Page 37 of Rebellious Royals

"But what can she do about it?" I asked.

"Probably nothing," Keir admitted.

"But she needs to know we're not hiding who we are anymore," Torian said. "She needs to be prepared for the fallout, because I will tear this school down if I have to."

"I'd rather you didn't," I said, trying to lighten the mood a little. "Kinda the only home I have."

"The only one I have too," Torian assured me. "But Aspen means more to me than comfort."

Keir wrapped an arm around my shoulder on one side and pressed Torian forward on the other, driving us towards the exit. "When you put it like that, Tor, you have a point. Personally, I'd prefer you just kill these fuckers."

"And that," I fake-whispered at Keir, "is why he likes you."

Torian huffed something like a laugh. "It actually is."

Chapter Eleven

RAIN

We got to the room where I usually had first period with Ms. Rhodes, but it was empty. There were enough chairs for four, though, so Keir took the spot beside me. Torian claimed the one that would be beside Ms. Rhodes. Shadow took up its place on the wall across from the table where it was easy to see.

But the lack of Jack was weird.

It shouldn't be. He only weighed a couple of pounds and he didn't often talk during my Morrigan lessons, yet I felt like I'd left something on upstairs, or like I'd forgotten to do my homework. There was just this base sense of wrong about it that made me realize how comfortable I'd gotten with his presence.

"What about protections?" Keir asked now that we were alone.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

He wagged a finger at me, then pointed to Torian, proving the question was for him. "You can't make protections, Rain. Wrong magic."

"Are you sure about that?" Torian countered.

"No, but Iamsure you can make protections for your sister."

Torian murmured at that, making it clear Keir had a point. "The problem is knowing what to protect her against. We'll also need something to hold them."

"Like?" Keir asked.

Torian smiled slyly. "Those rubber bracelets people wear in clusters work nicely."

Which made me think back to the first time I'd seen him. Torian had worn a half dozen nineties-type bracelets. They'd been black ones, but I knew they also came in neon colors. I was pretty sure they had to be easy to get, although I'd never looked for such things. But because they were rubber, they wouldn't interfere with a fae spell of any kind.

"Pretty sure Ms. Rhodes would approve a - " Keir paused as the door opened.

Looking weary, Ms. Rhodes walked in, but when she saw both Torian and Keir, her eyes narrowed. "And to what do I owe this pleasure?" she asked.

"The graffiti," Keir said.

But Torian leaned back and gestured for her to take the place beside him. "Concern for Aspen."

Ms. Rhodes dipped her head. "Thank you, Highness." But she stopped after pulling out the chair. "Where's Jack?"

"With Aspen," I explained.

"Hence why we're here," Torian said. "Look, we all know someone is after Winter users. Many suspect Aspen is exactly who she really is. After she was attacked, we came to a decision."

"Do I want to know?" Ms. Rhodes asked.