Chapter 26 Grayson
Grayson
“Oo, okay lang yung unang araw. I told you yesterday it was fine.” I kept my voice on a reassuring level with my mom. We’d spoken for three hours on the phone last night and the conversation had gone like every time we’d ever spoken while I was at school.
“Don’t get snippy with me. You sound stressed.”
I sighed, hearing footsteps on the stairs.
I turned around, keeping the phone to my ear.
Riley was at the bottom step, focusing her gaze on me.
She had some of her braids tied together in a bun on top of her head, while the rest fell down her back.
The casual pink dress she wore had tiny purple lilies and it hit right at mid-thigh, leaving her legs and the miles of brown skin exposed and glorious.
“Grayson. Nakikinig ka pa ba sakin?”
I cleared my throat, focusing on my mom again. “Yes, I’m listening. I have to go, but I’ll call you later, love you.” I tucked my phone in my pocket and watched as she walked into the kitchen, breezing past me.
Asher sat coffee cups down in front of both me and River.
He placed one down in front of Riley, then River went to the fridge, getting a bottle of vanilla creamer and pouring a hefty amount into her cup.
She gave him a genuine smile which he responded to by giving her a quick kiss.
I was fucking jealous of my best friend.
Riley took a sip of her coffee, drumming her fingers on the mug. Asher removed his glasses, keeping his eyes on her as he cleaned them.
“I’m joining Celica. Don’t fight me on it. It’s happening.” She took another sip of her coffee.
River’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry, what?”
She peeked over at him and casually shrugged. Riley smacked her lips together and continued, “I’ll have Corrin, so it’s not a big deal.”
“Ah yes, let’s just let your witchy friend protect you,” Asher said, shaking his head.
“You didn’t mind her helping out when she picked me up from the station,” Riley spat back, raising one of her eyebrows.
Asher narrowed his eyes. “Touché.”
“Is that what you were talking about when I found you, Corrin and Ike in the library?” I asked, keeping my eyes on her.
She moved her eyes over to me. “Yeah, basically.”
“Baby, why would you even want to do that?” River ran a hand through his hair, far more agitated than I’d ever seen him.
“I’m trying to be as smart as possible when it comes to Chancellor Fowler and being a part of Celica will make him happy enough to get him off my back for now. He said so. I might not be able to do fuck all with whatever your dad is up to, but I can do this.”
“So, you plan on stalling?” I pushed, tilting my head to the side.
She threw me a disgruntled expression. “No, well…I don’t know. Isn’t that all we can do right now?”
River waved his hands in front of his face. “Wait. He said so? Like during your time with him after—” he snuck a look in my direction. “Um, after the whole meeting catastrophe?”
Riley shook her head slowly. “No, yesterday morning.”
“YESTERDAY—”
Asher put his hand up to stop his brother. “That part isn’t important. The one thing Grayson said a while back rings true. The chances of Chancellor Fowler hurting you are slim, at least physically anyway. He’ll use everything around you before laying a finger on you.”
Riley used her top teeth to tug at her bottom lip. “I also had an odd nightmare when you went out riding one night.”
River’s eyes widened for the second time.
“And last night as well.”
My best friend’s eyes nearly exploded out of their sockets. “What the actual fuck is going on?!” He looked from me to Asher, zeroing in on his brother. “Did you know about this?”
Asher sighed. “Yes, I helped her through it each time.” His tone was leveled and clear.
“I appreciate that, but fuck, is today give River a fucking heart attack day?” River placed his elbows on the counter, dropping his head into his hands.
“You waited to tell me about your mind fuckery while you were with Grayson, so let’s just call it even.
” Riley rubbed his back while she stared at me.
“Everything keeps piling up, so I wanted nothing to be a surprise. I already called Corrin this morning. She’s going to try to make something to help shield my mind. Try being the operative word.”
“Everything that happens to you is far more important than anything happening to us. We will never be even, gorgeous.” River grabbed her arm, moving it so he could hold her hand.
Asher drained the last of his coffee. “Well, since we are offering things up…” he looked at his brother. “I told dad where Riley was the night she got caught in her dad’s office.”
River choked on his coffee, groaning. “What the actual–”
Riley sighed. “It’s in the past. I forgave him and we can move on.” She batted her eyelashes at him and my best friend seemed to settle down, giving his brother a mild glare.
“Anyone else want to offer up anything worth mentioning?” Asher blinked over to Riley. “Unless you have more to say.”
She threw him a fake smile, rolling her eyes.
I reached behind me, rubbing the back of my neck, clearing my throat. “Theo Ellis.”
They all turned their heads to look at me. Asher furrowed his brows. “Who?”
“He’s a junior and also has a work study at the library. I went to talk to him yesterday after you left—” I nodded towards Riley. “— and he’s been in contact with Oliver and Chancellor Fowler.”
