Chapter 5: Frost and Stone

Siobhan lost her words. She stared at this man who had touched her in the Chapel and couldn't think what to say. She clenched her hand on the rock. Maybe she should just hit him with the rock and leave. A flash of cold traveled up her arm like someone had shoved an icicle beneath her skin.

"I didn't get the chance to finish our discussion," her mouth said to Mr. Riordan. "You were telling me how fascinating you found red heads. I didn't feel like being part of your fascination considering what happened to the last girl who fascinated you. I'll bet you were disappointed that she wasn't a real redhead." Her mouth smiled at Mr. Riordan in a shape that Siobhan had never felt before. It made her powerful and dangerous. "Do you like my new look?" She swung her hair at him and caught glimpses of hair that was the black of a felt marker at the edges of her vision. Her face took on a different shape. "Someone told me I missed a spot," she said, barely above a whisper. "Do you want to see?"

Riordan tried to speak, but no words came out. Siobhan looked into his eyes and watched him lick his lips. Oh yeah, he wanted to see.

"My office," he said. It sounded to Siobhan that he had to force the words out. The students were whispering amongst themselves.

"Oh," she said, "it looks like I'm going to get a private session." She tossed her hair again and that strange and dangerous smile returned to her face. She led Mr. Riordan to his office. As soon as the door closed he was on her, kissing her with the same sharp edged fervour he'd shown in the Chapel. His hands were struggling to get past all the layers of clothes that Siobhan wore.

"So, that's why you make us wear skirts," her mouth said into his kisses. She thought of the naked little man and laughed. "I wonder if you will look as ridiculous." Riordan back handed her across the face. Her skin split apart under his ring and she lifted her hand from her pocket to touch her face. Somehow the rock stayed in her hand. She felt a piercing cold in her face.

"You asshole," she said. Mr. Riordan snarled and swung at her again. She blocked him with the rock in her hand. He screamed and tried to pull away from her, but some force held him in place. Siobhan's arm grew warm, then hot. She wondered why she didn't burst into flames as the heat settled into her core. She'd never felt so good in her life. There was the same giddiness when Caitlin had dared her to drink a tequila shot, but hotter, richer, more glorious.

If she was feeling good, it was clear that Mr. Riordan was not. He continued to scream as if he never needed to breathe. She finally pulled her hand away from him just to shut him up. He crouched on the floor whimpering, holding his black and twisted left hand.

"Goodbye, Mr. Riordan," she said, "I'm so glad we had this opportunity to talk."

She walked out of his office and caught a glimpse of herself in the glass. Her hair curled red and fiery around her head like a halo. There was no sign of the cut on her cheek.

"Didn't you have your hair dyed black?" one of the secretaries asked.

"The school doesn't allow students to dye their hair," Siobhan said, "and red is a much more fascinating colour." She waved at the secretaries and walked into the foyer. The last of the students were being chivvied to class. It had felt much longer in his office. He must have very good soundproofing. She looked back through the glass. One of the secretaries had atrociously dyed red hair. She gave Siobhan a nervous look and went to knock on Mr. Riordan's door.

The secretary's scream was cut off by the school doors closing behind Siobhan. She didn't know why she ever bothered with this place.

The snow fell heavily, but it melted and steamed away from her hair, the glorious warmth she'd held just minutes ago was already dissipating. She wondered what other conversations she could find as she wandered into the blizzard.