Page 39 of A Drop of Anguish
“Hey!” I say with a laugh that turns into a groan.
“The healer said you’ll be okay,” Janet says gently. “You got hit with the stunning potion and have some bites. But those will heal with time.”
“Jarron is going to flip his lid when he sees you,” Lola says in a hushed tone.
My stomach sinks. That was true a few weeks ago, but now? Now… what if he doesn’t care?
I know whatever is happening between us won’t stop him from caring about my well-being, but, well, I recall his reaction in the autumn when someone tripped me in the hall and the fall made me bleed. With his new emotionless persona, I don’t think I’ll get quite that same level of passion this time around.
“Does he know already?” I ask slowly. If Janet and Lola are here, I’m guessing word has spread at least a little bit.
Lola nods. “Ms. Bhatt apparently won’t let him in. She kinda implied you were fine and already went back to Minor Hall.”
My eyes narrow. “Why do you think that is?”
“Because you need to heal, and him flipping out isn’t going to help that,” Janet says.
“Or maybe because she wants to get ahead of what happened,” Thompson adds. “The how and why before she lets more politics get involved.”
I groan. “This is terrible.”
“In positive news…” Lola says, her wings wiggling. She pauses a bit too long. Is she trying to come up with something positive? “Thompson said you were awesome in the fight?”
I scoff. This time, the pain is slightly less. “Yeah, sure.”
“I mean, you downed two wolf shifters. Honestly, there are few students here outside of Elite Hall that could manage that.”
It doesn’t feel all that impressive with the way my whole body is throbbing.
“If we can survive the implications of killing an heir to a powerful pack, you’ll be a legend.” Thompson crosses his arms and raises a brow.
“Thank you for your help, Thompson,” I say seriously. “If it weren’t for you—”
He shrugs. “What are friends for?”
“I’ll repay the favor if I’m ever able.” I spent a lot of time questioning his motives for befriending me, but now, I’m not so concerned. Anyone willing to put their neck on the line to help me is worth the trouble.
I don’t mention how much trouble he’ll likely be in too if Jimmy dies and the pack comes after me.
Someone clears their throat, and Janet leaps to her feet. “Ms. Bhatt!” she squeaks.
“Hello,” Ms. Bhatt says smoothly. Her dark eyes drift around the room, meeting each of our gazes one at a time. Her hair is in the same sleek ponytail, her makeup perfect, and not a wrinkle to be found on her pantsuit. “I’d like to speak with Candice.”
“Of course!” Janet says. She grabs Lola by the waist and turns to me. She smiles, but there is clear panic on her expression. “Feel better, Candice! We’ll see you in the morning.” Then, she rushes from the room, taking Lola with her.
“You,” Ms. Bhatt says to Thompson the moment they’re gone, “I want to see you once I’m done here. Don’t rush off.”
Thompson nods, sends one fleeting glance to me, and then exits the room, leaving me with the stiff new headmaster.
Ms. Bhatt sighs. “Just when I thought things may be settling into a new normal.”
“I have to go and mess everything up again,” I complete her thought for her.
“I don’t like to make a habit of blaming victims,” she says.
“You may not like it, but it seems like that’s what you’re doing.”
She ignores me. “What were you doing with an obsidian blade, Candice?” She sounds tired.
