Teeth »ᴄɵᴍᴘᴌᴇтᴇ«

FIVE

FIVE

"Oh my god," a girl practically squeaked. "I can't believe the Dare's were actually hanging out with that mix-breed, and snow leopard. Can you believe it?! I actually feel sorry for them."

"Maybe we should warn them against hanging with them," another girl suggested.

Strangely, her suggesting that made me want to strangle her. Something in me wanted to see Zane Dare again. But, thankfully, my conscious mind didn't. As I continued to walk, I realised that what Archie – who was walking with me – had said before was true. They did talk loud enough for everyone to hear.

We were heading for the research lab. One of the workers had come up to me this morning when I'd gotten back from my run and asked for me to come over later in the day. Not having anything to do, I decided to go over now. And Archie? He'd just followed. He should be a puppy, not a leopard.

Just as the doors came into sight, so did two people I didn't want to see. Lucas and Taylor. I debated not going in and coming back later. But that would have been cowardly. And I wasn't a coward.

Deciding to ignore them, and feeling a little disappointed that Zane wasn't with them, I headed straight for the doors.

"Hey, Archie. Val," Lucas said. "Where you two going?"

"They want to see Val," Archie told him. "So I'm going with her."

"Can we come?"

"Sure."

Thanks, Archie. Not.

I thought about turning around and asking whether they really needed to come. But I didn't want to sound mean. Besides, they were talking with Archie.

The research lab reception was clean and tidy. A shield sat at the front desk, she looked up when I entered.

"Valerie Kast?"

I nodded.

"Good," she stood. "I'll go get the doctor."

"Doctor?" Archie asked. "I thought this was the research centre."

"It is," she stopped to reply. "But it is also the schools medical centre." Then she went to get the doctor.

"Why do you need to come here?" Lucas had eyes like Zane's, cat blue, I noticed.

"I'm a mix breed. They want to know why. I'm willing to let them find out."

Just then the receptionist came back through. "If you'll follow me."

Following a jaguar tail, we were taken to an office with book cases lining the walls. A man I'd met during my first time here stood by his desk, reading, his wings, pulled against his back. Bird shields didn't have the ears or tails, instead, they had wings. The doctor looked up, his eyes were the golden-brown of a golden eagle.

"Valerie," he said, standing straight. "Good to see you again. Thank you for coming."

The receptionist left when we were all in the room. As soon as the door closed, he changed.

"Damn, fu–laming jaguar," he snarled at the door. "If she didn't work here I'd be able to act myself."

"Why don't you just act yourself anyway?" I said, moving over to the sofa which lay at the side of the room. "Your the doctor."

"Maybe so," he said, getting the blood drawing equipment and bringing it over. "But she says that she'll file a report if I don't act as a doctor should."

I rolled my eyes and laid my arm over the arm rest, palm up.

"Do you always get along with the crazy, scary ones?" Archie asked.