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Chapter Fifty

KEIR

I t didn't take long to get what I needed and throw it in a box. The extras went on my bed. For now, I'd keep my stuff in the bathroom here, just so Torian didn't use it as an excuse to mess with me. Then Wilder grabbed the box. I gathered up an armload of clothes, and we headed up the hall.

The key worked. The shield I'd put on this room back when Torian had attacked me was still there, but mostly useless. So, tossing my stuff on my new bed - which had a slightly different color scheme than my other room - I began replacing the protections this place would need.

"He's going to feel tha-" Wilder didn't even get to finish the sentence before Torian stormed in from the bathroom side.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he demanded.

"Repairing the shields on this room." I didn't even bother looking at the kid as I replied.

"Tor," Wilder soothed, "it's a good idea and you know it."

"I do not need Rain's little bitch in here, snooping on me!"

I slammed down a hand, forcing the shields to encase this room. This time, I'd added a noise buffer to go with everything else. Then I turned to Torian and took one single step towards him.

"You slipped so hard you glamoured yourself! " Another step. "Do you really think denying it is going to fix your problem? "

"Don't push," Wilder warned, stepping between us so he could hold me back. "Keir, it's complicated."

"Then let him tell me that," I grumbled.

Torian just scoffed. "I make one mistake with my magic and everyone's so willing to rub it in my face."

"This isn't the first," I countered. "Unless trying to blast people with lightning was intentional?

And trust me, I've seen what happens when a pair of Summer users lose their temper.

My mother makes static fill the house. My father brings the heat and humidity.

Even in the middle of winter, when they fight, it's like an August day. "

Wilder added, "Tor, he can help."

"I do not need help!" Torian shot back.

Ok, so hitting him over the head wasn't working.

Time to try a different tactic. "Why?" I jerked my chin at him.

"Why are you ok with hurting others, Torian?

Why do you think you're so fucking special, the rules don't apply to you?

Not the rules of this school, of polite society, or anything else.

What the fuck makes you so damned special? "

Torian huffed in amusement. "You've heard the rumors. Hawke says you even believe them."

"I also just got a lecture about slurs." I lifted a brow. "Seems wildling is the preferred term. I've had my face rubbed in how Rain's power is no different. It comes from Wild magic - thus a wildling."

"She's different," Torian admitted. "Rain is a human champion of the Wild Crown. Not the same as a wildling."

"No, but it takes a very impressive wildling to make a Morrigan.

The entire school respects Jack and his claim to Faerie.

I don't think he's ever been there. I've never been there.

Means I have more in common with wildlings than I realized.

" I paused to scrub at my face. "I also need to learn how to power Rain up. I was hoping to make a trade."

Torian's beautiful eyes narrowed. "I don't buy it."

"Still can't lie," I countered.

"Still can deceive," he reminded me. "I also don't trust you, Keir."

"Why not?" I asked. "What the fuck have I done to you to make you think I'm the enemy?"

The kid stormed towards me until only Wilder kept us apart. "You took Rain from me," he growled. "You are taking her from my sister! She crawled in bed with you , not her, after the Hunt."

"Because Aspen told her to," I said gently. "She also slept. I made sure she was out before I even climbed in bed. "

"Bullshit," Torian growled, looking at Wilder. "What am I missing?"

"That he's my friend," Wilder said calmly. "He's Aspen's friend too, Tor. He also isn't taking Rain from her - or you."

"I just..." Torian sighed and turned, pacing back towards his room. "I don't want you here, Keir."

"Hawke deserves to be back in his own room," I called after him.

And that made Torian stop hard. "Wilder?"

"Hawke's going to help you every time you need it," Wilder told Torian. "He's your best friend, and the thing the two of you have is important, so don't take it for granted. He will jump every time you need it, because you did for him. I also haven't seen a lot of him lately."

Torian's head dropped down to his chest, he sighed again, then nodded. "Ok." For a moment, I thought that was all I was going to get, but the guy turned slowly, his eyes finding Wilder. "You should've said something."

