I wiggled a finger and moaned low, then fell silent and still once more. Yep, there was a camera. How did I know? I heard someone open the door and step into the room. Wakey, wakey, Abomination. That shifter blood of yours should have healed you enough to be coming around by now, the very clearly male voice said. I just moaned a little and let my head wobble sideways, still keeping my chin to

Oh, thats right. Youre only half shifter. Your nasty witch blood mustve weakened your healing abilities. Well, now I knew he was a shifter. That meant I could use magic against him and have the advantage. Fingers twisted in my ponytail and pulled my head back, causing me to cry out in pain. My eyes snapped open and I looked up at the face of Lord James friend, and my Strategy & Tactics instructor, Robert Angiers. Oh, hell. My belly felt like Id swallowed frozen rocks. A smile slid across my lips and I widened my eyes. Well, hello Professor. Fancy meeting you here. Do you come here often? When in doubt, fall back on sarcasm. Works most of the time. Angiers fist jerked my ponytail hard and my neck strained. What the fuck, Angiers. Shut up, Abomination. Youre disgusting, Angiers said, spitting a bit in my

I reverted to my twelve-year-old self with my next comment. Say it, dont spray it, Angiers. Your breath? It reeks. The hand not holding my ponytail came up and slapped me so hard my eyes watered, and I bit the inside of my cheek. I sucked in a breath but didnt yell. Instead, I swallowed the blood and smiled. Most would have spat the blood, but I was a witch. I knew what you could do with someones blood and theres no way I was voluntarily giving him mine. That was fun. So, why am I here? I said. Angiers grinned at me and leaned in to hiss in my ear. Youre bait.

Ooh, scary. Bait for what? Who, you moron, he said. For your brother or your aunt or whoever else wants to try and rescue your sorry ass. And you thought of this all by yourself? Stunning. He let go of my hair then and slapped the other side of my face. My head rocked with the blow, but at least the ache in my neck eased up. I let out another slow breath, straining a little bit against the bindings on my arms. My fingers were getting dusky as the plastic cable ties were too tight. If Id been awake, I wouldve flexed my muscles so I would have had some room. Well, ifs werent going to get me out of this. Magic might, though. I just had to get rid of Angiers first. Are you the only one here, Angiers? Because I have to pee, and I dont want you watching me go. Oh, Ill see you to the toilet, but theres no way you can escape anyway. This is