Page 134 of Her Tortured Beasts

When we reach the headmistress’ office, she opens the door with an orange shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, bluish circles under her eyes.

Alarmed, I examine her appearance and the power around her. It feels tight, like dry skin. The phoenix in me flares outward, golden fire sparking up, recognising her pain.

“Aurelia,” Celeste says in welcome, and to my surprise, she pulls me in, her arms wrapping tightly around me. Why does her grip feel desperate?

“Celeste,” I say quietly.

She holds my face in her hands. “There are many things I want to say, but the first is that you must not let your guard down.”

I search her golden gaze. “What do you mean?”

“They have hurt you,” she says. “I know that. I can see that. Your strength is profound, Aurelia, but do not let them take your light.”

The backs of my eyes burn. Suddenly, I am reminded of Selena and Lady Drakos.

Lyle shifts behind me. “Celeste?—”

“No, let her finish,” I say. “This is important.”

Celeste’s hands slide down to grip my arms. “Did you see him? Did you see Lorian while you were there?”

My heart skips a beat. “Yes. Yes, I did.”

“Was he alive? Was he well?” Her eyes are frantic as they search mine.

“Yes, he was. I… I helped heal him.” Her hands drop from mine and she steps back, suddenly looking ashen. I follow her, worried that she might collapse or worse. “He spoke to me. He was the only light there.”

Celeste’s hands reach for her mouth. “Could you show me?”

I hesitate. My only memory of him isn’t exactly positive, but the desperation in those phoenix eyes makes me nod. I warn her about his condition before sending her a telepathic picture. I’ve not had to do it in a while, so it takes me a second, but I know she receives it when the tears slip from her eyes. Lyle helps her to her chair.

“Phoenixes do not have soul-bonded mates, Aurelia,” she explains quietly. “We wander alone or choose our own. I met Lorian many years ago when—” her eyes flick to me in shared understanding—“he was passing through.” Her shoulders seem to sag, heavy with history. “I knew he’d come back, but Katerina also came across him. Became infatuated with him. I had hoped he’d find me first, but…”

I feel sick to my stomach. Perhaps this is another reason Celeste is unwell. Damien certainly hadn’t been so affected by the darkness on the bonding planes.

“Can I try to help you?” I blurt out.

The headmistress twitches in understanding and surprise. “I wouldn’t think that?—”

“May I try?” I urge. “I’m not physically unwell, as you can see.” I have a fuck tonne of other issues, but I can use my powers just fine.

She gives me a small smile. “Please.”

I nod, coming to stand before her and taking one of her cool hands in mine. My power floods towards her, keen to push away the dark in someone, even if it’s not me. Celeste shudders. There is no exact physical illness I can sense, but much like Lady Drakos, there is something ephemeral that my power seeks out and purges.

Celeste squeezes my hand and sighs, her cheeks flushing. “I feel better, Aurelia. Although I’m not sure what you did.”

“Me neither,” I admit. “But some type of healing was achieved.”

“Thank you.” She studies me with great interest for a while, but under her kind eyes, I don’t feel so much like an interesting bug like I did at Drakos House. Perhaps I feel seen by her, one of the few people to have known Lorian.

Celeste rubs her eyes. “Unfortunately, there is a related matter we must discuss.”

Somehow, I already know what it is.

“Xander is here, Aurelia. And he has a request to make of us.”

Chapter 81

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