Page 53 of A Lesson in Deceit (Mystic Riegan Duet #1)

Riley

I stumbled forward when we got to our destination.

Grayson’s shadows dispersed and he stood back.

I took in a few deep breaths, trying to take in my surroundings.

We had landed in a massive room, a study.

There were tinted windows, floor to ceiling bookcases, and multiple couches made of velvet.

A bar cart was in the corner and a chaise sat by one of the windows, a quilted blanket draped over one end.

Chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling and a coffee table that looked like it was hand carved was placed in the middle of the room.

“Grayson, where are we?”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking towards one of the doors.

“Grayson. Where. Are. We?” I repeated, my tone sharper.

His eyes looked sad when he answered me. “Riley, I’m sorry.”

I furrowed my brow, cocking my head to the side. “Sorry? I don’t understand why…”

The double doors near the far end of the room flew open and River’s dad walked in, looking pleased. He strolled past us as if he didn’t even see we were there.

He headed to the bar cart, beginning to prepare a drink. “I almost thought you were going to go against me, but you did as you’re told like you’ve always done.”

His back was turned to us, so I had no idea who he was talking to.

“I knew you would be conflicted, but I have to say the anticipation was a little thrilling. I was astonished myself when I came to figure it out,” he prattled on, putting ice in his glass.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I pressed, feeling that surge of energy. It was hectic the way it moved through my veins.

Mr. St. James turned around, his eyes finally accepting our presence in the room. “Oh, sweetie, that’s a very long story. You’ll have to be more specific.”

I started to point my finger at him and shout, but the glass was yanked out of his hand and thrown at the wall. His face grew red with anger, and he stomped towards me. I put my palm out and he was thrown backwards, knocking into the bar cart and hitting the wall.

He smoothed a hand over his hair. “You insolent fucking girl.”

I didn’t let his anger bother me. I was too busy trying to understand everything that was going on. “You told that student to tear my necklace off, didn’t you? To destroy it?”

All he did was give me a sly smile, confirming my accusation.

“Now, now, let’s play nice and this will all get resolved.” A voice sounded from beyond the door. It was one I’d heard before. Charismatic .

I looked over my shoulder to see Chancellor Fowler, unbuttoning his suit jacket as he came into the room.

He looked over at River’s dad, noticing the glass that littered the floor.

He stuck out two of his fingers, making a sweeping motion.

I watched as all the pieces gathered together and set themselves on the bar cart.

He sighed, casting a glance at Grayson. “Your parents should be so proud of you. You know how to get things done and succeed. You can breathe easy, my boy, at least when it comes to me your senior year will be without hindrance.”

I gave Grayson a look of confusion, swinging my head back to the Chancellor.

“Oh, don’t be upset with him. Anyone in his position would have likely done the same thing.

I don’t like threatening my student’s college careers, but when push comes to shove and all that.

” The Chancellor walked over to Grayson, patting his shoulder.

My shadow wielder tensed, his brown eyes finding mine, pleading with me as if I understood any of this.

River’s dad cleared his throat. “I can take the boy back. He served his purpose.”

Chancellor Fowler thought this over, nodding. “Right. Have him release the new girls while he’s at it.”

New girls? What the fuck was going on?

“Girls? Wait…the witches…” I shook my head at Grayson.

“The ones that went missing and then they came back. They said they got whisked away but don’t remember anything…

” I thought back to how we even got here.

It was like being in a silent black tunnel.

It was soothing but only because I knew it was Grayson.

The feeling wouldn’t be the same for someone who has no idea it’s him.

I looked down at his hands, seeing that his dampener ring was missing. “It was you.”

Grayson closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t have a choice.”

“You always have a fucking choice! Why did you do it?”

Mr. St. James laughed darkly. “Because we told him to. Unless he wanted to explain to his parents why his scholarship money just went away and why his senior year would be an entire fucking waste.”

“I never hurt them, Riley. I just took them to a location and I would bring them back when I was told. Please, you have to believe me,” Grayson begged.

I ignored him, tuning him out and looked at Chancellor Fowler. “Why am I here? All those girls you took were witches. I’m not a witch.”

Chancellor Fowler held his stomach as he laughed, looking at me almost fondly. “Of course you are. Everything you did back at the school, the little mess I just cleaned up. Undisciplined telekinesis.”

“I—I, but….” I stepped away from him, my eyes narrowed. “You have…you…. all the other witches…” My mouth moved but I couldn’t seem to finish any sentence I started. I swallowed as he raised his eyebrows expectantly. “You killed my dad.”

Grayson’s brows turned down. “You did what?”

Chancellor Fowler raised his hand up, silencing Grayson and stalked towards me. “I killed a man that was getting in my way.”

“He knew you were siphoning magic from the Celica coven witches, so you killed him,” I accused.

His lips tipped up in a smile, as if what I said was funny. “While I did do those things, Thomas didn’t know about it. There is nothing wrong with gaining a little more power from the witches that serve you.”

“Witches that…you aren’t making any sense!” I yelled, moving my hands and two vases flew off the mantle and crashed against the wall.

“Thomas wanted to claim something that wasn’t his and I was going to get it back. With the help of your dear Grayson, I was able to weed through the wrong ones and finally find the right one.” He reached out his hand, dragging his knuckles along my jaw. I flinched, stepping back.

