32. Chapter 32
Arwen
The helicopter blades thunder over our heads, whipping my hair across my face.
Maddox catches my cheeks between his palms, hands warm and rough against skin still chilled from the morning ride to the academy.
“Stay under the radar,” he says, dark eyes pinning mine with that infuriating intensity only he can manage. “For once in your life, bite your tongue and don’t rise to their bait.”
I snort. “You’re one to talk.”
His thumbs brush beneath my eyes as the teasing fades from his face. I run my hands up the side of his neck over the intricate design of his skull and rune tattoos. I wish I could stay in this moment. Remain in his arms and trace them.
“Focus on your training,” he murmurs. “Work on control. Keep your head down. Let me deal with the rest.”
As if the rest isn’t a full-blown civil war brewing in Gluttony.
The words are a knot in my throat. “Your ‘ everything’s fine’ face needs work.” I manage.A muscle jumped in his jaw. “I’ll be back soon.”
“You better be.” I shove at his chest. “Because you are going to be seriously behind in homework, and as you tutor, I’m going to demand overtime.”
He huffs a laugh, letting me spy one of those rare smiles one more time.
“That mouth,” he mutters before bending to press a kiss to my forehead.
“Soon,” he promises again, reading the concern on my face.
He steps back, and the warmth of him leaves. I stay longer than necessary as the aircraft lifts into the sky, watching it until it’s only a speck. The pressure of the bond sets in, but not uncomfortably. More like, it’s just recognizing its other half’s distance.
I turn and follow the small trickle of students making their way toward the academy.
Apparently, not many people get dropped off by helicopter…
My boots crunch over the stone path winding up the hill, and when SinVail Academy rises into view beyond the trees, my breath catches in my throat.
Universe. I missed this sight.
Bright stone gleams beneath the afternoon sun, every tower and sweeping arch wrapped in crawling ivy so green it almost glows. Flowering vines spill from massive open windows and balconies high above. A sense of peace settles over me.
Because despite all the terrible things that happened here last year, this place has also given me the best moments of my life. My friends. My first taste of freedom from Wrath life.
Where I learned to value who I am, despite my lack of sin power.
A stupid, helpless grin tugs at my mouth.
And naturally, that feeling is cut off at the sound of a familiar voice.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite fishing buddy.”
The universe hates me…
I groan before even turning. “Please tell me you’re talking to literally anyone else.”
Ryker Blaise falls into step beside me like none of the past year has happened. Golden hair tousled, moss green eyes, cocky grin locked and loaded with dimples to boot.
He knows he’s handsome. And he uses it like a weapon.
“That’s no way to greet the man who saved your life.”
I shoot him a flat look. “You mean saved me from your psychopath of a father? Who you had intended to gift me too last year?”
He at least looks guilty for a second before smoothly replying, “Yep, that heroic deed. I guess a kiss would suffice as a reward?”
I gag dramatically.
“Can you please go be anywhere else? You’re ruining this moment for me.”
I keep walking faster, but he just keeps pace with me.
“Ryker.” I growl. “Seriously, go away.”
Ryker rolls his eyes. “Chill. I’m just checking on you since the last time I saw you was your jailbreak.”
“Clearly, I’m alive and fine.”
I glance at him and notice shadows under his eyes. His usual easy swagger sits crooked, despite trying to force an air of superiority.
“What happened after we escaped?” I ask, figuring I might as well get some intel. “With your father?”
The humor vanishes from his face. He exhales sharply through his nose, gaze cutting ahead toward the academy. “Things have been complicated. My father disappeared the morning after you escaped.”
I frown. “Disappeared?”
“Vanished. I can’t say I’m surprised. Went underground before the Council could move against him.” His mouth twists. “Pretty cowardly, if you ask me.”
Cold prickles down my spine knowing former Councilor Blaise is still out there somewhere, waiting to carve me up like a turkey.
Ryker shoves his hands into his pockets, shoulders tense.
“I thought I’d have time to plead my case to the Council about taking over.
But before they could make any decisions, my brother stepped in.
Took over Blaise Corp. Assumed temporary control of Greed operations and acting Councilor.
Claimed he was preserving stability, being the oldest son and all. ”
That doesn’t sound good. I thought Ryker was the heir.
“Is he working with your father?”
His expression darkens. “I don’t know. That’s why I’ve tried to stay off the radar. If Darius aligns with him, then walking back into Greed would be a death sentence. The academy is the best place for me right now.”
His smile returns, brittle. “And I do look fantastic in these uniforms, so I might as well continue my education.”
I can tell he is deflecting.
