Page 14 of Amateur Goddess (Morrigan University #3)

I wasn’t the only one shocked when Professor Wyatt came into class almost five minutes late Friday morning and saw the state he was in. His normally perfect jet-black hair that was usually styled in a longer quiff was a mess and he had stubble. He was always shaved and… What the fuck?

He let out a heavy sigh when he took in the lecture hall. “I was dumped. My friends took me out to console me. We’re all adults and we’ve all been there. Let’s move on.”

“Clearly, they weren’t together if Millen is just as shocked as the rest of us,” someone whispered not far from me. “The rumors and bullshit around here really are just out of control. Any little thing like she was testing treats on his familiar and people slut-shame a witch. It’s disgusting.”

The fact a warlock was saying that gave me hope for my generation, but I almost felt bad that he was helping me and wrong about the situation.

But it hadn’t been anyone’s business sooooo, yeah, people should leave it alone.

I was more focused on what Wyatt said. Had he been dumped?

When we hadn’t been dating?

Probably from his perspective. I mentally winced when I realized that we hadn’t finished our conversation fully.

It was honestly hard to focus on class knowing he was so upset and in that state. I was pretty sure he came into class hungover or maybe even still drunk because towards the end he glanced my way and did a double take as if shocked I was there.

In my normal seat in his class at the same time as always.

Huh?

I wasn’t sure, but I decided to check in after class.

Me: Are you okay? Can we talk?

Wyatt: I apologize for my behavior and what I said. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.

Wyatt: I left my brain in the bourbon we were drinking. I forgot you were in my first class. It won’t happen again, and I hope you can just forget it happened.

Me: You’ve seen me sob uncontrollably and puke for almost an hour straight. I think you’re good.

Me: I just wanted to check you were okay.

Wyatt: I don’t know how to respond to that.

Me: Honestly would be great.

Wyatt: I want to say I’m fine, but that seems dismissive of what was going on between us, and clearly I’m not fine. If I tell you the truth and I’m a mess, then that’s unfair to you and puts pressure on you. Which you rightfully asked me not to do.

Wyatt: So I don’t know what to say or do and I really hate this limbo we’re in, but I guess it’s not limbo if we haven’t talked. That’s pretty much the answer then.

Me: I didn’t mean for it to be limbo. There’s been a lot going on. Like crazy going on.

Wyatt: My response will come off petty and I don’t want to be that guy.

Me: Tell me anyways because now I’m curious.

Wyatt: You had time to go out with Winter and have fun with all of his friends.

Wyatt: I’m GLAD you did and had fun and… Just seems like I should read something into that. Finishing our conversation and figuring this out would have been the priority to me. Or at least telling me that you needed more time to think.

Me: You’re not going to like my answer, but I am sorry I hurt you and seemed so dismissive.

Wyatt: Tell me anyways. I’m going to skip our assessment time and just get my head together, so I’d rather you tell me.

Me: I thought the conversation was done. Saying I don’t know what to do was where we really left it. I don’t like what’s been happening, but I don’t know how to fix this or if we should. You asked me to think more about what I’ve missed because of the crazy and I have.

Me: I sort of thought that was the takeaway. To try and separate you from the crazy and see you for who you are and you wouldn’t be so overbearing.

Wyatt: All fair. It’s just you asked to talk more later too.

Me: But I’ve talked to you since.

Wyatt: Yeah, but not about us.

I sighed and adjusted my neck. He wasn’t wrong, but I kept going back to the fact that there wasn’t really an us . Maybe I was being a brat about that and just needed to think of it as our relationship, whatever it was. We had one. We still had a professional one.

Fine, whatever.

Me: I’m sorry for the miscommunication. I thought we were seeing if… It seemed like we were just—it made sense in my head.

Wyatt: Can I call you tonight and you can explain it to me? I really want to understand.

Me: Okay, I’ll call you after I’m done with the councilmen’s session. Does that work?

Wyatt: Yes, that would be great.

Wyatt: And I’m sorry I love-bombed you. My friends said that’s toxic and they would have dumped me too.

Me: I don’t actually know what that is but thank you.

I snickered when he sent me a GIF of someone hiding in embarrassment like he’d just pointed out more ways he was stupid. That was cute.

Now I just had to think how to explain where my head was so maybe it made sense to another person. No big.

I went to lunch, and instead of grabbing food to go or just reading, at the last minute I decided to try and be sociable. Mostly because I went around some people and happened to see Gloria, the witch I helped save during the werewolf attack and who’d joined me in my Wicked Challenges prank.

I cleared my throat when I reached their table, waiting until she looked up at me. I opened my mouth to ask if I could join, but someone at the table spoke first.

