Page 21 of Beastkin

“I don’t know,” I said slowly, glancing back at the books spread across the charred table. “What if she tells my parents? What if this is some kind of test they’ve set up?”

The paranoia felt foreign on my tongue, but I couldn’t shake it. How long had my parents been manipulating my life? How deep did their control go?

Karrick’s expression softened, and for a moment I caught a glimpse of the boy from my fractured memories. “Phoenix, look at me.”

I did, meeting those amber eyes that seemed to see straight through to my soul.

“I know you don’t remember everything yet, but I need you to trust me. We were best friends. I would never let anyone hurt you. Not then, not now.” His voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “Your parents already took you away once. I won’t let them keep hurting you like this.”

The pendant flared with such intense heat that I gasped, doubling over as the metal seemed to brand itself against my chest. Karrick started forward instinctively, then stopped himself, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

“Shit, Phoenix?—”

“I’m fine,” I lied, straightening up despite the burning sensation. “It does that when... when I’m around...” I trailed off, quickly consumed by the complex emotions churning inside me. Recognition, longing, fear, anger, all tangled together in a knot I couldn’t untie.

Something cracked in Karrick’s expression, pain so raw it mademy chest ache in sympathy. “Jesus, Phoenix. What have they done to you?”

I gathered the books, stacking them with shaking hands. “Help me figure out how to reverse the memory modification. Please. I need to know what they took from me. I need to remember you.”

He nodded without hesitation. “Bring them with you. We’re going to Professor Blackwood rightnow.”

I nodded, feeling like there was no other choice. “Okay,” I said at last. “Let’s go.”

Chapter 9

Karrick

By the time we reached the Elemental Arts building, class was just letting out. Several witches passed by without giving us so much as a wayward glance. Then again, Phoenix and I were walking some thirty feet apart to keep his strange invisible pendant from burning him. Just the thought of his parents hurting him like that caused a rage deep in my chest that was almost impossible to contain.

The professor’s office was tucked away in the eastern wing of the building, a place most students avoided unless absolutely necessary. I’d heard stories about Blackwood’s past, how she’d once been aligned with dangerous purist elements before her reformation. The thought of seeking her help made my stomach clench, but when I glanced back at Phoenix, his face pale with determination despite the pain that pendant was causing him, I knew we had no choice. Besides, if Atlas trusted her, then so did I.

“You sure about this?” I asked as we approached her door.

Phoenix nodded, clutching the library books to his chest like a shield. “If she can help me remember... if she can help me get free of this thing... I have to try.”

I raised my fist and knocked firmly on the heavy oak door. The sound echoed ominously in the empty hallway.

“Enter,” came a crisp, authoritative voice from within.

I pushed the door open, and Professor Blackwood looked up from her desk, her silver-streaked black hair pulled back in a severe bun as always. Her dark eyes narrowed slightly as she took us in, first me, then Phoenix several paces behind.

“Mr. Laurent. Mr. Emberwood.” She set down her pen with deliberate care. “This is unexpected.”

“Professor,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “we need your help with something... sensitive.”

Her gaze sharpened. “Close the door.”

I did as she asked, and Phoenix stepped cautiously into the room, maintaining his distance from me. The office was lined with bookshelves filled with ancient tomes, strange artifacts displayed in glass cases, and dried herbs hanging from the ceiling. It smelled of sage and something metallic I couldn’t identify.

Professor Blackwood raised a hand, making a set of complicated motions through the air. Suddenly the place seemed lighter. Wards maybe?

“So, what exactly is the nature of thissensitivematter?” she asked, folding her hands on her desk. “Neither of you were in class today, so I hope it’s something good.”

Phoenix stepped forward, his voice barely above a whisper. “Memory modification. And this.” He gestured to his chest where the invisible pendant hung.

Something in Professor Blackwood’s expression changed, a flicker of recognition, then anger. She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the wooden floor.

“Show me,” she commanded.