Page 83 of Faerie Marked

Though my one arm remained in the cast, re-broken during the ordeal, I hugged her close with the other one. “I know, me too. But if you don’t stop crying then you’re going to make me cry too, and I already look bad enough.”

She laughed through the tears. “I’m glad you didn’t die. You’re my best friend.”

I rested my head on her shoulder and drew in Melia’s unique and familiar scent, like a flower in a thunderstorm. “You’re mine, too.”

Melia swiped at her cheeks. “Headmaster Leaves wants to see you in his office right away.”

I groaned. “Great. I guess it couldn’t wait til morning, could it? I’m dead tired.”

She wrapped an arm across my shoulders. “Come on, I’ll walk you there.”

We made our way to Headmaster Leaves’ office and I took a seat in front of his desk. I listened to him as he commended me for my bravery in assisting a law officer with the takedown. Obviously he didn’t know the full story and thanks to Detective Wilson he never would.

His soliloquy on my strength, courage, and powerful magic included an admission on how my actions would not bring back those who had passed, but he was proud to know I was one of his students.

Once I would have nearly preened with his praise. It was exactly what I wanted. Someone validating my place here. Someone in authority telling me I belonged and I’d done a good job.

Now it amused me, this prejudiced werewolf-hating loser praising my virtues while he had no clue who actually sat across from him.

Good. I wanted to keep it that way.

“One more thing before you go, Tavi.” Leaves fixed me with a stern look not in the least softened by his smile. “I took a glance through your file to find information on your family, to contact them about your heroic actions. I didn’t see anything. Most of your personal info is blank. There’s no permanent address, no phone numbers—”

I hurried to interrupt him, heart thumping. “I’m sorry, Headmaster. My, ah, my father is a very private person. He doesn’t like me giving out our numbers.”

“Well, we’re going to need a way to contact your father if you’re to continue here at the academy.”

“Oh, absolutely. I’ll have him call you. Thanks again!” I pushed away from the desk and bolted for the door, leaving Leaves stuttering behind me.

Close one. I’d have to be super careful going forward. Leaves couldn’t find a way to contact my uncle, or this whole thing would be blown.

I exited his office expecting Melia to still be there waiting for me. I certainly didn’t expect to see Mike.

Something fluttered in my chest. I stopped, taking him in for a long moment before speaking. “What are you doing here?”

He just stood there, swiping at his nose with the sleeve of his shirt. His eyes were red, shoulders slumped forward, and hair all askew. If I didn’t know any better, I would have called his look downrightdevastated.

Had he heard about Roman, then? Had the news spread through the school already?

“Hey. Can I walk you back to your dorm, Tavi?” he finally asked me, his words watery as if there were still tears yet to be shed.

My heart melted for him. “Sure.”

I started toward him and he stepped aside to let me walk past. Almost as though he couldn’t stand to be so physically close to me, which confused the hell out of me. But after a few steps he caught up and our footsteps fell into an easy rhythm as we walked side by side.

“Are you okay?” Mike asked, his voice cracking slightly.

“I’m alive,” I answered simply. “About the best I can tell you right now.”

“Tavi, I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you when you told me you’d been pushed off the balcony. And I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you when you needed me. I was acting like a jerk, and you didn’t deserve any of it.”

I tried to shrug and found the motion awkward with the soft cast and sling over my shoulder. “I’ve got some bumps and bruises. Nothing you could have prevented.”

“You have to believe me when I tell you. I didn’t know about Roman.I didn’t know. He kept a lot from me.”

His insistence nearly broke my heart. “I know you didn’t. Roman told me.”

Mike stopped in his tracks. “What did he say?” he asked, his voice strangled, eyes glassy.

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