Page 20 of The First Year

We managed to down the steak despite how difficult it was to chew, and as soon as we finished, we bussed our trays and left.

There were a lot of students milling around and especially going toward the library. Since we weren’t allowed outside after dark or after dinner in general, there was no place else to go. We just joined the general flow of people until we got to a side hallway where we peeled off. “We have to be careful,” Sol reminded us. “It’s against the rules to be on someone else’s floor, you know.”

“I knew that last night when I walked her up,” I pointed out. “Just act like you know what you’re doing, like we have somewhere to be.”

We kept to the shadows crossing the courtyard, but nobody accosted us, and it wasn’t that far to the dorms. “Do you think we should have brought her something?” Sol asked. “If she’s not feeling well?”

“We can ask what she needs.” I took the back stairs two at a time, passing Odin along the way. “And then go get it for her.”

“Deal.”

There weren’t many students in the dorms yet, but there soon would be, so we moved as quickly as possible, wanting to get a look at Roxy and see what shape she was in. There had been a number of students who had come and not lasted long, the poison in their systems making it impossible for them to continue.

And we were never told where they went. That couldn’t happen to Roxy. My wolf was not going to allow it. He didn’t seem to have an idea what he would do to stop it, but he was adamant.

“Here’s her room.” I stopped in front of her door. “I’ll knock.”

“Go ahead.” Odin shook his head. “Knock yourself out.”

Sarcasm suited him. I lifted my fist and knocked on the door. “Roxy, are you in there?”

After a moment, she replied, “Yes. Evander?”

“And Sol and Odin. You weren’t at dinner, and we were worried. Can we come in?”

“No.” She sounded breathless and tired. “You can’t.”

“Why not?” Sol leaned over my shoulder to speak to her. “We won’t do anything inappropriate. We’re nice wolves.”

“Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother believed that, too. But that’s not why.”

“Then?”

“Try the knob.” She huffed out a breath. “The minute I came in here, it locked.”

“Roxy,” I said quickly, wanting to get this out before anyone else showed up. “You can’t miss meals or classes or tell anyone you’re not processing the venom fast enough. If you are sick with it, you will end up getting sent away.”

“W-where?”

“We don’t know,” Odin said. “But it can’t be anywhere good. No matter how you feel, show up and don’t mention it to anyone but us or Desi. It’s too dangerous.”

A sob broke from her throat, and my fists clenched. I needed to comfort her, but the door was a barrier we couldn’t cross.

“Roxy, we have to go because it’s going to get crowded out here,” Odin continued, “but we’ll check back later.”

“Okay,” she sniffled. “I feel like such a big baby.”

“You’re not. You’re sick, but we are going to help you get better, all right?” I planted my palm on the door as if I could feel her through it. “For tonight just rest.”

“Okay.” More sniffling. “This sucks.”

It so did.

Chapter Seventeen

Roxy

It was so nice of the three guys to come just to check on me.

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