Drowning Studies (Artemis University Book 2)

by Erin R Flynn

  Okay, this had to be something I didn’t understand. Did they like bright red hair?

  Elasha kept touching it and giggling so maybe none of them had that hair color. They all had cute tufts of hair but nothing like doll trolls, and one of the girls had braids so it wasn’t as if it couldn’t grow longer.

  Before I could figure it all out, Elasha made a shocked noise and jumped on the table, the others doing the same as they changed colors to bright red, which must mean scared as well as angry.

  I turned to see Hudson standing there, watching all of this. I went to stand but Elasha and Darfin tried to block me.

  “No, scary,” Elasha declared, looking back at Hudson.

  “Him? He’s not scary; he’s a friend,” I promised them.

  “Always frowning and upset,” Darfin argued.

  “That’s because he hasn’t gotten any hugs today,” I told them firmly, seeing their colors cool off a bit as they glanced between us. I smirked at Hudson, who gave me a look like he thought I had to be kidding and wouldn’t try anything.

  Of course I would. Silly dragon.

  “Come on, let’s give him a hug and he won’t be so scary. Don’t hugs make you happy?” I smiled when they all nodded.

  I picked up Elasha and handed her over to Hudson, who looked completely gobsmacked as he took the tiny hobgoblin child and gently held her.

  “Who’s next? Who wants to hug the big dragon prince?”

  Oh, it was hard not to laugh when they all raised their hands and jumped around. I started loading Hudson up, smiling brightly at him and pointing to my lips to show him how to do it.

  Just to try and push him over, Elasha kissed his cheek and he rolled his eyes, the big quiet gruff.

  “What are all you rascals doing there?” a hobgoblin said as she raced over to us. “Oh dear, please forgive me, Prince Hudson, Ms. Vale. We thought the children were outside playing.”

  I opened my mouth to ask how she knew my name but she shot me a look that told me something was going on.

  What now?

  “They must have snuck in to have some fun,” she continued as she picked them off of Hudson. Again I got a look.

  “They seemed excited about my hair,” I fibbed, well not completely. “Elasha kept playing with it and giggling.”

  “Yes, we don’t have hair such a lovely color,” she praised.

  “Or bad dye job,” Katy drawled as she walked by. She was one of Blake’s friends who was now taking center stage as the new leader.

  I ignored her and focused on the hobgoblin. “It’s no problem. They were adorable and well behaved, trying to make the big grump smile even.”

  “Thank you,” she said as she waved them to come with her. “We’ll be by later to pick up your laundry and handle it for you.”

  “Why her?” Katy demanded. “I told you to do mine and you refused.”

  The hobgoblin gave her a withering look as her skin turned red. “Yes, because you ordered us to like we’re your servants and we’re not. Ms. Vale has a lot going on and offered to watch our children and play with them.” She smiled at me then as her skin turned back. “We’re here to help as you’re doing something very important and we support you.”

  I tried to hide the thrill of fear that raced through me, Katy bitching actually acting as good cover. I was such an idiot.

  Izzy had said hobgoblins were fair folk… They knew I was a fairy.

  And somehow, they knew I was trying to heal Faerie. Oh boy.

  She seemed to understand I’d just caught on. “Dr. Craftsman was looking for you to go over some things, I believe. Do you want me to pack up this food for you, Ms. Vale?”

  “Tamsin, and you are?”

  “Irma, it’s lovely to meet you,” she introduced, dipping her head. “I knew your distant cousin well and we’re glad the estate is not cold and sad anymore but new life and love to fill those houses.”

  Wow, so they were really tapped in. I thought back to a movie I remembered saying the staff and help always knew everything. That might really be true.

  Hudson gestured with his head and I sighed, knowing what he wanted but then shook my head.

  “No, I’m sorry, but no,” I whispered. “It gives me headaches around so many people, Hudson. It’s hard to have telepathy and everyone’s gotten louder now that the vaccines are out of me.

  “It’s deafening in public with so many people and—I finally have silence and peace, okay? Text me if you want.” I gave him a hurt look. “If you want to talk to me and not just with someone who can talk to you that way.”

  His eyes flashed shock but I turned back to my food to clean up, needing to find Craftsman. He grabbed my arm and the children moved in between us.

  “Boys need permission to touch girls!” Darfin declared loudly.

  “You’re absolutely right,” I agreed, giving Hudson a look to let me go. He did and I smiled at the kids. “So what should he do?”

