19. Adrianna

19

ADRIANNA

S leep is calling me. It doesn't even have to be my bed, just somewhere I can claim rest for myself. Today has been a whole ass day, and I'm having a lot of those at the moment. My level of exhaustion is starting to reach new heights and I can't seem to ground myself among the chaos.

Between the duel, Cassian making me run all over the city, and a full tummy from Pearl, I'm exhausted. Add the vampire slaying, and I'm wiped out.

I stand with my hands wrapped around my waist as Brody mutters a chant under his breath, shifting the scenery around us to the familiar fountain that sits between the origin houses on academy grounds. A sense of warmth floods my chest at the sight of it, which is weird as hell.

This isn't home, so why does a simple stone fixture resonate with me?

Fuck, maybe I'm just that tired.

Beau moves first, taking two giant steps before whirling around to face us. Not a single word has been said since he mentioned following my order when I'm in charge, and I'm still stumped over it now. His lips part, and I've braced myself for his next words when a shrill voice rings from behind him.

"Well, this isn't entirely what I meant by keeping an eye on them, Professor Tora."

Fuck. Bozzelli.

My hands clench as my entire body goes on high alert despite my desire to pass out. As she steps from behind Beau, her expression is neutral, giving nothing away. I'm not surprised to see her illuminated in the night air with her fluorescent pink pantsuit in full view, her makeup just as bright.

Slowly, her gaze shifts between each of us, lingering on me for a moment before swiftly turning back to Beau.

"Dean Bozzelli, I was just on my way to see you."

"You were?" She cocks a brow at him, lips twisting with words unsaid as he simply shrugs in response. When it's clear she's not going to get anything else from him, her sharp stare turns back to me. Her gaze rakes over me slowly, really fucking slowly, to the point my mouth opens to question her on it, but she finds that moment to speak.

"I've had contact with Mr. Kenner senior all afternoon." I stiffen, every muscle in my body tightening with tension as she continues to search deep into my eyes. Before I can fathom what to say in response, she continues. "He claims you've found your wolf." I stare at her, not moving a fraction as her assessment proceeds. "He also claims that you were on his land." Her tongue sweeps across her lips as her eyes narrow. "He insisted that we allow him on campus for a meeting to discuss such matters."

Fuck.

I remain silent as she steps toward me, but the moment she does, my Kryptos kick into action, filling the space between us while blocking me from her view.

"That's close enough, Professor Bozzelli," Raiden states, tilting his head at her in a silent challenge as his right arm brushes against my left.

She raises her eyebrows, unwavering under the intensity that is my vampire, before she continues, "I advised Mr. Kenner that if any student of mine was off campus unauthorized, I would deal with the matter myself." Her words linger in the air as everyone braces for the consequences she's prepared. "Lucky for you, authorization was in place." I wait for the joke, or the manic laughter, but nothing comes, and after a few beats, relief floods my veins. I scramble to find something to say to her, but she pushes on before I get a chance. "I also advised Mr. Kenner that no one will be stepping foot on my campus at this time. Not with the media coverage that's exploded." She tilts her head back, looking down her nose at me as Brody steps forward.

"What coverage?"

I rub my lips together, and I could swear Bozzelli smirks, but it's over quicker than I can comprehend whether it's true or not. "Miss Reagan made quite the statement with her speech," she offers, not delving any further into the facts I learned at Pearl's.

"She did?" Brody peers back at me, a grin on his lips as amusement flickers in his eyes, and I shrug.

"A statement that was enough to garner the attention of every member of the kingdom," she adds, and I can't tell if she's pissed or impressed.

"Good," Brody states, nodding in acknowledgment as Bozzelli quickly levels him with a stare that could make a grown man wither and die at her feet.

"Is it?"

"Yes." The agreement comes in unison from Kryll and Raiden, who don't know the details like Cassian and me, but the fact that they're unwavering in their stance beside me only fuels our bond.

"Why is that?"

"Because the kingdom deserves to know the truth," Brody answers, his tone that of someone discussing the weather instead of the fate of an entire kingdom.

Bozzelli's eyes find mine again. "I think the truth they're not seeing is Miss Reagan here is dealing with matters that aren't even on the academy timetable while everyone else on campus is prompt and ready to learn."

Well, that's not a lie.

"That only speaks to her importance," Raiden states, his fingers ghosting against mine as he stares the dean down.

"Does it?"

I take a step forward, ready to defend myself and explain how I haven't asked for any of this, but I don't manage a single step before Raiden tucks me into his side, leaving Brody to stand toe to toe with Bozzelli.

"Someone here is already dealing with situations that affect the kingdom, that are an attack on their being and a risk to their safety. Someone here is already trying to protect everyone and everything possible." His words are sharp and fierce, leaving my pulse to thunder in my ears as he peers back at me, the following words spoken just for me. "Someone here is already the heir, and we all know it."