Chapter 26 Bruises and Bargains
brUISES AND BARGAINS
Professor Anara announces we’re charming nullite again as she steps into the Charms classroom. Scarlet quietly explains that it’s essential for many careers, so we’ll be working with it for the next several weeks.
“You’ll want to observe again today, dear,” Professor Anara says, nodding at me.
I arrived an hour early, only to learn that I won’t be allowed to cast until I’m “acclimated”—an undefined period that had me thinking too much about what Daire said last night.
As the room shifts into motion, I fight the urge to glance at Kai.
Last night, we practiced shielding for forty minutes in near silence before he brought us back to that stranger at the library.
And like before, it felt like he was pushing—deliberately refusing to let my shields stabilize.
Thankfully, Scarlet got home early, providing me with the excuse to study since I’m horrifically behind in every class.
I stare at the floating slabs of nullite for a few seconds too long, trying to take in the wonder and magic that lend the faintest hint of belonging. Something about being at Thornhurst feels right despite being completely foreign and overwhelming. I voice this to Scarlet.
“I told you, we get energy from each other,” she says. “That’s why mating bonds always consist of three or more.”
She begins charming the nullite, explaining each step to me.
Kai is the first to execute the charm, even though he hadn’t attempted it yesterday.
He leaves the nullite hovering and casually crosses the room to where Professor Anara is advising Amelia, a girl with a blonde pixie cut whose nullite is spinning wildly.
Kai says something that earns a nod from Professor Anara, then he walks out without a backward glance.
“Is he supposed to be in this class? Or is he only here because I am?”
Scarlet glances at his empty seat. “He went through Guardian training first, delaying his first year, though I’m not sure why they didn’t advance him. He could probably qualify as an enchanter. He’s a master at charms and runes.” Her eyes lock with mine. “Don’t tell Everett I said that.”
Across from us, Veronica glances from her crystal link to the door, confusion flickering across her expression. It’s perversely satisfying to see I’m not the only one clueless about where Kai went.
I never know where the Vestra go. I haven’t seen Griffin since he dropped us off yesterday. Last night, after shielding, the rest disappeared. Scarlet and I soaked in the springs where Lief brought us dinner.
Daire was the only one in the gym this morning and at breakfast with Scarlet and me.
But that was short-lived. Kandi appeared minutes later, placing a hand on his shoulder, and requested to go over something council related.
They stood far enough away that I couldn’t hear more than the din of their voices, but close enough that I could see how she grazed his arm every time he spoke, making me loathe how undone I felt.
I distracted myself from watching them by asking Gwen if there were books about prophecies, Vestras, and bonds that I could borrow.
Her eyes sparked at my interest, like I’d passed a silent test. She led Scarlet and me to Edmond’s office, where there was an entire shelf of books about prophecies and a stack of titles about bonds.
Edmond offered to send me some digital copies before Holden appeared to take us to Thornhurst, but I’m still waiting for them.
“If Holden tries anything, text me,” Scarlet says as we exit Charms. “I already warned Everett, Wynn, and Gideon that if they don’t intervene, they’re disowned.”
“Don’t involve them. I don’t want more collateral damage.”
She rolls her eyes. “Everett’s family is far too rich for him to be threatened. Trust me.” She gives me a pointed look. “I’ll see you fourth period.”
We head in opposite directions, my attention skittering across the grounds, storybook buildings, and the massive moons in the sky that seem as impossible as my being here.
Self-preservation has me shifting, narrowly avoiding Cassandra’s lowered shoulder. “Watch it, Defunct,” she sneers.
Anger blooms in my chest, but the wave of heat and chills that precede my elements is absent. I keep my distance, ensuring she doesn’t launch another attack at my back before I continue to Runes.
“Hey.” The voice pulls my attention to the third row. Ronan leans back in his chair, his posture screaming lazy confidence. “There’s an empty seat here.”
“Ms. Breslin.” Holden’s clipped voice cuts through the classroom. He strides to the front row and hauls a desk forward, metal legs shrieking against tile. Everyone winces until he drops it beside his own desk. “You’ll sit here until you’re qualified to join the class.”
The room is silent, every set of eyes on me. Waiting. Judging.
Ronan smiles slow and deliberate. “It sounds like you’ve been summoned.”
I walk to the front and take the seat beside Holden. Too close. Too aware of the rich sandalwood and early-morning-dew scent that is my begrudging bondmate accidental roommate.
