I get up and try to wipe away more of the mud I got on myself. I'm still dirty as hell... I really need to get back and take a good shower. I look up at the window. It's going to be a nightmare to climb out of this. I let out a long sigh, and instead, tour the little chapel a bit. I'll wait until the downpour stops, I am not going back out in this storm. It may be fine for a werewolf, but I'm not risking it. I wouldn't even know where to go anyway.
I look around, but this place is rather... empty. The doors are all condemned, and the bookshelves are bare. Even the little fountain has no water running. It's a miracle I even found some candles... I decide to curl up on one of the benches. If only there was some wood I could burn to warm myself up. Well, at least, Liam left me his jacket. I'm going nuts over his smell... I feel like a pervert, but his smell is so nice and soothing. I start daydreaming, and somehow, warm arms replace the leather sleeves surrounding me. What the hell am I thinking about...
I wake up a while later, with no idea how long I've been asleep. The rain stopped! The difference in sound is baffling. I almost run to the window's opening, and though it looks dark outside, at least I know the storm seems to have passed. I can't help but smile in relief. Good.
As I climb back up, it wakes up all my muscle pains from the fight with Selena, but I don't care much. I need to go back now, I've been gone for a while. I can only imagine the ruckus it's going to be, either from my sister's side or Selena's... I walk through the streets of Silver City, trying to find my way back. One more thing about myself I just discovered: I am the absolute worst at directions. I have a vague idea, but every time I think I'm in the right area, the buildings change just to confuse me. What the hell?
"Oh my God, Mara!"
I turn around just in time to see Kelsi jump at my neck. I hug her back, a bit confused.
"I'm sorry, I just took shelter from the rain, I–"
"Where the hell have you been?! Everyone is furious, they are all looking for you."
"Seriously?" I frown. "No need to be this mad, I was just gone a bit, it's..."
Before I can continue, I realize there's something wrong in Kelsi's eyes. She shakes her head, looking panicked.
"Mara, a big fire started at the university, the humans think you did it!"
...What?
I remain speechless for a long minute. I can barely believe what she just said. A fire... at the university, now?
"I didn't do it!" I immediately blurt out, shocked.
Kelsi grabs my hand, trying to act calm when she most likely isn't.
"Boo, let's get you home first, okay? We can talk once you're dry, you look like you've rolled around in the mud..."
I can't refute that. I see her eyes glance at the new leather jacket covering my shoulders, but she doesn't say anything and pulls me inside the building. Damn it, I was actually this close?
Once we are upstairs, Kelsi gets me in the shower while she grabs some clean and warm clothes for me to get into. I swear I don't remember the last time a hot shower felt this good. I let it pour on me for a few minutes. What a crazy day it’s been? First, that professor at the university who knew me, or at least the former me that was asking around about witches under a fake name. Then, the mob that got mad at me out of nowhere, and finally, Liam Black.
I shiver just remembering his cold eyes. What in the world was that feeling I got from that guy? Every time I am near him, I lose control. It's not just my senses, it's as if my whole body was going crazy. I look down at my hand. He held my hand, and it felt... strangely good. I can remember very precisely his gentle but firm grip. How close he was, and even the details of his face. He got dangerously close to mine. Why was he acting like that? One minute, he was running away from me as if he hated me, but then, he got all... caring.
"Mara?" Kelsi knocks at the door. "You should come and see!"
I frown and get out of the shower. I don't even need to grab the towel, my body dries within seconds. I can feel my fire running inside and adjust my internal temperature... I grab the comfy denim overalls and top Kelsi left me, and get out of the bathroom. She's in the salon, watching the TV with her arms crossed. Ben is actually there too, and it looks like he just arrived from outside, his hair still wet.
We don't even talk, I just watch the TV as the local news channel is running. The images speak for themselves. It really is the university; a whole damn building of it caught on fire as if hell itself had unleashed...
"...Of unknown circumstances," says the anchor. "An inferno broke out an hour ago on the campus of Silver City University, engulfing one of the buildings within seconds. The fire took over very quickly according to the witnesses on site, pushing the local authorities to believe this may have been intentional. The chief of the local police just gave a more recent statement, mentioning there are no known victims yet. All parties involved will do their best to resolve this incident..."
Kelsi grabs the remote to mute it, making a sour expression, and turns to me.
"Mara if–"
"It wasn't me!" I retort immediately.
"These are some really strange circumstances," says Ben.
"Stop fucking glaring at me! I didn't do anything, you saw me leave the campus!"
"You've been gone for hours, Mara," says Kelsi. "I don't believe you did it, I swear, but you're going to be in trouble. Where were you? The werewolves were looking all over Silver City for you!"
"Selena is on her way," adds Ben.
