Ruler (Wolves of Royal Paynes #2) - Kiki Burrelli Page 0,2
close enough for our knees to touch, and I pointed both of mine in the opposite direction. "You would be a danger to others. Here, it isn't as noticeable. You can hide your abnormalities, but in a big city, someone would always be looking at you."
My abnormalities? "What do you…what do you mean?"
Mr. Grouse's chin lowered, and he scratched his jaw. "I haven't brought it up because I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, but I know. I know you aren't…right. You can do things. Your mother shared that with me when I visited her in the hospital. She made me promise to take care of you, Storri. I won't break that promise."
I blinked rapidly, attempting to merge this new information with what I already knew. It didn't make sense. "My mom wouldn't have told you anything."
I realized my mistake immediately, but the damage was done. I hadn't denied him or asked what he was talking about. If he was lying for information, he had it now.
"What you can do is not natural, Storri. It's only a matter of time before you hurt someone."
I could talk to animals. How did that make me dangerous? He clearly didn't understand the whole situation. I'd just have to explain it to him. "I would never hurt anyone, Mr. Grouse. I'm not that type of person. Thank you for your concern, but I plan on going to SFSVM. It's only a few hours. I'd be able to visit often. And maybe, when I'm a full-fledged vet, I'll come back and set up practice here." I hadn't thought that far ahead. I didn't hate Yamitt; I was just always alone here. If I came back, I wouldn't do it alone.
Mr. Grouse breathed quickly, his nostrils flaring as he turned back to look at the door.
The regular school day had ended over an hour ago. I'd volunteered to help paint the seniors' banner, and everyone who had volunteered with me was surely gone by now. My choir teacher and I might have been the only two people in this part of the school, and I didn't know why I suddenly thought of that fact, only that it seemed more important than it had a few minutes ago.
"You can't leave," Mr. Grouse said grimly.
My heart pounded at his determined look. In the wild, fights were often won just by looking like you were the one ready for a fight. I squared my shoulders, but the effect was undermined by my trembling lip. I hated conflict, every part of it. I didn't even like it if I won an argument.
And I hated disagreeing with Mr. Grouse more. He'd been my anchor, especially after my mother had gone into the hospital permanently. He did a lot of really nice things for me, but that didn't mean he owned my future any more than a parent owned their child's adulthood. "I'll return the robes and anything else you might want back, Mr. Grouse, but I am going to college. I'm getting out of here, and I'm taking a breath that isn't tainted with mourning. I'd like to still have you as a friend—college is going to be difficult—but not if you don't support me."
There. I'd said what I wanted to say. He couldn't do anything but agree or disagree. He rubbed his arms, nervously looking down at the floor. "If that's how you feel. Then that's how you feel."
My legs straightened as I got up. I thrust the robes back at his chest, but he didn't move to take them. A few seconds longer and I'd just drop them, but he pushed my hands away before that.
"Keep them. They're yours." His voice sounded strange, garbled though there was nothing to muffle the sound. He rolled to the side, clearing my way to the door, and I breathed out a sigh of relief.
Nothing in this world liked being cornered, and I was no exception. "Thanks, Mr. Grouse. Really, for everything. I—I hope you will want to be my friend."
He didn't answer, but I wouldn't push the issue. He'd come around. I'd unlocked the door and twisted the handle when my weight flung backwards. Mr. Grouse slapped a hand over my mouth.
My mind blanked. I couldn't think through the pure white fear until I felt a pinch on my arm. Mr. Grouse dropped a needle, and my legs gave out as my vision dimmed.
"Shh," he whispered with his burnt coffee breath. "I have you, Storri. I'll protect you, even from yourself."