Upended Life (Artemis University Book 1)

by Erin R Flynn

  His eyes flashed shock. “I’ll have to ask Darby about that.”

  “It would make him a target if he tattled.”

  “But if I ask, he can’t lie to me,” he muttered, understanding what I was up to. “You are intelligent no matter your education. I think you’ll do well here, Ms. Vale. Let me know if there are any other problems.”

  “Well, if you insist,” I teased him, smiling when he did.

  He said goodbye and walked off, Izzy looking like she might faint.

  “You’re buddies with the headmaster? Seriously?”

  I moved my glass in front of my mouth and leaned in. “He wants something from me. Yeah, he’s nice but I’m still going to be careful.”

  “What does he want?” she worried.

  Crap. I had to give her something. I made sure my gaze was clear she couldn’t gossip about this, waiting until she nodded.

  “Long story short, I was abandoned and lost in the human system. When they found me, someone realized I had a connection to a distant cousin. That’s whose estate I inherited, and thank you for not pushing me for answers on that. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it.”

  “I kinda caught on it was like that, especially after Blake was running her mouth about you being a cliché.”

  “Says the fucking cliché bully and attention whore,” I drawled.

  She snorted. “Believe me, Blake is also a regular whore too. Well, they get paid. She just does it to make it seem like everyone is dying to have her and she’s got so many options. More like everyone makes sure to have a turn on the ride while she tries for a bigger whale to bring home to daddy.”

  I sat with that a moment. “Do you have a problem with women who have sex when they want?”

  “Fuck no, I’m not a judgy prude,” she grumbled, giving me a look she wasn’t kidding. “I have a problem when private matters don’t stay private and there’s an agenda. Everyone fuck everyone and have fun. I hate girls who do it for bragging rights and guys who like making notches on headboards or whatever.”

  “Yeah, I get you on that.” I felt eyes again and this time it was Lucca. I quickly looked away and found Mr. Panty Soaker staring at me from the other side of the ballroom. Shit. Just a look and I wanted him again.

  Oh boy.

  I did find Dr. Craftsman alone and decided to finally ask what was on the front of my mind. “Hey, I need to ask someone something private. Give me a minute?”

  “Yup, I’m going to do a round and see if there are any my type in the freshman class.”

  I snorted. “Honey, you’re everyone’s type so remember that you have your pick of any room.”

  “Thanks, Tamsin.”

  I nodded but I wasn’t blowing smoke up her ass. She was good-looking and she deserved to know it.

  Dr. Craftsman watched me walk over to him like a predator about to nab his prey. “You look perfection in that, love.” His voice was low so he wasn’t heard but it sounded so much more seductive saying it that way.

  “Thanks, a delicious guy picked it out for me and put his mark on me,” I purred quietly.

  “Any wise man would.”

  Would he think that if he knew someone else just fucked me? Thinking that made me chill a bit. “I keep meaning to ask you something that’s going to be a problem for me.”

  Immediately he switched gears as well. “Ask me anything and I’ll figure a way to help, I promise. I did ask Edelman about what we spoke of before. He’s decided to be the one to handle your power assessment once a week, the one that all freshmen have. He was going to let you know when. The schedule might be a bit erratic because he’s headmaster but he’s the best to help you.”

  I nodded. “Maybe you could join if you’re available.” I shrugged when he shot me a shocked look. “I want to trust him, I do, but… I don’t know. I think I’ve used my trust quota for the month on you and Izzy.”

  “Fair enough. What did you want to ask me?”

  “How I can block my telepathy,” I sighed. “It’s seriously distracting and can give me headaches if I’m in large groups too often, which, hi, I will be now. That would make me stand out, right?”

  “As powerful but not how you’re thinking,” he promised. “I’ve known a few witches and vampires. It’s joked about being ‘female intuition’ as it’s rare but always women.”

  “Well, that makes me less worried someone could find out because it’s hard to hide being around people too much when I’m not at my best. Like stressed out. Now be my hero and tell me there’s a way to control it.”

