Page 72 of Angel Lost

“As I was saying, your reaction is entirely my fault. I’m sure it was distressing to come across that scene. Let me explain.”

I place the glass down carefully and fold my arms.

“For the first time in history there are two types of aether. The Angel King succeeded in resurrecting a dying breed.” She peers at me over the top of her glass. “You. You are the dying breed. Aethers.”

I nod, biting my tongue. Everyone knows aethers are rare. Beyond Prof. Tenebrae I’d never met another aether until this term.

“We discovered how to instill aether into other supes. Well, some of them.”

Swallowing, I shift in my seat. “Some?”

She looks smug. “Well, this is the interesting bit. It depends on DNA. Full angels can never have aether—much to my brother’s eternal disappointment. But, safe to say some DNA is more susceptible to the insertion of the genome than others. Fae are particularly good candidates, nearly ten whole percent success.”

Which makes a 90 percent fail rate. I frown, taking another sip, and the dean continues.

“It’s why my brother was so keen for my match with Kai’s father. His DNA is an excellent match. That and he is the Fae King. A suitable match.”

So Kai made a good target. Did his dad know about Davina’s obsession? Did Kai have to go through what Reye did?

“So…that’s what was happening to Reye?”

“Aether Reye,” she corrects. Her lips twitch. “No, she had the gene therapy as a baby. But gifted aether needs to be reinforced until ascension to ensure it takes. The earlier it’s inserted and the more it’s reinforced, the better the chances of keeping it.”

I gulp the wine. “But that looked agonizing.”

The dean inclines her head. “Yes. There are some disadvantages.”

“That’s more than a dis—”

“Let me finish,” she says sharply, and I push my wine away with a grimace. I’m annoying her. I can’t afford to do that. “Aether Lorelei, you must understand, the gift of aether is by consent. Our students can always choose to stop their treatment sessions and forfeit the gift.”

My brain stalls out and I can only gape at her. Reye has an impossible choice though. Undergo treatment or fail her brother. And it sounds like she had gene therapy way before she could agree to it…as a baby. What were her parents thinking?

“Consent is key here. Tell me, was Aether Reye pleased that you rescued her?”

I push back on my chair, rocking on the back legs until the dean slaps them to the floor, tutting.

“She was pissed,” I admit.

She smiles triumphantly. “She wasangry. I think that tells you what you need to know. Sometimes there isn’t progress without enduring the uncomfortable in life, Aether Lorelei. But it is always a choice. Perhaps you could do with leaning into the uncomfortable more yourself.”

“I’m progressing.”

The dean inclines her head, swilling wine around her glass before she answers. “Yes, but not quickly enough to graduate this year.”

I fight the impulse to grab her by her stupid robes. “You said knocking the tutors out was impressive.”

She frowns. I shouldn’t have reminded her.

“It was a low-level cunning. Sneaking up like a little thief and blasting from behind. Effective as a one-off. To graduate we need to see more refined use of power. And any more misbehavior I shall consider suspension, or if required, expulsion. I suggest you immerse yourself more thoroughly in what we teach.”

I nod.

“That includes actual immersion, Aether Lorelei. Please join the early morning swims, as well as the meditation, group meals, and extracurriculars. You need to push yourself. You need to decide you want this enough.”

I murmur my agreement, sick at the thought of swimming. Feigning exhaustion, I excuse myself, staging tired, heavy steps until I escape her rooms.

I have to keep my head down. Have to stay out of trouble, do better in class. The dean’s warning was stark. She’ll throw me out, I don’t doubt her. And then? Then I get married off. No, I can’t risk it. Whatever weird and wonderful techniques they have for getting and keeping aether, it’s not my business. It’s consensual. Who am I to decide whether people are making the right choice? It’s their choice.

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