Jace #2
“Everyone has felt the strain. But with the exception of the monitor and students who were attacked in their classroom, the elementals have had the worst of it,” Jace said.
“The reports can’t accurately portray the oppressive atmosphere in the dorm, and everything they were subjected to.
Elementals in my classes are more at ease than they were last week, but it will take a while for them to recover. ”
Lane nodded slowly. “And the underage students had the worst of it, being attacked in their classroom, confined to the dorm, and rehoused when they were barely settled in, on top of recently manifesting powers they can’t control,” he said with sympathy. “What a fucking mess. Those poor kids.”
Jace was relieved that Lane comprehended the nuances, and precisely how complicated the situation was.
“Exactly, they might not trust you at first,” Jace said. “Same with Logan Palmer, the student Mitch was accusing. I don’t want you to take it personally, if you get the cold shoulder.”
“I appreciate you explaining this,” Lane said.
“Dean Stanhope said not to expect to have the rapport with my students that you and the other monitors have with the caster, powered, and shifter students immediately. As long as I fulfill the basic requirements over the next couple of weeks, he’ll be satisfied.
Organizing dorm activities and participating in events can come later. ”
“On the one hand, I see the logic in taking baby steps, and I know that Dean Stanhope doesn’t want you to be overwhelmed, since you’ll also be taking classes.
He knows you’re being thrown into a steaming pile of shit created by someone else, and that it isn’t fair.
But attending games with the rest of us will show the students that you aren’t like Mitch, and won’t try to prevent them from having friends of other classifications. Actions speak for themselves.”
“I’ve been waffling over whether I should start classes now, and make up the missed work, or sign up for the next semester,” Lane said.
“Now, I think I’ll wait. Studying constantly won’t help build a rapport with the students.
Attending games and events would be more difficult, too.
But it would be nice to do that, and actually have a social life. ”
“Good choice,” Jace said with a nod. “There’s no need to put so much pressure on yourself. You’ll be here until June no matter what.”
Lane was quiet for most of the tour, but he listened attentively, and asked intelligent questions.
They made a brief stop at each dorm, so Lane could meet Clarke, Ray, and the boys.
Lane was pleasant and friendly, telling Brandon and Paul that he looked forward to getting to know them better. Jace felt like it went well.
There was a home game that night, which proved to be an excellent distraction. Heath texted that he and Nadine were saving seats. Everyone had a good time.
Lane began moving in on Saturday. Ray reported that Paul and Brandon were more comfortable with the idea of returning to the elemental dorm.
Lane had stopped in a few times to check on them.
He kept the visits short but friendly, and seemed like a nice guy.
That approach worked for the boys, who were more at ease.
On Sunday, Jace, Clarke, Ray, and over a dozen students, worked on the cat shelters in the basement. Mitch’s bullshit had slowed them down, but they were making up for lost time. The nights were getting colder. They wanted to move the cats inside before the weather turned severe.
Upon realizing what they were doing, Lane joined the effort with a few older elemental students. The project was perfect for all of them to get to know Lane in a casual setting. By the time the last structure was built, everyone was joking around like friends.
Jace returned to his dorm in good spirits. Tidying his apartment and doing laundry didn’t deflate his mood. He was feeling like everything was getting back on track when Clarke texted that she needed to see him in the basement as soon as possible.
Replying that he would be there in five minutes, Jace shoved his feet into shoes, texted his prefects to keep an eye on the boys, and raced for the stairs. Something was wrong. He could feel it.
Clarke looked extremely upset when Jace met her at the halfway point in the tunnel between the dorms. Her face was pale, and her lips trembled. His eyes scanned her from head to foot, searching for injuries. Physically, she looked fine.
“What is it? What happened?”
Wordlessly, Clarke lifted her hands that were clasped around a long cylinder, and began unrolling a large sheet of paper. It revealed a drawing of Heath Halston.
Jace shook his head in silent refusal of what he was seeing. Obviously, Clarke had gotten a vision. But he couldn’t believe that Heath had kidnapped Charlie, or colluded with the person who did. They weren’t pals, but Heath was a good guy.
“I know. It doesn’t make sense, and I’m freaking out,” Clarke said. “My visions have never been wrong, and this is what I drew.”
“Ok, let’s take a couple of deep breaths, and figure this out,” Jace said. “You’ve been trying to get more visions for weeks, and Heath’s been here the whole time. If Heath knew about Charlie all along, I’m positive you would have drawn him before now. What question or feeling were you focused on?”
“You suggested asking different questions, or rephrasing them,” Clarke said.
“That’s what I did, and it worked. I was so excited when I came out of the trance, but now I feel sick to my stomach.
The question was, ‘Do we know someone with information that could help us piece together what happened to Dad?’”
Jace went over it word for word in his head twice before speaking, “That doesn’t mean Heath was involved, Clarke.
And I don’t think he was. Somehow, he knows something useful.
So, we have to figure out how to get this information from Heath without revealing ourselves.
This is going to take some brainstorming. ”
“How? How can we do that?”
Jace stepped forward, and cupped her face in his hands. “We’ll come up with a plan. We can do this, and soon we’ll know more about what happened to Charlie, maybe even get enough clues to find him.”
Clarke closed her eyes, and released her breath in a long, shuddering exhale. “Thanks. I was falling apart for a second, there. But you’re right. We got this.”
Jace waited until she opened her eyes again, so she could see his sincerity when he spoke, “Hey, this may be a strange time to do this, but, I love you. I always liked and respected you, but now? Seeing your courage, your kindness, the way you won’t give up on searching for Charlie, and putting the kids first?
I am so proud to be your mate. You have my heart, Princess Primrose. ”
Clarke’s eyes looked glassy with tears. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. “You’re my rock, Jace, and probably have no idea what that means to me. You are supportive, thoughtful, and sweeter than I ever would have guessed. I love you, too.”
Warmth bloomed in his chest as Jace savored the moment. Together, they would conquer any hurdles thrown in their path.