He mutters curses while shuffling through a stack of papers, then his dark brown gaze rises to mine. My heart jumps at his closeness.
I hate that he’s my teacher. I hate that there’s a power dynamic between us that leaves me feeling even more insecure, highlighted by my staying at Mysthaven, eating food and wearing clothes that he and others have provided.
“I sent a book to your library. I expect a six-thousand-word essay on it by Monday.” He grabs his crystal link. “Get started.”
Snarky comments feel like burrs on my tongue as I adjust my crystal link to be a full-sized tablet and fumble my way into my library, finding the newest title, The Completed History of Elementals.
I glance at the title again, and then Holden, confused since this is Runes, but he ignores me.
I open the book, my anger a distraction that grows tenfold when I realize the book is nearly eight hundred pages.
Perfect.
I read the intro three times before I can focus on anything besides how much I want to yell and scream.
But after that, my attention hooks as the origin of Elementals unfolds, answering questions I haven’t allowed myself to ask.
Meanwhile, the rest of the class debates rune rituals, something I hope to go over again because the tiny bits that occasionally infiltrate my focus are fascinating.
When the class is dismissed, Holden doesn’t look my way, and I am more than happy to ignore him.
To my surprise, Kai is already in his seat when I reach fourth period, despite being absent in the last two classes.
Like Holden, he ignores me.
I try to pretend this is fine. I am fine.
Professor McGuiness quickly becomes my favorite professor. He’s fascinating with a dry sense of humor that most of the room ignores as he launches into discussing defensive maneuvers, making it easy for me to forget my problems and focus on the wonders of Elementals.
“Do you think I could get a job? I mean, would I be qualified to work anywhere?” I ask Scarlet as we stand in line for lunch.
She discreetly peers around, reminding me we can’t speak openly. “You’d be qualified for plenty, but… maybe you should take it easy for a few weeks. Get used to classes and routines, and…” your five bonds.
“I don’t want to rely on others for everything.”
“You’re taking a full class load,” she reminds me.
“I like to stay busy. I was taking a full class load and working two part-time jobs before.”
Sympathy has tiny creases appearing between her eyes.
Thankfully, my crystal link beeps before she can open the window to my past I’ve accidentally revealed.
Griffin’s name flashes on my screen with an unread message. My thumb hovers over the screen as I debate leaving it unread. The gym is too fresh. But Scarlet’s watching, and his absence draws too much curiosity.
Griffin: Hey. Loch and I had to leave yesterday, and the service has been absolute shit. How are you doing?
Griffin: Your crystal link is encrypted, by the way. No one can read these but you.
I read the messages twice.
“It’s a message, not a complex charm,” Scarlet teases.
I glance around, paranoid after learning how many charms and runes can be used to eavesdrop.
I still haven’t told her about the accusations Griffin made in the gym, and I certainly haven’t told her about the borderline erotic dreams that said accusations have cursed me with. “I don’t know what to say to him.”
“Say whatever feels natural.”
“Nothing feels natural,” I whisper. “I don’t know him.”
“So get to know him.”
My shoulders sag. “I’m terrible at this.”
“At what?”
“Basic conversation,” I say. “Getting to know someone. Making friends.”
Her gaze softens. “I disagree.” We move forward in line. “But if you’re not ready and we’re still sticking to the plan of having a good but short time, you don’t have to respond.” She shrugs. “You have an eternity to figure it out.”
Eternity.
The word somehow calms and agitates me at the same time, as questions about mates and prophecies and forever race through my mind.
“But…” she leans forward as her voice drops to a whisper, “it might be beneficial to have one of them on our side. Self-preservation and all that.”
I’m fine.
Griffin: How’s Thornhurst? Your classes?
Decent.
Griffin: I’m gonna need a little more than that.
I didn’t realize the Alchemy professor was speaking English.
Griffin: Daire and Gwen can help. They both know more about alchemy than the professor leading that course.
It’s only day two. I’ll get there.
Griffin: Everything else okay?
This feels like a loaded question, or maybe just another generic one, like ‘how are you.’ He’s not really looking for a genuine answer, but a recycled response so he can check this off his list of responsibilities.
Yeah.
Griffin: Even through messages, you’re a terrible liar.
I prefer the term mysterious.
I mean for the response to be sarcastic. Cunning. Instead, I realize too late it sounds like I’m flirting.