Skye was gone, and so were Marlow and Indigo.
Drea shook her head. “Marlow went to check, but just texted ‘he’s not back yet.’ Why don’t we shower real quick and get some lunch.”
Lunch! I’d slept until lunch? Crap.
Pushing to my feet, I remembered Harley was supposed to come over today and help me. I’d spilled everything to the girls last night. How Harley had shown up, the information she learned about Shadowlings, her being able to help control hellhounds…
“Can you talk to your mom about Harley? Ask her to allow her on campus since she has a bracelet and she’s agreed to help me.”
Drea’s lips pursed together. “Are you sure you trust her, Tatum? She was pretty uncooperative the last I saw her, and she totally left you to go back to LA.”
I sighed. Drea had seen Harley at her worst, so I didn’t blame my friend for being cautious. “I know. She needed time to figure it all out. Now she’s on our side, or at least the side that keeps her alive. If you don’t trust that she wants to help us, at least believe that she has an interest in keeping herself alive.”
Drea shifted uncomfortably but nodded. “Okay. Go ahead and grab that shower. I’ll speak with my mom.”
I went to clean up and then met back up with Drea. She said that she’d talked to her mom and that Aurelia was considering the situation and would find me later. That wasn’t exactly what I was hoping to hear, but at least it wasn’t an immediate no.
Drea convinced me to eat, and we sat with Marlow and Indigo in the cafeteria, where I pounded chicken fingers and pizza, but my mind wasn’t far from Gage the entire time.
He would come back. He just had to.
By the time we were finished with lunch, Aurelia came to see me. She was wearing her typical compassionate motherly look, and I melted into her hug.
“He’ll show,” she said, and I took a deep breath, wishing I felt as sure as she sounded. “So… the front office just let me know that Harley is waiting for you in the lobby,” she added.
I stiffened.
“Listen Tatum, I’ve been very understanding with the Shades you’ve brought into Lumen Academy. Indigo and your mother, and even Gage have turned out to be wonderful assets to our community.”
I chewed on my lip, preparing for her to say Harley couldn’t be here.
“Harley is amasterShade,” Aurelia said.
“I know.” I dropped my gaze to the floor. I didn’t have the emotional energy to fight for her. I was too drained from worrying about my boyfriend.
“And if she can help, then I’m willing to give her a shot,” Aurelia said.
My head snapped up. “Wait, what?”
Did I just hear her right?
Aurelia arched an eyebrow. “But if she gives me any reason not to trust her, I won’t allow her on school property again.”
A big grin spread across my face and I threw myself forward, wrapping my arms around the master Lumen. “Thank you!”
After Aurelia left, I grabbed Indigo, Marlow, and Drea, and we booked it for the lobby.
Harley was standing to the side of the front desk with her arms crossed and a scowl in place. When she saw me, she relaxed a little.
“I thought her mom was going to chuck me back in that cell.” Harley pointed to Drea.
I waved her over, ignoring her jibe. “Come on, you got the all clear.”
I nodded to the front desk guard and Harley stepped over toward us.
“Harley, these are my best friends. You’ve met Drea, but this is Marlow and Indigo.” I pointed to each one.
Technically, they’d met before when we kidnapped her and threw her in a cell, but they’d never beenofficiallyintroduced.
