Page 165 of Glutton for Punishment

“I’m guessing this is the relic you could use.”

He studies it longer than the others, then exhales.

“Arwen,” he says carefully, “this pains me to ask, but I need to verify something. I need to know if it still responds to you.”

I stare at him. “Responds?”

He hesitates, like he doesn’t want to say. “Your ability to use it. Whether it still works for you.”

“Oh,” I say in understanding. “That’s no problem.” I reach for the scissors on his desk and slice the blade across my palm in one clean motion.

At the same time, he reaches a hand out to stop me and shouts, “No!”

But it’s already done. Blood beads across my skin. “It’s fine. It’s just a minor cut.”

He exhales sharply through his teeth, frustrated. “We could have used something less… violent. Something like a small pinch would’ve sufficed.”

I shrug through the sting. “This way you can watch it heal me versus taking my word for it.”

I pick up the brown stone before he can argue further. The moment I focus on it, I feel the familiar sensation. Warmth spreads across my palm first, then the cut begins to close. The skin stitching itself together.

Professor Gabriel doesn’t speak, just watches. Remaining completely still.

“Universe…” He stares at my hand. “That shouldn’t be possible.”

My chest tightens. “So… what does that mean? Why am I able to use it?”

He looks at me concerned, then stands, taking the stone from my hand. “I honestly don’t know. But I will look into this. Quietly. I can’t draw attention, so it may take time.”

My throat tightens.

He adds more softly, “I need you to leave these with me. You shouldn’t keep them. It’s too dangerous. If you’re caught with forbidden relics, they’ll do worse than throw you out of the academy. You should get a healer for any minor injuries, but you’re safe now that you are here.”

“…Okay.” The thought of not having the healing stone irks a bit, but hopefully I won’t need it.

Professor Gabriel places the relics into a locked drawer on his desk. When I turn to leave, his voice stops me.

“Arwen.”

I look back at him, and his expression remains composed, but there is concern in his eyes.

“Please be careful,” he says. “You may not believe me, but I want what’s best for you.”

My bond with him perks up, just a bit. Like it’s waking up momentarily from a deep sleep. I step out into the corridor with more questions than answers.

Chapter 51

Arwen

Morning light hasn’t even settled in the room when Maddox tells me. He’s already shrugging into his jacket, movements efficient and final. “I’m needed in Gluttony. There’s a breach—Wicka’s making a move on my territory.”

I push myself upright, sheets pooling at my waist. “An attack?”

“Yes. Wicka’s never needed much of a reason.”

My feet find the floor. “Let me come with you.”

His gaze snaps to mine, “No.”