Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Warmth and laughter fill the common room, which makes it an ideal meeting spot.
There’s a low chance of other students hearing us through the cloud of chatter.
I snag a seat near the crackling fireplace and sink into the emerald velvet armchair.
The scent of burning wood, fresh pastries, and espresso fills the air—a sign that the other students are meeting up to enjoy a cup of coffee together.
How sweet.
Jun and I don’t have the same jolly reasons to meet, but the environment is comforting. I haven’t spent enough time here lately. When I was a freshman, I would spend my days sitting here, chatting to new friends or reading a book.
Now, there always seems to be something more pressing for me to take care of.
I wait… and wait… and wait. Now and then, I have to tell someone it’s taken. Surely, he’ll be here any minute.
I’m early—rare for me—but I have more than one reason to be eager to see him. We need to talk about the trial to solidify our partnership, and if any other topics arise… I suppose that’s welcome as well.
But I won’t be the one to start the conversation about us having sex. He should beg me for another round—unless it wasn’t good for him. Oh, what do I care? My mother may not be perfect, but she taught me that any good man should grovel. And she was right.
He doesn’t leave me spiraling in my thoughts for long.
Jun slides into the seat across from me, and the borrowed blood in my body rushes to warm my still heart.
There’s a smirk fixed upon his face already.
His hair hangs around his perfectly angled cheekbones.
He’s tucked his wings away and his eyes are in their dark brown hue rather than crimson, but his horns are on display.
I force myself not to think too hard about touching them the night before, and the growls he emitted because of my grasp.
“You came early,” he says. “I guess you were excited to see me, huh?”
My lips part. Is this how it’s going to be? He’s back to taunting me, something that should be comforting and familiar, but it’s grating now. So much for my fantasies of him begging for my attention.
“What is wrong with you?” I snap. “I’m early because I’m polite. You should try it sometime.”
He lets out a boisterous laugh, loud enough to carry through the cozy room. “I’m teasing, Margaux. It’s called flirting.”
We’ve always teased each other, but it feels different now. It’s flirting now, apparently. When did that happen?
The annoyed look on my face doesn’t feel as sour as it once did.
A spark of amusement dances somewhere in the depths of my heart, but the tension is still thick.
Luckily, I have something to distract me from the urge to close the space, rip his clothes off, and feel his claws pressing against my thighs.
“Right, well…” I clear my throat. “Show me your invitation.”
He hands me a matching envelope, and, on the inside, it’s exactly like mine. The only difference is our names.
I hum. “Interesting. I received the same letter.”
“Your pops didn’t give you a warning this time?”
I shake my head. “I suppose he’s done playing favorites.”
“It’s a physical trial. What do you think it means for us?”
“Tobey thinks we may have to fight each other.” I grimace. “Not necessarily you and I—but the other students.”
“Do you think they would make us do that?”
“Maybe. These people are likely involved with the murders, after all. I wouldn’t put anything past them. Professor Connolly said it would become more difficult.”
“Shit.” He inhales through his teeth, leaning back in his seat. “I guess you’re right.”
I hold out the envelope, my eyes locking onto his. “You and I won’t fight each other… right?”
“Right.” He says the words so simply, plucking the envelope from my fingers. “They couldn’t do anything to make me turn against you. If it comes down to it, I’m not doing it. I’m out.”
It’s as if what he says means nothing to him, but it means something to me, sending a jolt of euphoria racing through me.
“Excellent. Then we’re on the same page.”
“No. We’re not.” His gaze is steady. “If it comes down to it, I want you to fight me. And I want you to win.”
Why do his words make my stomach sour?
I shake my head once. Twice. Three times. The shaking never stops. “No. Absolutely not.”
He leans in and holds my head in two large hands, forcing me to look at him. “Margaux. Stop.”
“Being allies is more important than ever now. We can’t turn on each other.”
“I’m not turning on you, and I know you won’t turn on me, but we may need to make them think we are.” His gaze is penetrating. “Can you do that?”
“I-I don’t know,” I breathe.
A month ago, fighting Jun would have been my pleasure. Everything has changed now.
“I’m only here because of you,” he says, leaning back. “Don’t forget that.”
I look away, biting the inside of my cheek to suppress a smile. “And I couldn’t be here without you. I wouldn’t have known where to begin. Don’t forget that. We were lost without you.”
I yearn to touch and be close to him, my fingers twitching where they rest on the armrest. What a strange sensation. Deep down, I know he’s supposed to be the one to make the next move. He was seeing someone recently—Amelia, who turned out to be so unlike what he expected.
He may not be ready to move on, and besides, we have other things to focus on.
