Nightworld Academy - L.J. Swallow Page 0,5
counts as a sin.
“I’m attending every rehearsal,” he says, and adds sarcastically, “I’m about to have so much fun.”
“You can sit and sulk or make your punishment interesting,” replies Sofia.
Silenced, he looks the other way.
“Amelia, we’re starting the auditions soon. Suzie and I would love your input.”
I smile, but how the hell will I manage Matt backstage? Sofia informs Matt that he must sit with us under her watchful eye until I take him backstage. He moves to the edge of the row, feet on the chair in front. I’m amused when Sofia removes his phone from his hands and tells him to pay attention.
“Dude!” Clive’s voice echoes through the hall and heads turn as he joins Matt. “What are you doing? We’re getting together for a little soiree tonight.”
Soiree? Drunken session, more like.
Matt mumbles something and Clive’s mouth drops open.
“What? Why would you want to?”
Again, a muttered response. Katherine wanders over and plays with a strand of her hair as she nudges Clive. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for Matt. He needs to spend time relaxing with us.”
“Oh? Do I get an invite? I’d love to relax with you and Matt.”
He blinks at her and I roll my eyes at her innuendo and sultry look—the one that confuses guys into doing what she asks. Usually.
“Uh. Vamp-free night,” he says.
Her face sours. “Why? We’re supposed to fight prejudice at the academy.”
Katherine may be a lot of things, but she’s happy to mingle with most. Mingling keeps everything and everybody on her radar.
“We had trouble between the vamps and some guys on the rugby team last time,” says Clive.
She sticks her bottom lip out. “But Clive, I’m not on any teams.”
“Yeah, she’s team Katherine,” says Matt with a smirk.
I hide a laugh behind my hand and Matt winks at me conspiratorially. Katherine’s too busy smooching up to Clive to notice.
Clive gestures around him. “I can understand why Katherine wants to do this crap, but you? Don’t tell me you’re auditioning.”
Matt splutters. “No way.”
“Then leave.” Clive looks at Matt expectantly.
“I’m staying.”
“Seriously? You want to lower yourself to this?” sneers Clive. “I thought you were with me on this—supes shouldn't pretend to be human.”
“Um. Like I said to Matt, isn't that the whole point? We’re supposed to blend in.” I interrupt. “You’re happy enough to take part in some human activities. You head out to clubs.”
“Supes clubs,” he retorts. “And this is just a sad activity for sad people.”
Katherine gasps at him. “Clive! Are you saying I’m sad?”
I watch with interest as Clive’s eyes meet hers and her lips curve into a sensual smile. I’ve avoided looking into any lamia’s eyes—guy or girl—not wanting to be caught in a hypnotic trance. Sure, we’re all schooled in mind control at some level, but we’re not supposed to use this on others at the academy.
At nineteen, Katherine isn’t a fully fledged lamia looking to feed on sexual energy, but she laps up any attention and is never short of a guy in her thrall.
“No.” He’s confused, pushing fingers into his hair. “That’s not a word I’d use for you. At least with you as the show’s star, the musical will be worth watching.”
Huh?
Her smile widens and she touches his arm. “That’s so sweet, Clive. Am I okay to come to your party later?”
“Soiree,” I add snarkily and again exchange a look with Matt.
Still enraptured by the girl, Clive nods. “Sure. Tell the boys you're my special guest if they try and stop you.”
“As if they would,” she says with a giggle that grates like nails on a chalkboard. “They know I’m not your typical vamp.”
“That’s one thing we agree on,” says Matt.
Katherine tucks her hair behind an ear and looks around. “First I need to audition and then I’ll be right with you.”
“You won't need to,” says Clive. “You’ll be a perfect leading lady.”
I blink. A lamia playing the shy and virginal Sandy? She isn’t who myself and Sofia have in mind.
“You could be my Danny, Matt.” Katherine switches her attention to him and runs a finger along his arm. “You’d be perfect.”
Oh hell.
Matt shrugs her off and shifts closer to me, prompting a glare from Katherine. “I’m backstage with Amelia.”
“Is that so? How cosy. Did you ask Sofia to give him that position, Amelia?”
Omigod, no. There’s no way she could think I have Matt in my sights and step on her toes.
Clive turns his attention back to Matt. “You’re off the team, I heard.”
His eyes harden. “Yeah. I had this out with Ash. I’m