Page 54 of A Lesson in Obedience
“The human-magic wielder liaison. Her name is Lena. She’sworked at a few other hybrid universities before, albeit smaller ones, but she cares so much for the students.” Dean Wales explained, wiping her hands down her skirt.
“I don’t usually show my face around the university much, but after what happened, after what I witnessed, I thought you should be aware that you won’t get lost in the shuffle. I’ve taken a look at your transcript and you are quite impressive; it does sadden me that along with your exemplary test scores you couldn’t amplify your magic as well.” He rocked back in the desk chair and gave me a smile that was meant to be sympathetic.
“I’m sure my magic being hidden away was for a good reason,” I responded, crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back.
Chancellor Fowler cleared his throat and scowled. “There is no good reason to dim a witch’s magical abilities, well, unless whoever did it was ashamed.” I narrowed my eyes, but he continued, “You shouldn’t be ashamed of your powers, they’re a gift.”
“A gift indeed, sir. Both telekinesis and fire,” Dean Wales added, looking pleased.
The chancellor’s eyes widened in faux surprise. “Well then, that is impressive. Lucky girl to be born with something like that. I’m sure yourfatherwould have been so proud of you.” His jaw ticked when he said that word, like he hated having to mention my dad at all. There was a small glint in his eye though, that led me to believe that he at least enjoyed speaking about him in the past tense. I could feel my whole body wanting to vibrate from anger, but any power I would have displayed was dormant at the moment and right now wasn’t the time to go nuclear.
“I’m sure,” I answered through my teeth.
Dean Wales pointed to the papers on her desk. “I spoke to her about the next steps. Dampener, of course, speaking with Lena, and?—”
“I already have a ring,” I announced, holding up my hand.
Chancellor Fowler lifted up one corner of his mouth in a smirk. “You are on top of things, aren’t you?” It was a rhetorical question, soI kept my mouth shut. He fixed his gaze on Dean Wales. “May we have the room for a moment?”
She nodded. “Of course, I’ll be down the hall.” She walked past me, squeezing my shoulder as she went. Once the door was closed behind her, the tension that was already heavy in the air became so thick I could have choked on it.
Chancellor Fowler let out a laugh that had me raising an eyebrow in his direction. He shook his head, placing a finger at his temple and tilting his head. “It’s nice to know my daughter gets things done in a timely fashion. Magic is an addictive thing. And even dampeners can’t help that. You can’t look me in the eye and tell me that using it hasn’t given you a sort of…high.”
I looked down at the ground, ignoring him.
He sighed. “You don’t have to tell me. I already know. When my powers manifested, I ended up accidentally burning part of my house because I got a little too angry at what was probably the smallest thing. I’m not saying that you’ll start fires, but let's not pretend since the last time I’ve seen you that you haven’t let your magic gain more power over you than you have over it.”
I kept my head down, refusing to acknowledge him when I felt a jolt at my chin forcing my head up.
“This isn’t a one-sided discussion, Riley.”
I tried to pull away, but it was no use. “You don’t know me. You don’t know anything about me.”
He let out a frustrated groan. “Can’t you see I’m trying?”
“All you’ve done is murder and threaten people. Why would I ever want to know anything about a person who does that? I would never want to call someone who does those things my dad!”
He slammed his hand against the top of the desk, letting my face go. “You watch your mouth!” He ran a hand through his hair, taking a deep breath. He slid his hands down the front of his crisp button-down shirt. His voice was calmer and leveled. “I was defiant, just like you, and my mother tried to force me into my role. If she had just let me prosper, then maybe things would have been different. I don’twant that with you, which is why you’ll simply come to me because you need me. Not because I’d confined you to a room and forced you. I could do those things, but that’s not the kind of father I want to be.”
I scoffed. “I know you threatened River’s life. You tormented Grayson.” I shot up from my chair. “You wanted me at this school and now I’m here. You can’t force anything else; I know what you want Asher to do, but he won’t, so what now?”
Chancellor Fowler sucked his teeth and slowly walked around the desk, trailing two of his fingers along the edge. “What makes you think he won’t?”
“Because he…”
“Because he told you so,” he finished for me. He wiped his hand over his mouth and stood in front of me. “That’s what you wanted to hear though, right? That he wouldn’t do that to you; he would never harm you in that way.”
I looked at him confused, wondering where he was going with this. “Even if he did, I would know. I could push back; it wouldn’t be some big mystery.”
Chancellor Fowler gave me an encouraging nod as if he knew what I was saying was true, yet he always had more to add. “Hmm, that is true. Asher is well aware of the consequences, and we all know how much that telepath means to both of you. You and I both are fully aware that the minute the decision was between you or River, you automatically became wary of your place with those boys.”
“You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.”
He lightly grabbed one of my braids, sliding his fingers down until he could curl the end around his finger. “You could be told a million times that they will protect you, they will choose you and somehow in the back of your mind…you never really know, do you?” He let go of my braid and reached up to touch my cheek. I felt his magic keeping me in place, forcing me to withstand his touch. “What makes you think I don’t have another well-disciplined mental magic user with oneiromancy that is more than willing to do what I say? Asher could be oh so innocent, but you would be quick to judge because his brother, his family, is his priority. And like I said, distrust. Can. Ruin. Everything.
So much anxiety, so much agitation can lead to dire consequences. Life would be so much easier if you stopped thinking those boys can save you or that you can save yourself. Your mother thought the same thing and look where that got her.” He leaned down to be right in front of my face. Eyes that looked so much like mine stared at me. “Right back where she left off. She tried to run from me, but in the end here you are.”
“Youdon’tget to talk about her.” I reared my head back feeling his magic slip away, so the resistance was gone making me stumble back. I caught the chair, getting my balance back before looking at him again. “You want me begging for your help, pleading for you to show me the way? Is that what you want?”
