Vala Eminence Read Online Free Page B

close attention to where they were going.
    The main office was located close to the intersection of the two buildings. Denver strutted inside and took a seat in his usual chair while the secretary informed the rest of the staff of his presence. He couldn't help but wonder who he would be meeting with today. Some of his visits were with the Dean of Students, others the Principal or the Guidance Counselor. Each one was a surprise, so at least he had that element to entertain him.
    â€œMr. Collins, they will see you now.”
    They meant more than one person would be sitting in on the meeting with him. That could make things even more interesting. Denver stood and was met by Mr. Anais, the Dean of Students. The guy liked to come across as rough and difficult to work with, but when it came to the office staff, he was by far the nicest of them all. The rough and tough was all an act. Deep down the guy was a softie who was easily pushed around by The Divine Council and other rich alumni. Denver paid attention. The entire office was like a chain of dominoes. Push one over and the others fell too. The Dean was the easiest of them all.
    Mr. Anais led him into a conference room and motioned for Denver to take a seat. “Mr. Collins, we wanted to talk to you about your graduation track.”
    â€œRight,” Denver said. “That's what you usually want to talk to me about. I'm showing up to classes and I'm passing them. That's what you wanted from me, right? I'm getting C's and B's in just about all of my classes. The few where I'm not, that's because I'm getting an A. I made friends with some of the smart kids recently. They seem to be rubbing off on me.”
    â€œThat's good, although your choice of smart friends still leaves something to be desired,” Mr. Anais said. “I've noticed how close you're getting to the Loveless girl.”
    Denver shrugged, trying to show a lack of caring at the mention of Cheyenne. “You say that like she's some kind of criminal and I should stay away before she gets me hooked on drugs. The girl is more boring than paint on a wall. I don't think she's going to get me into any trouble.”
    â€œShe's already gotten you into a lot of trouble, and you're already hooked on a drug of sorts. Her blood, or have you forgotten about your three random feedings on her neck from last year?”
    His jaw tensed. Actually, I've bitten into her seven times, but we don't need to talk about that. “I didn't do anything she didn't want me to.”
    Mr. Anais shook his head. “It's still wrong.”
    â€œI guess. So have I been called in here for another lecture? And why are we here instead of your office?” Denver tapped his fingertips on the conference table in front of him. He hated rooms like this. They always had him feeling suffocated and trapped, like he might as well have been in chains.
    â€œAgain, we're going to discuss your graduation track.”
    That was when Mrs. Bobbine, the Guidance Counselor entered the room, and Ms. Lis, the Principal, followed after.
    â€œWow, this is a real party,” Denver muttered.
    â€œYour grades and remaining credits will have you graduating in the spring of next year,” Mrs. Bobbine said and opened up a manila folder with a stack of papers in it.
    Ms. Lis leaned in toward him. “Our goal is to get you out of here by the end of the summer.”
    â€œGet me out of here?” Denver raised an eyebrow. “Come on, I'm not that bad of a guy to have around.”
    â€œThe Divine Council feels that—”
    He rolled his eyes and leaned in toward Ms. Lis, closing the space so they were only a foot away from one another. “Ah, the Divine Council. I see. Well, that changes everything.” Do they know who I really am? Do they know that I'm a part of them? Would they be singing a different tune if they did?
    Ms. Lis peered at him. “They are the reason our school exists, in case you have forgotten. As