Page 85 of Tainted Rose

“Yes. Makoto shouldn’t use magic unless she has to and she’s now a walking target until she stabilizes such levels. You’ve noticed the change in her aura. Until she can calm it, to a level where high-rank magicians and shifters can’t detect it, you guys should stay here a bit longer. Once she’s clear, you’ll be able to leave this student gig by the end of this rotation,” Winterlya confirmed, lifting her coffee up to her lips to finish it.

“Karen’s probably going to have to apply those restraint bracelets on her...she’s not going to like that,” I confessed, lifting my mug to my lips to finish my own coffee.

“I bet. She seems feisty, but in a positive way. Midnight is also intriguing. She looks like a spirit who analyzes things down to the smallest details. She holds great power as well. They both need to rest. Her other spirits can still take control or shift if she must use a type of magic, but they shouldn’t push it,” Winterlya stressed. I nodded in agreement.

“You should rest. We can talk about this tomorrow if you like.” I felt bad for holding her up, not having allowed her to rest right when she arrived, after she’d traveled from Heila straight here. I’d heard she’d only been in Heila for less than a week, returning from Earthala prior to that.

She opened her eyes, glancing back at me with a weak smile.

“Yes, I’m pretty pooped out. I had to deal with some issues down in Earthala like bomb threats and other human acts of destruction. You’d think their race would take a break from trying to kill one another. Then headed back to Heila only to hear about Mako’s predicament, worried me. I’m glad I got here when I did. I feel it would have gotten worse.” She sighed, rubbing at her eyes before sitting up straight.

We both rose to our feet.

“On behalf of my team and all of Heila, I thank you Winterlya for coming down here on such short notice. You helped ease Mako’s suffering and I’m glad the issue involving Midnight has been cleared. If you ever need our help, feel free to request it.” I bowed deeply.

“Ugh, I hate when my students are so formal. Rise, rise. It’s not that big of a deal. I may be the princess of Wintalyn, but that doesn’t mean I don’t concern myself with other realm matters. Mako’s kidnapping devastated many realms and I’m simply proud that I was summoned to contribute and ensure her safety.” Winterlya blushed, brushing my thanks off like she hadn’t done anything spectacular. She’d rather scold us than receive thanks or praise.

“Get some rest,” I encouraged as I escorted her to the door.

“I will. Tell Makoto and Midnight if they have any questions feel free to call for me. I’ll be here for about three weeks before I return to Heila,” She noted before she waved goodbye. I watched her leave; her familiar landed on her outstretched arm, a magic circle formed beneath her before she walked through a silver portal.

Geez her magic is strong.

“Why didn’t she just make a portal here instead of traveling the long way?” Stryker questioned.

It would take an extraordinary amount of energy to portal through realms. She’d be basically begging Deathpre to come and whisk her away to the stars.

“Ah. I’m simply glad Makoto and Midnight are okay,” Stryker commented. Me too.

I felt the buzz of my phone before a voice entered my mind.

“Your Mom needs your help with preparations...also...your father apparently set you up with another meeting,” Kai’s voice announced through our bond.

I let out a frustrated grunt, pinching my nose as I closed the door and walked back to retrieve the empty mugs on the clear coffee table.

“How many times do I have to say I’m not interested in marriage? Who is it this time?”

My father just didn’t get it. I’d never stop loving Makoto. Why did he want me to marry some no class shifter just because they were from royal families? Makoto was a fucking princess. Wasn’t that enough?

“I don’t know. A little birdie told me it’s a blonde loudmouth who has a total crush on you and got put in her place last rotation. That broken nose is still healing apparently.” Kai’s amused tone cued me in on who the next participant was.

“Brittany? Really. How the fuck did she sneak herself in the blind date category? One look and they’d cringe with regret. I’m not going to bother.”

“Your mom probably sent you a text.”

“I don’t check my phone, she knows that.”

“Yes, but you still reply.”

“Fine, Fine. I’ll deal with it. I’ll head over there now. If anything happens with Makoto let me know.”

“For sure. You’ll explain everything when you get back, right?”

“Ya. Let Elias rest. He and Eli need it. When I get back, we’ll chat.”

“Cool. Stay calm,”Kai encouraged before leaving our bond.

Stay calm huh...when you have to relive your failures.

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