"I didn't abduct anyone!" Killian protests. "I made him a very generous offer!"
"While blocking his only exit and being seven feet of pure intimidation?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Six-seven," he mutters. "And that's not my fault. Genetics."
Micah pinches the bridge of his nose. "Where did you even find this unwilling janitor?"
"Magical science building," Killian crosses his arms defensively. "And he wasn't unwilling until you guys started making it weird."
"We're making it weird?" I stare at him. "You're the one who brought a hostage home."
"He's not a hostage!"
From the gym, we hear Dale's nervous laughter followed by Sean's enthusiastic "BOOM, HEADSHOT!"
Rowan sighs. "I'll go make sure Sean doesn't corrupt the poor man further."
He disappears down the hall, leaving me with Killian and Micah. The latter is watching us with barely concealed amusement.
"So," Micah says, pushing his glasses up. "I'm guessing the Dale plan is off the table?"
"Very off the table," I confirm.
"Damn." He doesn't sound remotely disappointed. "What's plan B?"
I take a breath, steeling myself. "I'm accepting Villeneuve's offer. The teaching assistant position."
Micah's eyebrows rise, but he doesn't seem remotely surprised after last night. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Because you want to, or because we're out of options?"
"Both," I admit. "But mostly the first one. I've been thinking about it all day, and..." I trail off, trying to find the right words. "Kyle made me give up so much. My education, my independence, my sense of self-worth. I let him convince me that wanting things for myself was selfish. That my only value was in what I could provide for the coven."
Killian's jaw tightens, but he stays quiet.
"This feels like a chance to take something back," I continue. "To pursue what I actually want instead of just surviving or serving someone else's agenda. And yes, Villeneuve is mysterious and probably has ulterior motives?—"
"Definitely has ulterior motives," Killian interjects.
"—but this is still my choice."
The kitchen goes quiet. I feel the shift in both of them. Understanding. Acceptance. And beneath it, a fierce pride.
"Then we support you," Micah says simply. "Whatever you need."
Killian looks like he's swallowed something sour, but he nods. "Even if it means watching you work for that pretentious asshole every day."
"I appreciate the sacrifice," I say dryly. "But I can handle Villeneuve."
"I know you can." His hands find my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones. "That's not what worries me. What worries me is what he might try to pull. What he might ask of you when we're not around."
"Then I'll tell him no." I cover his hands with mine. "I'm not the same person I was with Kyle. I won't let anyone use me like that again. Not even for grad school."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
