Page 105 of Cursed

“No.” Cranish leans forward and looks at me and then at Rourke. “I anticipate Mr. Lewellyn will leave after his semester exams to deal with his inherited estate.” Then he looks at me. “And Ms. Willows, you can stay another few days to take your exams too. And if you pass your magical control tests, you will be free to leave the academy permanently.”

“I wouldn’t go to school here anymore?” I ask, unsure of how I feel about that.

“You wouldn’thaveto, and I’d advise against it.” He lifts his eyebrows. “Am I under the correct impression that you have an affinity that you’d rather keep secret?”

“Uh…”

“As I thought,” Cranish nods and offers, “I will personally give you, and sign off on, your control test with Mr. Hollis’ assistance.”

“Thank you.” I swallow down the tears forming. He’s actually helping me? Protecting me?

“As far as your future goes, I assume you are in a mated coven?”

I blush when his knowing gaze zeroes in on me. “Uh, yeah.”

“Then you should probably talk it over with them.” He stands, indicating our time is done. “Let me know what you wish to do. And I will let the authorities know they can contact you all here for questioning. I will have my trusted guards watching over the proceedings.”

As I step out of his office, my head swims with all the possibilities of my future.

* * *

A Special Agent Enforcer named Lupine shows up within seconds of us exiting Dean Cranish’s office.

Fortunately, Rourke has hired legal counsel for each of us to keep us safe during our questioning. They are all formidable mages and sharp-minded attorneys.

I answer all the Enforcer’s questions as honestly as I can, as we all agreed upon. The only thing we won’t disclose is Mannyx’s shape-shifter ability and my magic-shifting ability. We don’t need more hostility surrounding my gift if I do come forward at some point. And I don’t need to be a target for another Mannyx or Lewellyn megalomaniac.

Since our actions were in self-defense and all witness testimonies seem to corroborate our stories, we are cleared of all charges.

However, we are warned that if they find any evidence suggesting we were acting with nefarious intentions to seize our parents’ estates, we would be prosecuted.

After a grueling four hours of interrogations, we are finally released and able to return to our dorm.

I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to returning to my little room more than I do now. I need to sleep for a thousand years—minimum.

31

DECISIONS

QUADE

Oh, thank the Goddess.

We’re going to be okay.

My nerves had been riding on high alert as we decided to return to the academy. But things could not have worked out better.

I know we went through hell, but I feel blessed that we were divinely guided by the Goddess through all this. We all made it out of the asylum. My mate is alive, and the threat of her being persecuted over all this is looking absurd.

We leave Myra with Ms. Boyd and head up to their dorm room. It’s my space as well, even if I still have my apartment across the campus.

After a quick check of the dorm to ensure no one is lying in wait or a booby trap spell springs on us, we collapse onto the couches. But this time, we don’t fall into the typical configuration as we used to with Rourke and Branden on one side, Arden and Landis always snuggling up with Shayla on the one couch. It’s an interesting modification in how we feel about each other. We are closer—a true coven. Our previous reservations and animosity have all but vanished.

So, I sit down next to Landis opposite Shayla.

However, one thing doesn’t change—Shayla sits on Arden’s lap as if he were her personal chair. She’s adorably tiny in his arms, and I don’t mind how he hogs her, even if I’d rather have her in my lap.

Rourke and Branden flank Arden. Rourke is rubbing her legs in a soothing motion. Branden holds her hand.

---