  “There is. I read about it in school. I need to look into it.” He frowned. “There might be a rune you can wear on a charm to block it while you’re learning. I’ll dig into it, I promise.”

  “Thanks, really.”

  “Of course, anything you need.”

  “Izzy’s got me on a good path to get my sea legs,” I admitted, knowing he was worried. “She’s hyper but awesome. I think it’s going to be okay with her. Maybe. Hopefully?”

  “I give it a week before you start trouble and I have to chase you somewhere,” he drawled.

  “Well, that doesn’t sound good,” a woman chuckled as she joined us. I wanted to shove her away when I saw it was the woman from earlier, clearly marking her territory and getting rid of me.

  I shrugged, giving her a sly smile. “He’s my species advisor. He signed up for it.”

  She frowned. “Well that’s not appropriate. I’ll talk to the headmaster and get you reassigned to someone you should be with.”

  “And that’s for you to decide? Who would that be in your mind?” I asked, floored she just jumped into my life like that.

  She pursed her lips. “Right, you’re the unknown who won’t state what she is to make some point.” She gave a nervous chuckle when we both looked at her like she was seriously over the line. “Sorry, sorry, too much information with all the new kids coming in. I didn’t mean that so harshly, just factually.” She slapped on a fake smile. “I’ll get you assigned to me.”

  “No.”

  She waved off what I said. “It’s not a problem.”

  “I don’t care if it is, my answer is no,” I said slowly, firmly so she got it. I raised an eyebrow when she went to argue. “Implying I’ve done something wrong or will is about the worst way to establish trust and undercuts my confidence, which I believe is absolutely the goal of a species advisor, yes? And people do know what I am, but it’s my prerogative to keep that to myself if I want.

  “However, you don’t know that and are making decisions for me? The right adults do know what I am and agreed Dr. Craftsman was the right person to help me, and I include myself in that as I am an actual legal adult. So thank you for your judgmental ‘concern,’ but I’m fairly certain inappropriate is trying to overrule the headmaster and sticking your nose where it does not belong.”

  Steam about came out of her ears but I didn’t care as I was absolutely right.

  Dr. Craftsman cleared his throat and gestured between us. “Ms. Vale, let me introduce you to Professor Campbell, your History of Witches & Vampires teacher.”

  Son. Of. A. Bitch.

  I blinked at him. “Well, apparently your guess of a week was really generous.”

  “Clearly.”

  “I’m not taking off on my bike in a ball gown,” I assured him before blowing a raspberry. I studied Professor Campbell. “Want to call a Mulligan? It’s a stressful night and yeah, you shouldn’t have done that but I’m a bit miffed after dealing with Ronald Von Thann and shouldn’t have taken it out on you like everyone involved in the school will be jerks.” I stuck out my hand. “Tamsin Vale.”

  I could tell she didn’t want to but with Dr. Craftsman watching—which I had hoped would be a factor—she wanted to act the bigger person.

  “Professor Campbell, and you’re right, I wasn’t thinking of your extenuating circumstances when I offered to help.”

  Oh, that was how she was going to spin it? Fine, I could play
that game as long as she didn’t tank my grades or act a bitch to me.

  “Yeah, abducting someone creates a deep bond.”

  He shot me a look that he was about to strangle me. “Would you quit telling people that? That’s different than we thought the shit was hitting the fan and relocated you.”

  I blinked at him. “It really bothers you that I said that.”

  “Yes, and I get how it all seemed to you and yes, we jumped the gun and made the decision, but it wasn’t a decision I made lightly. I was upset to do it as I don’t like doing that without a valid reason and I knew it would scare you.”

  I nodded as he spoke, hoping I could put all I felt into my eyes. “If I was still truly pissed, I wouldn’t joke about it. I definitely wouldn’t trust you as an advisor or teacher.” I sighed, rubbing my neck. “I am a bit miffed that while people have apologized, no one has said they wouldn’t do the same in the future. Everyone trips or jumps the gun, but that’s not a reason to repeat what happened.”

