Steel Lily (The Periodic Series) by Curd Megan

Author:Curd, Megan [Curd, Megan]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: hero, Steel Lily, dystopian, avery, steampunk, Jaxon, Riggs, Minneapolis, cogs, dreadlocks, Detroit, Mae I Design, heroine
Published: 2013-08-10T16:00:00+00:00

WHILE THE FLAMES consumed Riggs’s expensive display of power, he had sat placidly at the head of the table. Only now did he slowly push away from his place setting. Xander sat silently in his seat and watched the debacle unfold. Riggs cracked his knuckles as he walked toward Kloey. “You’ve obviously been paying attention to your mentors.”

“I’m trying, sir.”

“Well, I’m impressed,” he said, and it sounded genuine. “You may go to your first class. Thank you for salvaging what you could of my belongings with your abilities. The gesture will be noted.” He put a hand on her shoulder, and I saw her shiver under his touch. Was he as cold to the touch as his words were, or did he incite that much fear in all his students?

She hurried from the dining room just short of breaking into a run.

Riggs glanced at the remaining students. Suddenly his kind mask broke into a thousand pieces as he snarled. “Why are you all still here? Go! You have classes to attend!”

I made for the door, but his voice rang out above the exodus of students. “Miss Pike,” he said, saccharine sweet, “you stay with me. I’m your mentor, remember?”

I stiffened. Part of me knew better than to keep my back exposed. I didn’t know what he was capable of. After a few heartbeats, I sighed and turned to face him.

He was inches from me.

“Are you afraid, Avery Pike?”

I jutted my chin upward in defiance. “No.”

“You should be.”

Sari pushed between us, frantic. “Mr. Riggs, let me take Avery to the first class. She can’t control her abilities yet, so maybe watching the others will help her.”

I had to give it to her. Sari was fearless. Even with Riggs bearing down on both of us, she stood there with her hand on his chest, keeping him at bay. She spoke again, this time more urgently. “Sir, let me help.”

Riggs pulled his gaze from me and focused on Sari. He pushed her hand away and adjusted his vest and tie, losing the crazed look he possessed moments before. “Fine,” he said as he stalked back to his chair and retrieved his long-tailed overcoat. “Fine. Miss Pike, I want you in my office after the class.”

“Of course, Mr. Riggs.”

Sari guided me out of the dining room before he could change his mind. As we reached the foyer, I glanced back.

Riggs stood there watching our retreat with his hands balled into fists and Xander’s hand resting on his shoulder. Was that a tear on Riggs’s cheek?

Xander whispered something in his ear, and then Riggs shoved him away. I shrugged at Xander, and he waved me off.

“Stop staring,” Sari hissed as she pulled me onward.

“Something’s wrong.”

“Of course something’s wrong. This whole place is wrong. Now come on.”

I watched her eyes rove the corridor. “Why’d you step in like that?”

“Because I was pretty sure Riggs wouldn’t murder me. He doesn’t want to hurt you; he wants you scared enough to cooperate.”

“And if you’re wrong?”

She chuckled darkly as we turned a corner.

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