Shade Cromwell sat in the center of the laboratory, the very room he'd once demolished with his bare hands. His wary gaze tracked the young professor who had summoned him.
"What do you want?" he demanded, his voice laced with suspicion.
Ms. Rebecca Bozzelli, the young female professor of magic and crafts, clutched a flask, her hand trembling. The air in the room felt thick with her nervousness, a stark contrast to Shade's simmering irritation. "I know you're angry with me, but I want to help you."
Shade scoffed, a bitter sound. "What? Don't tell me you're believing that 'true love's kiss' garbage too? You want to kiss me? You?" He rolled his eyes, a gesture of intense weariness. "Just like you said before, you're a teacher and I'm just one of your students. Let's not cross that line, shall we?"
He pushed off the stool. Normally, he'd rise to his full, imposing height, but now, being no taller than an elementary school boy, the indignity of the situation chafed him even more.
