Page 56 of Angel Lost

Lorelei: I’m coming back.

Kai: The school won’t like that, Lorelei. What’re you going to do here anyway?

Lorelei: Fuck off, Kai. I’m going to be there for Chano, that’s what.

Swiping rapidly, I disconnect from the network. I’m so rattled it takes a few moments to untangle the energy around me and step out of the pocket. Exhaustion drags at me as I tug the last ley line back into its proper position. My head pounds. I could sleep for a week.

I stuff a couple of things into my bag, shoulder it, and head for the portal. Every extra second I take is a second I’m not at Chano’s side.

Tripping over snaking paths doesn’t seem nearly so endearing today. The place is trying to slow me down. Finally, I reach the portal. Except…it seems different. Ivy and roses wind up the arch. The stone underneath is dull. Inactive.

It’s inactive.

Panicking, I stumble into the reception, the calming music jarring to my ear.

“What’s wrong with the portal?”

The receptionist pulls her glasses down to the tip of her nose to peer at me. She shakes her head, the amulets around her neck chinking wildly.

“Perhaps I can help. But first, manners,” she chirps.

“Please,” I grit out. “I have to use the portal. Immediately.”

She pushes her glasses back up her nose. “Your lack of organization does not constitute an emergency on my part. You should have brought everything you need. You are only here for four days at a time. Go shopping on your own time.”

“It is anemergency.”

“You’d have to speak to the dean,” she says primly.

As if that would put me off. Chano needs me. I nod and she gestures down the corridor toward the dean’s office.

I haven’t even raised my hand to knock when her door opens. Dean Davina stands in front of me, head tilted in question.

“I need to use the portal. But it’s not working.”

“Classes have not ended yet, Aether Lorelei.”

“My allegiance needs me,” I snarl.

She taps a fingernail on the doorframe. “I don’t appreciate your tone, young lady.”

Damn all this stupid etiquette shit. I clasp my hands and drop my eyes. “Dean Davina, I apologize. I’m not trying to skip class. It’s an emergency.”

I cringe, waiting for her to ask how I know when we’re not supposed to communicate with the outside world.

“Very well.”

I jerk my head up.

“The large portal has been deactivated. Too many hellions abroad to leave such a large gateway into the school. The only active portal is in my office. You should, however, be aware that there is a minimum attendance to pass the year.”

That’s it? She’s not going to tell me off, insist I stay for the afternoon?

The dean steps back gracefully as she gestures toward a small portal in the corner of her room.

“This is a tricky time for you, Aether Lorelei. Settling in here…These hiccups normally happen to our younger students.”

“No, there really is—”

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