Nerion’s laugh seemed forced. “Exactly. Friends withexcellentbenefits.”
Chapter 17
Nerion
Istood outside the admin building feeling more than a little nervous. Going to the Dean’s office was never a good thing. Since I’d enrolled at Widdershins, I’d been there a grand total of three times. One was to welcome me to the academy and lay down some rules about what I was allowed to do there. The other two were because of accidents like the one that landed me here now.
Even so, I could already feel the urge to sing returning to me. Usually I could push it away for months at a time, then run back to the ocean for a couple of weeks during the summer to let it all out. But now that things with Teddy were getting hotter, the need to sing was coming back. And that was something I’d never felt with one of my hookups before. Actually, Teddy was making me feel alotof things I’d never felt before.
It was like my own heart and heritage were trying to sabotage me.
I took a deep breath, shaking my head. That was a problem for another time. Today I just had to convince the Dean that I wasn’t some monster trying to eat the students or just a general hellion trying to stir up trouble. Putting on a neutral expression, I stepped through the doors into the admin building.
The admin building was quiet, with only the soft ticking of an antique clock breaking the silence. I made my way down the polished hallway toward the Dean’s office, my footsteps echoing against the marble floor. The portraits of former Dean’s watched me pass, their painted eyes seeming to follow my every move with silent judgment.
When I reached the heavy oak door with “Dean Thornfield” emblazoned on the frosted glass panel, I hesitated. My fingers drummed nervously against my thigh. I wasn’t afraid of punishment. I’d faced worse than whatever the academy could dish out. But I was afraid of being asked to leave. Despite everything, I’d come to think of Widdershins Academy as my home for the moment. Although, I guess I only had a year and a half left. Maybe it was time to start thinking about what home actually was after my art degree was done.
Taking one more steadying breath, I knocked.
“Enter,” came the Dean’s measured voice from within.
I pushed open the door to find Dean Thornfield seated behind his massive desk covered in paperwork and little trinkets. Behind him were several dark wood shelves filled with spellbooks and all manner of magical items.
“Ah, Mr. Thalassos,” he said with a smile. “Please, take a seat.”
I slipped into the chair across from him, trying to appear more relaxed than I felt. The leather creaked beneath me as I settled in.
“Thank you for coming in at last,” Dean Thornfield said, giving me a knowing grin. “I’m glad I ran into you at the art show, or else we might never have had this conversation.”
“I’m sorry about that,” I said, meeting his gaze directly. There was no point in playing dumb. “To be honest, I just didn’t want to do this again.”
The Dean nodded, his expression remaining neutral. “Mr. Jackson has recovered without issue, thankfully. Though he’s quite confused about what happened.”
“I didn’t mean to...” I started, then paused, reconsidering my words. “I shouldn’t have sung. It was careless of me. But I’ve used the soundproof rooms in the music building before when I can’t…resistit any longer.”
Dean Thornfield studied me for a long moment. The clock on his wall ticked loudly in the silence. I’d always heard he was fair but stern, and right now I was hoping the “fair” part would win out.
“You know, Mr. Thalassos, when we accepted you at Widdershins, it was with the understanding that you would exercise extreme caution regarding your... natural abilities.” His tone wasn’t accusatory, but there was a firmness to it that made my stomach tighten.
“I know, sir. It was an accident. Those rooms have always worked until now.” I ran a hand through my hair. “Sometimes the need builds up and becomes hard to contain.”
“Like pressure in a valve,” he offered, surprising me with his understanding.
“Exactly like that,” I said, leaning forward slightly. “I try to keep it under control, but if I don’t get it out, I’ll start humming under my breath or I’ll catch a tune somewhere and start singing along without realizing it. I’m not doing it to hurt anyone. It’s just… It feels like I’ll explode if I don’t.”
The Dean nodded thoughtfully. “You know, I’m not unaware of how those kinds of urges can feel. Although I’ve never felt them myself as a witch, my husband has similar issues.”
“Husband?” I asked, genuinely surprised by the information.
“Yes. Coach Flannery,” he said. “Though I’d appreciate if you kept that information between us. We’ve come a long way in thepast couple of years since the issues with the Purity Front, but we’re not quite ready to go public with that just yet.”
“Of course,” I nodded emphatically. “I won’t tell anyone.”
“Thank you.” He leaned back in his seat, lacing his fingers together. “So I understand what werewolvesneedto shift, that vampires need to feed, and that all of our students here come with their own set of special needs depending on their background.” He glanced up at me, his brow furrowed. “You come with a unique set of challenges. And so far I’ve asked you to try to deny what you are. For that, I apologize.”
I just stared at him. I thought I was going to get in trouble, not receive an apology.
“It’s okay,” I said, unsure of how to respond. “I understand that I’m…dangerous.”