16. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen:

~Lochlainn O'Hare~

I sat at my desk, fingers tapping against the top while Randolph replayed what happened last night for me. "And then Kahrina began to deescalate the flames while I evacuated the building."

"And no one was harmed?" I arched a brow.

"Five people suffered burns but they were superficial. Nothing we couldn't heal when we were trying to heal the building." Randolph nodded, running his finger down the notes he had taken on his clipboard.

"And you're sure it was zombies?" I stood up from my desk. My ire would not be vanquished with the subpar response from admin. As I had ‘taken care of the situation', they did not feel like a response was warranted. Half of me wanted to tear out of my flesh, become fur and claw and fang. I would show them how their email found me.

However, I needed to go in with all my i's dotted and t's crossed. I glanced at Randolph and extended a hand for the clipboard. He turned it over to me. Written statements from both my TA and RA, plus a sworn statement from Valerie and whatever students were awake when I came storming out of the building, all collected together.

"Yes, positive. Kahrina and I both saw them, and when we vanquished them, one of their fingers was left unburned. We put it in this jar as evidence." He procured the jar from his bag. "Do you require anything else, Professor?"

"No, thank you." I bowed my head after I took his evidence.

"Of course," he returned the bow of his head before he pivoted on his heel to leave.

"And I appreciate your discretion, Randolph," I added.

He tossed me a goofy grin over his shoulder, "Not really my beans to spill, Professor. Though, eventually, I'm going to have to make good on that bet with Kahrina."

I rolled my eyes, shooing my snickering RA out of my office. I closed out my classroom again. I'd already sent an email to my students for the day that class would be all self-study for that day. As much as I would like the distraction that teaching provided, I needed to fix this. Needed to save her. Valerie wasn't safe while the necromancer was free to do as they wished. As much protection as The Grove promised, it also added extra targets onto her. Especially while she was compromised with her breeding season, and her focus was split between class and her body's needs. I could do this for her.

I marched straight to the center of campus. My mind was set on the Admin building. However, as more students passed me, I knew my face said it all. After the third student stopped me to say hello, only to immediately squeak and excuse themselves, I realized my face was less than enthused.

Which is why I was shocked when the blond haired, purple horned, president of Valerie's old sorority stopped me a foot from the Admin doors. She'd flown out of the building, wrapping herself up in a heavier coat than the weather required, sweaty and glassy eyed. Only, we locked gazes something surged in hers. She stormed up to me, her face contorted with rage and disgust, "Are you proud of yourself?"

"Excuse you, Ms. McClanes. I don't know what your professors allow, but a certain level of professionalism is expected at this campus. I do not allow even my grad students to speak to me so callously."

She snorted, rolling her eyes. Her hair was damp against her head, lips cracked and more blue than I remember them ever being. Amber McClanes was never in any of my classes, but all the tenured professors, especially those of us over the houses, knew all the presidents and grad students by name. Especially when she came from a big-name family like McClanes. Her elder sister graduated not that long ago. I could recall signing a letter of recommendation for Adrianna…I don't remember hearing any buzz for Amber.

I stared at Amber with suspicion as she opened her mouth to speak. Only, the color washed out of her face and she immediately bent over with an angry sneeze. Chunks of mucus and wasps flew out of her nose. She let loose three more times, her body violently jerking backward every time. I stepped back, hands up like I need to fist fight the massive locusts that flew out of her ears when she tried not to sneeze. Her legs shook as she stumbled back and forth. Then, the sneezing fit seemed to pass.

"Looks like you've got a nasty case of the bog hex sniffles," it came out teasingly only for something to occur to me. As silly as the name was, it was a serious hex to place on someone. It didn't require the caster—nay, the witch—to know whom they were hexing. It was more of a response. Like a rebuke, it was reactionary hex that traced its way back to the source of a person who harmed the witch. It festers fast and can cause other problems like pneumonia, infections, and harm a person's immunity to common diseases.

"Yeah, well, that's what I get for trying to burn a murderous hag!" Amber snarled, rubbing her dripping nose. "This just shows that she's bitter and petty."

"Or that she's defending herself from an attacker," I raised a brow, my voice lowering to a dangerous growl. "Miss McClanes, remind me again, what is your major?"

Her face twisted up, but as she went to spew something at me, her lips disappeared. Eyes wide, fingers frantically rushed to where her mouth was. We both stared at each other in horror as she tried to pull her mouth apart, only to find there was no seam. My hand jutted out without a single thought and slapped my palm to her forehead. The scent of fresh basil and dew on leaves filled the air as I cleansed her of several hexes.

What was Valerie thinking? The depth to the angry magic that crackled around Amber was intense. The second her lips reformed, she screamed, rushing off. "She fucking cursed me! I told you she was a murderous hag! Burn her! Burn the witch!"

"Miss McClanes!" I called after her, but there was no stopping her. Not as she bolted from the pathway and rushed through the classroom buildings. I exhaled heavily, dropping my hand to my side.

Valerie, is Amber the necromancer? Why didn't you tell me? Or was this just more self-defense? Was I automatically assuming this was her? I had no proof other than the bog hex sniffles that it was Valerie…was I the problem? Or perpetuating it?

