Fang-Kissed

Chapter 3

Next morning

The first mini-lesson of the day, on how to be a correct second-hand, is run by none-other than Fang-Alchemist and First-Runner, Raphael.

Kami is half-asleep next to me, like sleeping ten straight hours wasn't enough. She stares into the distance, while every girl in the room stares up at Raphael with puppy eyes.

I sit in the front row, I had looked behind me, and regretted seeing the looks on everyone's face.

"It's important you understand what you're supporting," Raphael begins, hands behind his back as he affirmatively explains to the class, "You're supporting a Fang's reputation, firstly. You help – that's a given. But the areas second-hands don't understand when they first come here is that you're not their mates." He says it so harshly, every girl stops breathing, and then he looks directly at me, as if I'm the one that needs scolding the most, "Fangs choose. Not the other way around."

"When do they choose?" One girl asks, "Like, a rough estimate, in a week? A month? A year?"

"It's true if you're not chosen in a year, you'll be sent home, but there's no saying when a choice is to be made. It can happen at any time, but being a mate is the last priority. Clary, can you tell me what's the first thing a second-hand should be focused on?"

Raphael looks at me.

I hear some whispers behind me.

He knows me on a first-name basis. They wouldn't be happy with that.

"To, keep their stuff, organised," I almost get tripped up but I blurt that out eventually, and Raphael almost starts to smile in approval – when someone yells out at the back of the room.

"Clary isn't a second-hand!"

"Or a nurse!"

"Or a doctor!"

Different second-hands yell out different things.

"What is she? Why is she in this class, anyway?"

Oh god, the questions keep coming, and I suddenly realise too late that because Raphael is Razes' brother, he's next in line to be the most lusted over Fang. I didn't even make the proper connection, until the whole room is trying to bully me out of the spotlight.

Fuck.

I hope he doesn't tell them because I was Fang-Kissed by Raze.

I look to Raphael and as the girls continue to bicker reasons why I shouldn't even be here, he's clearly calculating the best response to stop this attack.

"Can you," Kami answers, slamming her hands onto the table, as she stands up and turns to glare at everyone, "Bitches. Shut. Up!"

"Sit down," Raphael snarls at Kami, and suddenly the whole room falls silent.

Kami turns and with no expression of remorse, sits back down. Damn, she really did that for me?

Raphael shakes his head, "The first lesson is to listen. Not to organise," he looks at me a third time, his unblinking grey eyes not exactly hiding his interest in me, "Close but not good enough, Clary."

Now that he's basically said I'm wrong anyway, the tension dissipates.

I thought he'd 'protect' me or whatever! I clench my fists on the table and say nothing.

"Each of you aren't leaving this room until you understand this isn't about you, but everything to do with serving your shifter. A Fang is not your accessory. You'll work hard to make them succeed," Raphael walks to the door and says, "Kami, you can go."