Chapter 19 Riley
Riley
Iopened and closed my mouth a few times before deciding that whatever I was trying to say wouldn’t help me out of this.
I looked from the chancellor back to Dean Wales, hoping that my eyes would give her some indication that the man next to her was a fucking monster.
She just leaned against her desk, comfortable in what she thought was a normal situation.
Chancellor Fowler chuckled. “I’m only joking.
I’m sure Dean Wales informed you that you are not in any sort of trouble.
The university hopes that you will let us help you and stand by you through this sudden change.
” He sounded like he actually cared, like his sole mission was to make me feel welcomed.
He was so good at playing the charismatic villain that I feared I might have to pinch myself if I ever started to believe him.
“I already let her know about Lena and how she’s more than happy to be a helping hand in all this,” Dean Wales offered.
“Lena?” I asked, focusing my attention on her.
“The human-magic wielder liaison. Her name is Lena. She’s worked at a few other hybrid universities before, albeit smaller ones, but she cares so much for the students.” Dean Wales explained, wiping her hands down her skirt.
“I don’t usually show my face around the university much, but after what happened, after what I witnessed, I thought you should be aware that you won’t get lost in the shuffle.
I’ve taken a look at your transcript and you are quite impressive; it does sadden me that along with your exemplary test scores you couldn’t amplify your magic as well.
” He rocked back in the desk chair and gave me a smile that was meant to be sympathetic.
“I’m sure my magic being hidden away was for a good reason,” I responded, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back.
Chancellor Fowler cleared his throat and scowled. “There is no good reason to dim a witch’s magical abilities, well, unless whoever did it was ashamed.” I narrowed my eyes, but he continued, “You shouldn’t be ashamed of your powers, they’re a gift.”
“A gift indeed, sir. Both telekinesis and fire,” Dean Wales added, looking pleased.
The chancellor’s eyes widened in faux surprise.
“Well then, that is impressive. Lucky girl to be born with something like that. I’m sure your father would have been so proud of you.
” His jaw ticked when he said that word, like he hated having to mention my dad at all.
There was a small glint in his eye though, that led me to believe that he at least enjoyed speaking about him in the past tense.
I could feel my whole body wanting to vibrate from anger, but any power I would have displayed was dormant at the moment and right now wasn’t the time to go nuclear.
“I’m sure,” I answered through my teeth.
Dean Wales pointed to the papers on her desk. “I spoke to her about the next steps. Dampener, of course, speaking with Lena, and—”
“I already have a ring,” I announced, holding up my hand.
Chancellor Fowler lifted up one corner of his mouth in a smirk. “You are on top of things, aren’t you?” It was a rhetorical question, so I kept my mouth shut. He fixed his gaze on Dean Wales. “May we have the room for a moment?”
She nodded. “Of course, I’ll be down the hall.” She walked past me, squeezing my shoulder as she went. Once the door was closed behind her, the tension that was already heavy in the air became so thick I could have choked on it.
Chancellor Fowler let out a laugh that had me raising an eyebrow in his direction.
He shook his head, placing a finger at his temple and tilting his head.
“It’s nice to know my daughter gets things done in a timely fashion.
Magic is an addictive thing. And even dampeners can’t help that.
You can’t look me in the eye and tell me that using it hasn’t given you a sort of… high.”
I looked down at the ground, ignoring him.
He sighed. “You don’t have to tell me. I already know.
When my powers manifested, I ended up accidentally burning part of my house because I got a little too angry at what was probably the smallest thing.
I’m not saying that you’ll start fires, but let's not pretend since the last time I’ve seen you that you haven’t let your magic gain more power over you than you have over it. ”
I kept my head down, refusing to acknowledge him when I felt a jolt at my chin forcing my head up.
“This isn’t a one-sided discussion, Riley.”
I tried to pull away, but it was no use. “You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me.”
He let out a frustrated groan. “Can’t you see I’m trying?”
“All you’ve done is murder and threaten people. Why would I ever want to know anything about a person who does that? I would never want to call someone who does those things my dad!”
He slammed his hand against the top of the desk, letting my face go.
“You watch your mouth!” He ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath.
He slid his hands down the front of his crisp button-down shirt.
His voice was calmer and leveled. “I was defiant, just like you, and my mother tried to force me into my role. If she had just let me prosper, then maybe things would have been different. I don’t want that with you, which is why you’ll simply come to me because you need me.
Not because I’d confined you to a room and forced you.
I could do those things, but that’s not the kind of father I want to be. ”
I scoffed. “I know you threatened River’s life. You tormented Grayson.” I shot up from my chair. “You wanted me at this school and now I’m here. You can’t force anything else; I know what you want Asher to do, but he won’t, so what now?”
Chancellor Fowler sucked his teeth and slowly walked around the desk, trailing two of his fingers along the edge. “What makes you think he won’t?”
“Because he…”
“Because he told you so,” he finished for me. He wiped his hand over his mouth and stood in front of me. “That’s what you wanted to hear though, right? That he wouldn’t do that to you; he would never harm you in that way.”
I looked at him confused, wondering where he was going with this. “Even if he did, I would know. I could push back; it wouldn’t be some big mystery.”
Chancellor Fowler gave me an encouraging nod as if he knew what I was saying was true, yet he always had more to add.
“Hmm, that is true. Asher is well aware of the consequences, and we all know how much that telepath means to both of you. You and I both are fully aware that the minute the decision was between you or River, you automatically became wary of your place with those boys.”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
He lightly grabbed one of my braids, sliding his fingers down until he could curl the end around his finger.
“You could be told a million times that they will protect you, they will choose you and somehow in the back of your mind…you never really know, do you?” He let go of my braid and reached up to touch my cheek.
