“So we don't draw attention from The Sanctum. They're just as bad as Jude, remember?”
“You're not wrong,” Thorne adds, agreeing with Rion despite the scathing look I’m giving him. “And right now, we must keep our heads down because they're going to be coming for us too, and if we want Jude to bring the Rebellion, we need to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary.”
I sag in defeat. “I hate you,” I grumble into my mug, and Rion squeezes my thigh.
“No, Petal. You hate that he's right,” Rion declares, and Ocean snickers.
Peering through my lashes, my gaze connects with Rion. He must sense my reluctance because he pulls me into his embrace a moment later, with my hot chocolate wedged between us. His lips find myforehead, offering me a silent strength as Ocean barfs mockingly.
My wolf levels her with a devilish glare, earning a chuckle in response.
I can’t deal with the two of them.
They’re both equally insufferable.
“You need to dress, and we need to head out now,” Thorne murmurs, glancing at the time, and to my surprise, Ocean leaps to her feet, handing her empty mug to the shadow fae as she all but skips to the door.
“I’ll meet you back here in two minutes,” Ocean says, disappearing a moment later as Rion offers me his hand.
Taking it, I settle on my feet and almost move to follow after her before I remember all of my belongings are in Rion's closet.
I make a mental note that we still need to address this matter, but in the meantime, he swoops my mug from my grasp and pats my ass, guiding me toward his room. He doesn't join me as I step inside, leaving the door slightly ajar, giving me a moment of space and calmness as I get myself dressed for what already feels like the worst day of my life.
By the time I make it back to the door, ready toface the day, I’m firmly in agreement with what they're saying. I have to be onboard; it makes sense, despite how icky it all makes me feel inside.
Thorne and Rion join me, dressed in their uniforms, and as we head out into the hallway, Ocean falls into sync with us without a word being spoken. The four of us move as one, leaving Institute Thirteen behind as we cut our way across to The Vale.
I already know I haven't got the strength to eat food or face anyone else, but I get the feeling they’re not going to let that slide. I spend the entire walk talking myself up to make sure I stand my ground, but as we approach The Vale, I don’t get a chance to broach the subject.
A swarm of men surround us, draped in cloaks that scream some kind of connection to The Sanctum. My heart pounds wildly in my chest with the expectation that we've already been found out.
Kael.
As if sensing my panic, one of them steps forward, eyes narrowed and lips tipped down at the sides as disgust coats their entire demeanor.
“Thorne Fata, you are immediately required for further questioning regarding the death of Tiran. Come willingly, or you will be detained.”
“No! You've already taken him once,” I blurt, fear getting the better of me as I throw myself between Thorne and the man in question, but Rion plants his hand on my shoulder, rooting me to the spot as Thorne speaks.
“It’s okay, Echo,” Thorne murmurs from behind me, ignoring the despair I try to convey in my eyes. He moves around me effortlessly, brushing his fingertip under my chin for the smallest moment. “I'll be back soon enough. But remember, stay focused,” he reminds me as my nostrils flare and frustration gets the better of me. But before I can make him understand, the asshole who summoned him slams his hand on Thorne’s arm, and they’re gone.
My racing heart doesn’t calm as Rion slips his arm around my shoulder, it doesn’t slow as Ocean ushers me into our first class, and it doesn’t waver when I take a seat in my usual spot. The unease only heightens without my vampire and shadow fae in the row behind me too.
Of all classes I find myself in, of course it’s Professor Grimm’s, but that’s not a matter for now.Not when I remain on edge. My mind reels with the reminder of what happened with Tiran and Willow.
One is dead, the other’s memories are still intact.
She knows what I am.
It seemed like a good idea to keep it that way at the time, but now things have changed, and I'm not quite sure we have the upper hand.
Professor Grimm drones on as I blink at him, his words not penetrating my ears, and I find myself completely lost in my thoughts. The only thing I’m actually aware of is the fact that Willow is also not present, just like Thorne.
As if my stomach wasn’t in knots already, it certainly is now. Who knew this was what my life would come to?
Irritated, I blink, forcing myself to increase my awareness, but all I can manage is settling my gaze on Professor Grimm, who stands at the front of the lecture hall talking animatedly. I hear something about The Trial Games, and I know I should pay attention, but I can't piece together the words as I sit helplessly in my chair, drowning in my thoughts and fears.
One thing is for certain: he doesn't seem to beunder the impression that he's no longer in possession of the Veilstone.