“So the Councilors don’t care to get involved? Even knowing you were the one to let me go.”
His laugh is quiet. “Council politics move slower than death and are twice as painful.”
My lips twitch despite the tension. The academy gates loom ahead.
Students filter around us, more and more heads turning our way, whispering to each other. Some outright staring. Ryker notices it too.
“I guess you’ll be getting a lot of attention this year.”
I exhale through my nose. “Please. I survived being the academy’s only sinless student. Awkward attention is hardly new.”
Last year they’d stared because they thought I was pathetic. Now they stare like they can’t decide whether I’m an ally, a fake or dangerous.
A pair of girls near the stone entrance to the courtyard lean together, whispering far too loudly to be subtle. “I heard Gluttony kidnapped her to use as a circus attraction.”
“No way,” the other hisses. “My father sits on the small Council for our district. She was exiled to the Wastes, but Maddox went in after her.”
I nearly trip.
“ARWEN!”
My head snaps up as brown curls come barreling toward me at alarming speed.
“Holly—”
I drop my bags just in time to catch her as she launches herself into me, almost knocking me flat. Thankfully, Ryker moves on.
“Oh, thank the universe!” She cries, squeezing so hard that I wheeze. “When I saw you on the roster, I barreled my way out here to find you. May have accidentally lit a few first years on fire to get them out of the way.”
My throat tightens as I hug her back. “I missed you too, Holls.”
Suddenly, I’m engulfed by multiple people at once.
Tabby wraps herself around me on one side. “Move over, emotional brunette, it’s my turn.”
“I am not emotional!” Holly snaps back.
Cleo hugs me tightly. “Your hair looks like it lost a fight with a blender,” she whispers into my shoulder.
“Wow. Thank you.” I laugh. “I flew here with Maddox.”
Universe.
I missed them.
Sly steps forward next, quieter than the others, and gives me one of his warm smiles before pulling me into a brief hug. “Glad you’re back,” he says.
“Thanks, Sly.”
My eyes catch on Brix, standing a little apart from the others, and my heart stutters in my chest.
Floppy brown hair curling over his eyes, hands shoved in his pockets. He’s clearly been working outside with his tawny skin and must have been doing manual labor because his chest has filled out.
He’s trying to look relaxed and casual, but failing miserably.
I step toward him anyway. He steps toward me, too.
We both hesitate.
Then somehow manage the worst half-hug in recorded history. More of an awkward shoulder bump than an embrace.
“Glad you’re okay,” he mutters.
“Yeah,” I swallow. “Thanks.”
He pastes on a fake, small smile. Too many things remain unspoken between us.
Tabby makes a gagging noise. “Oh my universe, that was horrifically awkward.”
Holly rounds on Brix. “Seriously? That’s what you do after she comes back from the dead? Can we get over whatever this is?”
“Guys,” I cut in. “Stop. It’s fine.”
Brix rubs the back of his neck, looking mortified. “Actually—uh—I almost forgot.” He reaches into his jacket. “I have something for you.”
He pulls out a folded envelope, and my breath catches the second I see the handwriting.
No.
No way.
My fingers tremble as I snatch it from him. Sadie.
Tears blur my vision so fast that I can barely see. “Oh my universe,” I whisper. She’s okay. My chest caves in under the weight of relief as I hug the letter to my heart.
I throw myself at Brix before I think better of it, arms wrapping around his neck hard enough to suffocate him.
“Thank you,” I choke out.
He stiffens in surprise before hugging me back. “I figured you’d want it,” he mumbled.
Hearing from my best friend from home… proof that some piece of my old life still exists… it’s everything.
I pull back, wiping furiously at my face while everyone politely pretends not to notice I was crying.
Good friends saving my Wrath dignity.
Tabby fails first. “The tears confirm you’re no longer Wrath, right? Like your 100% in the Gluttony category now.”
So much for good friends…
Holly shoves her, and Cleo smiles, rolling her eyes.
I continue to clutch the letter to my chest like it might disappear. After everything that happened this Summer, I feel like I’m finally home.
“Arwen Davies.”
Every muscle in my body snaps taut.
Dean Bellows stands at the top of the academy steps, posture rigid enough to shame a Wrath lieutenant, dark suit pristine and pressed. Her expression unreadable as ever.
“My office. Please.”
She turns on her heel and strides into the academy without waiting to see if I’m even following as my friends collectively wince.
“See you in our room,” Holly says quickly, pulling me into one last tight hug. “If you get expelled in the first ten minutes, I’m burning the place to the ground and coming after you.”
Snorting despite myself, I grab my bags and hurry after her.