“Chancey told me you tried to heal Ivy,” Charlie said abruptly. “Pidge, what were you thinking? You could’ve made yourself really sick.”
“Who cares? It’s not like I can get any worse,” I mumbled.
“That’s not true, and I care! So should you.” Charlie’s eyebrows furrowed. “Sometimes I don’t know what’s going on in your head.”
“I figured if I could take it away, he wouldn’t have to deal with it anymore, and it’d all be over.”
“You know it doesn’t work like that.” Charlie leaned in closer. “You’re addicted to getting involved in the lives of other people, and you refuse to admit they have choices. You can’t save everybody.”
Yeah, well, I can damn well try.
I crossed my arms. “I still want to be his friend.”
“When Ivy is better. Then we’ll see.”
I knew Charlie thought I was delusional for wanting to make this right. He figured I was taking unnecessary risks and putting myself on the line to help someone I loved, like I always did, and it was going to lead to me getting hurt.
Maybe I was delusional, but I wouldn’t admit it. I knew I could do anything, as long as I put my mind to it.
Even rectify the mistakes of my past. I wouldn’t let Ivy become another statistic like Monica. He was staying with me, because even if hell came pounding at his door, I wasn’t going to let his demons take him.
* * *
I didn’t have time to consider visiting Ivy the next morning, because Charlie was up before I was and already making plans to meet up with Kallie and Marcus before I even had time to put my tits in a bra. He had a whole day planned of working on homework, taking walks around the prison yard and playing games in the Villain’s Den, from breakfast all the way up until bed.
I knew he was just keeping me busy, but honestly, it was kind of a relief he was saving me from myself. I didn’t know if I could stop interfering unless I was forced to.
We had omelets for breakfast— which were fucking gross today— and waited for Kallie and Marcus to show up in the grand entryway. We were supposed to go to the Arts & Crafts room early, so we could work on a group project for one of our classes together. I read a book and enjoyed people-watching all the stupid fucks who passed us by, while Oberi squeaked a chew-toy at my feet, but Charlie was impatient. He bounced in his chair, obviously annoyed we were being stood up.
“Hey.” Kallie was nearly breathless. She hurriedly combed her messy locks as she and Marcus stormed in. “Thanks for waiting for us.”
“You’re late,” Charlie said. “We’ve been here forever.”
“Sorry,” Marcus panted, and he straightened his button-up. “Just got a little… busy.”
What awordfor it. The guilt was all over their faces. Andshame.Oh, this was juicy.
They were messing around again, Oberi noted. He chomped down on the chew toy, and it gave a withering squeak.
Charlie scowled. I went to say something— you know, because Iwasn’tthe kind of person who could let the mention of sexy times pass her by without avidly pointing it out— but Charlie cut me off before I could give an enthusiastic gasp.
“Can we just go?” he asked.
Kallie cleared her throat and walked forward. Marcus dragged his feet as he dawdled behind her.
Damn, guess we should’ve taken our time this morning, too,I told Charlie telepathically.
Guess so. They sure weren’t in a hurry, he complained.We’ve nearly wasted an hour.
It would’ve taken us that long to finish, anyhow. We’d already broken the vibrator, because we used it too much. It was hard for me to get off without it, so intimacy was still enjoyable, but not as fulfilling. We needed to figure out how to fix that thing and get back to business, stat.
“Guess what?” I stated. “I read the Elven books, and I actually discovered the real name of what we’re looking for. The Divinity Keys.”
“Is that what they’re called?” Kallie questioned.
“Yes. Unfortunately, the book didn’t say anything more about them. But at least it’s something, right?” I asked.
As we moved toward our destination, I noticed Hemlock standing outside her classroom, surveying the students that walked by. When she spotted us, her shoulders relaxed on her statuesque frame.
