Page 27 of Echoes of the Banshee

“Vivien, I was in class.” It comes out colder than I intended, but it’s still not enough.

“Adora!” Her severe voice cuts through the speaker. “You weren’t in class. Anita called and said you skipped Illusions.”

I force myself to stay calm, even though everything inside me is seething. “I go by Thea now. And I didn’t skip. I had my schedule changed. Illusions wasn’t a good fit.”

“You what?” The edge in her voice turns icy. “You can’t do that, Theadora. I selected your classes carefully for a reason.”

“I spoke with the counselor,” I reply, my tone even, almost casual. I want to sound unaffected, but it’s harder than I thought. “My original schedule didn’t align with my skills or graduation requirements. Isn’t the point of being here to study what we’re good at?”

“You should have come to me first,” she says, her voice softening. I brace myself. “I’m your high priestess, your guardian. I’ve guided you since you were a child. Those classes were chosen to help you serve the coven.”

“And how would failing at Illusions help the coven?”

“You’re not yourself lately,” she says suddenly, her voice shifting into a wounded tone. “You’ve changed, Theadora. This isn’t like you to be so… unhelpful. So cruel. Anita was devastated when you wouldn’t help her. It was something small, something you could have done without even thinking, but you chose to hurt her instead. Why are you being so mean?”

I feel like I missed a step on the stairs, but I don’t let her hear it.

“It’s not like that. I’m… struggling with my classes,” I say like that’s the reason. “I just need some time to catch up on work.”

“Fine. But remember, Theadora, we’re your family. What Anita needs is more important than your schoolwork. Don’t forget who’s been there for you.”

I don’t respond. There’s nothing left to say. I hang up, my hands trembling from holding myself together, all the anger simmering beneath the surface. I know they need my soul for Anita, but I was nine when they took me in. This was always Vivien’s plan. I might not be ready to fully face Vivien yet, but I’m not the same person I was. Not anymore.

Walking in a trance to the library, I find myself rubbing the brand on my wrist. I look down and see that I still haven’t cast a new illusion to hide it. I make it vanish as a shadow creep across the books in front of me. Mavrik must be in here somewhere. I find him tucked in a corner table.

“Hey!” I call loud enough to get shushed. I look down and see that he’s working on his calculus. “Mind if I join you?”

He looks up and studies me for a moment, then nods and returns his attention to his work. I take it as a yes and take a seat, getting right to work.

After thirty minutes he says my name.

“Hmm?” I ask without stopping. If I pause I’ll get lost.

“You’ve been struggling on that one problem for ten minutes.”

“I am aware,” I reply dryly.

“Why didn’t you just ask me for the answer?”

I give up on the stupid integral and look up at him.

“Why would I ask you for the answer?”

“Isn’t that why you came to sit here?”

Oh. That’s the only reason anyone ever sits with him. I want to give him a hug. “No, I came to sit here for the company.”

His cheeks heat up and I refocus on my problem.

“I hate calculus, why do I need it for a law degree?” I ask him.

“Because they want to confirm that you are smart enough to figure out complicated problems.” He gives my unfinished work a pointed look.

“Ouch.” I feign injury. “You have no filter.”

“Filter?”

“You know, softening what you say.”