Page 51 of Angel Lost

I bristle. “He holds it together fine.”

Davina’s fingers flutter to a simple chain around her neck. “That is good to hear. Still, I’m not his favorite person. All I ask is that you judge me on my own merit, and this school by inference. Kai and I…Well, it’s complicated with stepchildren, isn’t it? He was always very angry that I was replacing his mother. Of course, I wasn’t, but he was a stubborn little boy, even at four. I couldn’t persuade him otherwise.”

I shrug, fidgeting with the schedule.

Davina’s voice drops. “And after he nearly killed his brother…well…”

My timetable floats to the floor. “What?”

“He didn’t tell you? I’m so sorry, that should come from him, when he’s ready.” She pauses and I raise an eyebrow. “He really did benefit from having me as his stepmom. The king as your uncle? If you’re going to escape jail, I suppose those are the best connections to have.” She tuts. “Not that he was ever grateful. Such an angry boy.”

“What happened?” I grit out.

“Boys will be boys.” Davina offers me a sad smile. “You know siblings. Well…maybe you don’t.”

I scowl at the dig.

“Kids fight, and fae are especially vicious. To be fair, angels are not much different. Weencouragechildren to best each other. A little competition is healthy, especially between twins. How else do you decide on the heir? So really, I have myself to blame.” She sighs, raising her big eyes to me. “Kai always took it too far. His brother was a much more affable child. Liked tolet Kai win, I think. But when Kai lost his temper with his little sister, his brother stepped in and wouldn’t back down. He was protecting his sister, after all. But Kai wouldn’t, perhaps couldn’t stop. He…I’m sure he regrets it. I hope he regrets it.”

I swallow hard, horrified and intrigued all at once. “Did his twin die?”

Davina pushes herself up off the hot stone with a weary sigh. “No, but he’s a vegetable. Locked in that brain of his. Anyway, enough of my family drama, Aether Lorelei. I just want you to make your own judgments and not listen to what Kai has to say. Trust your instincts, not his.”

My head spins. Is she telling the truth? Did Kai do that? I manage a small nod.

She smiles wanly before walking to her computer. “I’m sure you’ll do well here. You’ve got a lot of talent. I was reading the reports from your professors.” She taps the screen. “Professors Maggo and Hannya both seem enamored with you.”

I stutter my surprise, scrambling up from the lounger. Hannya is a hard taskmaster. Always.

“Such a shame your aether tutor was Lady Tenebrae.”

“She really helped me, actually.”

The dean raises an eyebrow. “Child, you have not touched even half your potential. I have the reports from my brother right here. Your aether trial was…interesting.”

Panic floods my body. My palms sweat, and my skin prickles. She knows. The Angel King is just toying with me.

“You have talent, but Tenebrae taught you nothing. Some of your results from the trial were so weak the machines struggled to classify you as second aether. Tenebrae never came here, never learned what we teach. She barely knew how to see ley lines, never mind manipulate them! Such a waste of aether.”

Taking a small step back, I grip my schedule so tightly it creases. She doesn’t know. The Angel King didn’t work it out. I’m safe. For now.

“Sorry. I’m a little passionate about it. Tell me, am I wrong? Did you learn that?”

“Er, no. I didn’t really do ley work.”

Davina hums. “Lady Tenebrae took it personally that my brother had no interest in barren women. Blamed the world and ran off to lick her wounds, too proud to ever come back to the fold. She would have been a poor tutor. Not to worry, we’ll remedy that here. By all accounts you’re a quick study. I’m sure you’ll catch on.”

I pull my shoulders back. She’s right. I am a quick study. Maybe the reason I don’t excel with my aether isn’t me, my failure. Maybe I wasn’t being taught the right stuff.

“It’ll do you good to have some support,” she says.

“I have my allegiance,” I mutter.

“I didn’t mean to discount them. But you’ll have adult support here. I get the feeling perhaps you haven’t had too many adults in your life rooting for you. You’re made for great things, Aether Lorelei. Here we’ll support you to achieve them.”

Chapter Seventeen: Lorelei

An alarm blares and I roll over, hitting out for my clock. Except…my clock isn’t there. Neither is my dorm. I push upright with a groan and flick my hand at the curtains, opening them, allowing the dull glow of dawn to creep into my new room. My room is just that: mine. No sharing. Like the rest of the place it somehow exudes well-being, luxury even. Unless you count the hardwired communication system that wakes everyone at 5 a.m.

---