Page 84 of Group Studies

I snatched my plate back and licked it again just to piss him off. He shook his head and I wiggled my butt, happily full.

Instead of dreading my meeting with Director Flemmings and Officer Keres, I took Professor Garnet’s advice to heart. Whatever was going on right now, I couldn’t control it, so I might as well enjoy it. Although I might be in trouble for something - possibly for kicking Ashe out last night - I doubted it. The MA clearly wanted me happy. I chose to bank on that.

Ashe side-eyed me as we walked but didn’t comment on my overly cheery mood.

I waltzed into Director Flemmings' office, taking a seat without being asked. The director, covered in make-up and a yellow pants suit, offered me some tea.

A few minutes later, Officer Keres came in the door with my bookbag slung over his shoulder and a medium-sized cardboard box in his other arm. Doctor Roy scooted around him to stand at Director Flemming’s shoulder. He gave me a friendly wave.

We exchanged strained pleasantries before Officer Keres handed Ashe my bookbag. He turned to me. “It’s been cleared. We’ve added a few enchantments so it can’t be stolen again.”

“Ah, or made heavier?” I asked.

Officer Keres frowned. “Why would anyone make it heavier?”

I bit my bottom lip and studied the wood grains on the table.

“Moving forward,” Director Flemmings cut in. “I believe the MA has cleared the items that survived the fire.”

I froze, my light-hearted mood faltering. “I honestly assumed I’d never get anything back at this point.”

“It takes time for the MA to process, well, anything,” Director Flemmings said, trying not to look at Officer Keres. “I told you when you first got here.”

I nodded, glancing at the box now sitting off to the side of the Director's desk.

Officer Keres stepped forward. “I’d like you to go through this box and verify your things. I’ll need you to sign for each item.”

I nodded again, my emotions slipping behind a wall.

Officer Keres unfolded the flaps on the top of the box. “Two sets of blood jewels, found on you when we brought you here,” Officer Keres began listing off. He pulled out a pair of earrings and the piercing which used to go through Damon’s mark just above my socket.

“Both are highly illegal in their creation, but the spells in them are benign, and only usable by you, as they were made with your blood,” Officer Keres explained unnecessarily.

My hand hovered above the three pieces.

I could see Damon smiling at me. We’d cut into my thumb, much deeper than Nitis’ little contract as he guided me through my first blood working. He was so proud, and I basked in it. I pulled myself to the present before my inner conflict came out in a burst of angry tears.

The asymmetrical intricate silver earrings felt smooth under my fingers. They glowed dimly. Opposite them, my piercing, with a simple red bar and a small pink pearl on each end, absorbed the light around it.

I took a deep calming breath.

A stack of books came out next. The black leather-bound volumes looked untouched by the fire. Wear and tear around their latches made my heart ache with its familiarity. I ran my hand across the decorative cover as Officer Keres handed them to me.

Officer Keres tapped the book. “We’ve copied everything in them. Anything from here will be traced back to you. I hope this is a good sign of our trust.”

I nodded, surprised he was able to decipher our coded writing. Damon’s unique potions and custom runes filled their pages. Along with his system to identify the buyers.

“We also found eight potions.” He pulled a case out of the box. “Two healing potions, an intellect potion, a luck potion, and two potions we couldn’t identify.”

I eyed the six bottles. “Where are the other two?”

“The other two were poisons, targeted poisons. We destroyed them,” Officer Keres said harshly. “Did you know what you were making?”

I blinked. I must have known on some level, but I existed to do Damon’s bidding. Beyond that, consequences and morals hadn’t been a part of my life. And after this last month, I honestly wished they still weren’t.

“Sorta?” I said after an awkward silence. I’d assumed the question was rhetorical.

He didn’t react to my answer. “There was a safe box with about fifty grand in cash as well. As you can’t use it here, I’ve taken the liberty of setting up a trust for you, so you have some funds when you begin your training at our academy.”

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