The headmaster’s eyes glittered, so dark and biting. “They believe you’re a dangerous family, and that it was no longer inWeatherstone’s best interests to have you all here.” He shook his head. “Absolute rubbish though. I’ve never had an ounceof trouble from any of you, and you’re all exceptional witches and warlocks. There were no grounds to involve you in the situation,so for now it’s all resting on your father.”
The fact that thishighly ranked member of the communitywanted all of us gone made it more likely that Logan was behind it all. This was about punishing more than Dad; this wasabout punishing all Hallistars.
“Thanks for the update,” I finally said, feeling worse than when I walked in. “I can supply witnesses who will attest thatall witch wine was distributed without the knowledge of the professors.” Most of them had no idea that Dad had seen my cup.“Under a truth spell.”
The headmaster nodded. “Thank you. We’re still in early stages of dealing with this, but I’ll keep that in mind if we take it to the elders.”
I nodded, knowing that was all I could do for now.
Gregor called out as I turned to leave. “Oh, and, Ms. Hallistar, have you had any further issue with monsters in the college?”
That question felt like a weird segue, given the current situation, and I examined his expression, only to find it neutral...almost blank. “No,” I said shortly. “Not since the blanket was erected.” Not totally true. Parents’ weekend was still on mymind—when I’d been sure that monsters roamed the grounds.
His intensity eased up a fraction. “Great to know. The blanket will lift just after graduation.”
That made me pause. “Because you’ve figured out who was behind it?”
“Unfortunately not,” he sighed, “but having it up for so long is impacting the ability of students to fully touch their affinitiesand magic. The elders believe it’s not in Weatherstone’s best interest to keep it up any longer.”
Translation: students’ lives weren’t worth more than the reputation of the college.
“Hopefully it’ll all be behind us next year,” I said, with a shrug that spoke of a nonchalance I did not feel.
“I’m sure it will be.” The headmaster was more confident. “Good luck with your final assessments, Ms. Hallistar.”
He sat once more and returned to whatever he’d been doing at his desk, and suitably dismissed, I stumbled from the room andtook the stairs down. My head was teeming with questions and worries, and a thrum of panic that wouldn’t fade.
The release of the blanket of energy, when nothing had been solved in the issue of monsters, meant that we’d be rightback to danger. Right back where we were that night we lost one of our own.
I had to find those books. I had to figure out what Belle’s father had been implying with his sharp and cryptic comments.I had to do it before anyone else died.
Chapter 36
Despite running dangerously close to being late to meet Marcus, I took a few extra minutes to exit near the chapel. Therewas no real reason for me to check it out; there was only ash and debris left behind. But I needed to see the scene that wascosting us all so much.
Two witches and a warlock were in the zone, shooing everyone away. This close, that scent of ash and fire was much stronger,and there wasn’t a single part of the scene that could help clear Dad’s name. The fire happened. It happened because of thewitch wine, and elementals losing their brains. That part wasn’t up for debate.
What needed to be discovered was who reported Dad and was now pushing for maximum penalty.
Leaving the scene, I raced around the buildings and down to the lake, only to find two spellcasters waiting for me. Logan’sexpression was flat, more closed off than I’d seen from him in months. Marcus didn’t look much more welcoming, and I wonderedif they’d argued in my absence. “Paisley.” The hard lines of Marcus’s face eased. “Ready to get started.”
My attention was on Logan, as per usual when he was around. He was in uniform today, without any variation, and I itched to roll those sleeves up to reveal that glorious ink. While another part of me wanted to throw a hex at him sohe couldn’t walk for a week because he might have finally achieved what his father wanted all along.
To destroy my dad.
“What are you doing here?” I asked Logan, ignoring Marcus.
“If you need a spellcaster,” he said, a dangerous edge to those words. “Then you use me.”
I could see Marcus’s confusion. He glanced between Logan and me, no doubt inferring a whole bunch of truths that were reallylies. “The professor asked Marcus to help me before final assessment.” I shrugged, acting a hundred times more casual thanI felt. “If the college didn’t ask you, it might be because you’re hardly ever here, hardly ever in class, and rarely wantto help without getting something in return.”
“What have I asked from you in return?” Logan said, his laser focus reducing me to ash, just like the chapel. “As you’re wellaware, I’m more generous in giving than receiving.”
The flush was instant, heat unfurling through my body. Maybe I’d inferred more from those words than I should, but all I couldthink about was Logan giving me pleasure. Through that, though, I noticed an odd cadence as he spoke. His energy felt darker,and he looked... tired. I’d never seen Logan look anything other than perfect. A flaw wouldn’t dare mar the powerful warlock.But today was different.
“Are you okay?” I asked, suddenly wishing I didn’t care.
He blinked, and I saw the surprise he hid a second later. “Fuck, Precious. Go with Marcus. I’ll be close by if you need anyhelp.” His gaze drifted to the lake behind us. “Especially if you’re going in the water.”
