Page 7 of Angel Lost

Except, Chano and Farrell both wanted me safe, didn’t think I was capable. Not able to look after even myself. What if there’s something to it?

Ican’tbe the weak link. Not magically, not physically. I won’t be.

Groaning, I yank on shorts and sneakers and slip out of my too-quiet room into the silent corridor. The academy is deserted. There are the fae and me. Guess that tells you who around here has somewhere to be. Family to be with.

Thankfully the harsh sun is dying over the trees, and the track is now in dappled light. I pause, glancing toward the bunched fae at the opposite end. They look like they’re done for the day. My back toward them, I stretch, then start a quick workout.

Very quickly, my breathing comes in giant heaves and my heart hammers in my chest. Bending at the waist, I lean, hands on knees and fight blessed oxygen into my lungs. “Yeah. So much for not being the weakest link,” I mutter.

“Good food and lack of discipline will do that.”

I jerk upright and come face-to-face with the youngest of the fae students.

“Hi to you too, Jessica,” I growl.

“Jess! And I saw you avoided us, killer. I get it. We’re persona non grata. I won’t hold it against you.” Her tone is peppy, but her lips pull into a tight line. She tucks a stray strand of hair behind a pointed ear and tugs on her earring.

“Nothing like that, Jess, just a bad day. Better I don’t rub off on anyone else.”

Her face brightens, and she flings herself down on the ground at my feet, cross-legged, elbows on her knees and hands under her chin.

“Tell me?”

Oh fuck no. See what happens when I try to be nice. She squirms her ass into a more comfortable position and blinks her big eyes.

“There was a rip on the Maveriks’ turf.” She gasps, and I force myself to keep talking. “Lots of hellions, lots of their nasty black blood. But the worst was that Chano tried to save me.”

Jess takes a hissing breath in through her teeth, and it hits me. If anyone would get how insulting that is, it’s her. It’s the fae.

“That sucks. I mean, he doesknowyou, right? He knows what you’re capable of?” She fiddles with her braid.

I flop on my back beside her, pulling at the grass stems.

“It gets worse.”

She frowns. “How?”

“His little sister got hurt because he ‘saved’ me instead of her. And then he sent me away to ‘keep me safe.’”

Jess covers her face with her hands and groans. “He’s got it so wrong.” Then she perks up. “So, how are you going to punish him?”

A giggle almost escapes, but I push it down, remembering how well that didn’t go.

“Yeah, I…uh…went to see Farrell instead.”

Jess claps her hands.

“No, wait. Hear me out.” I push myself up to sitting and glare at the sky. “He didn’t want me to help either. He’s been…scouting and fighting rips too.” I have to keep it vague. The fae know nothing of Farrell’s rebellion. “He wouldn’t let me join. Told me I could train with the kids.”

Jess grimaces.

“Told you it was a bad day.”

She jumps up, bouncing on the spot. “Best way to get back at them? Prove them wrong!”

“Yeah, hence the wheezing mess you just witnessed.”

“Want to get better, killer? Chase me!”

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