Page 316 of Blood & Betrayals

I close my eyes and let the shock and trauma surge through me, feeling every fucking ounce of agony from finding my best friend lying here dead. The tears come even easier than I expected, and soon, the sobs are so powerful that I can barely breathe. The headmaster, as Connor, presses my head into his neck, guiding me to lean into him.

“Let’s let them take care of this, babe. We should go to my house,” the headmaster says again, and I let Connor’s voice soothe me even though I know it’s not him.

I shake my head. “I can’t leave her,” I sob, clinging to Alice.

The headmaster stands, lifting me with him. “Come on, babe.” My knees buckle, but he supports me, leading me out ofthe room. We keep the facade up all the way to the Morningstar House. I’m hyper aware of the attention we’re garnering. We are both covered in blood, and I am sobbing so hard I can barely walk.

“Almost there, babe,” he croons.

The moment we enter the house, he releases me and drops the glamour. He slices his finger, drawing a rune on the back of the door. It’s clever and pretty complex. It’ll keep anyone from spying through the windows or listening in.

“Well done. You did well,” the headmaster says, turning back to face me.

Connor pounds down the stairs, his face paling when he sees me covered in blood. “Babe.”

Another sob bubbles from me, and I run to Connor. He wraps his arms around me and lifts me against his chest. “Fuck. When Alice arrived covered in blood, I–I thought the worst,” he says, his hands roaming over me, trying to convince himself I’m real and unhurt.

“You need to stay home for a while, big guy,” I say, mumbling the words against his neck.

The headmaster pushes off the door. “I trust you have this handled, Miss Tuatha De Daanan. I should make myself seen.”

I turn my head to look at the headmaster. “Tomorrow morning?”

“I’ll be here,” he says, opening a portal and disappearing through it. I wrap my arms and legs tighter around Connor, clinging to him as if he might disappear. “Fuck. Is Alice all right?”

Connor exhales a laugh. “She’s fine. Pissed about her shirt.”

I pull back a little, trying to force myself to let him go. “I desperately need a shower.”

Connor tightens his hold and carries me up the stairs, refusing to put me down. I am grateful. If he lets go, all my pieces may fall apart.

115

Summer

Connor’s body vibrates with tension, but he remains silent until we are in the bathroom. He sets me on my feet and makes sure I am steady before he asks, “Why do I need to stay home?”

I strip off my clothes, cringing as the blood-soaked material peels away from my skin and then again when it lands on the ground with a heavy, wet thud. I knew I was covered in Alice’s blood, but I had no real idea how covered I was. No wonder people were staring as I walked to the Morningstar House. For some reason, I didn’t react as viscerally to Alice’s blood against my skin as the fae girl’s. I think because, at first, I was lost to my devastation, and then after, I was lost to my relief. I am exhausted, but the emotions are still swirling angrily inside me. There is no doubt that I am going to crash soon.

“The Headmaster is going to glamor himself as you,” I say weakly, stepping into the shower and turning it on. I adjust the temperature and groan when scalding hot water sluices over my skin.

Connor leans against the counter. “What? Why?” he asks, watching me.

“To keep you safe and to watch what’s going on.”

Connor shakes his head, and I can see he’s struggling with this. “I can protect you. It should be me.”

I tilt my head back, scrubbing the dried blood from my face before looking at him over my shoulder. “No. You stay home. Protect Alice.”

Connor growls, and I think it’s the first time I’ve heard that sound come from him. He undresses and steps into the shower behind me. “Summer.”

I turn to face him, and he wraps his arms around me. “I need you to protect Alice. For me.” My voice cracks with emotion. I know I’m asking a lot from him, but I need him and Alice safe.

Connor presses his forehead to mine. “And I need to protect you.”

I close my eyes and lean into him. “The headmaster isn’t won’t let anything happen to me, big guy.” I open my eyes and meet his gaze. “You are the only person I trust to look after Al,” I whisper, my chest still aching from the loss of her, however brief.

Connor tightens his arms around me, nearly crushing me. “But you’re my fiancée.”

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