51. Chapter 51
Arwen
Morning light hasn’t even settled in the room when Maddox tells me. He’s already shrugging into his jacket, movements efficient and final. “I’m needed in Gluttony. There’s a breach—Wicka’s making a move on my territory.”
I push myself upright, sheets pooling at my waist. “An attack?”
“Yes. Wicka’s never needed much of a reason.”
My feet find the floor. “Let me come with you.”
His gaze snaps to mine, “No.”
I start to protest, but he closes the distance between us before I can.
“As much as I don’t want to leave you, you are safe here,” he says, softer now. “And before you say it—yes, I know you can handle yourself. That’s not the point.”
He must read the disappointment on my face. He exhales, dragging a hand through his hair. “I promise I will be back soon. If anything happens like the rebel attack again, you go straight to Atticus.”
It’s not lost on me that despite their feelings for each other, they have both urged me to seek my other bond out if there’s trouble. It’s a start. Maybe there’s hope.
“Go deal with it,” I blurt. “I’ll be fine here. I don’t want you to worry about me.”
He studies me for a long moment. Then he nods once, but it feels reluctant.
He doesn’t want to leave either.
“I’ll be back to you as soon as I can.” He pecks me on the lips and then he’s gone. The door shuts behind him with a final, hollow sound.
***
Something has shifted and I can’t shake it. I go to class and answer questions. I sit through lectures with my hands folded on the desk and try to convince myself that the restless, wrong feeling beneath my skin is just exhaustion.
In potions, I reach for my power out of habit to juice the power cell. Nothing comes.
Thankfully, the instructor doesn’t pause, just keeps talking like nothing is wrong.
My hand is still on the desk, which is the only way I can keep it from shaking. I know I’m safe here. But Greed keeps surfacing anyway, that specific, hollow helplessness.
Days go by, and the academy still doesn’t feel like it used to before the Rebel attack.
Pressure in the academy reaches a boiling point. Every quiet conversation feels charged; every sidelong glance is heavy with unspoken accusations. My first real confrontation doesn’t take long to arrive.
I’m halfway back to my dorm, near the Gluttony wing’s arched entrance, after dropping off a book for Tabby and Cleo when I realize three students have gone quiet as I approach.
That part isn’t unusual. People have been doing that for weeks. Trust is at an all-time low.
The corridor narrows where it intersects with one of the academy’s older wings, all dark stone arches and stained-glass windows. By the time I reach them, they’ve spread out just enough to make walking around them difficult.
I stop a few feet away and arch a brow. “Can I help you?”
The young guy standing in the middle offers me a smile that comes off as more cruel than pleasant. “Actually, we were hoping you could help us.”
My guard goes up as warning alarms sound in my head. “Then you’re about to be disappointed. I’m running late.”
The dark-haired girl beside him lets out an amused laugh. “I told you she’d be difficult. We were discussing recent events. The attack and the lockdown.”
Her gaze drifts over me in a way that feels more like assessment than curiosity. “Naturally, with your ‘unique’ nature,” she sneers, “your name came up.”
“I don’t know why? I’m not a Sloth and I also got injured in the attack. Is this going somewhere?” I fold my arms across my chest and lean my weight onto one hip.
A broad-shouldered Gluttony student that I vaguely recognize speaks for the first time. “People are wondering where West is. Why he left again.”
I keep my expression neutral. “Then people should ask him.”
“We would,” he says, “but you’re the one he left behind.”
His words sting a little, but not because I think Maddox wanted to leave me, but because some ugly, frightened part of me remembers waking up powerless and alone after he left for Gluttony and wonders if everyone else noticed the change too.
The dark-haired girl reads the hesitation on my face. She smiles. “Everyone just assumed he’d be staying here at the academy. Considering how attached he was.”
The implication hangs between us, and I force myself not to react. “I should be on my way.”
The first guy tilts his head. “I suppose people are curious whether the stories are exaggerated. If you ever actually had a power. No one has seen you do anything,” he continues. “People deserve to know the truth.”
My pulse kicks hard against my ribs. Without thinking, I reach for my power. Not to use. Just for support. Like holding it will reassure me it’s there.
Pain answers. A sharp, twisting ache beneath my breastbone. The moment only lasts a second, but it’s enough.
That’s not right? There’s never been pain, only emptiness.
Something flashes across the students’ faces. If anyone figures it out—
I straighten my shoulders and take a slow step forward.
“It’s not uncommon that people keep the nature of their powers hidden.
It’s only the weaker or more common powers that go around showing off.
I don’t need to prove anything to you or anyone else.
if you’re trying to provoke me, you’re wasting your time. ”
Then I take another step forward to go around them before the brown-haired girl side-steps in front of me. Combat settles into my muscles like a second skin. Power or not, I still know how to break a nose.
She notices. Her eyes flick downward, tracking my stance.
“You should move,” I tell them. Something in my voice makes them hesitate.
Before anyone can respond, another voice drifts down the corridor.