Wilder barked out a laugh. "Shit, Tor. I know how this goes as well as you do. The point here is that Keir is willing to help. He doesn't have a damned clue what he's helping with, but because he's my friend, Hawke's friend, and Rain's, he's still here."

"And the problem is he's here," Torian countered. "I'm just over there, and I made a vow."

"We all did," Wilder assured him. "So get one from Keir."

"It would take a lot to get me to make a promise like that," I warned. "Just to convince me to move in here - which was Liam's idea, so you know - I'm getting the use of an eltam blade."

"What?" Torian asked, his head jerking like he hadn't expected that. "Why? What the fuck do you need a sword for?"

"The Hunt."

"Keir," Wilder said, reaching over to clasp my shoulder. "Be kind to him. Torian may be a self-absorbed asshole, but he's also right more times than not. I can't tell you more, but believe me when I say that. He's not taking the easy option because he's doing what's right."

"What the fuck does that mean?" I asked.

Wilder opened his mouth, paused, then groaned. "Fuck."

"You're too close to your words," Torian said with a little smirk. "Sucks, huh?"

"And I was damned careful about my promise!" Wilder muttered.

"Same," Torian agreed. "But Ms. Rhodes has been doing this a long time. She has centuries of experience making deals. She got what she needed, and now we're caught in the middle. "

"I still think she's right," Wilder said. "I just dislike that I can't tell Keir - because I would. So would Aspen."

"She wouldn't," Torian countered.

"She would," Wilder assured him. "She would tell Rain, and once that happened, she'd tell him so Rain isn't caught in the middle. Tor, she would."

"Ok," Torian relented. "I won't fight this."

"Which isn't the same as being happy about it," I pointed out, "but I'm not thrilled either. I went from keeping an eye on a damned would-be rapist to this? And just when I was getting used to having a whole suite to myself?" I shook my head, making it clear this wasn't any nicer for me.

"For an eltam sword, huh?" Torian asked.

"For Silver Oaks," I corrected. "Liam's right, you're cracking, and with the rumors about you? One more mistake might be all it takes for Ms. Rhodes to be forced to kick you out. Then where would Aspen be?"

"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 - "

" Our age," 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 than bark. 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 requires perfect control. 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."

He turned for his room, but those words didn't tell me much. "Ok what?" I asked.

With one hand on the bathroom door, the guy looked back, those spring-green eyes of his traveling down my body, judging me. "Ok, I'll show you how. Not tonight, though. I need to find my center again. I've lost it, but when I can touch magic safely? I will show you."

"My magic is defensive," I reminded him.

He just smiled. "It's also not waning with the season. Yeah, trust me. I know how to work with that." His eyes dropped to the floor. "And she's right, you know."

"Who, and about what?" I pressed.

"Rain," he clarified. "She said you were a good guy. I was happier hating you, but you're making it fucking hard."

"Maybe because we're on the same side?" I offered.

He just laughed. "You're not on my side, Keir. You really don't want to be. Now here's the important thing: I happen to think you're right."

Then he wrenched the door open, stormed into the bathroom, and only slammed the door on his side. The one on my side was still hanging open. It felt like some kind of backhanded invitation, making it clear the bathroom - our shared space - was not where he was drawing the line.

Right about now, I was willing to take that as a win, but just when I was sure I wouldn't see Torian again, the guy returned. He rapped at the door frame between my room and the bathroom, waiting until I looked over before setting something on the closest shelf.

"It's a Moon Shine," he said. "They like to be spoken to gently and touched often. Name it and it will respond." He chuckled. "They're often used as a form of passive protection, lighting up when someone intrudes into a room. That's why they're given as housewarming gifts on Faerie."

"Is that why Aspen gave one to Rain?" I asked.

He shrugged. "It's why I'm giving one to you. Welcome to the court, Keir. It looks better on the outside, though."

"Dunno," I said. "I happen to think that from the inside, it looks like a fucked-up group of friends. The kind who don't have to always agree to make things work."

"Close enough," he said, retreating again.

But this time, the kid didn't seem angry. Yeah, maybe I could make this work. Hopefully! All I had to do was lie low until Torian got used to me, and then maybe - just maybe - he might stop hating my guts.

I also wasn't willing to bet on it.