Page 67 of Angel Lost

Dean Emrick coughs pointedly, cutting me off. “You left Gifted early then went gallivanting off campus. Your allegiance here need to understand they cannotdistract you like this.”

“Dean Davina was understanding. She granted me permission, sir.”

I flash him my most winning of smiles, letting my incisors slip slightly over my lip.Give a fellow vamp a break…

He sighs, peering at me over the top of his glasses. “Fine. But your lessons still need to be completed. Assignments handed in.”

“I’ll work all day Sunday and catch up with the rest next week. I promise.”

“The problem with that, Miss Bal,” he says, voice drier than dust, “is that it is already Sunday.”

Is it? Shit.

Zephyr presses his knuckles against his mouth, restraining a laugh. Chano smirks outright. Farrell, though, won’t look at me.

The dean’s stare lingers a moment longer, then he straightens. “Since the Angel King wants you to have a fair chance at attending both schools, so be it.” He flashes his fangs, something almost amused behind his otherwise flat expression. “He has been most supportive of this institution. And I trust his high opinion of you, of course.”

My mouth tastes like ash.

“Do not disappoint either of us, Miss Bal.”

He waves a hand, and my chair scrapes backward toward the door under his magic.

Zephyr rises, flicking a stray lock of his silky hair over one shoulder with lazy elegance. Chano follows, removing the knife from up his sleeve, tucking it back into his belt loop as he goes. Disaster averted. Farrell stands last. The heat has faded from the air, but when I glance at him, his golden eyes are still burning.

And they are locked directly on me.

I roll my head, then drag my leaden legs out from between the sheets. In the mirror, bloodshot eyes stare back as I pull my robe over my swimsuit. I tried. I really tried to get all my Fates work done, but there just wasn’t enough time. And Farrell still won’t talk to me. I set my jaw and flick my tired reflection the V. My reflection winks and I start. Holy hags, I’m hallucinating, I need coffee. And more sleep. I’ll catch up eventually. We won’t always be chasing down Chano’s sister.

Lottie.

What did you do? Just because you think I threaten your spot in the Maveriks? A gang I don’t even want to lead.Remembering Chano’s heartbreak, I groan, leaning my forehead on the cool of the mirror. My reflection takes a moment too long to lean in opposite me. Screwing my eyes tight shut, I shake my head.

Move. Coffee. Then go get in the water, like a good aether student.

I trudge down to the lakeside, eyes on the ground, slightly unfocused. A sliver of red thread floating in the air catches my eye, then another, and another. They twist and ripple, catching the pale dawn light, trailing into the slapping waves, winding around the students already swimming.

I bite my lip, hiding a grin as the scowling students arrive behind me. I’m getting this ley line shit, finally. I curl my lip in a snarl as they hustle past. No need to be pissy. I dip a toe into the icy cold of the lake and wince. I’m not swimming. No way. But I’ll paddle at the edge. It’s enough to keep the professors happy. I can’t get thrown out. Not from Fates or here. Not when I’m just getting the hang of things.

Breakfast is weird. Not one even deigns to look in my direction. I slam my coffee down on the long wooden bench, and it slops over the sides. The student closest shuffles away slightly.What’s their beef? That I get special treatment? That I can walk off campus while they’re stuck here? Suck it up.I focus on the oatmeal in front of me, dolloping a big glob of jam on top and sloshing a generous portion of full fat milk into the bowl.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see red. Red threads floating in the air, tangled around every student. I glance down at myself. Nope. None for me. Weird.

I’m late for the dean. We have a one-on-one session and somehow I’ve taken more than half an hour to eat my breakfast. Distracted by shiny threads. Satyr shit.

I shove along the corridors, pushing past a group of students huddled just outside the spirit room. I heard a hiccuped sob from the center of the group, and I glance back. They shuffle closer to each other, shoulders hunched. Only Reye spares me a glance, and it’s not friendly.

Scrabbling to a halt in the reception, I shove my phone deep into a ley line, tug the strands back over, and heave a breath. At least I can still do that, even when I’m exhausted.

The receptionist gestures me through.

“You’re scheduled, dear. Just place your hand on the biometric panel—the building will recognize you have an appointment and let you in.”

Fancy.

I step into the dean’s office, only a couple of minutes late. She’s already set herself up on the stone loungers looking out over the lake. I slide awkwardly into the seat beside her, the warmth immediately creeping into me, easing my tired muscles.

“This is your session, Aether Lorelei. I will let you lead.”

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