Chapter 229
Nima
School feels… wrong. Off-balance.
Without the constant shadow of a panther trailing me, the air feels thinner, sharper. This—this is what my life was before her. Quiet. Invisible. Nothing more than a pair of twitching ears and a surname no one respects.
And yet, I don't want it anymore. I thought I did. Gods, I thought I wanted normalcy. I was wrong.
I'm halfway to botany class, cradling the clay pot that holds my assignment, when someone slams into me on purpose. The pot slips. The plant tumbles. Soil scatters across the stone floor.
My stomach drops.
I drop to my knees instantly, scrambling to scoop the poor thing up. If I'm careful, I can re-pot it before class. Maybe save my grade.
"Oops," a voice drawls above me.
"Didn't see you there."
I ignore it, brushing soil back into the pot with shaking fingers. Not worth it. If I keep my head down, they'll get bored. They always do.
A sharp kick sprays soil across my skirt.
