Page 103 of Divine Oaths

“I heard there was an accident on campus,” came Louisa’s voice from the other side of the line. The news had already spread. I coughed into my sleeve, clearing my throat and shifting to sit up.

“They contacted some parents and family members of those affected,” Louisa said. “I’m surprised you were one of them.”

“I—I hadn’t planned to be. But yes. I was there.”

“That’s not like you, Sianna. You’re making me worried. Is everything okay? Did I upset you with what I said about the fire?”

Again, I coughed, briefly muting the phone so Louisa wouldn’t become more worried or insist on me seeing the nearest spiritual guide. Though, with ghosts and wraiths haunting Westfield’s campus, that might actually be a good idea.

“I’m fine. I was just curious.”

“Curiosity without caution is a dangerous path. Especially if it leads to you breaking school curfew and nearly getting killed over some party in a swamp.”

“Is that how Westfield’s framing what happened?” Not as a hazing gone wrong but a simple party in the swamp by rebellious college students.

“Just be careful,” Louisa said. “And get some rest. You don’t sound well.”

At my bedside, the switchblade remained. When the call ended, I picked it up, closing the mechanical hinge as I examined it. There were answers within its crevices, a story woven in whatever timeline it had originated from. Maybe this could be the answer to breaking Kasem’s curse.

I tried to channel into its past, but my fever had drained most of my energy, and all I could muster were faint glimpses into time—the night of the stabbing, the blade stored in a display in the History Department, and then members of Alaster’s side of the family parading it around like a trophy.

When I’d nearly recovered from my illness, the weeks that followed were an endless cycle of classes and piano lessons, electives and preparing for exams before the last days of November bled into the holidays.

My roommate was living at Rose House with her boyfriend. At this point, she’d taken most of her things, leaving only a small box at the door labeled TAKE/DONATE. Inside the box was a leather satchel with over-the-shoulder straps.

I placed the blade inside the satchel, slinging the bag over my shoulder before calling Jojo.

He picked up on the first ring.

“Do you have Honey’s number?”

“What?”

“Just text it to me and meet me at Angelica’s office.” I coughed into my sleeve and hung up.

When I arrived at Angelica’s office, she and Vivian were waiting. Jojo and Honey were with them too, and to my surprise, so was Kasem.

My heart raced at the memory of the shed, of our kiss, the taste of him, our bodies pressed against each other, his gentle touch. Seeing him after that night—and after another spent dreaming about his touch, desperate for him to hold me, to kiss me again, to taste me—was close to torture.

And here was Jojo too, watching me with his warm brown eyes. I couldn’t meet his gaze. I couldn’t look at either of them.

“What’s this meeting about?” Angelica said. She frowned, watching me. “Are you sick, Sianna?”

“I’m feeling nearly better,” I lied.

“Let me get you some tea,” Vivian said.

“I know a good incantation for mild colds,” Honey offered.

It was strange to hear them all talk about magic like it was something so utterly casual.

“I’m not a member of Theta,” I said. “Are you allowed to talk to me about magic?”

“You rushed, so as long as you’re in the process of becoming Theta, we are able to speak freely,” Honey said. “We usually do an incantation on those who don’t end up becoming members, to give them hazy memories. Besides, everyone here is familiar with affinities. That’s not something we need to keep secret.”

At my side, Jojo yanked off the knitted sweater he’d been wearing and pulled it over my head.

“Warm clothes, rest, and medicine work just as well,” he said, his pointed words meant for Honey.