Page 85 of A Lesson in Obedience
“I actually just hate you, plain and simple,” I spat back.
“Oliver, were you doing those things to your son for Riley’s sake or your own personal vendetta?” Chancellor Fowler asked, looking bored.
My father shrugged. “It was for me. It has been a minute since I gave that boy a little nudge, but this time it didn’t come from me. Not directly anyway. If things happen with Riley that end up in Erik’s favor then it’s a win, but I always seem to have to pull your brother down from hisI can do whatever I want attitude. That is your fault. You coddled your own brother and now anyone can mess with him. You made him weak.”
“I protected him!” I shouted. “I protected him from you! You tried to make us fucking entertainers for your friends, feed us magic enhancers before fucking puberty. I didn’t coddle him!”
“Protect?” My father let out a loud laugh. “Your brother is right here and so are you. You both have never left me, son. And soon, you’ll be just as powerful as I’ve always planned for you to be.” He glanced over at Chancellor Fowler who nodded at him.
“He is at this school because you and mom wouldn’t leave him alone about it. I’m herebecauseof River. I needed to be a fucking buffer…” I let the words fall away because it didn’t matter.
Our dad getting someone to break into River’s mind was one of the first times I couldn’t help him myself. I had always been there to make his pain go away or even just ease it, even if he’d suppressed so much of it.
My magic wasstartled awake by my brother’s cries. It was like a rumbling in my head and the immense sadness that entered my mind had my heart breaking. I woke myself up, but my mind was still attached to his dream. I stepped into the darkened area he found himself in. It was cold wherever he was and I couldn’t see a fucking thing.
I heard his crying and everything around me vibrated. I couldn’t see him yet, but I felt his presence, so I kept walking. The cries got louder and louder, eventually I called out his name. I heard a hiccup. I called out again.
“Asher?”
I felt relief wash over me. “It’s me, just keep talking.”
“I can’t see anything. I’m scared.” His voice was trembling and shaky.
“I’m coming, okay?” I got up from my bed, throwing open my door while my dream self searched for him. I’d gotten much better with staying in reality while also being in the dreamscape.
I opened River’s bedroom door slowly. He’d kicked off his covers and was huddled in the fetal position, tears staining his cheeks. In his dream, I saw movement. I ran over to it, nearly throwing myself at my brother. He was cold and I couldn’t see him all that well, but I knew it was him.
“Hey, hey, it’s me. I’m here.” I brought him closer to me.
“A-are we in my head?” he asked, his teeth chattering.
“Yes. It’s going to be okay. Is this about dad?”
River didn’t respond but I knew the answer was yes. He was always the problem.
I got on River’s bed, pulling his sleeping body in my arms. I pulled the covers over us and combed my fingers through his hair. In his dream, I did the same.
“I’m going to make it better. Like I always do.” I filled the room with a warmth that could banish any kind of cold and created a brightness that I knew would put a smile on his face. When the room was filled with light, I looked down at him, watching him take in the change. I let calming smellsenter the space and he inhaled. “Now you can go to sleep. Forget what made you upset and rest.”
River’s head felt heavy against my chest. “Will you stay with me?”
“I always do.”
His dream self started snoring softly and in reality, his tears had stopped and his body settled. I didn’t leave until much later, but like all the other times, he wouldn’t remember this. I never wanted him to.
“My daughter’son a little trip, hm?” Chancellor Fowler inquired, pulling me from my thoughts.
“What?” I asked, looking between both of them. “How do you…”
Chancellor Fowler waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t mind where she’s going. I’m hoping she gets all the answers she wants, actually. It will all work out in my favor, don’t you worry. Things have to get worse before they get better, right?” He sighed, smiling up at me. “You should be happy you won’t need to meddle in her mind; I apologize for even putting that kind of stress on you. I should have known how my own daughter would react, how her mind would work. That one is on me. You can sit back, keep that brother of yours and his friend in line. That is something you are willing to do, yes?”
“How do you know where she’s going?” I asked, actually getting to finish my question.
He pressed his lips together and smirked at me. “It is amazing the information people are willing to give up, what they are willing to do for the people they care about. Believe me Asher, you aren’t the only one with a family of sorts to protect.”
32
River
