Page 132 of House of Pain
Alecto chuckled. As if that would really help. They had their story straight the moment they returned home last night.
“Norse wasn’t called in with me,” Alecto noted.
“It’s because some of the Houses were already questioned and dismissed,” Andro said, not lifting his head from the textbook in his lap. “Have you had the time to prepare for Herbalism check-in next week? I don’t fucking understand shit about gardening. My Tenefor plant hasn’t sprouted yet.”
Alecto glanced at the book, then at Andro. “I don’t fucking know. Ask Jolene for a chant or something. We haven’t even started on our garden.”
Andro lifted his gaze and chuckled. Alecto punched him in the shoulder.
The door to the Dean’s office flew open. Jolene appeared in the doorway with Blaze following her.
Alecto straightened her spine, glaring at them both, but there weren’t any signs of worry on either of their faces. Did Blaze pull his blackmail card once more?
The Dean’s expression was hard as stone, so she couldn’t tell.
“Miss Black, Miss Lang, and Mr. Weir, please come in,” the Dean said, ducking back into his office.
Jolene gave Alecto a playful wink as they passed each other, and Alecto tried not to look at Blaze, even though his shoulder brushed hers as she went into the office.
She was the last to walk in and close the door.
“I’m not going to waste any time here,” Dean Gondalez said, lacing his fingers as he glared at all three of them sitting opposite him. “Last night, someone broke into the House of Tigers, attempting to acquire their Book, which was left behind after they had to move due to the fire. Apparently, it either went wrong, or it was intended to be reckless and go against the laws of the academy.”
“How so?” Val inquired, her voice sweet as honey. “What laws were broken, sir?”
Alecto had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling.
“Practicing of blood magic,” the Dean replied. “And what’s even more concerning is that the blood that the witches or warlocks used was not even of this realm. They used the blood of a demon for the spell. Which is another unforgivable crime that doesn’t exempt even students who arelegacy.”
At the last word, the Dean glared between Alecto and Andro. Both remained still. Andro even managed to keep his knee from bouncing.
Why wasn’t Andro nervous though?
The last time they were in the Dean’s office, for an offence that was way smaller than this, Andro was about to lose his shit. And yet, today, he sat there cool as a fucking cucumber.
“So, I’m going to need to ask you where you were last night,” the Dean continued. “And I’m also going to need to check your blood for recent traces of magic.”
Even though Alecto knew the Dean wouldn’t find anything, she still stiffened. She quickly went over every single spell she performed in the last twenty-four hours, even though they had drained their blood, clearing out any residues of the magic spells they performed last night.
“I can go first,” Andro suggested, reaching his arm towards the Dean.
Dean Gondalez didn’t waver. He walked around the desk and took Andro’s hand. He took out the pin off the lapel of his jacket and nicked the tip of Andro’s finger, drawing blood.
Without a word, he brushed a finger over the wound and rubbed the blood between two fingers, murmuring chants Alecto wasn’t familiar with.
Her heart was drumming like crazy as they waited. But if Blaze and Jolene were all right, then it had to mean that they also would be fine.
Alecto swallowed hard, feeling her palms get sweaty.
“Thank you, Mr. Weir,” the Dean finally said, moving on to Val.
She gave him her hand without hesitation. And her results also came out negative. Then, it was Alecto’s turn.
“All right,” the Dean said with a sigh, “you’re all clear to go. None of you were practicing magic last night.”
“Don’t look so disappointed, Mr. Gondalez,” Val teased as they rose from their seats.
The Dean threw her a curious glance, arching a brow.
