Mavyn misses them, he rumbles.And they’re alumni. The Dean can’t say no.
True, but hissy-fits will be thrown. A witch hasn’t stepped foot on Syngenia grounds in over a thousand years.
I’m going to sleep now, he grouches and then kicks me out of his mind.
I blow out a breath as I try not to think about all that is about to happen tomorrow. So many beings and races and dominating aura’s in one place? It’s bound to be a bloodbath. Like it usually is every year.
I sigh for what feels like a millionth time. How did one little girl get wrapped up with so many powerful beings? What kind of fate was twisted to draw her into all of our lives?
Thirty-One
Mavyn – Septmust 5
I’m back, almost, where I was nearly exactly two months ago. The front courtyard on the north-east side of the grounds where all the tables to get your schedule and tablet is below us.
We’re all currently on a terrace above it that half overlooks the eastern field. The other half of the balcony is over the front doors of the main building off to the right, though I stand in a further corner staring up at the gargoyles on the third level watching below.
There are gargoyle shifters. I wonder if any of them on the third level are shifters too.
Hopefully not. If so then my ‘no proof of burning Thorne’s rooms down’ goes out the window. There are gargoyle’s on everycorner and ledge of the main building. They would have easily seen me walking right into Stone House.
Past them I stare at the heavy-clouded sky. So dark and thick it blocks the sun completely and allows for me to walk freely without my umbrella. Not that it matters since the only thing that would be exposed is my face and hands since I’m in my uniform. We may not have classes today, but we’re all supposed to be in uniform to represent the school.
People mill about around me, the whole ordeal starting earlier in the morning. Everyone woke up earlier than we all did yesterday because of everyone’s families and loved ones arriving. Jullia had been up and out of there before I even woke up. Callahan had slept on the floor beside my bed. A bed that had been replaced with a brand new frame, mattress, sheets, pillows, comforter, and blankets.
My argument with Callahan held no fight because I had already been exhausted past my normal point. Wednesday night I had stayed in the infirmary and let them re-hook all the feeding and liquid bags. They added more healing salves I catalogued in my head. Thankfully I was not drugged this time.
But yesterday afternoon I told Callahan I was sleeping in my own room, showering in my own dorm, or I was going to claw my freaking skin off. That was when I came face to face with my new bedding and my so-called argument was me glaring at Callahan.
He hadn’t asked what happened to my bed or why there was a pile of ashes underneath it. I was worried for half a second that he would connect it to burning Thorne’s rooms, but he’s said nothing. I’ve also not been carted off by guards or enforcers to be killed.
Exhaling a breath, I turn and catch sight of Jullia with Hanna and their family. She had told me yesterday she wanted me to meet them. She also said they would not act like Hanna did when she first met me.
But, I’ve been staying in my little area near one of the doors that lead inside and directly to some stairs exiting onto the path that leads to either the eastern field or the north-east courtyard. It’s my getaway in case I don’t want to be around anymore family reunions.
I glance over the heads and faces looking for dirty blond hair. He said he was going to get me and him a drink, but it’s been several minutes already. I was planning on staying in my room with my earbuds ignoring everything about today. I’m also still exhausted from this past week and I could probably sleep all weekend.
I’m only here now because I did promise Jullia I’d meet her family and Callahan slightly begged me. I know his father is roaming around somewhere. Callahan also said his mother, two younger sisters, and uncles would be here.
I wish I didn’t have to meet them. I also wished everyone wasn’t whispering about me and Callahan being fated. Gossip spreads like you would think at this prestigious goddamn school. Jullia even said there’s a whole thing on their social media app. I still haven’t looked at it once since Jullia showed me the video that was taken of me calling Darian a winged bitch.
That makes me smile and a smooth voice asks, “Are you expecting anyone?”
I turn and am met with burnt gold eyes and simple curiosity. I could tell him off because he is part of the reason I’m here and I was never given a chance to contact my family, butall that rage from earlier this week is ash. I don’t want to care anymore, I only want to get through these few years and then go home.
I start to shake my head because words feel like too much but I stop when my name is called from across the yard.
Every conversation stops as people look around and a sort of path is cleared through. Needles prick my nose as tears build along my waterline as I stare at the person ahead. Thepeople. Four people to be exact and I don’t even know when it happened but I started running.
Ignoring the looks and the whispers as I collide into a perfume of orchids and blackberry. Ribbons of deep purple flaring around her as they always are and there is nothing but warmth. Her long sleeved covered arms and gloved hands wrap tightly around me as lips purse on the top of my head.
“My love,” Ms. Elaycia murmurs and those tears spill over because I missed her. I missed her so much and the rest of the girls and home and my own room. I missed Ana in the attic with her sweets and Nana in the kitchen and Cordellia always talking about her books. I missed Rosemary scolding me about making the girls late for work and Caleb with his harmless flirting.
I missedhome.
Someone behind her tisks and a fucking sob leaves my throat but I don’t even care. Pulling away from Ms. Elaycia, she turns to reveal Nana with her coiled white hair twisted on the top of her head and her dingy brown frock.
She’s shorter than me and much curvier and I crash into her next. A disbelieving scoff leaves her mouth but she doesn’t push me away.