I felt his magic keeping me in place, forcing me to withstand his touch.
“What makes you think I don’t have another well-disciplined mental magic user with oneiromancy that is more than willing to do what I say?
Asher could be oh so innocent, but you would be quick to judge because his brother, his family, is his priority.
And like I said, distrust. Can. Ruin. Everything.
So much anxiety, so much agitation can lead to dire consequences.
Life would be so much easier if you stopped thinking those boys can save you or that you can save yourself.
Your mother thought the same thing and look where that got her.
” He leaned down to be right in front of my face.
Eyes that looked so much like mine stared at me.
“Right back where she left off. She tried to run from me, but in the end here you are.”
“You don’t get to talk about her.” I reared my head back feeling his magic slip away, so the resistance was gone making me stumble back.
I caught the chair, getting my balance back before looking at him again.
“You want me begging for your help, pleading for you to show me the way? Is that what you want?”
“You make it sound so bad.” He wanted me broken and so far down that he was my only option. He couldn’t control all my decisions, but he could control what came from them.
“Fuck you. Fuck you and your entire twisted idea of a family.”
He walked around me, rolling his shoulders. “How about I do this, since you think I’m such a monster. I’ll back off, just a tiny bit and you join Celica, like you were always meant to.”
“Celica?”
“I’m sure the interim leader has already sent you an invite of some kind. Form bonds with your fellow witches. It would bring me joy to see you in great spirits with the others.”
I curled my fingers into fists at my sides. “I don’t want it. I don’t want a legacy. I can find other witches, make connections without having to step foot in that coven.”
Chancellor Fowler gave me a cheeky grin. “You were erratic and all over the place at that meeting, do you really think many witches will want anything to do with such a spectacle? The coven will give you support and shoulders to lean on. Plus, you’ll have your friend in there, right?”
“And it’s a way to keep me close, right?” I mocked, rolling my eyes.
“Closer. I mean, you are already on a campus that our family built.”
I nearly shivered at that thought. I wanted to wretch at the term our family. “Fine. I’ll join. And you’ll back off.”
He held his hands up as if he was the most innocent man in the world.
“You have my word. Although, I have no jurisdiction on how Oliver wants to handle his family. I can keep him on a leash when it comes to you, but I have no say when it comes to his sons. The man is power hungry, and once you’ve gotten a dose of power from someone else, it’s a feeling you start to crave. ”
“The magic you siphon, you plan to give it to him?”
He shook his head. “No, not all of it. Men like him need just enough to feel better than the rest. The St. James family needs to keep up that prestige somehow.” He grabbed my backpack from the floor and handed it to me. “You will meet with Lena. Monday morning, after your class.”
“I don’t need to meet with Lena. I have nothing to say. I’m fine. I won’t talk to someone you replaced my dad with. I’m not going to sit in that office and pretend like months ago you didn’t shove him out a window,” I spat, yanking my backpack out of his hands and shoving his shoulder.
He looked over at his shoulder and shook his head as if he was disappointed. “I’m just trying to do what’s best as your father.”
“I said I would join Celica, so that’s all I’m doing.
Everything you’ve done negates any talk of you being a good dad.
We are never going to eat dinner across from each other or sit on a couch and talk about our day.
I’m never going to cry on your shoulder because I’m sad or ask you to make me feel better when I don’t feel good.
I already had someone who did all those things! ”
His jaw ticked. “You have a class you should be getting to in thirty minutes.” He nodded his head towards the clock on the wall.
“How do you…”
“Never mind wondering how I know things, Riley. I do find it rather interesting that Professor St. James, who happens to be your boyfriend’s brother, is someone who feels so strongly about you.
I can understand being apprehensive because you are dating his brother, but the way he looked…
hmm, there was so much more there. That is something that I feel the school should be made aware of, if it ever becomes a true problem.
I've heard he's a firm yet fair teacher, and it would be unfortunate if his effort went to waste.”
My feelings were constantly mixed when it came to Asher, but I knew he liked teaching even when it frustrated him.
I also was more than aware that anything that happened between us would be tricky and very delicate territory.
Tears threatened to escape my eyes, but I held them back.
“I thought you didn’t want to control me? ”
“Oh, honey I’m not. I’m presenting a choice.
Just like I always do. I gave your mother a choice.
I could take over the coven, learn to siphon powers to keep getting stronger so I could protect our child because those witches owed me.
All the things I’d endured from my family to get where I was, they owed me.
Or I could still siphon powers, but we could end up leaving, go somewhere and start over.
She chose neither and left me; she took you.
Now I leave no room for error. No room for detours. I will look after my family this time.”
My lip quivered and it took everything in me to force it to stop.
He walked over to the door and started to open it, but froze, turning to me with a sad smile on his face.
“Asher and I have that in common. Looking after our family. He was never going to let his brother get into trouble. That’s why he told Oliver about where you were that night in Thomas’ office.
Or oh, wait…did he not tell you that?” He bared his teeth as if he’d just accidentally let something slip.
My breath got caught in my throat and I remembered back to my phone call with Corrin.
Asher had heard bits and pieces, but I didn’t think he’d gone and ratted me out to his dad.
My feet felt like lead weights as I walked.
Chancellor Fowler opened the door for me, and I stopped next to him, trying to maintain my composure.
“You should really be more selective about who you surround yourself with.”
The open hallway was bustling with faculty engaged in conversation or headed to their offices while on their cellphones. They didn’t really notice me and how I got a bomb dropped on me just now.
He raised one of his eyebrows, leaned towards me and whispered, “Are you still so sure that you aren’t better off with me?”