Page 175 of Pixie Problems

"With me and Rain," Wilder hurried to tell Torian. "You know we'd take care of her."

"And they're in high school," I reminded them. "Well, our version of it, but still. How many kids their age - "

"Ourage," Torian broke in.

"Fine, your age," I relented. "How many people your age stay together? What happens when - not if - Aspen and Rain break up?"

"And you being here is going to stop that?" Torian snapped. "Not fucking likely."

"Me being here is going to keep you here so you can be there for your sister," I clarified. "So lay the fuck off, Torian. I am the one moving, not you. I am the one trying to help, so try to at least appreciate that part. I'm also not asking about your secrets, so you can fucking stop worrying about it."

The kid glanced over at Wilder, then nodded. "Tell Hawke I'll behave."

"You don't know how," Wilder said, but he took a step back. "Yell if you need us, Keir."

"Oh, he'll yell?" Torian huffed. "Fuck you, Wilder."

But Wilder just grinned and offered Torian his middle finger. "Suck it, Tor. I'm on Keir's side in this. Besides, I know what it's like. You hated me when I got here too."

"And you proved yourself!"

"So let him do the same." Wilder glanced at me. "He's more bite thanbark. Yes, I said that properly. I mean it too, so if he gets mouthy, Hawke and I have your back."

"I'll ask if I need it," I said. "I also might beg your help with some of the bigger things in my room, but later. Tomorrow, I think."

"There's magic for that," Wilder teased, turning for the door.

"Sadly, that magic isn't mine," I called after him. "I'm in your debt, Wilder."

"Oh, you're currently paying it," he said, opening the door. "So you know, it's mostly Liam's debt, not yours - so make sure you get something back from him."

He left before I could respond, and yet I couldn't help myself. Turning to the clothes I'd dropped on my bed, I mumbled, "Pretty sure I already am." And then I moved to the built-in wardrobe all rooms came with.

"Rain isn't payment for a favor," Torian snapped.

I finished putting my uniforms away, then turned to face him again. "Bracken has me tutoring Rain. Next semester, I'll be his teaching assistant. Do you know what that means for me? Once I graduate, I'll have a very good chance of being hired on as an assistant weapons instructor. I'll move out of the dorms and into the teacher's community on the far side of the property. I will have a job, Torian. One without iron making my skin crawl, in a place I want to protect."

"I still don't want your help," he told me.

"And I don't want you to need it."

That made him laugh once. "Yeah, you just found the real problem." The guy glanced away, giving me a nice view of his refined jawline. "See, I do need it, and I hate that I need it, and you're doing nothing but rubbing my face in it."

"That is not my intention."

But he kept going as if I hadn't said anything. "I think we both know a big enough mistake could bring this entire building down. Ms. Rhodes doesn't have the skill to protect this school the way it deserves. She's doing the best she can with the paltry power she has access to."

"Ms. Rhodes," I corrected, "is one of the most accomplished fae in history. That woman helped organize the Wild forces in her youth. She was a general before she was a hundred years old!"

"And that, Keir, is exactly my point." Torian lifted a brow. "Power like mine requiresperfectcontrol. Absolutely perfect, and nothing less can be tolerated! So..." He pressed his mouth tightly and glared at me as if his words were being forced from him. "I am in your debt."

"Teach me how to power up Rain?" I asked. "That's all I want from you. I just need to figure out how to actually help the Morrigan. Right now, all I'm good for is standing behind her, and it fucking kills me."

"Hits right in the pride?" he asked.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, right about there. I feel useless, but I can't stand the idea of letting her run into danger alone."

"Ok."