Page 109 of A Drop of Anguish
Jarron’s lips twitch. “I know.”
“So, can you? I feel super weird being carried like a baby through the school.” We’re heading in the direction I want to go, so I’m not overly concerned it’s just… odd.
He doesn’t respond to my request. We pass a few students who gawk and whisper at our odd performance.
“Jarron?” I ask.
“Can you just let me hold you while I can?” he whispers. “It makes me feel better about this. For now.”
I bite the inside of my lip. Then, I finally whisper, “Okay.”
Jarron carries me all the way through the school. Past the main lobby and the spiraling stairs. Up the set of wonky narrow steps. Down the old hall with linoleum floors. And he finally stops in front of the shimmering gates of Minor Hall, where Laithe is waiting for us.
“What is it?” I ask, squirming in Jarron’s arms.
“Corrine is gone. They found this in her room.” Laith holds up a card to match my own.
Jarron’s next breath shakes.
I let him take his time before finally setting me on my feet. I remain cocooned in his arms, heart hammering. Then, I curl my arm up over his neck, hop up on my tippy toes, and press my lips to his. The kiss is quick, but Jarron looks dazed all the same.
“What—”
“This isn’t like before,” I tell him. “I’m going through there and coming right back. I won’t leave without you, I promise.”
He runs the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “Okay.”
I gently twist from his arms and pass through the magical barrier of Minor Hall.
#
I double-check all of my vials and ensure I’ve got every spot memorized. I didn’t have the chance to finish up the potions Thompson suggested, so I won’t have any stunning bombs just yet.
Maybe I’ll never need them.
I take in a long breath and force a few sips of water down my dry throat, and then I leave my room behind and head out toward my hopes and terrible fears.
Janet throws her arms around me the moment I make it into the game room. Lola wiggles between us to join in on the hug.
“You’re going after her?” Janet asks.
I nod against her shoulder. “I have to. It might be our only chance to shut the games down for good. Backup is on the way, but we don’t want to lose the trail before they can get here.”
Janet sighs and glances to Lola, who puffs out her chest and wiggles her wings.
“We’re coming,” Lola says definitively. “Right?”
Janet flinches.
“You really don’t have to come,” I assure her, ignoring Lola’s confidence. It’s great that she wants to come, but if Janet isn’t as sure… “I mean it. I will not think one iota less of you. I swear it.”
Janet’s shoulders slump. “I’d like to help. We all want those games that take advantage of lower-lever supernaturals to be shut down for good, but… can I even help? Will I just be in the way?”
I want to tell her no, but I can’t be sure of that. “I don’t know. I don’t know what we’re walking into, to be honest. But I know you’re strong. Stronger than me. So, if you want to come, I want you there. But I can’t promise you’ll be safe, so if you don’t—”
“I’ll go,” she whispers.
I swallow, uncertain if I said the right thing. Should I push her not to go so she’ll stay safe? Should I support her and convince her to come along? I honestly don’t know, but I don’t have the time or energy for an internal debate. She’s going to have to make the decision for herself.
