Helvetti. My mouth fills with the taste of ash and failure.
No. Don’t go back there. Think about today. Think about tomorrow.
I light another cigarette, set it smoldering in a ceramic ashtray, pick up the pen, and begin writing.
?Tracker for Theo’s phone (Cosmo/striker)
?Wards around her basement/better locks (Ludo)
?Surveillance rota
?FIND THE LITTLE GIRL
?Work on unbinding Amos, then question him about his ‘wrongdoings’.
?Research the Guardians of Avalon. Surely, there will be some information in the ancient records room?
?Wes???
?Research dark energy transfer via children
?Request English Breakfast tea order for the cafeteria
After that?
Fucking plan a lesson for the history of combat class I teach, and actually mark the assignments from last week. Also, there’s a budget report due for the sports department.
I hate playing the professor role, but as long as Theo is at Validus Vale, I need to keep this position.
Even though I’m exhausted, I pull out my computer and start researching phone trackers.
There is a battle ahead of us. Rest can come once the war is won.
28
Ishower and dress for the day, but feel no peace in the mundane actions.
My mind still stuck on what Cosmo said
They had a little girl, and those bastards tortured her, experimented on her, cut her open.
A poor, innocent child.
We have to find her,andany other kids those fucking bastards are using as guinea pigs.
—Nymph, you are sad?—
—Worried, sad, angry. What are the Conclave doing, Ludo?—
Lu looks into the distance, and after a beat replies —So much evil—
He walks me out to meet up with Willow and Dunc.
They give us both cheery greetings and smile back, but my heart’s not in it. It seems ridiculous to be in this academy world when outside the walls, things are going to shit. I let out a massive sigh.
—Go eat, Nymph. Can’t save the world if you’re weak—
“I wish you could have breakfast with us.”
