Page 88 of Faeheart
Wild leaned forward, wincing slightly as his ribs protested the movement. “Someone like you?”
“A half-blood,” she said simply. “My father was human, my mother a witch. In those days, that made me an outcast in both worlds. The Purity Front’s ideology isn’t new, Wild. They’ve been spreading their poison for generations.”
The weight of her words settled over us like a shroud. Through our bond, I felt Atlas’s protective instincts flare at the thought of anyone persecuting Professor Blackwood for something she couldn’t control.
“But you became a professor,” I pointed out. “You achieved everything despite their prejudice.”
“Because Lydia fought for me,” she replied, her voice thick with emotion. “She used her family’s influence to get me accepted into advanced programs, vouched for my character when others questioned my loyalty, and tried to teach me to be proud of what I was rather than ashamed. I’m sorry to say that I forgot her teachings and became mired in my self-loathing.”
She stood, smoothing her robes with hands that trembled slightly. “When she died, I lost my way completely. As Mr. Cromwell well knows, I was preaching ideals of the Purity Front in my classes at the beginning of the term last year.”
The entire room took in a sharp breath.
“But you figured it out in the end,” Caden said. “And you helped us survive this year.”
Blackwood nodded. “I’m glad I found my way back to the light, away from the self-loathing. After the incident with your father last year, I knew I had to do better, to put a stop to all this. So, when I sensed the formation of your tetrad bond, I knew fate had given me the chance to fulfill that promise.”
“The Council doesn’t know about your connection to her, do they?” Atlas asked, his tactical mind working through the implications.
“They know I studied under her, but not the extent of our relationship or the promises I made.” Professor Blackwood’s expression grew serious. “Which brings me to why I’m really here today. The Council has made a decision about your future.”
My stomach dropped. Through our bond, I felt my mates’ similar dread as we waited for whatever verdict had been reached about our lives.
“They want to study us,” I said flatly. “Turn us into some kind of magical experiment.”
“No,” Professor Blackwood replied. “They want you to disappear.”
I stared at her in disbelief. “They… They’re going to kill us?”
“Not exactly,” she said, shaking her head. “They want you to go back to the mansion in the Veil and stay there without finishing your education at the Academy. And they are willing to cover all your needs for the rest of your lives. Anything you want will be delivered to the mansion without question.”
“What’s the catch?” Wild scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You have to be ready to fight again,” she said, looking at each of us in turn. “Against the Purity Front or any other group that would be considered a threat to the paranormal world.”
“A life of luxury,” Caden sighed. “In exchange for being on-call soldiers for the rest of our lives. Great.”
“Caden and I already have a house waiting for us,” Atlas said. “A gift from my father. And I’m expected to run the pack when he retires. I can’t just leave all that behind.”
“I’m not sure you have much choice, Mr. Faolan,” the professor sighed. “The Elder Council’s decisions are absolute. Neither you nor your father will be able to go against their wishes. At least not right away.” She turned her attention back to me, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “But should you find a way to bring an end to the Purity Front…”
“Then we could have our lives back,” I finished.
“Not completely,” she smiled. “Your tetrad bond will continue for the rest of your lives. The celestial alignment occurred while you were in the Veil.” Her cheeks turned red as she moved her gaze to the floor. “I can only assume that you all…completedyour bond during the alignment without realizing it.”
“I was wondering about that!” Wild cried. “I kept wondering about that prophecy and all the celestial bullshit. But we couldn’t see the stars in the Veil.”
“It happened about three days before the attack on the Mansion,” she said.
“Yep,” Wild grinned. “That was the night of the foursome.”
“By the gods…” I sighed, grinding my palms against my hands in embarrassment. “Wild…please…”
Professor Blackwood cleared her throat, her cheeks flushing deeper crimson. “Yes, well... the physical consummation would have sealed the bond permanently during the alignment. The stars were in perfect position, even if you couldn’t see them.”
“So, we’re stuck with each other,” Atlas said, though the warmth in his voice and through our bond belied any complaint. “Forever.”
“That’s not so bad,” Caden murmured, his gentle blue eyes finding each of us in turn.