“You know,” Ryker drawls, “they’re supposed to weed out the dumb ones in the first year, but the three of you have remarkably poor instincts. Did you cheat?”
All three students stiffen, and I glance over my shoulder.
Ryker is leaning against the wall several yards away, one hand tucked into his pocket.
At first glance, he looks relaxed. But I see the cold in his eyes where there’s usually warmth.
The kind of cold that reminds everyone exactly whose son he is.
The first student manages a scoff, though it sounds thin. “We’re just talking.”
Ryker’s voice stays pleasant. “Funny. From here it looks like three people blocking a corridor to intimidate someone they think can’t fight back.”
All traces of casual arrogance drain from their postures.
“And just so we’re clear,” he adds, the pleasant tone evaporating, “she absolutely can. Like I said, you have poor instincts.”
Silence falls over the corridor. Suddenly, none of them seem interested in continuing this interrogation.
The young guy mutters something under his breath before backing away, and the others follow. Within seconds, all three have decided they have somewhere else to be. I watch them disappear around the corner before releasing a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
Ryker waits until they’re gone before approaching. “You alright?”
“I’m fine. I didn’t need you to step in.”
His gaze drops to my clenched fists. “I know. But you looked seconds away from hitting her, and I figured you didn’t need another student mentioning your name to the school doctor.”
I look at him in question.
“You know, after clocking Daphne.” A faint smile tugs at one corner of his mouth. “Which was so fucking hot, by the way.”
“Fair point.” I respond, ignoring his other remark. He’s right. I need to be more careful about picking my battles and staying under the radar. For a moment, we stand there in awkward silence.
Then I sigh. “So, what is this really about? This is the second time you’ve stepped in for me.”
Something unreadable passes across his face as he shrugs. “Just the right place, right time, I guess.”
I study him carefully. Not long ago, I would have assumed he had some sort of hidden agenda. Using these opportunities for manipulation. Now I’m not so sure.
“Arwen, I know I’ve given you plenty of reasons not to trust me, but my standards aren’t that low. I’m not just going to let assholes push you around like Atticus Willshire.”
“Thank you,” I mumble. “And I’ll ignore the dig at Atticus… for now.”
“You’re welcome.” His expression softens, but his cheshire grin stays in place.
Then he extends his hand, and I stare at it suspiciously.
“What is that?”
“A handshake. A… peace offering?” He says, raising a brow.
“That is such a Greed move.” I say, rolling my eyes before continuing. “I don’t forgive you and I absolutely do not trust you.”
“So I’ve been told.” He says with his hand still out. He never loses that confidence, does he?
“But… I agree not to completely despise you. Or make it my mission to ruin your life.” I shake my head and take his hand, given it a firm shake before dropping it.
A small smile touches his mouth. “I’ll take it. "
He turns and walks away before I can respond. I watch him disappear down the corridor, feeling strangely off balance. Lately, every time I think I’ve figured him out, he does something that makes the lines blur all over again. I’m still standing there when another voice slides in behind me.
“Interesting development.”
I turn sharply to find Alexi leaning against the wall like he’s been there the entire time, arms crossed, expression half-bored, half-amused. And rage flares to life in my chest.
Why do these annoying men always have to be so close by?
“Fuck off, Alexi.”
I haven’t forgotten what he did at the ball. Sure, it wasn’t wrong per se; we’re not together. It still felt personal.
“Wow, Ryker gets gratitude and I get profanity. I feel genuinely excluded,” he says, with a fake, cruel smile. “Tell me, Arwen, are you on a mission to fuck all the entire Council’s male heirs?”
I give him a disgusted look and start to walk away. “I don’t know what’s with you, but I’m not dealing with your bullshit.”
He pushes off the wall and follows anyway.
“Oh, come on. It was a joke. You forgive him for pretending to be your boyfriend last year to manipulate you,” he says casually, “but you’re angry at me for what? Following my nature?”
I pause and turn to face him.
“Is that what you’re calling it? Following your nature? Because from where I was standing it looked a lot more like sticking your tongue down someone’s throat simply to cause chaos in your bond.”
“Oh?” His brow lifts. “You’re claiming me as your bond now? I haven’t heard you were openly admitting that.”
I open my mouth. Then close it. “Ryker’s not forgiven,” I say. “Not even close.”
“Mm.”
“But he’s helped me,” I say. “More than once. And it always makes things easier instead of harder. That’s not nothing.” I meet his eyes. “Which is a pretty low bar, and yet here we are.”
Alexi laughs. “Oh yes, Ryker’s a real white knight. Your savior.”
Something in his tone makes my skin prickle as he steps closer.
“And yet… tell me,” he adds, voice low, “have you ever wondered why your friendship with Brix crumbled so spectacularly?”
I go still. “What are you talking about?”
His eyes linger on mine, and I swear I see a little pain.
“Maybe you should ask him,” Alexi says. Then he smiles again and walks away.