"What is all the—Professor O'Hare? What is going on right now?" Dean Bandur stepped out into the sunlight, his face a mix of disgust and confusion.

"Ms. McClanes, she was hexed. In her panic, she activated a few of them at once. I was clearing her of them when she raced off in hysterics." I threw my arms out to the side. "She's determined to make Ms. Contempt a villain when she's been nothing but an exemplary student."

Dean Bandur eyed me before nodding away from the door. Around the corner, behind a willow tree that dangled magic apples, we took up one of the many stone benches that were spread along the grounds. It was secluded from prying ears and eyes. Dean Bandur sighed, folding his hands in his lap.

"That be as it may, she has made this campus hard. During the incident last night at The Grove, another student was murdered."

"What?" I hissed under my breath.

"We are investigating to the best of our ability, but we only found the lungs and head at the crime scene, which, as you know…" he trailed off.

"Are what is needed to create a wraith. A necromancer is behind this…and we all remember the last time a necromancer scare happened." I tugged the ponytail free of my hair before I raked my fingers through my hair.

"So, you can see my predicament." Dean Bandur stared up into the dancing willow branches. "Look, I know you're furious with me. There's little I can do about it. If I speak on it, we will have witch hunts."

"We already have a witch hunt," I snarled, twisting to glare at him. "Valerie Contempt."

"One witch versus the entire campus? Does that not seem far more reasonable than mass hysteria?" He cocked his head to the side.

"Not to Valerie, it doesn't!" I snatched him by the arm.

"Do calm yourself, Professor. Your tenure can only protect you from so much," Dean Bandur's cold, heartless threat crawled under my skin as I let him go. I pulled back, staring at the admin in charge of keeping students safe and realized he was willing to sacrifice my little witch to do so.

"So, what happens to her?"

"She will finish out the semester while we continue our search in quiet. It's best to have public enemy on hand in times like these. Once we've found our culprit, we will make a public apology, but it will be best if Ms. Contempt does not return in person next semester."

"And how is that fair? Making her bait? Making an apology after you've used her?" My fists clenched in my lap but I knew better than to rip Dean Bandur to shreds. He had a point, my tenure wouldn't save me from prison…and I couldn't stand the thought of not having Valerie there. However, there was something feral brewing within my chest.

"Are you saying this student is not safe in your care?" he countered.

My lip curled in an angry snarl, but I recalled the ferocity at the last second. "Of course she is."

"Good, then there seems to be no problem with my plan," Dean Bandur smiled sickly sweet. I inhaled sharply, trying not to strangle the skinny neck within striking distance of me.

Instead, I exhaled low and slow, "One last question."

"What is it?" Dean Bandur twisted to face me from the willow branches.

"What major is Amber McClanes? She is close to graduating, correct? And the McClanes are well known wizards and sorcerers. Her older sister just graduated two years ago with full honors and an internship in her pocket. And yet, I couldn't recall a single professor discussing Amber. Not over coffee in the lounge, or during our monthly meetings. There wasn't a mention of her in messages or discussion of her in the admin emails, which wasn't regular of sorority presidents or grad students at all. Very few made it to the spot Amber was without catching someone's eye… so why hadn't she? Why did I not know anything about her?"

Dean Bandur opened his mouth to speak, only for the color to also drain from his face. At first I worried he'd been hexed as well. Only, he quickly cleared his throat and situated his tie. "That's a terrible accusation, Professor."

He twisted from me and cold, uneasy prickles coated my body. I rushed to my feet, nearly bulldozing my way through the vines after him. It was her! But before I could snatch him by the weaselly rags, we both came to a skidding stop. Valerie stood at the front of the building, eyebrows raised. "Professor…Dean Bandur, what a coincidence. I was just coming to see you, sir."

"Which one?" I corrected, my gaze flitting down to Dean Bandur.

"Oh, uh, pardon me, Professor, I was here to talk to Dean Bandur."

Dean Bandur immediately raised his arm up to glance at his wristwatch. "Will you look at the time, I'm late for a board meeting. My apologies, Ms. Contempt, but I must be going. Please stop by my receptionist and set up a meeting, will you?"

"Wait, Dean Bandur—" She rushed forward but he was quicker, evading her and slipping into the building. Her face immediately scrunched up in fury. "Damn."

"Now, little witch, what could you possibly need from the Dean's office?" I quirked a brow.

Valerie shifted to glance up at me and I caught her ducking something in her left hand behind her back. Flat out lying to me with that flirty, nervous smile, she shrugged, "Oh, you know, discussing classes and stuff."

"Hmm, and what about my warning you weren't to come out of The Grove on your own?" I crossed my arms over my chest. The second she opened her mouth to lie to me some more, I nodded at her arm still tucked behind her. "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing," she huffed.

"Nothing?" I parroted as the vines that surrounded me lashed out and snatched the vial from her. She jerked, trying to get it back, but soon it was in my hand. I held a singular purple vial in front of my face. No label, no crystallization, and no clumping, so it was a tonic. Well blended and made this morning, if I had to guess. "What is this, Valerie?"

"It's just a potion I was working on for class, still had it in my hand."

