25. Adrianna

ADRIANNA

Acold sweat drips down my back and fear clings to every inch of me as I bolt upright in a blind panic. I can't catch my breath, and it only worsens when I can't place where I am.

The room is nothing like mine. It's warm, cozy, and smells like… strawberries.

My terror subsides when a flash of bright red hair catches my attention, and I sag in relief when I realize it's Flora beside me. The relief is short-lived when she blinks up at me, eyebrows gathered with uncertainty.

"Are you okay?" she rasps, tiredness clinging to every word.

"I'm fine," I croak, rubbing mindlessly at my chest as I will the terror detonating inside of me to pass.

She shuffles to sit up, leaning back against the headboard as I subtly inch away from her. I don't need her too close right now. I feel on edge and unpredictable. I already feel unsafe and tangled in unfamiliar surroundings, and I know the smallest thing could set me off.

"Are you sure? I don't mean to pry, but you were…" Her words trail off as she glances down at the sheets, trying to find the right words. When they don't come, she exhales softly and turns on the lamp at her nightstand.

My eyes burn from the intrusion, but it works to calm the demons inside of me.

"What was I doing, Flora?" I dare to ask, my chest tightening with more fear as she offers me a soft smile.

"You were crying."

I rear back as if she's slapped me in the face, jaw slacking as I lift my hand to my cheek, pressing against it to find the skin drenched in tears. Embarrassment curls through me and I avert my gaze.

"I get nightmares. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," I explain, swinging my legs over the side of the bed before pushing to my feet. My muscles clench, aching with the tension taking hold of me as I turn to face her.

"Don't apologize," she says with a shake of your head. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

I fall in sync, shaking my head back at her. "What time is it?"

She peers at the clock beside her bed. "Five."

Five is late enough for me not to have to go back to sleep, at least.

Pointing over my shoulder, I take a backward step toward the door. "I should probably have a shower. Clear my head," I ramble, still feeling lightheaded and disoriented, but I need to move. She's kind and caring, but I don't want someone to witness this right now.

"Of course, if that's what you need."

I offer her a tight smile. "It is. Thanks, Flora." My hand wraps around her door handle as she yawns.

"No worries," she manages with her mouth stretched wide. "Oh, and don't forget we're going shopping on Friday. Ball preparations. I'm holding you to it." She gives me a pointed look, despite her tired eyes, and my smile morphs into a real grin.

"How could I forget? You wrote it on my hand, remember?" I retort, waving the ink on my skin at her.

"Just making sure. Besides, it made you smile."

I pause. The ricocheting of my heart in my chest calms as I soak in her naturally sweet nature. "You're a good friend, Flora."

"I know. You're welcome." She waves me off, turning the light off and slipping beneath the sheets again as I close the door behind me.

I need to be a good friend, too. She's on another level, though, so reaching her standards isn't going to be so easy.

Heading for the communal bathroom, I don't even bother to get a fresh change of clothes. Instead, I step into the first stall, flick the water on, and move straight under the spray. Clothes and all. It's ice cold at first, but I breathe through it. The shock to my system works wonders, and as it warms, it takes some of the stress along with it.

I peel out of my clothes, letting them flop to the floor until the beating hot water laps at my bare skin. Inching my face under the shower head, I let the memory of last night come back to mind, helping ground me as I release the last of the pent-up worry inside of me.

We had dinner in peace. No guys, not even Arlo. It was just the two of us. No interruptions and no drama. It was perfect. As soon as we were done eating too many slices of pizza, we headed back to Flora's room, where we proceeded to watch episode after episode of The Office. Mention of the ball preparations came up, which is how I've now been roped into dress shopping, but I'm sure it will be fun.

The idea of getting off campus, even if just for a hot minute, feels exciting. Especially since it's nowhere near the Kenner compound.

Then, I must have fallen asleep again. Wiping a hand down my face, I lean my head back and catch my breath. The nightmare feels jagged. I can't recall it fully, but I can still feel the remnants of it coating my skin. Even with the shower pounding down on me, it doesn't eradicate it altogether, but it does make me present and alert.

It's not enough, though. I need to get rid of the energy coursing through me.

With my mind made up, I rush through the mundane task of washing my body and hair. Once all of the suds are gone, I switch off the water and peek behind the curtain. Certain the coast is clear, I reach for a towel from the barely stocked shelves. Draping it around my chest, I can't help but wonder if other origins get the luxury of fuller and thicker material because every time I shower I feel like these become more threadbare than the last.

