Page 107 of A Lesson in Obedience
“I do what I can. I’m a nice guy, sue me.”
I chuckled, turning up my powers and finding Chancellor Fowler. I was careful when I moved through his head, but I didn’t need to work that hard since nothing was happening. He hadn’t tried to have any mental communication with my dad and a small part of me was happy about that. It was a little selfish that a piece of that happiness had to do with myself and not with Riley.
I was committed to this and whatever it would bring but I was also a little on edge with being so potentially close to my dad’s mind. I’d told Asher I would be fine—and I was— but that didn’t mean the man didn’t make me just a tiny bit nervous.
“Jade gave an update that Riley’s mom is okay. She’s apparently asking a million and one questions about her daughter. Putting Jade in charge of her was a bad idea. It’s just a matter of time before she word vomits every single minute detail about Teresa’s death,” Ike said, scrolling through his texts.
“Riley already told her mom.”
“Yes, but did she give her mom all the gory details? Because Jade is known for leaving no detail unturned,” Ike explained, shivering as if he just remembered something he would rather forget. “I’m about to order food, do you want?—”
I put my hand up to stop him, when I heard an unfamiliar voice speak to Chancellor Fowler.
She’s here with her friend. She looks fine, nervous but just fine. I thought I was done doing this?
Chancellor Fowler chuckled in his mind.You’re done when I say you’re done. You should be happy, I don’t ask you to do more. How about we let all your witch friends know you’re the reason why their minds felt violated some time ago. You use that little memory magic of yours for good, but who says they wouldn’t believe that you use it for other things. Is that what you want?
No. Don’t. I don’t know what else you want me to do?
The chancellor was silent for a minute. Ike started to speak again but I waved him off, moving into the kitchen. The other voice spoke again.
Wait, something is happening. I think there might be a fight.
Between?
Your daughter and another witch. Should I try to stop it? The coven leader is a joke…
Chancellor Fowler hummed.No, just observe.
Riley just threw her against a tree and she’s not stopping. I really think I should.
The energy in Chancellor Fowler’s mind grew as if he was excited about whatever was happening. I had to keep my focus, so I placed my hands on the counter and closed my eyes, keeping my mind steady. I couldn’t cause too much commotion, or he would notice someone else was eavesdropping. The key to good telepathy was being smooth about your infiltration, as if nothing was amiss.
No, don’t you dare try to stop her.Chancellor Fowler insisted.
What the fuck was going on? This Celica meeting was meant to be simple, but what was Riley doing? My mind nearly short circuited when they mentioned something about a fire. I needed to be there, but I knew there was only one way for me to do that.
Fine, I’ll do it. After this we are done.The other voice said and I realized I’d missed what Chancellor Fowler had asked. Fuck.
Loud barking started and the sound of Beau’s paws scrapping against the floor echoed in my ear. His barking pounded against my head and I looked off to the side to see him practically ramming his body into the front door.
“Hey, buddy, calm down. River, what the fuck is going on?” Ike asked, trying to handle Beau but the pitbull wiggled his way out and kept running around.
The issue with Beau had me rubbing my temples and trying to maintain my powers. I searched for a moment and finally found Riley’s mind. The minute I was in, I pressed my fingertips into the counter because fuck, was it painful in there. I wasn’t an empath, but that level of mind fuck hurt even me. I saw the memories fly by and her internal thoughts of begging it to stop. The heat that she could create was increasing with every passing memory and I knew she wasn’t doing this to herself.
Someone else was in here and I would bet all the money I had that it was the same person who’d gotten into my own head. They must be a hybrid magic wielder just like Riley. I pushed my way through the madness and spoke to her.
Riley, what the fuck is going on? Answer me, please!
I knew she was trying and then there was a shift in her mind, like whatever was there was gone. They must have gone back to talk to Chancellor Fowler. If Riley needed me, she could call out for me, but if they’d left her mind, maybe this entire mess would settle down.
I raced my powers back to Chancellor Fowler and I landed in the middle of whatever they were talking about. I saw Ike out of the corner of my eye struggling with Beau and I would help him in a minute, but I just needed to…
I know it was him. I’ve been in his head before, I’m sure of it.
Chancellor Fowler lulled his mind a bit.She will be quite upset with me for this, but I did warn her. Let him know what to do and shield your mind, since we have a little watcher.
I can do it. I did fine last…
