As we flew back toward the garden, Ethan was contemplative. “That was powerful magic,onawilke. I’m surprised you had the strength.”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “I struggle with magic in class, but sometimes, I can do whatever I want. It’s as if it depends on the spell feeling natural. What I just did— it took no effort at all.”
“That’s what illusion magic is. Believing in yourself,” he said. “Confidence is key for everything an Arcanea does.”
“I suppose... I didn’t know Icouldn’tdo it, so it didn’t stop me from trying.”
Ethan nodded introspectively. The windfarers flew us back to Arcanea University. They landed in front of the doors to the dormitories, then bowed their heads to us before they took off into the sky.
Ethan’s thumb rubbed the back of my hand as he whispered, “It’s late. You have practice tomorrow,onawilke.”
It was the first time I despised getting up early to go ice skating. I wanted to spend the night with Ethan— I wanted to enjoy the feel of his hands on me once more.
As Ethan and I parted ways at my dormitory, I’d reasoned that I had failed. My goal was to keep Ethan at a distance in order to keep him safe, but we were closer than ever before. We’d admitted we loved each other. The next step would only seal our relationship for good, and then, there’d be nothing we wouldn’t do for each other.
I wouldn’t be able to hold back. I’d have to tell Ethan I knew he was the Phantom. I couldn’t sleep with him otherwise— it wouldn’t feel right. All the dark secrets I kept would have to be revealed.
And if Gabby found out... there’s no telling what she would do.
* * *
The following weekpassed in a blur of classes and studying. I’d seen Odette several times in the hallway, and tried reaching out whenever she went by, but once she saw me she ran the other way.
It was painful to be ignored by her. I knew she was mad at me, but she had to see that I cared, right?
Except I was pretty sure Odette didn’t think that way. She thought I was ruining her chances of becoming a prima ballerina, and not trying to save her life.
On Friday afternoon, I hoped I could gain some support from Delmare and Kiara. We met outside in one of the campus courtyards, underneath the shade of a tree. Both of them were sitting on a bench while a group of shifters played soccer in the background.
“Did you guys get through to her?” I asked as I sat down. Kiara shook her head, and my heart dropped.
“We’ve tried talking to Odette, but she refuses to hear us,” Kiara said. “She doesn’t want to admit she has a problem.”
Delmare huffed. “It’s like she’s cutting everyone out of her life that isn’t fucking Igor.”
I frowned. “What about Theo?”
“She’s stopped talking to him completely,” Kiara said sadly. “I feel so bad for him.”
A knot of guilt pressed inward on my stomach. When was I going to stop screwing things up? Ethan wanted me to back off and wait for Odette to come to me, but at the same time, I felt I couldn’t do that. I wanted to rectify the mess I’d made, and get her help.
“Where is she now?” I asked.
“Where do you think? The studio,” Delmare said sarcastically. “She never leaves it.”
I stood up and gestured for the girls to follow. “Come on. Maybe if we talk to her all at once, she’ll understand that we care.”
Delmare and Kiara followed. We left campus and hustled to the Malovian Ballet studio, which was a large brick building near the center of town. As the building came into view, I saw someone was standing there blocking the way.
Oh, great.Fucking Andrik. What did this prick want?
Andrik grinned like a crocodile the moment he saw Delmare. He slunk up to us like a filthy snake. Kiara and I instinctively pressed closer around Delmare. Her eye twitched as Andrik gave a toothy grin.
“You changed your mind yet about my little offer?” he seethed, ignoring Kiara and I. “My bed is open, sweetheart, but it won’t be for long.”
“Fuck off, would you?” Delmare said. “Before I put another scar on that ugly mug.”
“Ooh, baby,” Andrik hissed. “I like your thinking. Let’s play rough, shall we?”
