Because there was something in the air. I'd thought it was just me, but clearly I was wrong. There was a weight on the school. People had kept to their rooms today. The news of the Hunt getting one of us? It was terrifying. It made all of this feel more real.
"We'd been pushing them back," I said, the words more for myself than anything.
"Yeah," Hawke breathed, proving the weight was sitting on him as well. "And seeing Rain in the middle of that? I was ready to cut your head off, Keir."
"That was Bracken," I admitted. "He told her to get her sword, and there was no way she'd stay behind after that."
"He didn't want her out there!" Hawke snarled.
"Or did he?" I asked. "She's the Morrigan. He knows that. He also madeit clear I was to stay with her." I almost stopped there, but the rage on Hawke's face made me add, "And I vowed to protect her, even if it costs me my life."
His eyes flared, widening for only a split second before he schooled his face again. "Why?"
"Because that girl matters to me, ok?"
"But a vow?"
I dropped my head and groaned. "I can help her, ok? Combat is the one thing I'm good at. My weapons classes are where I excel!" Sighing again, I looked back up. "And she is the one person who actually talks to me."
Hawke ran his tongue over his teeth behind his lips, but those creepy eyes of his hung on me for a little too long. "Torian's into her."
"She's not into Torian."
"Are you sure?"
I had to stop and think about that. "No," I finally admitted.
"Is this a problem?" he asked.
"I dunno," I admitted. "Look, my problem with Torian is that girls see me as his backup. Guys? They think more is better, and no one gets on Torian's good side, so I'm the clear winner there. I don't really give a shit if she's into him as long as he doesn't make her choose between him and Aspen."
"He would never do that to his sister," Hawke assured me. "If anything, he's keeping his distance because of it."
"And because Rain makes him," I pointed out.
Hawke actually laughed. "Yeah, well, there's that part too. I think Torian likes it, though. She isn't scared of him at all, and everyone else is."
"You?" I asked.
Hawke nodded. "A bit, yeah. You?"
I mimicked his laugh. "I don't really know. Before the attack, I would've said no."
"And now?" Hawke pressed.
"I've never seen anyone use that much magic." I glanced away, swallowing to push back the sudden tension I felt at the memory of what had happened. "He used both seasons, Hawke. No one can do that - but a monster."
Hawke murmured, proving he didn't agree. "Bracken does."
"Not at the same fucking time!" I hissed.
"Yeah, there's that," he conceded.
"Just..." I pulled in a breath and decided to simply ask. "Please tell me he isn't a monster?"
"Torian?" Hawke leaned back in his chair and shook his head. "He's just fae."
"So are monsters," I countered, seeing the evasion easily.