“And he just told you that?” Riley questioned, her voice almost full of disbelief.
“It didn’t take much, but I know how to get information when I want it. Especially when I know it’s for your wellbeing.” I raised both my eyebrows and I heard her breath hitch.
“You didn’t hurt him, right?” She walked around River, getting closer to me.
I sighed, knowing that question was coming. “No, of course not. He may have pissed his pants, sure, but he left unharmed and probably relieved he told someone.”
“Told someone what?” River pressed, the color of his tattoos sharper under the kitchen light.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, leaning forward on the counter. “He’s the one who went and got Marianne.”
I watched Riley’s throat move as she swallowed. Her eyes glazed over a bit, like she was returning to that moment that broke her. She blinked a few times before responding. “Was she the only one?”
“Chancellor Fowler had him keep an eye on the coven as their shadow. He told him that ‘he’s using his powers so think of it like extra credit.’ Theo is also on a scholarship, Riley.
He was literally shaking the entire time he spoke to me.
Chancellor Fowler told him Marianne was someone who was threatening the coven, so if Theo wanted to be a hero, then he’ll do what he asked.
” I clucked my tongue. “He asked me if she was okay, if everything ended up alright. I really didn’t have the heart to tell him so I just changed the subject.
He told me he hadn’t heard from the chancellor since taking Marianne and he was better off for it.
He kept apologizing to me and asked if I was going to tell his parents.
” I rubbed my forehead with two of my fingers.
“He fucked with a lot of people.” Riley was speaking more to herself than to any of us. Her words were muffled under her breath as she stared right through me.
“Is the kid okay?” Asher asked, running his hand along his beard.
“Yeah, I guess so. I don’t know how Chancellor Fowler is picking his helpers, but at least we know he isn’t afraid to go for the most vulnerable and not just the strongest.”
“So basically anyone who isn’t in our immediate circle is a threat?” River asked, pursing his lips.
“It’s a little harsh, but yeah, for now that’s how it has to be.” Asher explained, crossing his arms over his chest.
River came up behind Riley. “Which brings us back to you joining Celica. We don’t know who is on his side. They may not know he was siphoning power but someone in Celica could be dangerous to you.”
Riley looked over her shoulder. “I can’t just sit around. Complying doesn’t mean giving up. It’s just giving us more time. I can fake smiles with the best of them.”
“Our little detective strikes again,” Asher joked, licking his lips.
Riley let out a small chuckle, taking in a short breath when I delicately clutched her wrist. She looked down at my much larger hand. One of her braids swung near the side of her face and I wanted to take it between my fingers and casually play with it…like I used to.
“I can go with you to the Celica meeting. I can do what Theo did.” My heart was beating hard against my chest, but every word came out without an issue. No stutter, no mumbling. I meant everything I said. “I can be your shadow, aking sinta.”
She hadn’t stopped staring at my hand placement, but the minute the endearment came out of my mouth she ripped her hand away. She took a few steps back, colliding with River who held her steady.
I closed my eyes, taking in air through my nose and opening my mouth to let it out. I understood but I still fucking hated this. I pushed away from the counter, watching Asher run one of his fingertips over his eyebrow, looking as if he didn’t really know what to say.
“I’m sorry, Riley. Just let me know what you want, I’ll do anything. I’m at your disposal. I always have been despite what you think.”
River gripped her arm, but she brushed him off, taking a small step towards me. She knitted her eyebrows together as if she was thinking. She opened her mouth to speak but then closed it. Her shoulders slumped like the words she had wanted to say were gone now.
I gave one solid nod and turned around, walking towards the guest room.
“Grayson.” I heard her say my name the minute I closed the door behind me. I leaned against it, tilting my head back.
If she didn’t want me to go to the meeting with her then I would go without her knowledge.
I just wanted to make sure she was safe.
A small part of myself wanted to prove something to her, but I also just instinctively wanted to prove to myself that I was a good person.
Even if I’d broken our relationship permanently or I never got to touch her skin or kiss her lips again, that wouldn’t stop me from always watching her and making sure she never got hurt ever again.
“I’m fine, it’s okay.” I heard her say from outside the door and then footsteps came closer. I moved away and the doorknob turned. I backed up to the other side of the room, focusing my attention on Riley and River.
She stepped into the room; her fists balled at her sides.
River stayed at the threshold, watching her like his life depended on it.
I was mentally preparing myself for all things she could say to me, all the venom she could rightfully spew in my direction.
Her eyes scanned my entire body and she pressed her lips into a hard line.
“You’ll do anything?” she asked, her expression neutral.
“What?” The way she looked at me made my shoulders stiff.
“You told me you would do anything.”
I nodded, not knowing where this was going, but for her, I honestly didn’t care.