led violently as it shot through

. She wore the same faded jeans, a black hoodie,

ion and walked the three bl

tone archways, manicured lawns, and a fleet of black SUVs idling at the curb. Teenager

She didn't look at the cars. She didn't look

ain administrative building an

vy wooden door ope

oman with a pinched face and severe glasses. She was

"Wait outside. Can't you

gold-stamped envelope from her bag and

ac

brush slipped, smearing

ing in fury. She took one loo

venom. She grabbed a tissue, wiping her finger aggressively. "Geri warne

nk mask. She stared at the

he file,"

hed the envelope, ripped it open, an

nt button. "With zero academic background, the system automat

ho were too stupid, too violent, or too addicted to function in normal

schedule across the desk. "

turned and walked out, le

il she reached the basement level. The air

ront of the door

avy, vibrating bass of a death

oot and kicked the door

as

itting the inner wall wi

l music was in

eyes snapped tow

A girl with heavy eyeliner was sitting on the teacher's

k, popped her gum. She looked Elia u

udly. "Or did the school finally go bankrupt

upted in cruel,

iece of notebook paper into a tight

tilted her head exactl

past her ear and boun

ter died

in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. The sheer, physical weight of her s

the center aisle

w. There was one empty

ep, his head buried in his arms. He had messy blon

g off her shoulder and s

h

ng boy jer

scowling. He looked at Elia,

em?" Cody snapped, leaning t

her head. She loc

on, that Cody's breath caught in his throat. A primal instin

uth and leaned b

oom, her heels clicking aggressively. She g

ors up, in the Headm

er's desk. He was wearing a black

vously in the corner, sw

ive security feed from the hallway outside

smile spread acr

ed his

mble. "Keep eyes on her. I want to know