The falling sensation continues until abruptly, I feel jerked about. My mind’s eye opens, rather than the eyes on my face. Although I can’t make out where I am, I somehow know I’m in her mind, seeing what she saw, which is not one but two shadowy forms.
I’m starting to slip, to leave her head even as I desperately cling on. Where is she? And the forms, can I tell anything about them? No, no, I can’t. My desperation proves my downfall. All I can sense is her sheer fear. Professor Luna, in her last moments, knew she was going to die.
Two forms. Does this mean that the killer hadn’t worked alone?
Chapter 22
As I fly again, I zoom out of there. The boys aren't anywhere to be seen, and I dash back to the cottage, flying a bit too on the nose for an actual fly, but I don't care. I need to get back as soon as possible.
The moment I fly into my room, I shapeshift back to my normal self, full height.
Orchid’s sitting on her bed. She just eyes me and shakes her head. “Do I even want to know?”
I rub the back of my neck, take a step, and nearly fall over. The heavy use of magic has me so dizzy that I have to sit down. The nearest furniture is Orchid’s bed, and I sit on the end of it.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, sounding alarmed instead of her earlier wry tone.
“I’m just a little out of it. I’ll be fine.”
“You aren’t pregnant, are you?” she demands.
My laugh is weak. “You have to have sex to be pregnant.”
“I know, but—”
“I only had sex the one time, and that was two years ago. No, I’m definitely not pregnant.”
Orchid gives me a look and flies out of the room without another word. When she returns, she has an array of bread and cheeses that, thankfully, aren't almost moldy.
I start to eat, but I still don't feel right. Orchid leaves and returns with water. I down the entire glass, and only then can I eat some of the food. Once I swallow the last bite, I feel a bit better.
My phone is vibrating like mad, and I pull it out as Orchid takes the plate and empty cup away. The boys are frantic, wanting to know if I’m out of there.
I smirk as I create a group chat and text back that they're lucky that I'm out of there, or else my phone blowing up from their texts would've outed me.
“Where are you?” I text them.
Now, their phones go silent.
“You aren’t locked up, are you? You can’t be. You have your phones,” I text.
Still no answer.
“Guys, please. I’m sick to my stomach worried here.”
Still nothing.
“I won’t tell you what I learned until you tell me where you are.”
“We’re in the infirmary,” Damon texts.
“Just how badly did you two hurt each other?” I ask.
“We’ll be out in no time,” Sage texts.
“Why aren’t the fairy nurses or doctors healing you?”
“The guards told them to wait an hour,” Damon texts.
I rub my forehead. I’m exhausted, and the letters are swimming before my eyes, but I manage to text, “They want you to be in pain for an hour first?”
“The hour’s almost up,” Damon says.
“An optimistic half-demon. Will wonders ever cease?” I hit send and then cringe. What if he doesn’t appreciate the text?
Damon sends a string of crying/laughing emojis. Sage does too.
I grin and then yawn.
“Well? Your turn. Tell us what you found.” Sage’s demand comes through his text clearly.
“Nothing much, but I think I might’ve seen something that she saw shortly before she died. I think there might have been two killers, or at least the killer hadn’t been alone.”
There’s a long pause.
Finally, Damon sends, “So, where do we go from here?”
“You two need to heal and recover. Keep a low profile.” I hesitate, thinking and then hit send.
“And what about you?” Sage asks.
“I’ll let you know what I come up with for our next move.”
I fly over to my bed, collapse onto it, and promptly pass out.
When I wake, it’s the middle of the night. I’m hungry, so I make my way to the kitchen. To my surprise, someone’s already there. Wren’s staring at her mug as if she could melt it with her vision.
“What’s wrong?” I ask her.
She takes a big gulp. “Nothing,” she mumbles.
I help myself to some honey mead and grab some berries to munch on. After I settle beside her, I hold out the berries, but she ignores me. With a shrug, I start to eat.
The silence bothers me, so I clear my throat. “I was going to wait until the morning to ask you this, but do you think you could talk to Pine for me? See if they have anything yet? I really feel like I can’t move on. Professor Luna deserved more.”
“She does deserve more, but I won’t. I’m sorry. I’m not… Pine and I…” She drains the rest of her drink, staring straight ahead with glassy eyes.
“Wren, talk to me. Something’s bothering you. What? Is it something with the murder? Or with Pine?”
“Pine doesn’t think we should be together while he’s working here, not until after I graduate, and I’m done. I’m sick of being on and off. If we aren’t going to be together for real, then what’s the point in waiting?”
“Are you serious?” I gape at her.
Wren goes to drink from her glass again only to realize it’s empty. I push mine over, and she drains mine.
“Actually, he was the one to break us up,” she mumbles. “He thinks I’m too young for him. He clearly just wanted to chase my wings.”
“Oh, Wren.” I reach over and rub her back. I feel terrible for her. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Go back in time and tell me not to waste my time on him.” She heaves a sigh. “I’m sorry. If you want to try to talk to him, go