With a sigh, I grab my wet clothes and rush back to my room, the concern over my towel long forgotten in the grand scheme of things. It's no surprise that I don't run into anyone at this time of the morning, but I still hurry to lock my bedroom behind me.

Taking a moment to absorb the familiar surroundings, I mentally call out three things I can see.

My bed. The window. The roses.

Taking a deep breath, I catch their scent. There's not much to hear at this time, though, so I save that for when I get outside. That's what I need. Fresh air, the wind whipping at my face, and my feet pounding on the ground beneath me.

With my mind made up, I set my sights on the academy-issued sportswear hanging in my closet. Channeling deep into my core, I connect with my air magic and let a warm breeze finish drying me off as I let my towel cascade to the floor. It takes a little more effort to use the same power to dry my hair completely, and by the time I'm done, I'm practically panting.

Fuck.

Maybe I don't need to get my heart rate going with a run. Simply doing magic, which I have practiced and harnessed for so long, will do the trick now that I'm controlled by this damn gem.

Shaking my head, I try to rid the negativity from me, but it's futile. Instead, I slip from my bedroom, tiptoe down the staircase, and step outside into the early morning air. I take the deepest breath since I first woke, letting the chill in the air ground me to the present as the sound of birds chirping in the distance rounds out my senses.

This is exactly what I needed. The sun is barely breaking the horizon, offering a small glimmer of natural light to the grounds.

Slowly making my way down the pathway that leads to the fountain, I go through the motions of some stretches. I wouldn't always, but since I already exhausted myself using my magic, I decide it's better to ease myself into this.

Focused, I reach the fountain and jog, hoping the exercise will ward off the cool air and warm my limbs. I follow my usual path, sticking close to the edge of the academy. Maybe jogging at this time should become a regular thing. There's not a single soul in sight.

The peace and tranquility this offers me outweigh the little sleep I would lose. That's what I think now, at least. Tomorrow morning could be something completely different.

I watch in awe as the sun continues to rise, painting the academy in an array of pinks, oranges, and yellows. It's enchanting, the way it dances over the flowers, spreading their petals wide as the trees preen under its glow.

Reaching the peak of the hill, I slow my pace and take controlled steps as I begin the decline. The edge of the all-too-familiar forest comes into view and my gaze instantly darts to the fallen tree in the distance as I breathe through my steps, keeping my heart rate calm.

It's clear the gem doesn't have an effect on physical exertion. Its sole purpose is to contain my magic, and that's exactly what it's doing.

Movement pulls my eyes to the right of the walkway, at the edge of the tree line, but I don't immediately see anything. I slow, eyes darting over every inch of the forest, until I catch sight of the shuffling again.

Is that a?—

I don't get a chance to think before my thoughts are confirmed.

A chestnut-brown wolf appears from between some shrubs, prowling toward me with calculated steps, and I freeze. My hands ball at my sides as I force the tension in my veins to ease. I need to be ready to act, to defend myself, which means being as calm as possible.

The wolf continues to approach me, its eyes giving nothing away, even as it steps up right beside me. Their fur brushes against my leg for a split second as they circle me, making my eyes widen at how soft it is. It's hard not to stretch out my fingers and feel the softness again, reminding myself that it's not just an animal; there's a person beneath it, too.

As if sensing my thoughts, the wolf moves to stand in front of me, and with a single blink of my eyes, they shift before me. My adoration for the animal quickly disappears when I realize it's the most infuriating one of them all.

"What are you doing out here so early?" he grunts, irritating me instantly.

"That's none of your business, Cassian." I fold my arms over my chest. I'm in no mood to deal with his shit right now. How does he shift and still have clothes on? What's that about?

"Anyone could attack you."

"It feels like someone already is," I mutter, cocking a brow at him, which earns me an eye roll. Yeah, I'm definitely not getting an answer to his whole clothing situation right now.

"Don't be dumb, Addi."

"Don't be you, Cassian," I remark, my chest tightening as if that statement was one step too far, but if he thinks the same, he doesn't show it.

Wanting to put some space between us, I proceed past him, keeping my arms locked around my waist as I head through the forest. I can sense him a step behind me the entire way, not saying a word, which somehow has the ability to get even more under my skin.

"You can leave now," I holler over my shoulder as we reach the clearing on the other side of the forest. The fountain is a few yards away and we're both heading back to different origin buildings, so there's definitely no reason for him to talk himself into staying.

"I'll go when I'm ready," he grunts, making my lips purse in agitation.

Whatever.

Upping my pace, I reach the fountain, acutely aware that he's still behind me at the same time Professor Fairbourne comes into view. The sight of him after nothing at all the past week makes me halt in my tracks.

