Chapter 31
Thirty-One
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 every corner 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, but all 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. The people. 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 missed home.
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.
“You are embarrassing us, Mavyllora Sanivin Tsukkenai,” she barks.
I pull back and her face is blurry from my tears but I can’t stop them. I can’t stop them because this has to be some sort of nightmare. I have to be dreaming right now and at any moment it’ll twist.
Nana’s features soften as she now pulls me into a real hug. “Oh my poison girl.”
Another sob hiccups and we squeeze each other tightly.
She knows more than anyone about my nightmares and frequent trips to the sun death realm.
Then I let go and turn towards Rosemary.
Her mossy green eyes are shining as well as she grabs my arms and pulls me into her.
She’s taller than Jullia and even Ms. Elaycia who’s tall at six foot two.
I’m cocooned in her soothing aura and warmth. My warrior princess goblin who has always treated me like a little sister. Who wraps her strength as well as her arms around me.
Then I’m allowed to hug Caleb and the stupid light mage has a cocky smirk as he looks down at my watery smile.
“And you say I have no effect on the ladies,” he jokes.
I crash into him like I did Ms. Elaycia and he huffs out a laugh as he wraps his arms around me. Warmth warmer than just body heat seeps into my skin and I never want to let go.
Except I do when a throat is cleared and I look over and up at golden eyes darkened and fixed on Caleb. Fucking shit.
I twist in Caleb’s arms, though he immediately lets me go, and I stand between the two males. I can feel Caleb backing away and I sharpen my stare to point at Callahan until he looks down at me. I do not need any alpha-male fucking bullshit. Not today, not when my family here.
Golden eyes soften even though I’m still glaring. Then he smirks as he looks at the other three surrounding me. “You can’t be mad at me today, Firecracker.”
I can sense Ms. Elaycia stepping closer to me. “He’s right Mavyllora. Where are your manners? I thought I raised you to be polite. You better thank Mr. Armani for pulling some strings and allowing us to be here today.”
I whip my head back and up to her, then back at Callahan. “You. . . you brought them here?”
He smiles softly at me and slides his hands into his pockets. “Can’t have family day without your family.”
My nose begins needling again and I crash into Callahan. It surprises him and he’s frozen still for a moment before he wraps his arms around me too.
“Thank you,” I whisper into his chest. “Thank you so much.”
His hand rubs up and down my back a couple times before he pulls back and turns me to face my family again. “So are you going to introduce me?”
His tone is light and smooth, but when I glance up he has a sharp stare pointed at Caleb. I roll my eyes but smile big because they’re here.
Stepping away from Callahan, I approach Ms. Elaycia. Her dark olive skin smooth and glistening where it’s exposed at her neck and shoulders. Aside from that area and usually her cleavage, she is almost always covered. Including her hands, which have a habit of stroking my cheek when she passes me.
She never wore gloves before I came to the club.
“Ms. Elaycia,” I greet, and her smile shines in her deep purple eyes. “This is Callahan Armani, a. . . classmate.”
“You mean fated,” Nana interrupts. I glare at her but she’s smiling big at Callahan. “Last time I saw you, you were still crawling around on all fours.”
Excuse me?
Callahan’s cheeks turn pink and my brain glitches because that is the first time I’ve ever seen him blush. I didn’t even know he could blush.
Nana tisks at me. “I told you about my own family here. The little boy I helped train and said you would get along with wonderfully. His father and Callahan’s father are best friends. They grew up and went to school together.”
Her smile grows as she see’s someone behind Callahan and when he steps to the side my own smile that’s been stuck on my face immediately drops.
“My boy!” Nana greets with more joy than I’ve ever seen her give another person.
She actually claps her hands as she meets Thorne – the blood-fucking-demon who hates me – Arcturus and pulls him into a hug.
His father is behind him and smiles in greeting at Nana as she pulls back from Thorne and fusses over little things.