Page 122 of Shattered Omega

“I…” She swallowed, and—shit, she was fighting back tears. “I just do.”

We were sitting around the fireplace outside on the cabin deck as the sun set over the trees. Dusk had just got the fireplace going, and Umbra was finishing making us hot chocolates.

The dancing fire was enough to keep away the cold, though not enough that Shatter wasn’t huddled in a fluffy Snuggie that she’d unwrapped as a gift from Roxy. The decorating had, apparently, included Christmas gifts. Umbra, and Dusk and I were all wearing ugly Christmas sweaters at Shatter’s behest—even though Roxy had left. It was Tuesday and she would miss too much class if she didn’t return to the academy.

Shatter, unfortunately, didn’t have the same concern.

“I’m sorry, Little Reaper.” I tugged her close under my arm. “You missed one class too many, even my title isn’t enough for the Dean this time.”

“We’ve already submitted the application for next semester,” Dusk said. “And… we secured you a sponsor.”

“A new pack sponsor?” she asked.

“No. Actually. He’s sponsoring you as an individual. The Dean allowed it, though it took a few days for them to figure out how it fit in the system. They’re set up for pack applications.”

Shatter was frowning.

“Turns out Professor Eugene Howard made an inquiry about your class scores.”

“Uncle?” she asked, eyes wide.

“Given the PR disaster of his last choice, he wrote to the Arkology board, and I quote, ‘I need a home run to redeem my reputation. I’ve never seen a student with more potential.’ The Dean couldn’t argue, so you’re enrolled for next term.”

“Really?” Shatter asked.

“Yup. And he’s made the request for you to be moved to second semester anyway, since your scores speak for themselves and he doesn’t want to waste any time.”

“So… I didn’t actually fail?”

“Well. You missed too many classes to pass, but you did so well that it doesn’t matter.”

She pouted. “I suppose that’s a bit better.”

“There is one condition, though,” Dusk said.

“What?”

“I told the Dean there was no way in hell you were doing classes by yourself, so he has to accelerate me, too. He said he’d allow it if you caught me up.”

She brightened. “I can do that. You’ll be much easier to teach than Ransom.”

I straightened. “Excuse me?”

She blinked up at me. “You never cared about Arkology.”

I let out a huff. “Not particularly, no.”

“I knew it.”

“I did like what studying with you entailed, though,” I said, pulling her onto my lap and drawing her close.

“So, are we ready?” Umbra was stepping through the doorway with a tray of mugs.

“I’m ready,” Dusk said, straightening and picking up the huge envelope at his side.

“Still going to risk it?” Umbra asked as he handed out the hot chocolate.

“I can’t believe you’re not,” I said.

---