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23
Raven
I should have takena shower before I headed to Dr. Green's office. At least I was in fresh clothes. That was going to have to do.
Ben bolted from my room right after I left, and it was heartbreaking listening to him walk away from me without turning around to say one last goodbye. Though, we'd definitely made up for it in our morning tumble.
Three times in less than twelve hours. Ben was going to keep me on my toes. In the best possible way.
I moved through the nearly empty halls toward Dr. Green's office. I'd been here every week over the last few months to see my parole officer and I wasn't looking forward to having to explain my returned magic to him. However, returned magic was my ticket out of here, eventually. And surely, they wouldn't make me continue to meet with him once I was a graduate, right?
The thought of no longer having meetings with the sweaty, pink-faced whatever-the-hell-he-was made me walk a little straighter. Now that my magic was back, I could prepare for the practice trials. I could move on with my life. I didn't realize how much of a holding pattern I'd been in. It was a liberating feeling.
Plus, I felt more like myself again. I'd missed the hum of my magic just below the surface. It was comforting and reassuring to have it back.
I passed a few students in last night's clothes, likely walking back from a late-night rendezvous in a different dorm than their own. We greeted each other with silent nods of understanding. Though, I was far more put together than them.
The main office was empty, Dr. Green's secretary missing from her usual post at the front desk. I should have expected that. It was a weekend after all. I frowned, wondering if I wasn't going to find anyone here at all.
Taking a chance, I knocked on Dr. Green's door. Then I waited.
Noises came from behind the door and I knew it was occupied. Then more noises. The sounds of shuffling and hurried footsteps. Something fell to the ground with a thud.
My heart raced and I grabbed the door handle, worried that something was wrong. "Dr. Green? You okay?"
I turned the handle, prepared to enter if he didn't respond.
"Wait," he called.
I let go of the handle and stepped back. A second later, he opened the door, his pink face nearly red from exertion. His hair was mussed and his shirt was buttoned unevenly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a female sitting in one of the chairs facing his desk. Her back was to me but she was smoothing her own disheveled hair.
I pressed my lips together, trying to keep from laughing awkwardly. I'd clearly interrupted something. My cheeks burned in embarrassment. The last thing anyone wanted to do was walk in on their dean getting busy. I silently thanked whoever was watching out for me for making me drop my hand from that door handle.
I couldn't even imagine the therapy I'd need if I had seen my demon dean getting it on.
"Ms. Winters, what can I do for you?" He cleared his throat.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," I said. "You told me to come to see you if my powers returned."
"Your magic has returned?" A woman's voice asked.
I looked from Dr. Green to the woman and then back again. He didn't seem to object to her asking the question. "Um, yes."
"Well, well," the woman said. "That is reassuring to hear."
My brow furrowed. Who the hell was this woman? She looked like she was in her mid-forties, though with magic, I was learning that age was a tricky thing to pin down. She was wearing a black pencil skirt and a white blouse. Her long brown hair hung loose around her face and had probably been sleek and straight before her activities with Dr. Green.
"Raven Winters, I'd like you to meet Madeline Obscura, your benefactor," he said.
My jaw dropped open and I quickly recovered, forcing a smile on my face. Now I really wished I had taken a shower. Though, from the looks of it, Ms. Obscura was in the same position as me.
"It's lovely to meet you," I said.
"You too, dear," she replied as she walked closer to me. "And might I add that you are even more beautiful in person. My sons have told me a lot about you, but I thought they were exaggerating. I'm thrilled to know they were not."
Uncomfortable with her compliment, I shifted on my feet and tried to maintain my smile. "Thank you."
