The fork clatters to the half-empty plate. ‘But she’s being punished, right?’
Sebastian’s expression grows grim. ‘She claims you hit her first and she was acting in self-defence.’
‘That’s bullshit!’ I shout, nearly knocking the plate off my legs in the process. ‘She attackedme!’
‘I figured. But it’s her word against yours right now and since no one was there to witness how it started—’
‘She burnt my face!’ I interrupt, pushing the plate aside. I slide out of the bed and leap to my feet, needing to move. ‘Using your element against another student is forbidden!’ Unless in combat lessons. I start to pace.
‘Like I said, she said it was self-defence. A few of the other students also said they saw you take her down on the mat during training. They’re siding with her. She’s claiming you overpowered her in the tunnel just like you did on the mat and using her element was her only protection.’
An exasperated scoff retches out of me. I’m so angry that my hands start to shake at my sides. Frustrated tears prick at the corners of my eyes. I could barely walk by the time training was over, let alone take her down in the tunnel. She had the advantage, the upper hand, and she knows that.
‘You’ve also both been suspended from CNM for the next week,’ Sebastian tells me, kicking me down a further notch.
‘You’re kidding?’ I whirl around to face him. His head shakes. ‘Great, so I’m being punished for doing absolutely nothing. Stars, how did Lukas do this for two years? This place is corrupt.’ I say the last part more to myself than to him.
‘Why do you stay when you clearly hate it here so much?’ he asks, with a curious tilt to his head. It’s so unlike the other times he’s brought up the idea of me leaving. This time, it’s different. As if he’s genuinely curious to why I’m putting myself through this.
I debate ignoring his question. Because part of me doesn’t feel like he deserves it. He hasn’t earned my trust. Yes, he carried me to the infirmary, but one kind act doesn’t negate the rest.
With a weighted exhale, I square my shoulders and tell him: ‘Because I deserve to stand with everyone else out there. Whether you think so or not.’
TWENTY-EIGHT
The next week passes slowly and tortuously. Not being able to train in my CNM classes has made my days feel a lot less fulfilling, but one good thing is Moira’s been taken out of my Sympathetic Magic class and put into another. Though tomorrow will be the first time I’m allowed back into the Training Centre, which means so will she.
I’ve barely seen Sebastian. He’s stopped by my room to speak with Lillian, whose been sleeping there each night this week, but she comes in late. So, I don’t get to speak with her much either, other than in the morning when we both wake at the same time. Jed is also often close by. Usually waiting outside my room, allegedly waiting for Lillian, though I feel sure Sebastian is making him watch me or watch outforme. Either way I feel like I’ve barely had a moment’s peace.
Xavier and Tilly, naturally, have also been hovering, and between the two of them, I’m always walked to and from classes and the door to my tower. I can tell they’re worried – this is three attacks now, and I’ve only been here a few weeks. I also finally told them about Harley and the situation with Lillian sleeping in my room, grateful that I don’t have to mention Sebastian, since he’s been too busy with Nicks to return as my roommate. Tilly was a little upset that I’d kept the truth from them, but her worry for me outgrew any hurt feelings. Xavier said he understood why I’d kept it to myself.
I feel like everyone is on edge and I’m constantly looking over my shoulder, waiting for something to happen again. To say I’m dreading seeing Moira at combat class tomorrow is an understatement. Sebastian swore that I won’t have to train with her again and that she’s been swapped out for one of Lillian’s students.
I’m just reaching that point of boredom where I feel like pulling my hair out, when none other than Tilly opens the door to my room, rushing inside in a hurry and shutting it behind her like there’s a damn fire chasing her.
‘Oh good, you’re still up. Come on, we need to go. Now! And bring a jacket.’ She’s speaking so fast it’s a miracle I understand her; she flaps her hands at me to hurry just as the dagger of Lillian’s that I found in her bag and have been practising targets with falls loudly to the floor right beside her.
Tilly looks down at her feet, then quirks a questioning brow at me as I quickly rush over and snatch it up then stuff it back into Lillian’s bag.
‘How the heck did you get in my unit? And why are you whisper-yelling at me?’
‘Questions later. Jacket, now. Come onnnn!’ She starts dancing on her feet.
‘Okay, okay.’ I chuckle, walking over to the hook near my bathroom and grabbing the thick navy jacket hanging there.
Tilly opens the door with a crack, peeking her head out first before ushering me through with a wave. Most students are getting tucked up in bed around now, so whatever her plan is has nervous excitement curling in my stomach.
We creep silently down the stairs and make it out of my tower unseen. I half expected Xavier to be waiting for us outside the Agate Unit, but it seems it’s just us tonight. When she leads me outside, I start to get antsy.
‘So, now am I allowed to ask why you’re dragging me outside at this hour?’
Tilly pulls the hood of her deep purple jacket over her head and shoots me a mischievous grin. ‘No. It’s a surprise. But if anyone catches us, we’re dead. So, move that perfect ass of yours and keep up.’
I jog quietly behind her as we pass the building where most of our classes are held and then the Training Centre. It isn’t until we hit the first crop of trees that lead to the forest that Tilly slows to a walk.
‘Keep an eye out,’ she warns.
‘Forwhat?’ I hiss, scanning the dense thicket of tall tree trunks clustered together. The only light out here spills down from the moon above. It casts pockets of light on the ground, though not much. I find myself squinting at the branches, roots and leaves that blanket the grass. Face planting from tripping over a root is the last thing I need right now. My body has onlyjustrecovered.
