Page 65 of Group Studies
“And she’s being punished for her actions,” Ashe said, easily. “She doesn’t get to take a piss alone. And all you have to do is be fucking civil. Got it, Ram?”
My stomach twisted. Ashe stood up for me, openly challenging Ram. I should be loving this, but he wasn’t my Ashe. This was someone I didn’t know. Someone who didn’t have to play by the same rules as the rest of us.
Saffron appeared at my shoulder as Ashe and Ram stared each other down.
“Do you need me to get you out of here?” Saffron whispered. I glanced around the room, everyone’s focus was Ram and Ashe. Not the angry Greek God almost shaking with rage next to me.
Ram took a step towards Ashe, and Ashe rose to his full height. I’d never felt as stupid as I did at this moment for trying to protect Ashe from Ram. Ram might be bigger than the Gentle Giant, but Ashe was armed to the teeth while Ram only wielded anger and what magic he could work on the fly. There’s no contest.
Saffron leaned into my personal space. “I’ve got connections. If you're trapped-”
“I’m not running.” I turned my head to find Saffron’s face right in mine. I gulped. “I don’t know what the right thing to do is, but I’m not running.”
He brushed his fingers across my neck. “I didn’t see. He did this right in front of all of us and I didn’t help...” Saffron trailed off, clenching his fist. He met my gaze once more, a storm in his eyes. “I’ll be watching next time.”
As much as I’m sure his words were meant to be reassuring, they weren't. All he did was watch.
His hand found mine for a brief squeeze before he rushed back to his workstation and the scowling Yasmine.
A fist, whistled through the air before smacking against flesh. I flinched, wrenching my gaze back to Ashe. The MA agents who picked on Derek flashed through my memory. I turned, expecting to see Ram on the floor.
Instead, Ashe stood with his head slightly tilted to one side, a red mark forming on his left cheek. My heart raced. I only just stopped myself from running to him.
“Striking an MA officer is not only a direct violation of your pink slip, but a violation code fifteen.” He said darkly, cracking his neck. “This is your one fucking warning because I did provoke you.” He raised his voice, slicing his hand through the air. “You hit me again or lay a single finger on A, and that will be it for you.”
Ram's chest heaved as he drew back his fist.
“Ram,” Abe snapped. “Front and center.”
Instead of throwing his punch, Ram spat at Ashe’s feet. With a grunt, he jerked toward Abe’s desk.
The skinny woman straightened, narrowing her lizard-like gaze. “Ashe might give you a pass, but I find your behavior unbecoming. Anyone smaller might have gone flying and destroyed my equipment.” She wrote something on a pad of paper and tore off the sheet. “Report to Doctor Roy and then Coach Robin so you can blow off some steam.”
Ram ripped the paper out of her hands. He didn’t look back as he stormed out.
A collective breath filled the lab. I glanced at Saffron, who gave me a nod. My heart warmed, though chilled at Yasmine’s scowl. Her fingers already flying across her phone. I already missed my Shell, but I was incredibly grateful to be going somewhere new this evening. Far away from Mercedes, who I’m sure would hear about Saffron’s visit to my side.
“Sit down, all of you,” Abe snapped testily. “An MA officer’s here. It is big news, but for now, it changes nothing, and I’ll not have it disrupt my class. If you’ve not taken the time to read your Mêler notice, do it now.”
Ashe took a final look around the room, before nodding to Abe and sitting on the stool he pulled up for himself. I uneasily settled next to him, taking out my phone.
Bright red letters floated at the top of the Mêler app.
‘The Institute is formally under investigation. All students will be called in for interviews, health checks, and reassessment. Orders given by MA agents and officers must be obeyed immediately. Failure to comply will result in death. We look forward to your cooperation.’
I put down my phone and glanced at Abe. She stood at the top of her stairs, poised to write on her chalkboard.
“Aphrodite, I expect you to continue with your joint concept. I’m sure Ram will be back tomorrow. All of you, I’m adding another piece….”
I focused on the board. The rest of the class passed calmly and quietly. Much quieter than I’d ever heard it. Even Tanwyn and Ghalen kept their heads down and worked together. They finished their prototype partway through class and dug into their runes.
The foghorn blared twice. Saffron bolted out of the lab with Yasmine hot on his heels. My stomach sank. The Greek God had made a visible effort to help me, and I’d said nothing. Now, he probably needed to play damage control with Mercedes.
Everything was so messed up.
“I’m giving you space,” Ashe whispered in my ear as I prepared to leave. “But you can talk to me about anything.”
I followed his gaze out the door and realized he probably guessed I was thinking of Saffron. Instead of opening my mouth and making things more complicated, I shook my head.