Page 85 of Fractured Fates

“Mr. Kennedy, Miss Hayes,” the principal continues, “I ask that you ensure both Miss Blackwaters and Miss Wence complete their kitchen duties.”

“We will,” Tristan says in a serious tone that makes him sound like the principal just asked him to guard the holy grail.

“Well, thank you, that will be all.”

Winnie’s shoulders sag in relief and we both step towards the door.

“There’s something else I need to make you aware of, Principal York,” Tristan pipes up, just as I’m reaching for the door handle.

“Yes? What is it?”

“It concerns Miss Blackwaters.”

Principal York nods and motions towards Winnie and Fiona. “Miss Wence, Miss Hayes, you may leave. Miss Blackwaters please remain.”

I glance at Winnie whose shoulders have stiffened again with concern. But she doesn’t get a chance to say anything to me before Fiona ushers her out of the room.

I turn back to the others, this time staring Tristan square in the eye. I don’t know what he has to say but I sure as hell don’t like the cocky look on his face.

“What is it?” Principal York asks, this time with a note of irritation.

“Miss Blackwaters was seen leaving campus last night. After hours and without permission.”

“Alone?”

Tristan glares at me, not saying a word.

The principal sighs and I feel Stone’s eyes on me again.

“You hadn’t granted permission for this excursion?” the principal asks Tristan.

“No and nor would I have.”

The principal doesn’t bother to ask me if all this is true. It’s obvious she considers an angel like Tristan incapable of lying.

Stone snorts and I turn towards him, just as he strolls towards the window.

“Miss Blackwaters,” the principal says with exasperation, collapsing onto her chair. “I am at a loss … I know you have had an unusual upbringing and I can empathize with how you must be feeling – a fish out of water indeed. But the authorities have shown you real leniency. This academy has bent its rules for you. And you in return …” She shakes her head. “I am very disappointed in you, Rhianna. I had real hopes for you.”

I don’t know if I’m meant to feel shame or regret. I don’t. I feel annoyed. All I did was skip a few classes and went out for a ride on the man in black’s bike.

Stone spins around from the window and folds his arms tightly over his chest.

“You may consider them trivial rules, Miss Blackwaters,” he snarls, “but if everyone chose to disregard them like you, this place would descend into chaos, our country would be left vulnerable to attack.”

“It’s also about respect,” Tristan says, clearly loving every minute of this. “Respect for this school, this institution.”

“Quite right,” Principal York says, resting her arms on her desk and clutching her hands together. She examines my face. “I really don’t know what to do with you.” I open my mouth to speak but she lifts her hand to silence me. “But I do know this much, Miss Blackwaters, you are now on an official warning. Any more behavior such as this and I will have to consider more serious consequences.”

“Expulsion,” Stone says, making it abundantly clear for me.

Tristan struggles to cover his tiger-like smile.

“As for your punishment …”

“I have a suggestion,” Tristan pipes up. In my head I spiral through my entire vocabulary of curse words. Stone frowns. “The dueling team has recently had to let go of our helping-hand. She wasn’t up to the job. I think Miss Blackwaters would be a perfect replacement. I would be able to keep more of a watchful eye on her and she might also benefit from becoming more involved in school activities.”

Principal York examines my face. I try to keep it neutral, suppressing all the pissed-off energy bubbling in my veins from my features. What the hell is a ‘helping-hand’? Do I even want to know?