CHAPTER 24: FOREHEAD KISS

Theodora thought luck was on her side when Sylas didn’t show up for class today. Apparently, he wasn’t part of the Professors who had classes with them today, which was a big relief.

That was until she was told Sylas had summoned her to his office immediately after class.

William was next to her as she walked toward his office, trying to keep a straight face.

"Just... just tell him the truth. What if you tell him your roommate tried to kill you and that’s why you were absent? What if...what if we blame me on something...,"

Theo paused and turned to him, giving him a short smile, "I’m fine, Liam. He is probably gonna give me a lecture and punish me, but it’s not like I’m gonna die,"

"Yeah, yeah," He didn’t sound so sure and tried to mask it with a nervous laughter, "You won’t die. You’ll only be meeting Professor Sylas alone in his office, where you alone would absorb all that fierce, cold energy of his till he states your verdict and dismisses you. That’s totally fine,"

"Oh God," She groaned. Maybe it was rawful "Do you think I should skip?" She asked.

"Absolutely not!" He nudged her forward with his shoulders, "You can’t do that to that Professor. Ever!"

"What’s the worst he’s gonna do to me?"

"You should ask some ex-students about what he’s done to them. Then maybe...,"

"Fuck!" Theodora muttered, then she took in a deep breath, "It’s just one day of skipping class. I’m sure the punishment wouldn’t be so bad,"

"I wouldn’t bank on that if I were you,"

"Well then, wish me good luck, because I’m gonna need lots of it!"

She walked away, and he bade her goodbye as if it would be the last time they would see each other. It got her even more scared.

Moments later, she was standing in front of his office. His name was imprinted on the door, and she took a look around. It was the only building in the area, and it was huge.

Felt more like a house than an office.

She raised a hand to knock, but the order already came, "Come in,"

It had her glancing around, wondering if there was a security monitor he was using to see her. She found none.

With one last deep breath, she turned the door and walked into the place.

There was no doubt that he spent a lot of time here, as his scent slapped her so hard she almost did a double-take.

Theo was standing inside an office, even bigger than the Commandant’s. It was as simple as an office could be, but what really amazed her was the colour choice.

A standard black and white. Everything in here was either black, or white. Including the desk and chair.

The only contrast to the room was her...and him. He was sitting behind his desk, eyes focused on a bit of paperwork with his black pen scribbling away. His presence filled the room as always, and that cold aura had her regretting not bringing a jacket while coming.

"Professor," She called.

"Douglas," He called back without looking up, "You were absent yesterday,"

Theodora remained calm, but it could never match his, "Yes, sir. I...,"

"Hold your excuse. I won’t be taking it!" He finally looked up, and her breath caught, "Gravemont laid out its rules for you, and you decided on what rules to follow,"

Her body tensed at his words. He then dropped the pen by the side and stood up, the chair scraping against the floor as he moved gracefully.

He walked around the desk and stopped in front of her.

"Show me,"

Her pulse skipped, "Pardon?"

"Your wrist," He commanded.

Reluctantly, she tugged her sleeves back, revealing the pale bandage.

"Unwrap it,"

She did as she was instructed, and his gaze slowly assessed the wrist. They were better, thanks to Seraphina waking up this morning and beginning the healing process. It should be back to normal before the end of the day.

He reached out, and his fingers brushed over the red skin. They were surprisingly cold to the touch, but heat still flared up her hand.

"It should have healed by now. When exactly did you get this broken?"

"Two...nights ago,"

"What broke it?"

"I was trying to lift something heavy and I overestimated myself and paid the price,"

The way he looked at her told her he knew she was lying. But he still seemed to go with it, "You’re not made of Metal, Venom!"

Her brows furrowed. Venom?

"You’ll meet me on Saturday, immediately after classes are over at the Discipline Hall," He turned around

"But sir...,"

He cut her off, "You are dismissed, Douglas!"

Her hands twitched at her sides, and she opened her mouth and let it out, "You know sir, for someone who teaches self-control, you don’t seem to have much patience,"

He slowly faced her again, and the way his eyes sharpened told her she might have just crossed a line. Yet, she would have sworn she saw the tiniest smirk curve to his lips for a second and then disappear.

"Patience," He said quietly and began walking around her, "Is for those who believe time is on their side," She felt the air between them thin, and held her breath, "I believe in results, Venom,"

Venom again? Was that some kind of nickname he made up for her?

"I’ll be seeing you by 12pm three days from now," He stated, standing behind her.

"You will," She straightened, trying not to look too small with his tall frame right behind her.

For a second, neither of them moved.

She believed he should have walked back to his desk by now, but was still hovering behind her for an odd reason.

"Professor?" She called.

Silence.

And then she remembered, he had already dismissed her and their conversation was over. There was no other reason to linger in this heated, but cold wary place that was sparkling.

Too calm, too neat. Not even a spec of dust wherever she looked.

Just as she turned to leave, he also stepped forward to walk around her. Their paths crossed in that moment, and since he was already standing a little too close before, a collision almost occurred between them.

Theo tried to avoid it with her quick reflexes, and so did he.

And they did.

But they both stepped to the other side again at the same time, paths crossing, and this time, they couldn’t quite avoid the collision like the first time.

Theo gripped the first thing she could grab to stop herself from totally brushing against his chest, but Sylas somehow managed to find his balance.

But she had already gripped the collar of his shirt and unintentionally pulled him close.

And somehow, in that misstep and pull, his lips brushed against her forehead.

She wouldn’t consider it a kiss, but the briefest chill raced down her spine, and was suddenly replaced by unexpected heat that had her almost staggering.

She instinctively clutched his shirt tighter.

Meanwhile, Sylas remained unmoving.