“You’ll hear more about them in the fourth—or is it fifth?—semester of Paranormal Biology. The

short answer is, djamphir are the products of unions between vampires or djamphir and human

women. The Maharaj are a clan of descendants of human women and beings referred to as jinni.”

“I thought everyone knew that,” someone said.

I rolled up the target tighter. Didn’t look away from Babbage’s face. Sometimes a trace of irritation

flickered over his chiseled features. Like now.

“If one has been raised djamphir, of course one knows.” He was a master of putting faint but deadly

sarcasm into a few little words. “Those who are saved might not, and curiosity is a sign of intelligence.”

Saved. As in, snatched from the suckers and brought into the Order. Like me.

The silence was so thick you could cut it with a spoon. I suppressed the urge to cough or smile nervously, looking down at the target as I twisted it tighter and tighter. A paper cone, like the waxed

kind you put snow cones in.

I hadn’t had a snow cone in ages. Dad used to love the raspberry-flavored ones. A bony hand

squeezed my heart.

Uncomfortable silence filled the room. I finally looked away, at the chipped concrete floor. Babbage

cleared his throat. “Apparently, human women are quite irresistible.”

A ripple of male laughter stung the air. The target crumpled in my fist.

“I think that’s enough for right now, though,” he continued smoothly. “Now it’s time for target

shooting. Milady, if you’ll check everyone into their lanes and disburse the ammo, we’ll have practice for the rest of the session.”

I swallowed hard and started handing out ammo, going through the checklist with every kid. Leon’s

eyes were open and dark, and he regarded me as if I’d just done something extraordinary.

Jealousy

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

As soon as I stepped out into the hall, I knew it was going to be something I wouldn’t like. Leon

stiffened, his head coming up. There was Kir, red hair combed back and That Expression on his

sharp face. Even his freckles looked serious. I’d given up wondering how a freckle-faced teenager

could look so much like a disapproving granny.

There went my half hour or so to catch up before Aspect Mastery. Great. I was going to be tanking

on quizzes next week like mad.

“Come with, okay?” I said as Kir approached. The students separated to give him room— I’d noticed that about the Council members. Everyone seemed to know they got space while walking

down the hall. “I have Aspect Mastery in a half hour.”

“I don’t think—” Leon began, but I stepped away from him, walking to meet Kir. The two of them

didn’t like each other much. I mean, I was totally on Leon’s side, but last time they’d almost had a