Page 67 of Faerie Gift

After the students finished their meals, Headmaster Leaves approached the front of the room, grinning from ear to pointed ear. His black dress robes swooshed around his ankles as he clapped his hands for attention.

No matter how many times I’d watched him address the school, my nerves always felt raw when Leaves spoke. Waiting for the bad news to drop.

“Everyone, please. Silence. Silence!” he called out. Then chuckled. “Settle down, guys.”

It took a bit of coaxing to get the quiet he wanted for his speech. When his gaze fell on me, the smile growing lager and wider, I wanted to shrink into my seat. Sweat beaded along my hairline and under my arms.

He was too much like Uncle Will for my nerves to handle, my head drawing the comparison automatically.

“Much better,” Leaves said in the humming quiet. “I’m sure you all know why we’re here. We gather tonight in celebration of our own Tavi Alderidge, who withstood an attack on her life and managed to bring a killer to justice. Please give her a hand. She deserves it!”

And instantly, the spotlight fell on me, every head in the cafeteria turning in my direction and the clamor rising to shake the rafters. I forced a painful grin, trying not to cringe, hands grabbing the material of my skirt and scrunching it together.

Palms sweaty too. Should I wave? Must I make a speech?

Across the table from me, Mike sat clapping too without a hint of awkwardness. Sure, maybehewas used to the spotlight, but no matter how many times it flashed in my direction, I hated it. Okay,hatewas a strong word.

Wholly disliked it.

I could handle the attention as well as he did on a daily basis. Right? After all, he dealt with this kind of thing repeatedly. He would for the rest of his life. With luck, my popularity was a fleeting thing and would die down shortly.

Leaves continued with his speech. He nodded as he spoke. “Miss Alderidge was brave enough to handle herself in a life or death situation, brave enough to fight with everything she has and bring to light the student terrorizing these halls.” He beamed. “Not for the first time, either. Let us remember the horrors of last semester and the way she took down that disgusting shifter hunting down top students.”

I plucked at the cuffs on my sleeves, trying not to scowl.Disgusting. That’s what he thought of my kind.

And I knew deep inside I didn’t deserve the praise. Not from him. I’d almost been kicked out of school right before this happened, and had to resort to using my powers on him to erase his memory. I didn’t deserve this dinner at all. I wished Leaves would stop speaking. Would stop smiling at me. I remembered the foggy colors of his energy when I’d taken hold of it, influencing his mind, forcing him to think—

Melia’s hand landed on my arm. Thankfully she hadn’t fawned over me, but I recognized the look on her face. Not fawning, no, but proud, proud because she realized how close I’d come to dying.

Mike and Melia…neither one wanted to lose me. I appreciated their comfort. Their presence without flattery.

The dinner stretched on for eternity and I wondered if I would get another moment to myself again. I decided then; I’d have tostealone.

The next day, I found myself rushing along the halls toward the library, trying to avoid conversation, toward my little slice of cathedral-like heaven where I sequestered myself away for some peace and quiet.

Rushing through the stacks, I headed for the fourth-year private study room, muttering the password to open the door and letting it close behind me with an exhale. Better, I decided. Much better. Not even the dorms were safe when anyone was able to walk in the door without interference.

Maybe I should just start hanging out with Persephone, I thought with a little groan. She was the only one who didn’t make a fuss over me. In fact, after what happened with Mike in the common room, she’d even dropped her constant gloating.

Very strange for her, but I’d take the reprieve wherever I could. She could barely meet my eyes and looked like she would rather swallow her own tongue than congratulate me on surviving a killer’s attack.

No skin off my teeth.

She probably wished he’d finished the job. But it made for peace in the dorm room, no more snarky comments and definitely no simpering smiles like some of the other students.

Sighing, I dropped into the seat nearest the window, with the setting sun casting an orange glow on the glass. The door clicked closed behind me.

Winter weather clung tenaciously although spring tried to get a foothold. The days were getting longer but the nights still a little chilly, and we’d had snow the other day, although it was only a light dusting disappearing within hours. Maple trees were beginning to bud and crocuses popped up from the ground.

Another few months and my second semester would be done. How was it possible? Hadn’t I gotten here just a week ago? The closer to the end I came, the more awareness settled. I didn’t have much time left with Melia.

Didn’t have much time left,period, I’d soon realize.

“You better wipe that sappy expression off your face, chickie, because you have some damn explaining to do. Where’s my Augundae Imperium?”

The heavy stench of cigarette smoke assaulted my nostrils at the unwelcome visitor’s arrival. I grabbed hold of the table to keep myself in place when I wanted to bolt.

“B-Barbara.”

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