The woman snorted and gave me an annoyed look. “What, no harem today?”

“Hey, cut it out,” Gloria snapped at her. “She saved my life.”

The woman nodded and focused back on her food.

But they clearly all felt that way besides Gloria. “Um, no, and it’s not like that. I asked them to back off.”

They gave me a range of looks, Gloria’s worried. “Wait, you didn’t want to hang with them? Are they forcing you or—”

“No, I mean, well—no, not forcing me. They stop when I say no or—they’re just pushy and always there and it’s overwhelming. But we talked—I mean I finally told them that and that I wanted to like make witch friends or—I’m sorry I bothered you.” I wanted to melt into the ground, especially when I saw other people were watching this train wreck.

“Wait, it’s okay. Sit down and join us,” Gloria hurried to say. “Shut up, she’s really nice, okay? Just give her a break.” She gave someone a look and people moved down so a spot opened in front of her.

And put me in the middle of the group too.

Oh boy.

I mumbled a thank-you and sat down. It was awkward as they went back to eating as people from other tables stared and watched to see what would happen. I opened my mouth to say something , but others there beat me to it.

“Did you really lose your purity to Professor Wyatt?” one witch to my left asked me.

“Did the Shaws kick you out or did you ask to be disowned?” another asked.

“How does the spell for the treats work?”

“Do you know the owner of Familiar Treasures? How can you work there when you don’t have a familiar?”

On and on the questions hit me rapid-fire.

And on.

And on .

I said nothing and started eating as they kept going, glad that at least Gloria looked pissed at her friends. I waited until they were all done or at least realized that I wasn’t going to engage this way. Once they stopped and I finished my bite, I focused on Gloria. “How is Karen doing?”

Her eyes flashed shock, but she smirked. “She’s good. She’s loving those treats. Thanks again for letting her be your tester for rabbit familiars. It’s really helped us bond.”

“We’re working on some—” I started to say.

“Wait, you seriously just sit down here and ignore us all like that?” one of the witches demanded. “Okay, there’s a line of bullshit I’m willing to put up with and that seriously crosses it.”

I turned and met her pissed-off gaze with my own tired one. “I don’t even know your name and you loudly asked me in front of the entire cafeteria if I’m fucking all the guys I sit with normally including a professor . That’s rude. That’s ridiculously rude. Ignoring that rudeness seemed about the most polite way to handle the situation.”

“Fine, that was a bit much, but you just don’t ignore people or—” she countered.

“When they act irrationally or over the top? Yes, you do, because I didn’t sit here to get into a fight,” I interrupted. “And I didn’t agree to an interview. I’m not ignoring you when you’re being reasonable and this is calm. But I was saying something to Gloria and you interrupted so again, not sure you can lecture me on my rudeness.”

I felt better when a few people snickered, but I was sure that she was now never going to be my friend.

That was fine. I didn’t want to be hers either after how she acted. I really just wanted to get to know Gloria better since she’d been really nice to me.

I focused back on Gloria. “We’re working on some more projects and stuff, but I overheard the president saying that they were going to maybe do a study on the brushes and incorporate Morrigan. It looks like she maybe found the master’s student who will head it—I’m not really sure of the details or how it will work, but others in the project will be named.”

Her eyes flashed shock and then excitement. “Meaning I could maybe use it for my senior project even if I’m not named as a co-author for the published paper.”

“Maybe? I don’t really know how it all works, but the focus will be large familiars with the brushes and the council guards because of the council’s involvement. But if Morrigan is involved too… Why not some of the smaller familiars that want to be brushed?”

“That’s actually a really good point,” one of the other witches muttered, sharing a glance with Gloria. “And the myth that only large familiars show power—the president Tracey disproved that. People are losing their minds at how powerful she is, and she’s got a ferret familiar.”

“Like you,” Gloria said, nodding.

The witch nodded as well. “Like me.” She did a double take and cleared her throat. “Sorry, my name is Robin.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said, dipping my head a bit since we were eating and shaking hands over the table would be awkward. I glanced back at Gloria. “There’s a lot of crazy and now everyone wants everything like yesterday. And a group of master’s students stepped up, and they seem great, but of course, they’re warlocks because they’re allowed to be assertive—”

“In our sexist fucked world,” Gloria grumbled. “And then it will be the people who have money or can offer whatever to the—”

“That won’t be allowed for this,” I promised. “No way Tracey and the owner allow that.” I hurried on when too many people seemed interested that I mentioned the owner. “ However , it’s a matter of finding people who won’t sabotage.”

