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The tightness in her lips increased, and her voice grew frosty. "We did the best we could with<br />
an unusual situation. I can see how someone at your level might not be able to grasp the<br />
intricacies of what I'm describing, but once you've actually learned enough to go beyond theory,<br />
you'll see how different it is when you're actually out there and lives are in your hands."<br />
"No doubt," I agreed. "Who am I to question your methods? I mean, whatever gets you the<br />
molnija marks, right?"<br />
"Miss Hathaway." Stan's deep voice rumbled through the room. "Please take your things and go<br />
wait outside for the remainder of class."<br />
I stared at him in bewilderment. "Are you serious? Since when is there anything wrong with<br />
asking questions?"<br />
"Your attitude is what's wrong." He pointed at the door. "Go."<br />
A silence heavier and deeper than when my mother had told her story descended over everyone.<br />
I did my best not to cower under the stares of guardians and novices alike. This wasn't the first<br />
time I'd been kicked out of Stan's class. It wasn't even the first time I'd been kicked out of Stan's<br />
class while Dimitri was watching. Slinging my backpack over my shoulder, I crossed the short<br />
distance to the door—a distance that felt like miles—and refused to make eye contact with my<br />
mother as I passed.<br />
About five minutes before the class let out, she slipped out of the room and walked over to<br />
where I sat in the hallway. Looking down on me, she put her hands on her hips in that annoying<br />
way that made her seem taller than she was. It wasn't fair that someone over half a foot shorter<br />
than me could make me feel so small.<br />
"Well. I see your manners haven't improved over the years."<br />
I stood up and felt a glare snap into place. "Nice to see you too. I'm surprised you even<br />
recognized me. In fact, I didn't even think you remembered me, seeing as how you never<br />
bothered to let me know you were on campus."<br />
She shifted her hands from her hips and crossed her arms across her chest, becoming—if<br />
possible—even more impassive. "I couldn't neglect my duty to come coddle you."
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