The Fallen Empath-Book 2-A Rose-Red Tyrant TEASER

Chapter Nine: A Mealtime Chat

"Hey, Riddle! What's shakin', pal?" Cater anxiously rubs the back of his neck. "You're lookin' adorbs, as always!"

Riddle huffs. "Cater, keep running that mouth and you'll lose it—along with the rest of your head."

"Sorry, sorry! My bad!"

Grime glares at Riddle. "Myah?! You're the guy who put that stupid collar on me at the orientation ceremony!"

"Grim, maybe not the best idea to talk to him like that," I whisper.

"And you're the new students who were nearly expelled yesterday." Riddle fires back. "I'll ask that you not refer to my signature spell as a 'stupid collar'. The headmage's habit of tolerating rulebreakers like you is going to send this entire campus spiraling into chaos one day. Those who break the rules should have their heads removed immediately, without exception."

"Dude, seriously? This guy looks like a wimp, but talks like a monster!" Cae whispers to me and I nod in agreement.

"The headmage may have forgiven you, but if you break any further rules, I assure you I will not." Riddle glares.

Ace rubs the back of his head and puts on a forced smile. "So, uh, listen, housewarden, sir... Any chance I could get you to remove this collar?"

Riddle puts a hand on his hip. "I had intended to remove it once you'd taken an opportunity to reflect upon your crimes. But I've not detected so much as a hint of remorse in the foolishness I've heard you spout today. So I think I'll let you keep that for a while. Don't worry. The freshman curriculum is more focused on magical theory than practice. And your inability to use magic will help prevent incidents along the lines of what happened yesterday. Now, if you've finished your meal, you should quit gossiping and prepare for your next class. Rule 271 is quite clear: 'Once must leave the table within fifteen minutes of completing their lunch.' You DO understand what happens to rulebreakers, I trust?"

Ace sighs and his shoulders slump. "More insane rules..."
Riddle crosses his arms and raises his voice. "I believe you mean to say, 'Yes, Housewarden!'"

"Yes, Housewarden!" Ace and Deuce yell together.

"Very well, then." Riddle crosses his arms.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them," Trey says.

Riddle hums and moves a hand to his hip. "As vice housewarden, I trust you'll avoid any further indiscreet conversation. Now, as per rule 339... 'The post-meal beverage is to be lemon tea with two sugar cubes.' Thus, I must go to acquire my sugar cubes. Farewell." Riddle turns to leave but not without whispering under his breath. "Don't even get me started on their violation of running out of sugar cubes...!"

"Ah." I put a hand up to my head as I get a sudden sharp pain in my head, though it only lasts a second.

Cater plays with a lock of his orange hair. "Yeesh! That was terrifying."

"That guy...has some serious issues." Grim puts his paws on his hips.

Deuce crosses his arms. "Hey, don't disrespect him!"

"Is the housewarden gone?"

I hear some whispering and turn my head to see two heartslabyul students.

"I totally just broke rule 186, 'never eat a hamburger on Tuesday.'" The one with blond hair stresses. I don't know what I would have done if he'd caught me!"

The one with purple hair sighs. "I wish he wouldn't come here so we could at least eat lunch in peace."

It looks like I wasn't the one who overheard them as I see Cater and Trey looking at them too.