That confused them, so I went over what I’d talked about with Winter and his friends about how the factors of the study had to be kept even. There couldn’t be other variables like the familiar housing changes or the treats or new toys—none of it.

“Makes perfect sense and why you need a group of smaller familiars for the brushes study,” Gloria muttered. “That new housing is too awesome for people to pass up on. People with large familiars have been bitching about it forever, but it’s always fallen on deaf ears. Kerwynn tried to do something about it last year when he took over, but I heard he was shot down hard.”

“It’s done intentionally by families like mine,” I grumbled. I shook my head when people asked me what I meant. “You don’t need to become a target by learning dirty secrets. Believe me, you don’t want that.”

“No, no, I really don’t, thanks,” the witch next to me whispered. “Yeah, I’ll stay out of that crazy, thanks.”

“I wish I could,” I drawled but then shook myself out of my dark thoughts. “Is there any way to switch a power assessor?”

Gloria’s eyes flashed shock but then worry. “Is there a problem with Professor Wyatt? Seriously, if he or those guys are overstepping you can tell me, Bevin. I can—”

“No, really, it’s not for me,” I promised. I sighed when she studied my aura and frowned. “Yes, he was overstepping, but it was in excitement and to help me because he knew of my situation. I think we’ve handled it and set boundaries. He’s an awesome power assessor though. Seriously, like… It’s amazing. He really is.”

Understanding filled her eyes. “Nigel. The guy who helped with the Alice in Wonderland prank. Something is up with his power assessor.”

“Yeah, he sucks ball,” I grumbled. “It’s basically like a weekly task he figures out for himself, and—there’s gotta be a better way than that.”

She sighed and shared a few glances with her friends. “He’s gotta be an orphan. I hate it, but that’s how it happens when someone’s an orphan.”

A different witch took over explaining. “It’s like a stupid hazing thing the administration likes to push to see if they can make it in our world without family or like they’ve done something wrong and need to prove themselves. They say it’s for their own good and not to haze anyone, but—it’s bullshit. But you especially can’t afford to piss people off making waves.”

“You almost understand the theory when they ramble about how it forces them to make friends and alliances,” a different witch said. “Like Winter and his friends. They all grouped up together and they’re a powerhouse everyone knows. The administration points to them as a success story. So the theory isn’t wrong.”

“But the reality is bullshit,” Gloria drawled. “Because while all the professors and deans love them, there are several in the administration who resent them excelling. Definitely in the board of directors. It’s really something to cut people they’re pissed got into Morrigan and they can’t deny. Just like us lowly witches.”

I nodded, completely seeing how it worked out.

“But it’s not for you to figure out,” Gloria muttered. “Let him. You’ve got enough of your own shit, especially being a witch in our world.”

“Yeah, but he’s always helping me,” I defended.

She nodded. “Then fill him in on what’s really going on. Most don’t catch on this soon and it hurts their development. Though from what I hear, Nigel doesn’t need the help. I’ve heard he’s damn good using strength magic and has a knack for taking care of himself.”

I nodded, thinking that was fair but glad I had the answer to give him. I let them take back over the conversation to what they probably had been talking about before I’d sat down and listened in even if a lot of the names and stuff went over my head.

I thanked them for letting me eat with them when lunch was wrapping up which seemed to throw them. I ignored it and headed to drop off my tray. One of the witches followed after me and stopped me after I walked out of the cafeteria.

“I’m Carmen,” she introduced. “I didn’t ask one of the rude questions, but I’m sorry I still jumped you and wasn’t—sorry.”

I shook her hand, remembering her from what she’d explained to me. “No, I get it. Thanks for filling me in about what Nigel’s going through and how to handle it.”

She nodded. “My dad—they do it to the kids of single parents a lot too. Luckily, Gloria’s awesome and realized what was going on our freshman year and helped me out. She shared her assessment stuff with me and I wasn’t fucked like others. That’s an option too, but you seem to have specialized magic, so Professor Wyatt is probably custom-tailoring your instruction.”

I nodded, sighing and confirming it.

“Still, it’s a suggestion for Nigel.”

“Thanks.” I realized it was more than an introduction when she fidgeted. “What did you need?”

She sighed. “I hate to ask, but I’m having a problem with my current job. My manager is—I don’t want to get fired for slapping the asshole. That follows us even if we’re not in the wrong, ya know?”

I snorted. “Yeah, I’m called a slut constantly because someone used a potion on me and tried to rape me.”

Pity filled her eyes. “Yeah, I knew you understood more than you’ve got an in. I put in an application hoping to work shifts with the treat trucks, but I was—sorry, I’m really desperate.”

