Again, Shadow nodded.
"But then what?" Torian asked. "She's just one - "
As he spoke, Shadow reached over and grabbed Torian's shadow. Clearly, there was a sensation that went with it, because Torian shifted as if he'd been pushed sideways. His expression changed and he looked at Shadow again.
"Ok, that's hard to miss."
"Kinda is, isn't it?" Hawke asked. "So, Shadow? If Jack tells you, you can tell Rain, then get the rest of us?"
And one more time, Shadow made a production of nodding. Slowly, Hawke began to smile. Wilder murmured as if he liked this idea. Torian sighed, but that was typical for him, yet no one had really told me what they thought about any of this.
"So, will that work?" I asked. "Aspen, are you ok with this idea?"
She reached up to pet Jack's back. "I think the bastard royalty needs a little 'we' time," she joked.
"Sure," Keir said, "but is it enough?"
"Keir," Hawke said, waving us down. "Jack can watch Aspen's back. If she knows it's coming, she can handle it. Absolute worst case? She gates out, and I'm pretty sure she can gate into her room if nothing else."
"I have the one back by the Elysium Burst plants," Aspen said. "That's the easiest, and gives me the most exits, right?"
"Right," Torian agreed. "And all you need are two parallel supports. The top prevents a mess, but it isn't necessary."
Aspen nodded. "Yeah. I got it. We'll be fine, and I won't end up looking like I'm freaked out, so that undermines these assholes, right?" And she looked at me this time, not her brother.
"I don't know," I admitted. "I didn’t exactly study crazy fae cults in my last school or anything."
Which made her grin just as the first bell rang, proving we were all late. Considering the halls around us were far from empty, I wasn't worried about it, but Aspen shifted.
"It's only first and third that we have to worry about. I'll be careful, Tor."
"And I'm sure Jack will help with both," I said. Not just to her, but more to all of us.
"Jack!" he agreed. "Court, Morrigan, Jack!" And he ruffled his feathers proudly.
"Ok," Torian relented. "But if I feel anything..."
"Then meet me here," Aspen told him. "I won't wait around for bad things to happen. I'll get the fuck out, ok?"
Torian stood there, and to me it looked like he wanted to say no. He couldn't. We all knew Aspen was right, even if we didn't like it. If she ran and hid any time there was any problem? The asshats responsible for this mess would just keep doing it. A little spray paint shouldn't be enough to chase anyone off, let alone a queen.
"I just don't like that they're threatening you," Torian finally said. "But go. Jack has more than proven himself as a protector."
"Jack!" he cawed as Aspen turned away.
"I have to get to class too," Wilder said, backing in the other direction.
"Same," Hawke agreed. "You three are headed down to the Never, right?"
"Mhm," Torian agreed, waving them off.
But when I turned for the door, he caught my shoulder. Keir was also standing still. Neither one said a thing until our friends had left the atrium. That was when Torian stepped a little closer. Keir looked around, making sure we were alone.
"I don't like this," Torian said.
"Me either," I agreed.
Then Keir stepped forward. "So we all go to Rain's class and talk to Ms. Rhodes. I have a feeling she's going to be late too, so we're ok there. But this needs to be addressed."
