Page 8 of Siren’s Secret

“Oh.” Wave lifted her face toward the sun and let it soak in. She didn’t get to enjoy snow often since Mother preferred warmer waters. Salis gave her the time, patiently waiting for her to have her fill. After weeks in a cell, she really needed it.

“Ms. Stormwell!” someone called out. Wave ignored it the first time, but then the voice insisted and moved closer. She opened her eyes and turned.

“Headmaster Lassengoh,” she said, while focusing on keeping her posture relaxed and face blank.

“Ms. Stormwell,” he repeated and, to Wave’s horror, gave her a small bow. “May I ask that you come by the office at your earliest convenience so we can sort out all the necessities?”

“Ummm?” Wave wasn’t following.

“Well, as I understand, you have a generalist schedule. Now we, of course, need to amend that. Also, the living situation—”

“I’m sure, Ms. Spin—Stormwell would like a moment to freshen up before all the formalities,” Salis said. He wrapped his arm around Wave’s shoulders again and half-tugged her behind him.

“Right, right,” the headmaster said, nodding. “Naturally. Would tomorrow be—”

“Tomorrow works fine,” Wave hurried to say. “Thank you. Should I make an appointment with Mrs. Smith?”

“Please do. Yes. Well. Thank you. Good day, Ms. Stormwell. Or would you prefer to be addressed as lady? Many of our students—”

Wave interrupted him again. “Ms. is just fine. Thank you. I’ll contact Mrs. Smith as soon as I get home.”

“Yes, yes. Wonderful. Good day,” he stammered again, spun on his heels, and staggered away. Frowning, Wave watched him go.

“What was that?”

Salis looked at her, then at the retreating back of the headmaster, then back at her again. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he bit his lip, but the corner kept twitching until he broke and chortled.

“Banana pudding, you didn’t want to see him, am I right?”

Wave shrugged. “Well, I was a tad irritated that someone was disturbing my sun time. They don’t have windows in the cells, you know.”

For a moment, Salis’s face fell, but then the grin returned in full force. “But you don’t mind me being here.”

Wave tilted her head, examining him. “Of course not. You are my best friend, zucchini bread. What are you getting at?”

“Your aura, Wayla.” Salis chuckled. “Before, there was nothing. Now… it’s like a mountain-sized sledgehammer. You hit hard, lollipop.”

“Oh, shit. Shit! I’m sorry.” Wave gasped. “I didn’t even think. I need to—”

“No, you don’t,” a voice Wave knew well, spoke. Slowly, while taking deep breaths, she turned. Once she was certain she could stay calm, she opened her eyes and faced Risha.

Wave didn’t know what she had expected to see, but fury wasn’t the first on her list. Risha’s handsome face was harsh and lips pressed tight. Even his pretty white eyes had flecks of black in them.

“Prin—” Salis didn’t get further than that when Risha cut him off with a slash of his hand. He walked forward and rounded on Wave.

“You don’t need to hide shit anymore, Wayla,” he almost growled at her. “You are heir apparent, and by sundown, everyone will know that.”

“Yeah, but—”

He didn’t let her finish. “But nothing. You almost tore yourself to bits to hold it all in. Don’t you dare to suppress your power now.”

“What?” Salis gasped. Wave couldn’t tear her eyes away from Irishen. It was him who answered Salis’s question.

“The week before Hell Moon and all the rest of this shit, she almost killed herself trying to keep all that power down.” His words were deadly calm and quiet. “It’s not going to happen again, Wayla. Not on my watch. You hear me?”

“You told me she had a concussion from training!”

“More like she was unconscious and the Powerhouses were covering for her,” Risha ground out.