"I'm sorry," Rain said. "I know you think we're just causing problems, but we're not."
"You are still overreacting to the situation at hand. All six of you! Rain, you don't need to use shadows for every situation. Aspen, think first. Don't even reach for your magic until you have, otherwise it could be Rain or Keir who get a face full of whatever you conjured this time! Hawke, you are notTorian's cleanup crew. Your magic is meant for so much more than that. Master it. Wilder?"
The guy smiled. "Slowing time hurts no one, Ms. Rhodes. I thought you'd prefer that to me sinking them into the floor."
Fuck me. Ok, if Wilder could do that without thinking, then he was alotstronger than I thought. Maybe Hawke had a point when he'd said the three of us were the "weak" ones. Clearly Wilder not only had more than enough magical power to be intimidating, but also impeccable control.
"I would prefer," Ms. Rhodes said, "that my students allow the staff to handle issues. Keir, you were tasked with helping us, not enabling the court. I expect a certain level of objectivity from those working here, and since you've said that's in your plans, then prove it."
Finally, she looked at Torian. "Stop acting like a damned monster!"
"That's a slur," I said.
"He knows what I'm talking about," she assured me. "You, Mr. Hunt, need to deal with your anger issues. I don't care why you are slipping, but get it together, or I will replicate the lessons that created your control in the first place. Do you hear me?"
"Try it," Torian growled.
"Control!" she snapped. "Not rage. Not resentment. Control is the one thing that has gotten you this far, so do not throw it away because you think a Morrigan will change things. Rain is here to learn, no different than you are. For the next three and a half years, the group of you are mine. Am I understood? I am the one making the rules, setting the limitations, and deciding fates.Notyour little court."
"Then convince the jesters of that," Torian said, crossing his arms.
Ms. Rhodes nodded. "I will, because I do intend to talk to them. I applaud the way the six of you have banded together, but this? The students here? We are nothing compared to the problems you will all find out there, and Torian? This world does not believe in magic. So find your damned control!"
"I will when you find thatthing!" Torian told her. "Harper is hunting my sister. Whether she's here or not, she's a jester, and we both know that's why the idiot started shit today."
"No," Ms. Rhodes said, "we do not know that. Torian, Ms. Valentina could be operating on her own. Harper often takes credit for things that are not necessarily accurate."
"She lies," Rain said plainly.
"She does," Ms. Rhodes agreed.
"And that doesn't keep the Hunt away from Aspen!" Torian bellowed. "That is all I want.Find the item.My sister will not be locked up in her room like it's a cage! She will not be chased down like a criminal! She will not - "
"Enough!" Ms. Rhodes yelled, cutting him off. "Torian, I get it. You are under a lot of stress, but I will worry about protecting my students. You need to worry about your own responsibilities. Do not overstep, young man."
"Yes, General," Torian said, bowing his head deeply at her, his tone far from respectful.
Ms. Rhodes just sighed. "Now go. All of you." Then she murmured. "Rain, see your father first."
"Liam?" Rain guessed.
"Yes, that one," Ms. Rhodes agreed. "Aspen, you may wait in the office, because I'd prefer the pair of you walk up together. Keir?"
"Yes, ma'am?" I asked.
She dipped her head at me. "Good job with the shield. Jayden appears to still have some magic. I'm glad you stepped in." And then she flicked her hand, dismissing the lot of us.
Yeah, the woman was pissed. It was written in every line of her body, but she hadn't been too strict. But Torian? He was almost trembling with his rage, and I had a funny feeling his control would stay fractured until he dealt with whatever was setting him off.
So when the kid stormed out of the office, I followed. The only thing that made me nervous was that Hawke and Wilder didn't.
Chapter Fifty-Six
KEIR
As we left the administration area, Wilder paused to check on Aspen. Hawke stopped with him. Torian didn't seem to care. For a guy who'd been so worried about his sister a moment ago, him not checking to make sure she was ok confused the hell out of me.
He was also pissed, so I jogged after him, convinced he was about to start some shit. Was that why the rest weren't following? Was this some alibi for them? Damn it, I might be considered a part of the court, but I was definitely at the outer edge of things. How the hell was I supposed to...
