Page 96 of Crimson Promises
Evidently, Michael didn’t realize how much of a terror his ward could be.
All of this had been on top of needing to keep up my appearance as a transfer student. Today, Aurora would have no choice but to see me. We had Dr. Spencer's class together, and it was one of our last before he gave us time to work solely on our assignment. She would be forced to talk to me. A smug smile emerged.
My phone pinged.
I couldn’t help the hope that bloomed at the thought of seeing Aurora’s name appear on the display. The sad sack of potatoes I was would be willing to take anything I could get at this point.
Instead, it was an email from Dr. Spencer.
Hi everyone,
Please be advised that instead of a lecture this week, I will hold office hours to meet with any groups that have any questions or are looking for my feedback on the direction of their project. And this does not mean that I will read your entire papers to tell you what I'd grade you. Be forewarned: I will be meeting with students in ten-minute windows. Spots are limited. Meetings will be held by appointment only. I suggest replying to this message as soon as possible.
Best of luck, and I look forward to your well-developed papers.
Best,
Dr. Spencer
I tapped the edge of the phone. Technically, if we went to see our professor, it would still be me giving Aurora space. We’d be meeting with another person present, and it was for school. Her education mattered to her. She wouldn’t want to let this slide. I’d bet money on it.
I shook off whatever nerves seemed to be coiled around my body and texted her. I had left her at work in the safe hands of Jean this morning. Typically, I hung around the spires, but I had errands Michael wanted me to complete. As if watching Aurora wasn’t enough of a full-time job.
I jumped when my phone chimed.
Aurora: Sorry, so busy at work. I won’t be able to make it today. Need to get in a couple more hours going through this collection. We’re on track with our paper anyway. Plus, you’ve lived all this history. There’s no way we aren’t going to get a good mark. I’ll email you my half tonight.
My hope that she was somehow coming to terms with things deflated.
Bennett: Sounds good.
She didn’t need to know that I was pining after her. Hopefully, it sounded nonchalant.
There were spectacular moments where I could imagine an entire life with her, but I didn’t live in a fairytale. Happy endings didn’t exist for people like me. Only pain, and if we were lucky, power and revenge. Nothing more, nothing less.
* * *
Looking around the quad, I made myself comfortable on a bench in the shade and spent the next hour finishing up my share of the paper. When I was finished, I looked at the list of errands Michael wanted me to check out. I ran a hand through my hair.I have to leave her if I want to get things done. I'd have done it while she was sleeping, but if anything, it seemed that’s when she was the most vulnerable these days.
Closing my eyes, I searched for the recognizable tug. If I focused my mind enough, I could make out the echo of her heartbeat filled my ears. Reassured she was alright, I went to thatotherhomework.
The first item on Michael’s list was to learn more about Aurora’s missing necklace. I had already been to the police station, and going back there again would just raise suspicions. The last thing I needed was warranting extra attention.
I tucked my notebook back into my bag and headed in the direction Aurora had gone that night. I retraced her steps, turning left at Charlotte Williams and walking across the quad towards Fire Lane.
Aurora had run into that creep that night. The man looked scraggly—perhaps he took the opportunity to swipe her jewelry. It was real gold, and I was sure it would fetch a fair sum. But the emotional attachment Aurora held to it was priceless. Therefore, according to Michael, it was imperative we returned it to her.
Michael and I disagreed on many things, and while the odds of tracking down the necklace were slim, Aurora deserved to have one of the last remaining tangible items linking her to her mom. I’d have given anything to have kept Jos'magicum.
I approached the street corner where that sleaze first intercepted Aurora, looking down the alley shrouded in shadows. The path was narrow—too narrow to raise my arms on either side of me. Ten feet in the passage expanded into an abandoned parking lot converted into makeshift encampments.
Blue and black tarps were tied a few feet above shelters to keep off the rain. To one corner was a small fire, but no one was nearby.
“Hello,” I called out. I was still cognizant that people lived here, and I was intruding on their homes. I spun slowly in a circle.
No one answered.
But they didn’t need to. I heard faint footsteps approaching me from behind. The wielder was making a considerable effort to muffle their moments, to catch me unaware. I pivoted on my heel when the footsteps accelerated to a jog. My arm braced my attacker's elbow. A shiv was pointed at my neck.
