An Elemental Tail Read Online Free Page A

it into
her satchel, her skin prickled with warmth. The model watched, his
dark eyes like mirrors, a smile worn only on the corners of his
mouth. She frowned, not sure he was looking at her, then cautiously
returned the smile, not used to attention for attention’s sake. His
gaze trapped her. Breath slid from her body, unnoticed. She wanted
to drown in him, to fall through the endless night and never wake
to find the dream over.
    A student passed between them, and the spell
was broken. The noise of the emptying class room returned. She had
to leave before Mr. Gardner collared her again, but she was too
slow.
    Mr. Gardner was already waiting. “Did you
want to make up those missed classes, Isla?”
    Her back stiffened as he used her name with
too much familiarity. She crossed her arms and glared at him,
determined to make him back off and find another target. She was
sure someone would appreciate the pass he was offering and not be
troubled by the cost. “I’ve missed none, and you know it.”
    “The official record says otherwise. I’m free
tonight.” His lips pulled back in what she supposed was a charming
smile, the kind worn by a cat before it decapitates a mouse. There
would be no escape, no joy, if she took the deal Mr. Gardner was
offering.
    Isla ground her teeth. What she wanted to say
would probably get her suspended, or kicked out. So she gave him
the simple truth. “I’m working.” That was her life, work or
study.
    “Another missed lesson won’t look good on
your record.”
    “Stop. Just stop. Until you, my record was
unblemished.” Isla ran her hand over her hair, pushing back the
strands that always escaped.
    She had no idea how to deal with his unwanted
advances that had deteriorated into blackmail. She’d never played
her mother’s mind games. For the first time she wished she had, or
that she at least understood how they worked. If her mother were
here, she would know exactly what to do… Who was she kidding? Her
mother would have never said no.
    “Do you think you’re better than the rest,
than me, because you’re on a scholarship?” Bitterness spilled out
with his words, staining the air and making it toxic to
breathe.
    “The lady said stop.”
    Isla and Mr. Gardner turned and looked at the
speaker. The model was dressed only in his black jeans, the lean
muscle of his chest on display, glimmering in the light.
    “You’re not paid to speak,” Mr. Gardner
snapped, spots of color like spilled wine blooming high on his
cheeks. The man opened his mouth, but Mr. Gardner continued before
the model could make a sound. “What you thought you overheard is
none of your business.” Mr. Gardner picked up his briefcase and
turned to Isla. “This isn’t over.” The door banged shut after
him.
    Isla stared at the door and sighed. Her
well-meaning rescuer had only made the situation worse. By stepping
in, the model had humiliated Mr. Gardner.
    She shook her head. “You shouldn’t have done
that.”
    The man shrugged and buttoned his shirt. “He
shouldn’t be abusing his position.”
    Isla watched all his luminous white skin get
covered with dull black clothing. Her hand strayed to the book in
her satchel. She traced the spine of the book. It was right he
should grace the pages.
    He raised one dark eyebrow as if he could
read her thoughts, the ones she didn’t want anyone to know.
Particularly him.
    “Do you want to get coffee?”
    Isla glanced up at the clock. She was
tempted. One coffee, a simple thank you for stepping in even though
he didn’t have to. Only Sarah had ever helped her. “I can’t, I
really have to go to work.”
    A flicker of disappointment crossed his
features like a summer rain shower. He nodded and smiled. “Maybe
next time.”
     

Chapter Four
     
    Her bright red satchel bumped against her hip
as Nik let her go. She had piqued his interest, and not just
because she possessed his tail. After four centuries of being a
lumbering land dweller, that was no small