Page 108 of Dark Embers

I did as she said, easily finding the chat group she mentioned and sending the message. In only a few short minutes, a handful of harpies came running in dressed in scrubs and ready to help.

One by one, they attended to the three wounded students.

“You, again?” Arya balked at the male harpy who approached her. Ajax, I think. “Um, actually, I’m fine.”

The boy frowned at her. “But I’m supposed to give you a check up—”

“Nope, really. I don’t need the help,” Arya insisted.

“It’s okay, Ajax, I’ll look her over,” offered Una, one of the higher level harpy girls.

Ajax’s frown deepened as he realized he wasn’t needed with three of them and turned to aid Maya with Tobias instead.

“Thank you,” I heard Arya whisper to Una.

What the hell was that about?

The extra harpies joined in aiding Maya as well, and with everyone preoccupied, I stole to the corner of the room where Shea was hovering.

“Thank you for being here,” I whispered. “Arya will need all the support she can get, so you are welcome to stay here with her tonight.”

A look of surprise crossed her eyes before that familiar sass that so tempted me took over. “I’m sure Celeste will love that idea. When I showed up with Arya and Ashlyn, I thought I would burst into flames from her hateful stare before they vouched for me.”

I nodded. “I’ll make her understand. I’ll try to make everyone understand.”

I gave her a meaningful look, hoping she understood what I was truly saying. I didn’t know how to make this work, but I did feel deep inside that Shea belonged here. I’d find a way to make my colleagues see the benefit in forming a union with witches. Even though I realized that Shea becoming my student would mean the end of whatever was happening between us.

I waited around until Arya, Ashlyn and Niko had been cleared by their attendants to leave the infirmary. Arya and Ashlyn had only sustained a few cuts and bruises, but one of Niko’s ribs had fractured, which only made his silent compliance in carrying Tobias so much more impressive. That was the way of dragon males, though, to suffer in silence and push their limits.

That was the reason Tobias was in his current ill-fated state.

“Niko, would you escort Ashlyn and Shea back to the avian common room?” I asked. “I’m going to get Arya’s statement first, and then each of yours in turn.”

Now healed, Niko nodded and ushered the two girls out of the infirmary. Shea waved a sad goodbye at me before leaving the doorway, taking my heart with her.

I placed a hand on Maya’s shoulder. “Keep me apprised, will you? I know you will do your best for him.”

Maya nodded, too invested in her work to give me any further acknowledgement.

I turned to Arya. Her hair was askew and her eyes red. I approached her, and her bloodshot gaze met mine.

“I’m so sorry,” she mumbled through quivering lips. “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry.”

I brought her into a fatherly embrace, and she rested her tear-stained face on my shoulder. “Hey, you have nothing to be sorry about, Arya.”

“We tried to get back before curfew, but there was traffic, and the subway was blocked off.” Arya’s words were rapid and hard to understand.

“It was a coordinated attack,” I said. “I have no doubt about that. But like I said, it wasn’t your fault. You should not be apologizing.”

I swallowed, realizing I could no longer keep things hidden from her. Keeping her in the dark was no longer serving her best interest. “There are a few things I’ve been meaning to tell you. And you deserve to know them. Let’s go to my office.”

She nodded and wiped her nose with the back of her hand, letting me guide her out of the room and down the hall.

Once inside my office, I locked the door to make sure we wouldn’t be disturbed and sat at my desk, gesturing to her with awave to sit on the opposite side. I took in a deep breath to brace myself for the conversation we were about to have.

“Last time you came to my office, after the attack on Letti, I wanted to explain why that attack happened, but I was afraid of how you would react. But after tonight, you need to know: the vampires are hunting you.”

Her jaw stiffened, but somehow she didn’t seem surprised. The sadness on her face framed a deep fear I understood all too well.

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