Because what the actualfuck.
The plant.
Then Roth fucking… rescuing me? Like some knight in demented armor? How did he even know I needed help? I don’t bother asking myselfwhyhe saved me—I can only imagine he’d miss torturing me if I were dead. He certainly seemed to enjoy toying with me last night on the beach. And this morning. And every day in class. Just then, the tent door opens just as Dr. Mercer is wrapping my arm to keep the bones stable, and Vivica appears in an elegant black pantsuit.
“Nyx—what happened?” She asks with a concerned frown, sitting on the cot opposite Dr. Mercer.
I don’t know what about her makes the alarm bells in my head go off, but in no uncertain terms am I ever going to tell her the truth. “I tripped and my arm broke my fall. I’m just glad it wasn’t worse.” That much is true, at least.
“As am I.” She smiles warmly. Fake warmly. Like a spray tan instead of a hard-earned solar radiation burn.
Fuck, maybe I do have a concussion.
“Let me be the first to congratulate you. Well done,” she reaches out to pat my arm, and I have to swallow the bile that threatens to rise.
“Thank you, Councilwoman,” I say stiffly.
“Oh please, I think we’re past formalities at this point. Call me Vivica.” I nod, which she takes as permission to keep talking my fucking ear off. “I came in to check on you, and also share some news.” She waits for Dr. Mercer to finish with my arm, and nods when she leaves. Once she’s out of earshot, Vivica continues. “While there aren’t any leads yet on the grimoire I mentioned, I’ve found someone who can teach you bloodmagic.” Her face lights up, but there’s an edge to her excitement that I can’t...
“Wait. I thought I was the only one?—”
“The onlyBloodwitch, yes. Your new teacher is a vampire.”
I blink, trying to understand the words she just strung together in what I’m pretty sure is a brand new sentence.
“A… vampire.”
“Yes, he came highly recommended, and I’ve been quite pleased with his work so far. I think he’ll be a good resource for you.”
“How—? I don’t understand.”
“Ah. You’re wondering how a vampire can have bloodmagic?” I nod. “It’s a byproduct of how they were created with bloodmagic in the first place. There’s no way to determine prior to turning whether someone will have any bloodmagic, so they’re highly sought after when they do.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Really. What the fuck does someone say to being told they’re going to be taughtbloodmagicby avampire. What is my life right now?
“No need to say thanks.” She tilts her head and smiles, “I only want what’s best for you.”
I think I might throw up.
Just then, Tori saves me from her mother when she blows into the tent like a hurricane. “Nyx! Mom! Hi—oh my God, I heard you got hurt but no one said—what happened?”
“I broke my arm. But Mercer gave me the good shit,” I grin, or maybe grimace, as I sit up and accept her hug. Somewhere between the two.
“I’m glad you’re okay. And that you passed! I’ve never heard of anyone skipping grades like you did and still passing, I’m so proud of you.” She hugs me again, and I’m not prepared for the onslaught of validation that makes my eyes burn with the threat of tears. When she pulls away, I clear my throat while she hugs her mom. “Brynne and Milo should be coming out any minute, so I’m going to wait for them. I’ll come get you for the graduation ceremony later, okay?”
“Okay. I think I need to rest anyway,” I say, desperately hoping Vivica takes the hint. Tori barely takes a breath while telling Vivica all about how she crossed the river as they leave, and I lay down again. Now that my magic’s no longer suppressed—or whatever the fuck happened back there—my wounds have healed, but the combination of adrenaline wearing off and pain medication has sapped me of any remaining energy. I’m just so fucking tired. I want to sleep for two days. I want a fat, juicy burger with greasy fries, and a chocolate milkshake, and?—
Not having to face Killian right now,for fuck’s sake.
“Nyx.” He sits down on the cot across from me.
Maybe if I pretend to be asleep, he’ll go away.
“I know you’re awake.”
“No I’m not.”
“Roth told me what happened. Are you okay?”
