Page 40 of A Drop of Anguish
I shift my attention to the fascinating pattern of stones on the ceiling.
“Candice, do you know what could happen from here?”
I don’t respond, knowing she’ll tell me regardless.
“Jimmy is in critical condition. There is no telling if he will survive. As I understand it, he attacked you, and the use of potions I can easily excuse. But that blade complicates things. If Jimmy dies, the pack may demand your head, and there is very little I could do to stop that.”
“Would you even want to?” I spit.
She pauses. Silence stretches for a long moment. “Is that what you think? That I want to see you fall? I am not so vindictive. But you put yourself in the situation—”
“So, I should have let myself die?” I bark, meeting her gaze with a sharp one of my own. I’m done taking the blame for everything. “They corneredme.You didn’t do your job of protectingme. Again. And I am only alive right now because I had a backup plan. I haven’t touched the blade since I got it until today because I needed to.”
“You’re right,” she says. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you. But I want to protect you now. That’s what I’m trying to do. I know it sounds harsh, but the reality is that the consequences of this situation come down to more than morality.
“I can’t stop every altercation from occurring in a school like this. Next time, perhaps you should ask for help instead of taking on what is clearly over your head.”
My nostrils flare, but I hold my tongue. Anger simmers in my chest.
“How did you get it, Candice?”
I consider telling her that it was a gift from Jarron. Once we go down that road, it lessens the likelihood that I’ll get in trouble, but I’m still feeling rather stubborn. That bit of truth can wait.
She sighs. “Very well, Candice. I’d like for us to be allies, but it seems you’re against that idea.” She clasps her hands in front of her and rocks back on her heels. “Let me explain what will happen from here. No one, other than a few members of authority are aware of the situation with the blade, and we intend to keep it that way. If Jimmy survives, this will blow over, and assuming no other such events occur, all will be well. There will be rumors, of course, and I cannot control what the students say about you. If you feel threatened, please come to me. Iwillprotect you.” Her jaw clenches, her expression clearly determined. She means it.
“And if Jimmy doesn’t survive?”
She sighs again. “We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“What does the rest of the student body think happened?”
“They are aware that wolves of the Lonecrest pack ambushed you and Thompson. They know that you both escaped relatively unharmed, but Jimmy was seriously injured. Other than that, I do not know what they will say.”
Relatively unharmed. Is that what they told Jarron too?
“And I’m to return to classes in the morning?”
She squints. “I will heed the advice of the healers. They want to make sure you sleep well tonight, and as long as there are no other complications, you will be free to go to class. If you don’t feel up to it, you can send me a message. However, I think it is in your best interest to resume your normal activities if possible. If you miss classes, that will exacerbate the rumors and potentially cause more issues. That decision is up to you, however.”
Pretend everything is fine and maybe it’ll blow over.I want to be annoyed with the advice, but she’s probably right.
“Okay. I’ll see how I feel, but I’ll intend to go to class.”
Ms. Bhatt nods, her expression blank. “Anything else?”
I pull in a long breath and suck up a little bit of my pride along with it. “Thank you. We don’t particularly see eye to eye, but…” I pause, considering the right wording. Mostly, I’m just grateful she’s keeping the information about the knife to herself. “I do believe you have my best interest in mind.” Kind of.
She raises one brow.
“So, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll send the healer in after me, then see about that rest.”
I nod and nestle into the stiff cot. Pain carves through my shoulder, but I finally find a vaguely comfortable position. Tonight won’t be fun, but it’s tomorrow I’m dreading most.
19
Devastation
