by Callie Rose
Toland pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. “They should be allowed to help. They have as much at stake in this war as anyone else—more than most by now. They’ve been there, Dru, they’ve seen firsthand what Gavriel’s perfect world looks like, and it isn’t pretty.”
“The committee says they will not be allowed to help until they prove themselves,” Dru said quietly. “On paper.”
Toland looked like he was going to start shouting again, but he just clenched his fists instead.
“On paper,” he repeated bitterly. “We lost students in those battles. Brave, skilled students. Students who are more loyal to humanity than ever before because they have now been on the receiving end of Gavriel’s heartless violence.”
My throat tightened up, and I gripped the arms of my chair until my knuckles whitened. Dru shot me a knowing glance that Toland didn’t see, then looked at Toland once more.
“And for that, I am sorry,” he said softly. “I’m sure those students were good people. The best. But my hands are tied, and so are yours. We have nothing to gain by going against the committee. You know as well as I do what we have to lose. The stakes are too high.”
I wanted Toland to argue. I wanted Dru to get on the phone and call the committee back, tell them that they were full of shit and that the fate of the world depended on the willingness to break the rules. But they didn’t. I hadn’t really expected them to. We all sat in silence for several long moments while Toland slowly came to terms with his imposed reality.
He sighed heavily. “Well, that’s it, then. I can’t imagine the committee approving a rescue expedition to the underworld if they won’t even allow these students to fight.”
Dru shook his head. “Completely impossible.”
Toland nodded, then turned to us. “Piper. Jayce. Kingston. Kai. I’m afraid that I cannot possibly allow you to delay your exams, nor can I allow you to participate in the campaign on earth.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “You’ll just have to do the best you can. We’ll give you all the help that we are legally able to give you.”
The guys all looked at me with varying degrees of alarm, but I didn’t shout. I didn’t say a word. A chilling calm swept over my body and my anxious hands stilled. I nodded, a quick dip of my chin.
“I understand.”
The headmaster drew in a deep breath, looking relieved, but I could feel three sets of eyes practically burning holes in my skin as my bond mates stared at me in confusion.
“Then I suggest you go study,” Toland said. “Exams will take place on Monday.” He turned to Dru. “That is, if the committee will allow a four-day delay for all students due to extenuating circumstances?”
Dru flashed a brief, cursory smile and nodded. “The rulebook states that exams must take place within a week of the semester ending. Monday falls within that margin, I believe.”
Toland nodded. “Just barely. Very well. You four are dismissed. Please study hard. I know it’s impossible to learn months of material in four days, but—just do your best.”
“We always do,” Jayce assured him.
We left quietly, closing the door behind us. Dru and Toland clearly had more to talk about. I assumed Shen was still in there because the wards would need to be reset. All of the staff was busy putting things right, and we were all expected to fall back in line like nothing had ever happened. As if we hadn’t just spent a year in the underworld.
“Why aren’t you pissed?” Jayce asked. He sounded truly angry for the first time since I’d known him. “We have to take the tests completely unprepared, the consequences for failing haven’t changed, and they aren’t taking our hands-on experience into account at all. I thought you would lose it in there.”
“They’re expecting us to pass a test on material we haven’t even learned,” Kingston added. “Doesn’t that upset you?”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter what they’re expecting, because I’m not taking the test.”
Kai laughed. “You can’t just opt out. Trust me, I tried.”
“What do you mean, you aren’t taking the test, Pipes?” Jayce’s voice was quiet.
Glancing up at him, I slipped my hand into his, soaking up as much courage and power as I could from the connection that sparked between us.
I’m gonna need it.
“I’m not taking the test because I won’t fucking be here for it.” My gaze scanned the three men gathered in a tight knot around me. “I’m going back to the underworld. Xero’s alive. I can feel it. And I’m going to go get him.”
To Be Continued…
Fallen University: Year Three is coming soon!
It’s about so much more than the bond now.
Gavriel has taken one of the men I love, and he’s about to learn an important lesson.
Never piss off a succubus.
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