Page 58 of Poison Ivy
“Any time now,” Torin replies. “Which means we need to be ready to move fast. You in?”
I nod, knowing I don’t really have a choice. “Of course.”
“Good,” Bram says with a wicked grin. “Because I’ve got some ideas on how to make our little assassin scream once we have her.”
My jaw clenches involuntarily at his words. I want to rip his fucking throat out for even thinking about hurting Ivy. But I force myself to stay calm.
“We should focus on securing Walcott first,” I say. “One problem at a time.”
Torin eyes me suspiciously. “Since when are you the voice of reason?”
I shrug. “Just trying to be practical. We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
“Fair enough,” Torin concedes. “For now, we act normal. Go to lectures, keep our eyes open. The second I get that location, we move.”
We head to our respective lectures. Mine is, unfortunately, another class I share with Vex. I need to find a way to warn Ivy without tipping off Torin and Bram.
Glaring at Vex as I bypass him to sit at the back of the Ancient Runes for Advanced Practitionerslecture, I try to focus, but my mind keeps drifting to Ivy. I need to find a way to warn her without arousing suspicion. As Professor Jameson drones on about runic combinations, an idea starts to form, and I scrawl over a page at the back of my notebook.
When class ends, I hang back, pretending to pack up slowly. Once the room has mostly cleared out, I approach the professor’s desk.
“Professor Jameson, I was wondering if I could get your advice on something,” I say.
She looks up at me, her sharp eyes assessing. “Of course, Mr Blackwell. What can I help you with?”
I hold up the book. “I’ve been experimenting with creating a warning ward. Something that could alert someone to danger without being detected by others. I was hoping you could take a look?”
She takes the paper and studies it closely. “Interesting concept. Your base structure is solid, but you’ll want to incorporate the ehwaz rune here for communication over distance. And perhaps algiz for protection and warning.”
I nod, making notes. “That makes sense. Thank you, Professor.”
As I turn to leave, she calls out, “Mr Blackwell? Be careful with experimental magick. Even with the best intentions, it can have unexpected consequences.”
I meet her gaze and smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.” With her advice, I should be able to create a warning rune that I can send to Ivy without Torin and Bramdetecting it. Now, I just need to figure out how to get it to her without raising suspicion.
As I head to my next class, I spot Ivy across the quad. She’s walking with Josh, laughing at something he said. For a moment, I’m struck by how normal she looks - just another university student without a care in the world. It’s easy to forget the dangerous double life she leads.
Our eyes meet briefly, and I see a flicker of lust in her gaze before she looks away. I want nothing more than to go to her, to pull her aside and warn her about what’s coming. But I know I can’t. Not here, not now.
Glancing back at the notebook in my hand, I get shunted from behind, which can only mean Vex. “What the fuck do you want, prick?”
“You to fuck off out of the world, but we can’t have everything we wish for,” he drawls.
“Is that a fucking threat?” I snarl, grabbing his arm and shoving him up against a nearby tree.
He smirks. “Take it however you want. And stay the fuck away from Ivy Hammond. She is way too good for you.”
“Oh, and not you, I suppose, because you’re such a beacon of light and hope.”
He pushes me away from him, his eyes shining with power. “She is better than all of us put together, arsehole. Watch your fucking step around her. I’m waiting for an excuse.” He flicks his fingers, and sparks of dark magick flare up.
“Now I’m taking that as a threat, and I’m going tokick your arse from here to the middle of the next dimension.” I throw down the book and face off with him, bringing my own magick out to play. It crackles with power and malice and is completely forbidden on University property, but right now, I don’t give a shit. I’ve got a lot of pent-up rage, frustration, and worry, and Vex has pushed all the wrong buttons. He smiles and throws the first punch, his fist crackling with dark energy. I dodge to the side, feeling the heat of his magick singe my shirt. Retaliating, I send a blast of my power surging towards him. He throws up a shield at the last second, but the force still sends him staggering back.
“Is that all you’ve got, Blackwell?” Vex taunts, circling me. “I thought you were supposed to be so powerful.”
I snarl, unleashing another volley of magick. This time, it connects, slamming Vex against the tree. Before he can recover, I’m on him, driving my fist into his stomach. He doubles over with a grunt of pain.
“Stay the fuck away from Ivy,” I growl in his ear.
