Page 50 of Phoenix Academy: Mayhem

Chapter 14

Two Weeks Later

Our request for a new room took a while, but between check-ins at the infirmary and speaking to the headmaster and all our teachers about what we've missed, we finally got the notice: Xavier, Reggie, David and I will be moved to a special upperclass dorm with three bedrooms and a central living room.

Apparently Dani has something to do with it. She demanded a better situation for herself and the demons, especially after everything they've done for the campus and its inhabitants. Headmaster Towers agreed, but first new dorms had to be built for the overflow because of all the damage done by Grims, demons, and others last year and last semester. Today is the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new building—and our move-in date for our new digs.

It's the least we deserve. I haven't gotten a great night's sleep since being released from the infirmary, and my sleep there was fully drugged. Without Reggie's soft snorts or David's mumbled dreaming thoughts, I can't quite seem to drift off anymore. It's bad for the feral magic running beneath my skin, and worse for my mood.

As Headmaster Towers leads us to our new rooms, questions form in my chest, full of resentment and frustration. "I was wondering if you could update me about the dispensation I talked to you about after I was released from the infirmary. Mage Auerbach says my body is fine, and I've completed rehab with McKinley, so maybe—"

"Yes, of course!" Spinning on her heel, the headmaster claps her hands together once, a tight smile on her face to match the tight bun of red hair behind her head. "Your dispensation to go off-campus in order to track down your missing sister's whereabouts. I've spoken to your teachers about it, and they've all approved a trip save one."

My frown deepens. "Who? Was it Auerbach? Because I told him that I won't use any runic magic without contacting him first. Surely I proved myself by going down in Hell and getting out again."

"No, actually, it was Yohan." She gives me an empathetic look that just grates on my nerves. I've been desperate to go get Lizzy for weeks now, and it's a wonder I haven't just done it on my own without permission. "Your Phoenix Fire Casting teacher just wants to go over one last lesson with you, to make sure that your flames and wings are under control.

"After all, going out there," she motions vaguely towards the rest of the world, "means hiding yourself not just from Grims and the Heretic, but also from humans who don't know about the supernatural. You need to show that you can use your flames—and keep from using them under pressure. I agree with Yohan, but I believe it should be easy enough for you to do a brief training session with him to prove your readiness. You've been through so much already. This should be easy in comparison."

Suddenly I can't contradict her, because that would be akin to admitting I'm not sure I can control my phoenix flames. Which would just give her more motivation to keep me back. Headmaster Towers is a clever woman—not that that is a surprise in the least.

Biting back anything I might say, I give her a sanguine smile. "Of course. I'd be happy to show Yohan how much I've improved in my time away."

"Good. And here is your room: number 407. A three bedroom suite." She whisks us into our new room, motioning towards each of the features as she mentions them. "There's a small kitchenette, a living room with a television and sofa, a bathroom with double sinks, and of course three bedrooms. We looked for a four bedroom, but there was only one, and Dani said you wouldn't mind sharing." Her eyes go to the twins first, then me, a little curious. "Let me know if you find anything missing or not to your liking. As always, we deeply appreciate everything you've done for Phoenix Academy. I hope it feels like home."

It does, I have to admit, with all the complexities that home comes with, including the occasional bout of resentment or frustration. "Thank you, Headmaster."

"Of course." She turns to the boys now, eyes going over each of them with a sharp expression. "Now, you three. Once Ari gets her dispensation to go off-campus from Yohan—which I'm sure she'll get—you'll of course be going with her. As a Proto-Shields, to defend her from any errant Grims and keep her safe in her journey. If it goes well, maybe there will be assignments for you in the future."

Reggie snorts. "Of course we'll be her Shields. Was that ever in any doubt?"

An amused expression crosses the headmaster's face. "I remember a moment when you were very put out to have been made Ms. Wolfe's familiar. I'm glad that things have changed."

"Yeah, well." He rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Through Hell and back and all that."

I feel his eyes glance at me, and I smile back, warmth and affection for him blooming in my chest. We've only recently made it official, but it feels like it was a long time coming—even as, at the same time, my new relationships all seem tenuous and easily breakable.

How Dani does it, I have no idea. Add one more relationship to this pyramid and the whole thing would topple over. I barely have time for three boyfriends, much less four.

"I'll leave you four to unpack. Ari, meet up with Yohan in the fire training classroom this afternoon around three. He'll be expecting you."

So I'll be early.

And ready to kick some flaming ass.

* * *

3:00 PM: Phoenix Fire Casting with Yohan Cheng

It's strange to walk into this room again. There are two doors that form an airlock, requiring the first to close before the second will open, in order to prevent any errant flames from getting out and running amok on campus. The interior of the classroom is completely metal—the floors, the walls, even the bolted-down desk and the single trash can. There are no chairs or desks for students, just a wide open area with nothing flammable.

And a frowning Yohan standing behind the teacher's desk. "You're late."

"It's three. Headmaster Towers said to meet you 'around three' so how can I be late?"

He stares at me steadily.

I sigh. "I'm sorry that I'm late, Yohan. It's just that I've been a little distracted, what with escaping from Hell, recovering, and discovering the sister I thought was dead actually isn't."

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