Was having sex with him a mistake? It doesn’t feel like one. As my eyes meet his, a wave of longing washes over me. Longing and despair. I don’t know where it’s coming from.
“We’ll stick together as long as we can,” he says. “But you’re the one who needs to make it to the next round. That’s more important.”
I look down at my feet. “If you say so…”
“Let me walk you to class,” he murmurs, standing up and offering his hand to me.
The gesture is nothing, and I’ve never been one to accept crumbs when I want a cake, but when I take his hand, it feels bigger than a crumb. Our fingers interlock as he leads me through the room for all to see.
The four of us meet up with Professor Connolly in the afternoon.
I worry about how Tobey and Caldwell will feel about the plan…
and about working with the professor. It’s been hard to get them on board.
Tobey seemed wary when I brought up Professor Connolly, but hopefully, this will put them at ease.
I understand their reluctance, considering my father’s involvement. He was a disappointment, but Professor Connolly won’t be. I know it.
We meet in her office again, and the four of us huddle around her little desk. Tobey and I rest on the chairs, with the other two standing behind us.
Professor Connolly hums as she looks over the envelope. “The next task will be soon, then.”
“Too soon,” Tobey says. “Is it normal for it to happen this quickly?”
“Yes. It’s taken longer this year, actually. Recruitment is usually over within the first few weeks.”
“The investigations on campus must be slowing it down,” Caldwell says.
He has been eerily quiet ever since I told him about Professor Connolly.
She lifts her gaze to meet him, a twinkle appearing in her light eyes. “Ah. Benjamin, yes?”
I look back, half-expecting to see someone else, but—ah. Caldwell’s first name. I always forget he’s Benjamin.
Caldwell’s eyes widen. “Um… yes. I am.”
“I knew your mother. I worked with her—not only at Strode but in praying for the downfall of the Order. Professor Luna was my only ally.”
“That—that is my mother’s name. Was.”
“Then she was the witch you told me about?” I ask, putting the pieces together.
Professor Connolly nods. “She was the very witch, yes. I could not have come this far without her.”
Caldwell says, “I had no idea she had allies. I thought I was alone…”
“You aren’t alone,” Tobey says, turning around to pat his hand. “You never were, and now, you’re definitely not. Look at everyone you have to help you.”
I turn again to give Caldwell a slight nod.
Caldwell’s smile is shaky, but it’s there. “May I stay with you after the others go? I would like to ask about my mother if that’s all right.”
“Of course, dear boy,” Professor Connolly says. “You can come by anytime you like. I always have tea to put on.”
“Thank you.” Caldwell turns to look out the window.
For a spell, all I hear is the crackling of the fire.
Jun is the one to break the silence. “Can you tell us about the trial?”
He shifts back to the topic, moving past Caldwell’s mother, and it feels unceremonious. Sadly, it’s also necessary. We don’t have much time.
“Prepare physically. Eat well and work together even if they try to tear you apart.” The smile fades from Professor Connolly’s lips.
“I cannot assist you physically, I’m afraid.
They will supply you with weapons. But this trial has led to injuries and even a few fatalities.
Go with your wits about you, and trust no one. ”
Panic grips my throat. “We’re… we’re actually fighting?”
I suppose my hope of a weight lifting competition was foolish.
“Shit,” Jun mutters.
“Then there have been student deaths in these trials?” Tobey leans in, their eyes widening. “You really can’t help or tell us… anything?”
“I wish I could,” Professor Connolly says. “The trials change each year. The physical trial usually involves a fight of sorts. One year, the students fought each other. Another year, they fought the professors. It changes every time.”
I rub my temples. “I will not fight my father.”
Or Jun, but I keep the thought to myself.
Jun grins. “I would love to fight mine.”
“The most important thing,” Professor Connolly says, bringing our attention back to her, “is to keep one another safe. You have something the others do not. It’s a genuine bond—one that can take you to the top if you use it.”
Jun and I freeze, exchanging a look.
“It’s not…” I say, my palms sweating. “It’s not genuine. We’re partners—but not that kind of partner, and…”
Hell. I really must stop talking.
Jun’s gaze moves away from me.
Professor Connolly clicks her tongue. “I have seen you work together since you were freshmen. That is years and years of sharing a stage. You’re silly if you don’t think that’s a bond.”
I suppose it is, but more than anything, I’m grateful she doesn’t know about the other ways we’ve bonded. “Thank you for your help, Professor. We won’t let you down.”
“You never have,” Professor Connolly says.
“Not even with my latest performances?” I smile wryly.
“No. The casting was a wake-up call for you, and you took it. But this is more important. Come to me with information after the next trial, and I will be as proud of you as I have always been.”