Two hours later, dressed and ready for the Academy, my self-delusion had evaporated. Neither Oanen nor Eliana had answered me. That could only mean one of two things. I’d either hurt them both so badly that they couldn’t answer me. Or, they’d both given up on me. I doubted the latter. While Oanen might want to give up because of jealousy, I couldn’t see Eliana giving up on me for what I’d done.
After a twenty-minute internal debate over just going to their house, I drove to Girderon early and continued to worry about both of them. Ashlyn arrived not long after with Eugene in the passenger seat of her car.
“Hey, Megan,” she said as soon as she opened the door. “I’m glad you’re here. I was a little nervous about bringing Eugene on my own.”
It clicked that Ashlyn had been at the Roost last night, and I hurried toward her.
“Have you heard from Eliana? I’m worried that I hurt her last night.”
Surprise flitted over Ashlyn’s features.
“Hurt her? How?”
“You didn’t hear the car explode after I went outside?”
“No. After Oanen hit Fenris, Eliana saw you and Oanen head outside and followed you. She sent a text later, saying that you guys were all heading home and that Adira would make sure that we got home okay.”
“I missed a fight?” Eugene asked.
I turned my attention to him. Not only did he now wear clean clothes that complemented his jet-black hair and dark brown eyes, he also looked happy.
“Don’t worry. You’re bound to see a lot more if you decide to stay here.”
He laughed.
“It’s already decided. I love it here.”
Ashlyn rolled her eyes but looked amused.
“You haven’t even had your first day of school,” I said.
“Doesn’t matter. Look at how clean I am. They can do what they want to me in there, and I would die happy because I never thought I’d be clean and warm again.”
Another car pulled in. Red and glossy with three blonde heads mixed in with one dark one, I knew right away who’d arrived.
Fenris waved as he held the door for Jenna. I noted that he looked completely unharmed by the two hits he’d taken last night. The girls looked over Eugene with keen interest as their group joined us.
“Everyone, this is Eugene. He’s new to Uttira.” I looked at Jenna and the other girls. “Would you mind keeping an eye on him while I talk to Fenris a minute about last night?”
Jenna nodded easily.
“Sure thing. We’ll make sure nothing eats him.”
The other girls grinned and wrapped their arms through his. Eugene smiled widely and gave me a thumbs-up before allowing them to lead him inside. Ashlyn followed with a shake of her head.
Alone, I faced Fenris. He watched me closely, his normal, easy smile absent.
“I’m worried that I hurt Oanen and Eliana last night. Please tell me you saw them after we went outside.”
A look of relief crossed his features.
“I thought you were going to tell me I needed to stop touching you,” he said, his boyish grin returning.
“I’m getting to that part, too. First, tell me what happened after I left.”
He shrugged his shoulders and sighed slightly.
“I didn’t want to make things worse, so I stayed inside. I heard the explosion a few seconds after Eliana followed you two out. I tried to get outside along with half of everyone else in the Roost. By the time I pushed my way to the front, I caught a glimpse of Mrs. Quill stepping through a portal before it closed. You, Eliana, and Oanen were gone.”
That didn’t help ease my worry at all.
“You need to tell Oanen the truth,” I said, ignoring the cars parking behind him. “He’s jealous of you.”
Fenris snorted. “If I told him the truth, he wouldn’t just punch me in the face; he’d try to kill me. Griffins are protective, if you haven’t noticed. The only reason he’s not angrier at me for the attention I’ve been giving you is because he knows he has your heart. No, I’d like to leave things the way they are for a while.”
“Fine. Then, no more hugs for you.”
He made a face.
“Now you’re just being mean. But, that’s all right. I’ll love you anyway.”
One of the people walking past us started walking faster, no doubt looking to spread that bit of gossip.
“And to prove my love,” Fenris continued, “I’ve been considering your problems and think I found a way to help you. How do you put out a fire?”
“It depends on the kind of fire. Why are you asking?”
He chuckled.
“I’ve seen the flames in your eyes and Oanen’s burns. There’s a fire inside of you. You’re trying to control the burn, right? Try putting it out.”
He winked at me and merged with the flow of students going into the building. I stood there, thinking about what he’d said and waiting for any sign of Eliana’s car or Oanen’s shadow in the sky. When the first session bell rang, I gave up and went inside in search of Adira. Her door was tightly closed as usual, but there was no answer when I knocked. Frustrated, I checked rooms until I found Eugene with Ashlyn. Seeing them safe, I went to the library.
Words drifted before my eyes but none of them stuck in my mind. Hours passed. No one knocked on the door, and the growl of my stomach grew louder. Giving up, I went outside and waited in my car until the final session bell rang.
The cars cleared the parking lot in droves. While I waited to find out how Eugene’s first day went, I sent the same text to both Oanen and Eliana.
I’m trying not to freak out, but your silence is scaring me. Please call as soon as you can.
Not long after I hit send, Ashlyn and Eugene emerged from the building along with Fenris and his girls. They all were talking and smiling. A part of me hated them for their good moods. Why couldn’t I be like that?
Eugene spotted me and jogged over to my car. Fenris and his girls kept going to their vehicle, but he gave me a small nod of acknowledgement.
“Hey, Megan,” Eugene said. “I just wanted to let you know I haven’t changed my mind. Thanks for introducing me to Jenna. She and her friends are great.”
“I’m glad you like it here. Just don’t forget what this place is, and be careful.”
He nodded and went to catch up with Ashlyn, who gave me a wave as she got into her car. Feeling defeated and alone, I started to back out of my spot. My phone chirped. I slammed on the brakes and picked it up.
My eyes devoured Eliana’s message.
I’m coming over as soon as I can. Don’t freak out.
I read the last line twice. What did she mean by that? Why did she think I would freak out when I saw her?
Checking behind me, I finished backing out and sped home. Once there, I paced in the kitchen, freaking out despite her warning not to.
When I finally heard Eliana’s car, I had the door opened before she even parked. I focused on her face as she got out. She looked okay. Sort of. She was wearing more makeup than I’d ever seen her wear before.
“You had to use makeup to cover the burns?” I asked. Fear laced my words.
“No,” she said, hurrying toward me. “I didn’t. Look closely. The skin’s all good. Let’s go inside before you set something out here on fire.”
I nodded and went inside with her. She held out a hand, which I clasped before hugging her tightly.
“I was worried I hurt you guys so badly you couldn’t even text me,” I said against her hair.
“I swear I’m fine,” she said.
“Oanen?” I asked as I pulled back to look at her.
“Hurt, but not badly. All stuff that will heal.”
“What happened? Why didn’t you guys call me?”
“A lot’s happened. Let’s sit down. I’ve got an hour before I need to be back home.”
I sat across from her and noticed how beautiful her eyes looked with dark mascara and eyeshadow.
“If you’re not wearing makeup to cover something up, why are you wearing it? I mean, it looks great; it’s just very different from what you usually do.”
“The makeup ties in to my visit.” She reached across the table and held my hand again. “After the car exploded last night and Adira returned you, she and the Quills decided Oanen and I were hindering your progress.”
“They what?” My anger wanted to rear its ugly head but couldn’t, thanks to Eliana.