Wave nodded.If she ever claimed the inheritance from her father, it would throw her right into those games, too.It might come to that if she slipped or got cornered.
Even after all these years, Wave felt sorrow and rage thinking about her father’s death.According to another official lie, he had died in a freak accident.Nothing to investigate or dig up.Like an heir apparent to one of the most powerful factions could die just like that.Wave wasn’t sure who was behind the cover-up, but someone was.The chilling part was the possibility that her own family might be involved.Not once had grandfather pushed for an official investigation.
Wave shuddered slightly.Her stormbringer bloodline was a tangled web of politics, deceit, and power struggles.Still, dealing with a fallout from that side of the family would be better than admitting her other side.The moment someone discovered her siren heritage, a ticking clock would start on her life.One very fast ticking clock.Again, Mother did the math for her before she allowed Wave to attend the academy.She wanted to make sure shereallyknew the risks.
Her fingers bumped against the little sheath she always carried in a chain around her neck, and Wave realized she was rubbing her neck.She shook herself furiously.
After one fortifying breath, she forced herself to forget.She wasn’t going back there, she refused to remember.
And then she blinked and groaned, thumping her head against Salis’s shoulder.
“What,” he asked, bewildered.
“I have private tutoring today after work.With Jarred,” Wave wailed against his shirt.“Save me?”
Salis had the nerve to chuckle.“Sorry, babe.You’re on your own for that.”
“Then kill me now?”Wave lifted hopeful eyes up at him.Salis reached over and ruffled her hair.
“Just kiss his brains out like last time and you’ll be fine.”
“You are no help at all.I’m starting to question our friendship after all.”Wave pouted.Yes, she knew it was ridiculous, but that was what she did.
Salis patted her on the top of her head.“I have faith in you, sugar.”
“Thanks, cookie,” Wave answered sourly, causing Salis to burst into bright laughter.
“Come now, sweet pie,” he hollered.“I’ll walk you to work.”
“How chivalrous of you, cupcake!”Wave snarled and then grudgingly followed him.
Wavefoughthardtofocus during her shift, but clearly, she failed to present the calm and collected front she aspired to, as evidenced by Mrs.Riverson’s several long glances.She couldn’t know about the kiss, could she?
Apparently, she did, because ten minutes before her shift ended, she called Wave over and told her, with a devious smile, that she could use the last few minutes to freshen up.
Wave escaped to the bathroom as quickly as her feet could take her.
Whatever had possessed her to kiss that man?Not only were sirens notorious for their failed attempts at romance, but they tended to get killed themselves or their lover did.In the end, death always came calling.Even when the siren fell for a wraith.
And why the fuck was she thinking about romance?She didn’t believe in that shit.There were no glasses, rose colored or otherwise, in her future.Beings like her that could control minds had high stock on ‘get captured and sold for profit’ market, not on ‘I trust you with my heart and mind’ market.
When she caught herself once again tracing a finger over her throat, Wave growled and then splashed cold water on her face.Focus.Wave glanced at her phone to see the time.She had exactly seven minutes to get her nerves under control and devise a plan to put professional distance between herself and Mr.Tasty.
No, Mr.Whitfurst.She really needed to keep that in mind.He was her teacher for all intents and purposes.Her brain tried to bring up the fact that she was allowed to date a teacher here, but Wave swatted that notion aside.Just, no.
Still, she took time to re-braid her hair and made sure she had nothing stuck in her teeth.She also sent a vague prayer up that Mr.Whitfurst hadn’t heard about her scene with Hellion.The chances of that were slim, but a girl had to hope for something.
With a few minutes left on her shift, Wave emerged from the bathroom to find Jarred, no dammit,Mr.Whitfurst, chatting with Mrs.Riverson.
“Ah, there you are, Wayla,” Mrs.Riverson said.“We have all well in hand here for tonight, so you are free to go.”
“Thank you, Mrs.Riverson.”If the woman noticed Wayla sounded a bit stiff, she didn’t let on.Mr.Whitfurst turned to look at her and motioned to the door.
“Shall we?”
“Sure,” Wave replied and walked out ahead of him.The entrance didn’t feel menacing to her anymore.She looked over her shoulder.“Where to?”
“I’ve reserved one of the warded rooms for us, but it’s nice weather.Care to take a long route and stretch our legs?I’ve been cooped up doing research the whole day.”
