Page 82 of A Lesson in Deceit
“No one blames you, Oliver. I was simply telling them that I know it’s been difficult with that mess with the covens that needs to be looked into and with Thomas’s death.”
My eyes widened when I heard my dad’s name. Mr. St. James tilted his head to the side. “Thomas’s death?”
Dean Wales gave him a quizzical look. “Yes. I don’t think it’s completely fair to cast aside the fact that his daughter was the one breaking into his office. It’s concerning, but not of an academic nature. Things need to be cared for more delicately with this matter.”
River’s dad slowly looked at me. His eyes gave nothing away, but the tension in his shoulders sure did. “You’re Thomas’s daughter?”
I licked my lips, tearing my hands away from the armrest and placing them in my lap. “Yes.”
“I spoke to your father a couple of times. He spoke about his daughter, but I’d only seen pictures from when you were smaller. I had no idea you’d joined us at the university.” The way he spoke to me was like he wasn’t talking to me at all. His voice sounded distant.
Dean Wales put the papers he gave her to the side. “Your father was a delight and he will be missed, but if there are any issues you are dealing with, you seek one of our counselors or ask for help in another way. Disregarding school rules is not the way. You have such a brilliant transcript from your last schooland so far at Mystic Riegan and I would hate to see you tarnish that.”
I gave her a polite smile. “Of course not, I apologize for not thinking clearer.” I wanted to vomit saying anything that went against what I was trying to do.
Seek a counselor. I’m sure that was what she and anyone else told students and then sent them to my dad. No counselor here was going to be able to help me because my problem was hidden within this school, so trusting anyone that worked for someone higher was tricky territory.
Mr. St. James rubbed his chin, tapping his fingers against the desk. “I should let you get back to your meeting.”
Dean Wales nodded. “Thank you. Make sure everyone is ready for the assembly tomorrow.”
He stopped right next to my chair, turning to look at her. “Ah, yes. The assembly.” He looked over at us, his eyes finding mine and giving me a tight smile. His gaze drifted and it could have looked as if he was being a creep and staring at my chest, but I knew that wasn’t it. His eyes twitched a small fraction when they landed on something at my sternum.
My necklace.
He hummed. “I’ll make sure the rest of the faculty is on it. I’m sure you are already sending an email.”
Dean Wales laughed and River’s dad made his way out, not giving me a second glance.
“Assembly?” Ike asked.
The Dean of Students got up from her chair. “As I told Corrin, this witch situation needs to be dealt with and we are wanting parents, students, and faculty to come and address it. The Chancellor thinks it’s in our best interest to involve everyone as a school community, so he’s coming to speak and hopefully find a solution.” She raised her wrist to her face, looking at her watch. “Alright, well disciplinary probation for all of you. Please be onyour best behavior and follow the rules. Your futures are far too promising for something like this to trip you up.”
We said our thanks and made our way out the door.
I walked in step with Corrin who nudged my shoulder as we got outside. I looked over at her, watching as she reached into her bag. She pulled out a folded photo and handed it to me. I could feel my eyes start to brim with tears, but I held them back. I looked at the photo from my dad’s office—with me, him, and my mom.
I blinked up at her and she was giving me a small smile. “I grabbed the entire frame right before I heard them come in. I thought if we were gonna go down during our little mission then at least you would have this.”
I pulled her into the biggest hug, burying my face in her shoulder. Ike stood behind her, giving us some space.
“Thank you. I’m sorry I got you into this just for it to go to shit.”
Corrin laughed. “It’s not shit just yet. It just went off the rails for a moment, but we’ll figure out another way.” She lifted her phone from her back pocket. “Ah, Jade is here to pick me up. You want to come to the bar?”
I shook my head. “Nah, I think I’ll head to the room.”
“Okay well let me know if you want us to come pick you up at all.” She gave me another quick hug, turning to walk away with her brother.
41
Asher
“Did you even ask them why they were there?” I said through my teeth. I held onto my dad’s desk so tight that I started to lose feeling in my fingers.
“I didn’t have to, nor did I really want to.” He had one of his legs bent out and crossed over the other, looking uncharacteristically relaxed.
“You could have hurt them? I understand what they were doing was wrong, but for fucks sake.” I pushed away from the desk and walked away from him. I looked at the back wall, my chest heaving.