He sighed, walking over to one of the velvet couches and sat down.

He motioned towards the couch across from him.

“Sit down, Riley, and let’s talk this through.

Like adults. Clearly your mother did not teach you how to speak to your superiors.

” He casually moved his hand toward the large fireplace and flames shot out of his fingertips.

The flames jolted towards the wood and took hold, creating a luminous fire.

Corrin had said the murderer had natural born elemental magic and telekinesis powers.

I stood my ground. “No.”

“Riley.”

“ No .”

Chancellor Fowler nodded at River’s dad, who looked over at Grayson. The Chancellor leaned back, putting one of his feet up on the coffee table. “Grayson, why don’t you grab me my little surprise for our guest? It’s where we kept the girls. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see it.”

Grayson let air out through his nose but shadowed himself away. After a moment he was back with someone in tow. I pressed my hand to my mouth when I saw Marianne with him. She looked scared. Her voice shook. “Riley…what’s going on?”

“I swear I didn’t know I was going to get her. I didn’t think she was even a part of this!” Grayson yelled, trying to get my attention, but I paid him no mind.

“Of course you didn’t, dear boy. Do you really think you’re the only shadow wielder that works for me?” Chancellor Fowler shook his head. “Now that you have support here, will you please sit down?”

I ran over to Marianne, who grabbed me as if her life depended on it. “No, you’re a monster.”

“You and your mother, both so difficult. That’s what I loved about her. So damn stubborn.” He slung his arm over the back of the couch, getting more comfortable. “Be reasonable and listen.”

I groaned, stomping my foot in frustration and the coffee table flipped up, falling against the ground with a bang.

“Stop talking about my mother like you know her!” Marianne held onto me tighter.

She looked as if she had been ready for a night out, ill-prepared to get whisked away for an unknown reason.

“Oh, you are so confused, and it hurts my heart to think you have just been wandering this world in the dark.” He placed a hand on his chest. “She is the reason for all of this, but I’m here to correct it. The thought of Thomas will hurt a little less every day…”

“You’re crazy and a murderer,” I spat out.

His eyes turned cold. “Oh, well, you should blame your mother.” He casually moved his hand to the side and I was thrown backwards.

Marianne reached for me, but Chancellor Fowler held her in place, so she wouldn’t move.

“So stubborn.” He said before moving his hand up and the glass pieces from earlier lifted from the bar cart.

He crooked one of his fingers and all of them came flying at Marianne piercing her body.

Blood immediately gushed from the deep wounds.

Too many pieces were in her neck and face.

Her knees hit the ground first and she looked at me, her mouth moving like she was trying to speak, but nothing came out.

Her eyes that always had so much life, descended into pure nothingness.

The cry I let out was piercing and hurt my throat.

“Unless you would like to see your sweet mother and father in the same way, I suggest you grab her.” Chancellor Fowler told Grayson as I started to run to Marianne’s body.

I felt ropes around my body, holding me tight.

Black shadows intertwined themselves together to hold me upright.

“Oliver, see to it that the school is in one piece. I don’t need that to go to shambles when we’re just getting started. ”

Mr. St. James nodded, walking out of the room.

I pulled and squirmed, trying to tear through Grayson’s hold.

“Grayson, stop!” I pleaded, watching the thick, red blood pool around my best friend’s body.

Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed, begging the person I thought cared about me to let me say goodbye to my best friend.

Chancellor Fowler stepped up to me, grabbing my hand and slipping a ring on my finger.

Through my tears, I realized it was a dampener, and I felt all the magic that I had become dormant.

He smirked at me, heading to his place on the couch again.

He motioned towards the other couch and Grayson lifted me within his shadows and placed me in front of it.

The black ropes unraveled themselves, their usual warm feeling, now distant and something I couldn’t recognize.

The Chancellor stared at me from where he sat. “I hope we’ve come to an understanding. Now then, Riley…. sit down.”

I slowly descended to the couch, casting a glance at Marianne’s body.

My vision was shaky since my entire body hadn’t stopped vibrating.

How would I explain this to her mom? How would I get over this?

Maybe he would kill me too and none of that would be something I had to worry about.

“What do you want?” I said in a low voice.

“I want to get to know you.”

I scowled. “I don’t want to know you . You killed my best friend.” I clutched at the fabric of the couch. “You killed my dad.” I flicked my eyes to Grayson who had his head down, almost like he was too ashamed to even give me his attention.

Chancellor Fowler balled his hands into fists and then unclenched them.

His voice got louder with every word he spoke in my direction.

“Your powers have been hiding in that ruby around your neck since the moment they manifested! I don’t know how she did it, your mother, but it’s also concealed you from me for years!

The minute you stepped onto this campus I could feel you, but I just couldn’t find you.

She kept you simple and human for far too long!

” He jolted from the couch and grabbed my arms tight, the feeling almost like he was burning me.

My eyes widened at his closeness. “You were not born to two commonplace humans, Riley! Your mother may be a plain human woman, but Thomas is not your father!”

I blinked, the air in my lungs nonexistent.

Chancellor Fowler gave me a small, crazed smile. “I am.”