Page 148 of Pixie Problems

"I'm going to wring that fae fool's neck," the woman grumbled. "This is the second time - "

"For Rain," Wilder broke in. "Yeah, Aspen told me about the promise to stand up to bullies Rain made, so it's thirdhand, but he keeps doing thing for Rain. According to Hawke, Rain's fathers are not only proud of her, but already attached."

"And bragging about it," I added. "Not that she's the Morrigan, but that's she's theirs."

Ms. Rhodes hummed in thought. "Yes, that does sound like him." Then she sighed. "Boys, I'm going to need to assign punishment to the group of you. Wilder, let Torian know I will talk to him in our late class. Keir? You will spend one week in detention in the gym."

"I'm already..."

But her smile made my words trail off. "Then it seems it won't bother you too much. I wouldn't point that out to your newest enemies, though."

Then the woman turned, marching away just as elegantly as she'd marched in. Yet the moment she reached the door, she paused.

"What happened to the lightning?"

"That was Keir," Wilder told her. "He shielded it in with us. I think the phrase is 'quick on the draw'?"

"It's not," she told him, "but I get your meaning. Time to go, boys. I need to get some help to make sure this place isn't about to fall down, and I'm not canceling classes for this."

I stood there as the door closed behind her, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. Beside me, Wilder chuckled softly.

"The histories didn't do her justice, you know." He reached up to pat my shoulder. "C'mon, Keir. Let's find our friends, because I have a feeling the rest of the day is going to be just as much fun."

"I fucking hope not," I told him, but I followed.

Right now, my head was spinning. I didn't know what had happened. I was pretty sure no one did but Torian, and yet everyone seemed to be actinglike this was no big deal. At least Wilder was trying to give me some hints, although they weren't exactly much to go on!

But the one thing that stood out the most? Ms. Rhodes hadn't even flinched when Wilder said they were calling Torian a jevadu. It was almost as if she'd known it already.

Chapter Forty-Three

RAIN

Hawke was pissed. As the elevator rose upwards, he couldn't contain it any more. "Who are they to callanyonemonsters? Don't they seetheyare the monsters? They're all chasing the attention of a woman who's a damned FOOL! They..." He paused just as the elevator began shaking.

I grabbed the side for balance, Jack flared his wings, but Hawke just spread his stance. And yet, we both looked at each other. The tremors were subtle, like maybe a loose wheel? Visions of plunging down four stories to my death quickly filled my mind.

"Please tell me it's not broken?" I asked just as the doors dinged and opened.

Hawke grabbed me by the arm, all but pulling me off the car. "No, I think that's a bigger problem. Rain, shit's probably going down in the cafeteria. Fucking jesters!"

"Not here," I hissed.

I wasn't sure why, though. It just felt wrong to talk about our shit in the halls where anyone - and many of them wishing they were popular enough to be considered a jester - could overhear. Thankfully, Hawke didn't try to resist. So, using his hold on my arm to my advantage, I plowed forward, towing him with me.

When we reached my door, I decided to try Keir's trick. Flicking a blob of shadows at it, I tried to remember where I'd put my key. Fuck, but Ineeded to start paying a little attention to such things! Yet with fae magic all over, it always seemed unimportant - until I regretted it. Kinda like now.

The shadow quickly shifted into a snake and slithered into the lock. A second later, an audible click proved it had worked. Grabbing the knob, I turned and pushed, opening the door wide enough for Hawke to follow me in. Jack immediately launched, aiming for his perch.

Hawke obeyed out of habit, stepping over the threshold, yet he paused hard when I closed the door behind him. "Rain? Why are you bringing me to your room?"

"Uh, because I know where it is?" I closed the distance between us to gently rub at his upper arms. "And I don't know what they said that set you off this time. Or if it's just all of it?" I waved that away, knowing he couldn't tell me. "I figured I could get you out of there for a second. Everyone's always worried about Torian, but this can't be easy on you either."

Slowly, he licked his lips, but his eyes were jumping between my face and the walls around us. When they landed on Jack, he let out a heavy sigh. "Why notmyroom, Rain?"

"Um, because I'm not completely sure which one it is," I admitted, wondering if I'd screwed up my big rescue.

He looked at me like he was disappointed. "You've been there."