSENCE series, which has been read more than two million times. Three of her books have been translated into Turkish and several can be downloaded and enjoyed on audio. When RaShelle isn't writing, she enjoys baking, creating new taco recipes, and watching Supernatural. RaShellelives in Utah with her husband, three children and their three dogs
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THE BLOOD AND SNOW SERIES
The Professor's Origin
Blood and Snow
Cindy Witch
The Hunter's Tale
Gabriel
After the Kiss
Blood's Rose ~ a Blood and Snow/Undercover Empath mashup
The Cindy Chronicles
Vampire Lies
A Beauty So Beastly
Vampire Secrets
Asha Ever After
Vampire Nights
Alice in DemonLand
THE IMMORTAL ESSENCE SERIES
Exiled
Banished
Displaced
Beguiled
Tempted
Merged
United
THE ACROSS THE AGES SERIES
Across the Ages
The King's Paranormal Inquiries Division
Past the Ages
THE LUCKY CLOVER MYSTERY ROMANCE SERIES
Not So Lucky
Dead Lucky
Lucky in Love
Forever Lucky
THE UNDERCOVER EMPATH SERIES
Kindred Demon
AMONGST THE LITTLE LIES
BECAUSE OF YOU
SUMMER LOVE