Page 25 of Group Studies
My weeks of torture in GS helped a little, but by the second hallway, my lungs burned for air, and my legs shook like jello. Two MA officers watched me run past and reported me on their little earpieces. To what end, I’d no idea.
I slowed, trying to figure out what to do next. When nothing came to me, I did the same thing I did every time I didn’t know what to do; I headed for the library. Alice looked right at me when I walked through the doors. She stood and handed me a box of tissues and something flat wrapped in a large brown paper bag.
“Beryl left this here for you,” she said. “I know you’ve been avoiding me, but I’m still here. I’m not mad or even upset about the hoodie. It wasn’t your fault.”
I hugged the package and fled to the battered blue loveseat without responding. I wanted to replace her hoodie. Alice should be mad. Everyone should be furious. I’d messed up again. Saffron didn’t like me. My magic just made him think he did. I knew it, and I’d still let him give me a spark of hope.
Once curled up in my seat, I opened the package, only to start crying again when Beryl’s worn gray hoodie fell out of it. It even smelled like him. What the fuck was wrong with me?
I buried my face into the garment and rocked.
A hand lightly grazed my shoulder. “Kitten?”
I looked up, surprised to see him. The minute he caught my gaze, he gestured to the love seat. I scooted over, curling up in his arms as he joined me. Fat tears tracked down my cheeks.
“This is getting ridiculous,” I said, trying to wipe them away. “I promised myself after my ordeal with Advisor Crowe there would be fewer tears. Instead, there’s more.”
Ashe hugged me. “It’s a shit ton on your plate.”
His low voice rumbled under me as he stroked my hair. The occasional rustle of other students and murmurs filled the library.
Ashe shifted me slightly on his chest. “What did you need from Saffron?”
I shook my head. “Something you won’t approve of.”
Ashe chuckled. “I fucking guessed that.”
I pursed my lips before hitting my forehead against the strong muscles of his shoulder a few times. “I promised Nitis a dragon scale in exchange for the items he’s getting me. I need one for my own work, but I can’t use magic, so I can’t get them myself.”
Ashe froze under me. “And of all people you thought Saff would fucking help?”
“It’s not breaking any school rules,” I whispered, feeling like an idiot.
Ashe’s beard tickled my nose as he shook his head. “His answer would’ve been no. Saffron won’t do anything to jeopardize getting out of here. His wedding’s timed with the merger of Gibson Supplies and Howel’s Moving Transports, Mercedes’ company. Mercedes didn’t do anything wrong. She’s here so her fiancé isn’t alone. If she can prove fertility, they’ll move everything up. It’s all about bloodlines for Natural Mages.”
I bit my lips together and pushed past my hurt. “How do you know that?”
Ashe squeezed me to him. “I’m a Natural Mage, Kitten. I know you don’t see a difference between mages, but it’s a huge split.”
“What am I?” I asked, looking up and studying Ashe’s gray eyes. “Where do I fit in?”
Ashe studied mine right back. “Fuck if I know. But you don’t fit in with Saffron. Stay the fuck away from the dick.”
I scowled. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”
Saffron’s parting words echoed in my head. Let me fuck you until all of this is out of my system…
Ashe kissed me on the forehead, and I pulled my thoughts away from Saffron and his hot and cold personality. It took me a moment to realize Ashe wasn’t already running to the MA or fumbling for his phone. “You’re not turning me in?”
Ashe squeezed me. “You’ve done fuck all yet, Kitten.”
“Will you try and stop me and report me to the MA?”
Ashe’s beard ate his frown. “Do I approve of what you’re doing? Shit no. But…” he trailed off. “Helping you harvest one of your scales for your spell work is a gray area, as your own magic is inaccessible. Twice over with those fucking clasps. The second scale’s complicated.” Ashe absently stroked my waist. I enjoyed the sensation without drawing his attention to it. “This cycle, whatever the fuck it is, with Saffron’s got to fucking stop. I told you before, I want to help. If this is what you need, maybe it’s something the MA isn’t handling well.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Your brother would be so ashamed.”
Ashe put his big hand on my head and fluffed my collection of braids. “I’m fucking ashamed. Don’t make me regret it.”