The Azuin university: Professor’s exam. Darine Zoyar

with one hand and covered my mouth with his palm.

      «Oh no, my dear dean, you will listen to me. And don’t you dare scream: I’ll sew up your lips. Do you get it?

      I nodded: he can. The spells of those who hang out with monsters are nasty.

      The professor removed his hand from my face, but he didn’t let me go.

      «Judging by your ’explosion’ in the bar, you’re already aware of some of my stuff. But you get it wrong. And so do they. They were written me down as criminal. The seal was put up,» and he slammed his foot against the wall so that I could feel it vibrating on my back. «I didn’t steal it, you know, I didn’t steal it!»

      I squeaked, not daring to object. Like this, when he loomed over me in the dark, when I saw only a rough silhouette, felt the pressure on my arms, inhaled the pungent smell of whiskey and an angry man, I was really afraid of him.

      «You… I thought we… And you immediately drew conclusions and rushed to blame. Did I give a reason?» He breathed noisily and pressed closer. «What have I done to you, dean, to rebel against me so violently? You invite me to come to university for months, and then you pounce… malevolently… peremptorily… What have I done to you, Zulina?» He whispered in my ear.

      A shiver ran down my spine, my legs buckled. I couldn’t get a sound out of me.

      Erchin nudged his nose strangely, as if sniffing, and buried his face in my neck.

      «Hmm… What do you smell like? Something for the shower, huh? Sweetly… It’s always sweet. Like then, the first time…»