“No, I get it,” I forgave. “Text me your availability and I’ll talk directly to the treats manager, Rita. I do know they’re looking specifically for people who are willing to split a bit between the truck and prepping ingredients for the treats at the factory. They’re going to need more people on the weekends because that’s when they’re hitting the bigger universities.”

“But there aren’t more trucks to split the rest,” she said, quickly catching on. “Though it might be worth a separate group even setting up a damn farmer’s market stall thing to do like cat and dog treats a different time.”

“That’s actually a really good idea,” I muttered, completely agreeing with her. I pulled out my phone and quickly typed that to the group message I had with Tracey and Rita. Also, that one of Gloria’s friends needed a job to get away from trouble and I was going to send them more info.

I was fair and said that it had been her idea and she was willing to split shifts.

“I wish they were hiring more managers and could get my dad out of his situation,” she said as she typed on her phone to text me what I’d asked for. She hurried on when I gave her a confused look. “He works for the Hughes family. He’s a gardener.”

I winced, the one to hurry on this time when she looked angry. “It’s not about what he does. It’s who. They’re huge allies of the Shaws.”

“Right, shit, sorry,” she mumbled. “I’m not all locked in on that.”

“If you get the job and it goes well, mention it to Rita. I know they’re going to have to grow special ingredients, but he’s going to have to go through more background and security checks because of who he worked for.” I nodded when she couldn’t hide her shock. “The Hugheses already sent someone to try and infiltrate. You might have extra screening too.”

“Shit, that’s so—yeah, I believe it though.” She blew out a harsh breath. “He doesn’t work for the main family. It’s one of the branches and they’re actually nice to him, but—no one wants their family to work for those people. It’s just normally the best option over humans.”

Unfortunately, that was true, but it was good to know that he wasn’t in a bad spot. Still, he could be useful if he was clean. I would send another note to Tracey.

I told her that I had to hurry to my next class and she thanked me, saying she hoped I sat with them again on Monday before heading to her own class. She seemed nice.

And I understood all the crazy around me and people assuming something at least had to be true about me. There was normally something bad that was true if there were piles of rumors.

I was finishing my text before hurrying to Physical Training I when a text popped up.

Unknown: Charles Shaw is planning to make a statement that people shouldn’t ally with you and payback for what you’ve done. The target is Kevin Rose at the start of his 1:30 pm shift. It’s an ambush to be killed in the line of duty and make him look dirty.

Unknown: Charles knows you’re involved with Kelton Rose and his mother works for you.

There was another message with an address.

And I believed it. It was exactly how my father worked.

Clare.

I didn’t hesitate, racing for the student union so I could take a circle to the address. I dodged people and was glad I hadn’t been far. I tried to call Wyatt, but he was probably in class.

“Hey!” someone yelled when I cut the line and went right for the attendant.

“I need you to get me as close to this address as you can,” I told her as I showed her my phone. “It’s an emergency.” I looked at one of the other attendants. “Call security and alert Professor Wyatt and the council guard Link Olive to circle to me.”

“Do it,” the attendant I showed the address to said, her voice shaking. She looked at me with fear. “But you can’t go.”

“Send me!” I bellowed as I tossed my bag and jacket off to the corner. “Where? Where will I end up.” She was still in shock, so I shook her.

She snapped out of it then and turned to the computer and typed in the address. “It will put you almost two miles away if you don’t have a personalized circle.” She glanced at the clock. “You won’t make it. It’s already twenty after one.”

I wasn’t going to argue semantics like just because his shift started in ten minutes that didn’t mean they would instantly be at the place. It wasn’t his police station.

Plus, I ran pretty damn fast.

A different attendant came over and pulled up the map. “It will put you at the dead end of an alley. Go to the street and turn left. From there, your GPS can guide you.” He glanced between us and then looked at my phone in my hand, catching enough to get what was going on. “I’ll call Kel—”

“No, he’ll circle there,” I hissed and got into place, already setting up my GPS. “Send me. Now!”

“Good luck,” the woman whispered and finished everything before pushing magic into the transportation circle.

I took off the moment I arrived, and by the time I had turned left and was running along the street, my GPS caught up to the new location and was rerouting me. I tried to call Link as I ran faster than I ever had before.

He wasn’t answering and I didn’t know what else to do and it was hard to focus on my phone while running that fast.

Plus think when I was freaking the fuck out.

I had a thought and forwarded the message to Tracey along with sending her my location. Then I put everything into running.

Everything.

Every ounce of me. My entire focus and every drop of energy was on making my legs work and as fast as possible.

And I really didn’t think it was going to be enough to save Kevin.