“Everyone at this school is dangerous,” he replied. “So that shouldn’t be an issue.” He leaned forward now, his gaze intense. “Here’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to call in a specialist to make sure one of those rooms is actually soundproof. And we’re going to make sure it’s available to you at any time. If there are more incidents, I would like you to do the same thing you did with Mr. Jackson. Get them to the infirmary immediately for treatment so the song can’t settle in. Does that seem fair to you?”
“Yes, sir,” I nodded. “More than fair.”
“Good.” Dean Thornfield reached across his desk, grabbing a piece of paper. “Now tell me about this Mr. Voss that I saw you with at the exhibition. There’s clearly something between you two.”
My mouth fell open, my jaw working for a moment before I found my voice. “W-We’re just friends,” I said at last.
“Just friends,” he repeated. “Is that why you two were meeting in the pool at midnight?” He glanced at his sheet of paper. “For nearly two hours?”
“We… uh…” Now I felt like I was actually going to get in trouble for real. “We like to swim.”
“Uh-huh.” The Dean gave me a knowing smile. “I might be older than you, but I’m not senile.”
“We really are just friends,” I said, doubling down. “With…benefits.”
“Is that all?”
I furrowed my brow in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“If you and Mr. Voss are involved, I have no issues with it,” he said. “But has he heard you sing? Even by accident?”
“No,” I said quickly, maybe too quickly. “He’s never heard me sing. I’ve been extremely careful about that. And I plan to keep it that way.”
The Dean leaned back in his chair, studying me with an intensity that made me shift uncomfortably. “Good. Because I need to be very clear about something, Mr. Thalassos. While I understand your... unique situation, I cannot allow any student to be enchanted against their will.”
“I would never—” I started, but he held up a hand.
“I know you wouldn’t intentionally harm another student. But accidents happen, as we’ve seen with Mr. Jackson. I need your solemn word that you will exercise the utmost caution around Mr. Voss.”
I nodded firmly. “You have my word, sir. I promise.”
“Excellent.” Dean Thornfield’s expression softened slightly. “I’m not trying to interfere in your personal affairs, but I do have a responsibility to protect all my students. Even from each other when necessary.”
“I understand completely,” I said, meaning it. The last thing I wanted was to accidentally enchant Teddy. The thought of him looking at me with that vacant, adoring expression I’d seen on others under my spell made my stomach turn.
“There’s one more thing,” the Dean said, his tone becoming more serious. “I’m aware of the... particularcursethat affects your kind.”
My breath caught in my throat. How did he know about that? Very few people outside of siren communities understood the full extent of our curse.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I lied, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Mr. Thalassos,” he said gently, “this is a magical college. We make it our business to understand the nature of all magical beings who attend. The curse of your kind is well-documented in our library. Usually our aquatic students are ordinary merfolk, but you required us to crack open a few of our more dusty books.”
I swallowed hard. “Then you understand why it’s just... benefits with Teddy. Nothing more. Itcan’tbe anymore more.”
“I do.” He nodded solemnly. “And I respect your caution. But I also want you to know that running from connection isn’t always the answer. Your professors speak highly of you, though they mention you’re quite the loner. I imagine that can be difficult.”
“With all due respect, sir,” I said, my voice tight, “you haven’t spent your life knowing that loving someone could literally be the death of you. I have to be alone. I won’t end up like my parents.”
The Dean’s eyes softened with something like sympathy. “You’re right. I haven’t lived a life like yours. But I have spent many years hiding who I truly am and who I love. It’s no way to live, Mr. Thalassos. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that. We sat in silence for a moment, the ticking of the clock suddenly loud again.
“Well,” he said finally, “I believe we’ve covered everything. The specialist will be here next week to examine the music rooms. In the meantime, please be careful.”
“I will,” I promised, rising from my chair. As I reached the door, the Dean called out once more.
“Mr. Thalassos?”