"Where have you been?" I blurt, like I have a right to know.

A pained crinkle flickers around his pinched eyes as he swipes at his chin. "I'll get to that," he mutters, peering at me for a split second before turning his attention to Cassian. "Are you harassing fae?" he bites, jaw ticking as he looks down his nose at the wolf, and I snicker.

"Not plural, just this one," I state, pointing at myself, which does nothing to ease the tension rolling off the professor.

"Is that true?" he pushes, taking a step toward Cassian, who shakes his head at him.

"Watch your tongue, old man. My wolf is hungry."

My eyebrows rise in surprise at his threat, but Fairbourne doesn't seem to pay much mind to it.

"You'll do well to stay away from her."

"Will I?" Cassian inches toward him, shoulders broad, back as straight as an arrow, and the desire to fight emitting from every part of him.

"I think that's enough from you two," I mutter, moving to stand between them. I have no idea what's actually going on but it's way too early in the morning to be dealing with this. It seems like one problem I have just evolves into another. At least they're keeping me distracted from the issues that woke me in a fit of panic.

Turning my attention to the professor, I fold my arms over my chest, giving my back to Cassian in hopes that he will just go away. "For a professor who is supposed to take care of the fae, you've been pretty useless the past week."

He clears his throat, glancing at the ground for a second before returning his eyes to mine. "About that," he starts, but tilts around me to point a finger at Cassian. "You've been summoned."

"By who?"

"By your father."

"Since when?" Cassian snaps, the news catching him off guard.

"It's the reason I'm out here. I was going to speak with you later today, Addi, but for now, my orders are to bring the Kenner boy."

Cassian sneers at the label he brands him with, but instead of giving him another mouthful of threats, he grinds his teeth, nostrils flaring. "Why would they send you and not my own origin advisor?"

"Because I just left a meeting with Bozzelli. It was quicker for it to be me."

"Where?"

"Bozzelli's office."

"Of course." Cassian takes two steps before turning back to glance at me. His jaw tightens as his fingers flex at his sides. "Can I trust him with you?"

I frown. What kind of question even is that? "I'll be fine."

I can sense that he doesn't like that answer, his right eye twitching ever so slightly, but after a few beats, he takes me at my word and saunters off.

Silence descends over Fairbourne and me. I let it hang there, waiting for him to explain.

"I apologize for my lack of presence this week. Truthfully, I was being questioned."

My head rears back. "For what?"

"For any involvement in you being here," he admits, making my pulse quicken and confusion deepen.

"You didn't know I was here until I was here. I don't even recall you from my childhood," I state, noting the slight flicker of disappointment, but it's the truth. All I remember is the pain that came with leaving everything behind. Anything else is hidden away.

I always thought that was the wrong way around. How the pain should be hidden and the joy should be at the forefront of my mind. Until one day, I realized it is the pain that fuels me, the pain that gives me purpose, and the pain that gives me the drive to succeed.

"I know that, but everyone knows I was at your father's side all those years ago, so they had to be sure."

I run my eyes over him, looking for any obvious signs of discomfort or pain. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he murmurs, wincing through the fake smile on his lips. His hand lifts but quickly falls, as if he was going to reach for something but stopped himself.

"Why are you wincing?"

"No reason." The cords in his neck are pulled tight, and a sickly feeling settles in my stomach.

"Turn around."

He shakes his head. "No."

"Professor, turn around," I repeat, his sheepishness only confirming where my thoughts are leading.

He sighs, defeated, as he slowly turns. There's a raise to his t-shirt at the top of his spine and a few droplets of blood stain the fabric, concealing what lies beneath.

"You got a kiss of amethyst, too?" I breathe, and he whips around to face me with horror dancing in his eyes.

"They did this to you?"

"They did," I admit, watching the horror deepen to terror as he takes a step toward me, but I instinctively take one back.

"Sorry, it's not personal, I just…"

"It's okay," he murmurs, tucking his hands into his pockets. "I can help you," he offers, and I give him a tight smile.

"My father already has, but thank you."

Next time I speak to my father, I'm going to mention this guy just to be sure what he says adds up.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me, Adrianna. I won't let it happen again," he promises, and I nod, not planning on counting on him for anything.

"It's out of our control. Don't worry about it. What we should be considering is the fact that Kenner is back on campus again. How does he keep getting away with that?" I ask, hoping to shift the conversation away from me to a topic I would still like details on.

Fairbourne scoffs. "Because this place is just as fucked as the rest of the kingdom."