"Why are you lying to me?" I growled.

"I'm not!" she squawked, her voice cracking.

"I've had mocking jays lie better to me, Valerie, try again." I popped the cap off. The way she flinched inward, but didn't stop me was a good sign. I sniffed the gentle plume of lavender smoke instead. With a sigh, I corked it again, "A truth tonic?"

"I'll confess but you're not going to like it, so you should really ask yourself if you want to know."

People are watching. My hair stood on end as I saw a gaggle of people already forming around the grounds. Class was being let out and soon there would be witnesses.

"Valerie," I warned, snatching her by the bicep and dragging her away from the admin office. Even the trees could hold secrets there. She wasn't safe speaking in any compacity on campus until the culprit was caught. Who am I kidding, it's Amber! Who else would have the means, time, motive, and experience? Yet, my fury pumped hot and fast through my veins. I didn't care if students stopped to take a double take as I dragged a complaining Valerie with me across the grounds. We made it to my classroom fast enough. I nearly tossed her inside before slamming the doors behind me.

She pivoted to face me, "That was uncalled for! "

"You are being made into bait; it is not safe for you to be out on the grounds. Period. You are not to set foot out there till I allow you. Am I understood?" I barked, setting the tonic down onto the desk. The liquid sloshed but it didn't bubble up or fizz. I hissed under my breath, "Excellent form, well-made tonic, little witch."

"Oh! You're complimenting my potions? Who gave you the right to tell me what to do?" She threw her arms out. "I was taking my life into my hands! Obviously this school doesn't care about my safety."

"They don't," I growled, stalking forward. She stood her ground, staring up at me with those defiant eyes of her. They'd never been directed at me.

"Lochlainn, I didn't tell you my plan because I knew you'd do this." She planted her hands on her hips.

"Do what?" I towered over her.

"Try to stop me. Do everything to protect me," she countered, the defiance slowly morphing into a deep sadness. "I am capable of taking care of myself, and I'm about to show this necromancer who should really be afraid. Just as soon as I get the suspect from Dean Bandur's lips."

I took a deep breath in. She doesn't know. She's still looking. My gaze roamed over her face, memorizing it. She's not the one who hexed Amber. Guilt and shame filled my belly as I realized I almost wrote her off just like everyone else on this campus. My hands fell to her shoulders and squeezed them hard. Her body softened, leaning into me and my touch.

"I know you can take care of yourself, little witch. But you shouldn't have to, and I want to be that person if you will let me." My fingers brushed up her shoulder to her throat. I felt her jugular jump at the briefest touch. Her mouth parted as I traced her jaw to her chin. I caught that troublesome bottom lip with my thumb, forcing her face further up. Our gazes locked.

"What? Like my…what like my boyfriend or something?" She sputtered, blinking rapidly.

"I'd like to be your partner. Your Lover. Your confidant and your peace. I'd like to be yours." I tugged her forward by the chin, forcing her into my chest. "I want to be yours, little witch."

She swallowed hard. "Y-y-you don't want that."

"Who are you to tell me what I can and can't want?" I teased, throwing her words back at her.

Her hands clawed up the front of my shirt. "You'll hate me. I can be bitter and cruel to strangers who piss me off. I am petty. And I'm stubborn as an ox."

I grinned from pointy ear to pointy ear. Leaning down near her face, my lips brushing hers so lightly. "I was about to rip Dean Bandur's head off for offering you up as bait…and I only stopped, because if I went to prison, I couldn't hold you in my arms at night or chase you through the woods."

She hiccupped, shaking her head, "You don't understand how much I want you, Lochlainn, but I can't—"

"Little witch," I chuckled, finally kissing her. She relented immediately. Her cheeks were warm, cupped in my palms. I moaned against her lips. Her hands were already snaking up into my hair where they belonged. She tugged on it, and I kissed her harder. Our teeth clicked before we finally broke apart. Gulping down each other's air, our gazes burning through the other. I confessed on stolen breath, "I am going to do more than breed you. I'm going to see to your happiness, to your heart, to your wellbeing, and our future. Do you understand? There are just as many soft, puffy clouds are there are storm clouds. There are just as many prickly vines covered in poison as there are pretty peonies. Nature knows kindness just as much as it knows cruelty, for its purpose is to protect itself."

"Lochlainn," she shook her head, nuzzling our noses together. "Just kiss me and lecture me later."

"Fine, my naughty student, but no complaining while I make you sit on a couch in the lounge, cunt stinging and full of cum, as I lecture everyone on the duality of nature and why it's important to be that way." I quirked a brow up, challenging her one last time.

She glared at me playfully before her attention flickered to the side. Back behind the draping vines that made up my office. She smirked as her attention returned to me. "I'll be the most perfectly poised student, ready for lecture if you bend me over you desk now and breed me like you swore you were going to do in the woods."

"Oh," I inhaled sharply through my nose. Her scent, thick in the air, coated my lungs. A feral lust broke free in my chest as I growled, "Your backside will regret that request."

"Promise?" She tossed her long hair over her shoulder.

I snatched her off her feet, ignoring the squealing and kicking, and barreled into my office.