  “You’re right, and if I wasn’t clear that I was saying exactly that by admitting I jumped the gun, I apologize. I would absolutely not repeat what I did. I would have told Sean to back off when he moved to reach for you. He’s said the same but said he thought it was a quick knockout and those people would wake right back up so he wanted to get you out of there.”

  I settled with that and gave a nod. “Fair enough. I could see it being more a comedy of errors or freaking. For me it seemed an attitude of not caring if you guys scared the kid, just finish the assignment and get back like you were picking up ice for a party.”

  He reached over and moved his hand to my arm. “No, no, Ms. Vale. No one would ever treat someone unknown like that. It’s our fault as a community you were lost and we take that seriously, not just because it could lead to our exposure. You went through so much hardship that should never have been and that upsets all of us in the community.”

  “He’s right,” Professor Campbell agreed.

  I nodded I heard her, focused on Dr. Craftsman. “You get you only know a sliver of it, right?”

  “I do.”

  I sighed. “Fine, but I’m not driving the speed limit on my bike.”

  “You drive like a bloody demon on that thing,” he about growled. “I’m going to put a boot on it.”

  I snorted. “It won’t be the first I’ve taken one off of it.”

  He groaned like he was at his limit with me but Professor Campbell realized if we kept talking, she’d be left out of the conversation she’d butted into.

  “The suit you’re wearing is really a good choice for you, Julian. I know several have complimented you on it but I just wanted to say whoever helped you pick it you should listen to implicitly and let dress you all the time as that person has perfect style.”

  Dr. Craftsman choked on his drink, waving he was fine and thumping his chest.

  I felt my cheeks heat even as I wanted to smirk at her. I couldn’t pretend it was someone else, since other students knew and if she heard it from them later she would be miffed.

  I held my hand up like I was raising it.

  “We’re not in class, Ms. Vale,” she teased me in a bit condescending of a tone. “You can just converse normally.”

  “I know, thanks. I was saying it was me. I picked out the suit for him. One of the houses I inherited isn’t too far from campus and I thought it would be nice to donate some suits and gowns to the scholarship students. I picked one out for Dr. Craftsman to thank him for helping me with it.”

  “Oh.” She glanced between me and the suit, clearly wanting to change what she said, and I liked her a lot better when she didn’t. “You have a great eye, the suit really does look good on him.”

  We had another conversation crasher so I didn’t get to tell her thanks.

  “Yes, he finally looks like a Craftsman instead of a child playing dress-up with the adults,” a snooty woman declared.

  I was seconds from blasting her but even I could learn after what happened with Professor Campbell. Plus, Dr. Craftsman was more than able to fight his own battles. It wasn’t my place to step in.

  Even if I wanted to crack the bitch.

  “I’m from one of the branch families so we can’t all be like the main family Craftsmans,” he told her politely even if fire flamed in his eyes.

  She waved it off. “Nonsense, you’re still a Craftsman and they always claim their savants. Being a genius as well, you could have been adopted into the main family if you hadn’t chosen teaching as a profession.”

  “Wait, people still do that antiquated crap?” I asked, biting back a snicker. I blinked at Dr. Craftsman. “Seriously? You had to put up with that kind of boorish behavior like offshoot bloodlines of horses?”

  “What strong opinions for one so young,” the woman chastised, giving me a look down her nose, and she wasn’t taller than me so it was all in her attitude.

  “I’m fairly certain there’s not an age requirement to have an opinion like drinking alcohol.”

  “Yes, but there is the experience to have the right ones with age,” she countered, keeping up better than most of the pompous asses I’d met.

  “That’s relative and highly susceptible to influence those with weak minds who cannot think for themselves.”

  “Spoken like someone who doesn’t have the breeding to know better. Who are your people?”

