Chapter 246
“I delt with it,” I say, straightening my shoulders, frowning at my brother and my cousin. They both look up at me. “As best as I could, I delt with it. I did what I had to do to stay in the school, keep my secret, and keep myself protected.”
They both stare at me for a long moment before Rafe nods, tacitly acknowledging that there wasn’t much else I could do – that my route, as much as he doesn’t like it, was probably the most effective one. Jackson tightens his arms around me slightly, lending me his warmth and support.
“Okay, fine,” Jesse sighs, raising a hand and brushing it once, roughly, over his sleepy eyes. “No sense in making any of us feel guilty for what’s passed. What do we do now?”
“We tell mom and dad,” Rafe says immediately. “Get him fired.”
“Don’t you think that’s hasty?” Jacks asks.
“No,” Rafe replies, snapping his head up to glare at him. “Are you seriously telling me that –“
“Slow down, Rafe,” Jacks snaps, frowning at my brother. “You’re jumping to conclusions because you’re pissed. Just…let me explain.”
Rafe growls a little, deep in his chest, but acquiesces a moment later. I suppress a smile as my wolf dances a little inwardly, some part of me a little pleased to see my big tough brother put in his place. I mean, I love Rafe, but he does kind of barrel through conversations when he’s lost his temper like this – and it’s kind of nice to have someone around who’s not afraid to counter him.
“I do want Alvez gone,” Jackson says, glancing at me. “I think he’s dangerous and I don’t think Ariel should have to put up with his shit anymore. But I want to know what’s going on with him and his ability to – I don’t know, distract everyone? Or at least, some of us? There’s something to it, but to me it feels like…magic.”
Jackson frowns, looking to me for support, asking silently if I feel the same. I nod, agreeing, and turn my attention to Rafe and Jesse. “I would also like to know before he’s gone,” I say, firm. “Besides, guys, he’s such a crap professor – honestly, there has to be someone who can better help you figure out your magic a little more quickly.”
“Well,” Rafe says, glancing at Jesse, “I think it’s fair to say that none of us ever liked him, but I’m amenable to the idea of figuring out what’s going on with this…distraction thing, if that’s what we’re calling it. But what do you think it is? Is he like, intentionally blocking some of us, and letting others in?”
“But why would he let Tony see?” I ask, frowning at the idea.
“Is it like, some people’s magic lets them see it?” Jesse offers, tilting his head to the side. But then he frowns at Jacks, clearly wondering why Jackson could see, as Jesse still doesn’t know about Jackson’s access to his gifts.
“No, Ella was fooled too,” Jacks says, sighing and crossing his arms as he leans back against the couch, cleverly finding another way to end this supposition without spilling his secret.
The boys nod, taking the point, and then four of us are quiet for a moment together, sitting in the dark in our pajamas in our Castle tower, thinking over our options. And even as I know that this is serious and upsetting, a little spark of happiness dances in my soul because…I really like my life. And I like that Jackson is here, and that my brother and my cousin are so eager to stand up for me.
I’m just…really, really lucky.
“I think we should set a trap,” Rafe says suddenly, drawing my attention back to him.
“A trap!?” I ask, sitting up straight in surprise.
“I mean, not a complicated one. I just think we want answers to these questions, sooner rather than later,” Rafe says, nodding to me. “I think we need to get Alvez alone with the four of us and that the easiest way to do that is to…get him alone in his office. Let’s wait for him to ask you for the private tutoring or whatever, Ari. Then, when he’s in here waiting at the arranged time, we all show up.”
“With weapons,” Jesse growls, his eyes lighting a bit devilishly.
“No weapons,” Jacks snaps and Jesse’s face drops into a scowl. “We don’t need them, and we’re not giving him any reason to disintegrate us on the spot. Alvez is powerful – don’t forget that. We don’t want him to feel so threatened that he acts out.”
“Fine, just a couple of weapons,” Jesse says, spreading out his hands like it’s a great concession. “Small ones.”
“After that,” Rafe says, looking at me evenly and ignoring Jesse’s antics. “He’s gone. Okay?”
“Okay,” I say, nodding and breathing out a sharp breath, pressing my hands together on top of my knees. “That will be…good. And then for magic class…”
“The school can figure that out,” Jackson murmurs, placing a hand on my back and rubbing it up and down comfortingly. “That’s not our problem.”
“True,” I sigh, and then I smile a little as I look around at everyone. “Thanks, guys,” I whisper. “For having my back.”
“Anytime, Ari,” Jesse says, beaming at me.
“Yeah, we love you,” Rafe says, getting to his feet, heaving a yawn and stretching his arms above his head. “Though if you could arrange for me to have your back at a more reasonable hour next time, sis, that would be great.”
I laugh a little, jumping to my feet and wrapping my arms tight around Rafe’s waist while he’s otherwise distracted. Rafe laughs, looking down at me and dropping his arms to give me a little hug.
“All right, go away,” Rafe murmurs, laughing a little and shoving me gently towards Jackson, who scoops me up in his arms and carries me away towards the nook. Jesse likewise gives us a sleepy little wave, heading for his own bed.
“Come on, tiny,” Jacks murmurs, sitting down hard on the bed and curling me up against him as he lays down. “Let’s go to sleep.”
“Okay,” I say, sighing happily and letting my eyes drift shut as Jackson strokes his hand softly over my hair and down my back, again and again. “See you cliffside in a little bit.”
“Can’t wait.”
During the run the next morning, Rafe sets one hell of a pace, and every single one of them can tell that it’s not because he’s eager to exercise for the joy of it. Nope, it’s very clear to everyone that Rafe’s trying to outrun his emotions.
Jackson keeps up with him, going stride for stride, his steady face giving no indication of flagging. But Ariel has no chance of keeping up.
Jackson glances over his shoulder for her, concerned, but when Jesse waves a hand and slows down, indicating that he’ll keep pace with her, Jackson turns his attention back to the run.
Jackson and Rafe go further than they have before – out into the wilds around the Academy, so far that the Castle disappears from sight behind them. It’s only when Rafe’s own footsteps begin to slow as they crest a hill that Jackson’s do too.
The pair slacken, and then slow, and then come to a stop at the top of the hill, Rafe bending over a little with his hands on his waist, panting.
“Why,” Rafe says in between big breaths, looking up at Jackson a little. “Are you so fucking fit? I can outrun everyone – literally everyone - I’ve ever met except for you. And I’m beat now and you’re not even breathing hard.”
Jackson just looks at Rafe evenly, frowning a little, wiping some sweat off his brow. “I’m…a little out of breath,” he says, even though he is patently not.
The prince just stares at his sister’s mate, waiting for an answer, until Jackson sighs and heaves a little shrug. “I have limitless energy,” he says casually, like it’s no big deal.
Rafe just rolls his eyes, turning away a bit, annoyed by the joke instead of the explanation.
“No, Rafe,” Jackson says, reaching for his arm and pulling Rafe back. “I mean…that’s my power – that’s my magic, all right? Ariel already knows. I just…never run out of energy. I don’t really need to sleep or eat unless I want to – at least, not for a long time.”
“Whoa,” Rafe says, straightening up and staring at his friend, kind of shocked.