  “People who wouldn’t refer to my ‘breeding’ like my mother was a mare to get the right stud to produce an asset instead of a child,” I threw right back. I smirked at Dr. Craftsman. “So you’re a savant and a genius, huh? Gotta catch ’em all?”

  “I’m fairly certain you just insulted me,” the woman snapped.

  “If you don’t know the reference, I would make sure you do and are certain before accusing people of bad behavior,” I told her. I glanced at Professor Campbell. “She’s not a teacher, right?”

  “No, she’s—”

  “I’m from the main branch of a founding family of Artemis University and a large contributor to this fine institution,” she cut in. “It would behoove you to remember that in the future, young lady, as I’m sure your scholarship depends on my generosity.”

  “You know what they say when you assume things as I’m not a scholarship student,” I said with a smirk.

  “I still have pull at this school and I asked who your people are.”

  “Be normal and ask my name. Introduce yourself to me like a woman with manners and class and I’ll answer.” I shook my head when steam about came out of her ears. She seriously wasn’t going to treat me like a person with the respect of an introduction. “How childish. Vale. My last name is Vale.”

  “I don’t know any Vales in our community.”

  I raised an eyebrow at that. “And by that you mean the rich and elite, not just the supernatural community, right?” I blew a raspberry when the answer was in her eyes but she wouldn’t say it. “Professor Campbell, it was a pleasure to meet you. Dr. Craftsman, let me know when you figure out where I should start with that project.”

  “I will and I think I should have a direction at least tomorrow,” he replied.

  I looked at the rude lady. “I hope you choke on your ego. You’ve done nothing but be rude, so judge my last name all you want because apparently your last name is all you have and that’s pathetic.”

  I turned away and headed back to the food, ignoring her offended and outraged noises. What a crock of shit.

  “That was unwise,” Darby said as he moved up next to me at the table of food.

  “I don’t care,” I admitted. “People like her piss me off and they get away with it because no one tells them that what they’re spewing is bullshit.” I met his curious glance. “I have something I never thought I would before and I’m not going to waste it simply because it’s smart to be a sheep and follow the status quo.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Money and the power that comes with it. Fuck her, she assumed I was a scholarship
student and was holding her money over my head so I’d kiss her ass. Instead, I think I might see what she donated last year and give more for my own scholarships without the strings and bullshit attached. Shit doesn’t change unless people step up and change it.”

  “Spoken like someone who knows how to take on such battles.”

  I made sure he understood I was serious with the look I gave him. “Every day of my fucking life.”

  “You’re ahead of a lot of us then, as most of us have no clue where to even start or how to even think to fight.”

  I shook my head. “You have something to lose. You worked your butt off to get here and you’re determined to finish, walk away with the prize of that degree. I would be fine without it. I was fine before here and if they boot me because I gave a donor her shit back, this isn’t a place I’d want to be at anyways and I’ll be fine again. That’s the difference.”

  “I’ll think on that.” He walked away and I really wondered if he would or if it was a brush-off.

  No, I was pretty sure Darby would tell me I was being an idiot.

  “So how do we think it’s going?” Izzy asked several minutes later as she moved over to me as I leaned against a far wall and ate from a piled up plate.

  I shrugged. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy sailing so two assholes isn’t bad. The food’s good, we made it long enough to not get in trouble for ditching out, and we didn’t have any crazy cliché crap that ruined my dress or left us crying like in the movies.”

  Plus I had life-altering sex that I want again and soon.

  That was always a way to make a party better.

  “Do you have any cash in the room?” she asked after a moment.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Because I don’t and I heard something pretty interesting that I think we’re going to like and you need cash for it.”

  I frowned at her. “I can’t even handle a contact high and I’m really not a drinker.”

  “It’s way more innocent than that, I promise.”

  “I’m in then,” I chuckled.

  We quickly finished my plate and ducked out of the party, heading back to our room. I grabbed a hundred bucks and followed her again, confused when we proceeded right back in the direction of the student union.