  “Apologize,” Elasha demanded, her lower lip quivering like she was worried for me.

  “Sorry, I am sorry,” Hudson said immediately, looking like he didn’t know what to do with this situation. “Excuse me.” He nodded to Irma and walked off, giving me a pout as he glanced back.

  “I’ll box this all up and get you some other items to go,” Irma said with a smile.

  “You really don’t have to do that for me. I didn’t even know we could take to-go containers.”

  “Of course, dear, let me show you.” She smiled at the kids. “Who wants to help?”

  They all grabbed plates and carefully made their way in a procession to another display in the cafeteria I’d never noticed before. The place was huge, like a gigantic mall food court, so I might be noticing more throughout the whole year with how busy I was.

  She took my tray while I grabbed my book and pulled out my phone. Sure enough, I had a message from Craftsman saying not to go to breakfast without talking to him.

  Well, that was a day late and a dollar short for sure.

  She not only boxed up everything I had—including cups for the milk so I could keep eating my cereal—but she added a bunch of stuff just as the kids had. There were snacks tucked away on another display and she was adding them to bags she’d gotten from somewhere.

  “You’ll be needing those to eat as you should,” she said, giving me a knowing look.

  “I just figured that out,” I muttered under my breath.

  She patted my arm as I took the bags. “We’re here now and we’ll help you all we can. There is much we shouldn’t tell people yet but keep between us.”

  “Got it.” Maybe? I took it as not telling Craftsman what I was doing in Faerie. That was the only secret he didn’t know she’d busted me on. I thanked her and smiled at the kids. “You guys have fun playing, okay?”

  “Visit?” one of them asked, giving me a hopeful look as he turned yellow.

  “Sure! I’m always up for visits. I’ve got a lot of studying to do but maybe we can get a blanket and read outside. I could use some fresh air.”

  “I’ll make sure to bring you a blanket,” Irma told me.

  “I can find one,” I argued.

  “It’s not problem.” She shooed me off. “You have much to do. I’ll introduce myself to your roommate and we’ll handle the laundry and cleaning.”

  Wow, Izzy wasn’t kidding that they were nice people and generous. Loyal too because it was clear I was getting special treatment… Which people might figure out why.

  “Thank you, but it’s really not necessary and might draw attention,” I worried.

  She snickered. “We handle things better than that. There’s a reason everyone wants hobgoblins to work for them. No one is better at handling what needs to be handled and not getting in the way.”

  Okay then, that was all of my arguments. Apparently I was out. I thanked her again and left, a bit shell-shocked and not sure what to make of it all.

  The hobgoblins knew I was trying to fix Faerie. No pressure.
<
br />   At least someone else was doing my laundry, right?

  5

  I realized if the hobgoblins knew, there were two other people I should tell given what I learned last night. As I sat under a tree and ate my breakfast, I pulled out my phone and sent a message, hoping they would understand it.

  Tamsin: New additions to school know my secret and more.

  Geiger: Oh my, I didn’t think of them. Yes, they would absolutely sense you. Did they out you?

  Tamsin: No, but they’re treating me exceptionally well and that might.

  Claudia: Not actually as there are undoubtedly several on campus they favor who have done them kindnesses as they are loyal to a fault.

  Tamsin: I might need to know what sort of kindness counts as people were complaining they offered to do my laundry and such. Also, they know something I’ve been up to quietly. And I think it time I maybe let you in on it, off the record, in secret, as I might be in over my head.

  Geiger: Of course. Should we be concerned?

  Tamsin: Do you know what’s in the basement of the student union?

  Claudia: Say no more. We can portal there and change our appearance. What time can you meet us there?

  I checked the time and thought about it.

  Tamsin: I have tutoring after breakfast, lunch, and dinner today and tomorrow. We should be done by 11 or 3? Either works.

  Geiger: We’ll be there at eleven and meet you in the basement. Tell no one. There are too many who would want this information and too many ears always around you.

  Tamsin: Yeah, I got the feeling I needed to let someone know in case things went wrong and you don’t have conflicted loyalty. Well, not like that for this.

  Claudia: That’s not exactly true as we have clients that would jump on this information but we don’t answer to the university or its board as your advisor or headmaster. Besides, there are strict laws keeping us from disclosing this unless you break our laws or are in imminent danger.

  Tamsin: Um, does this break any laws?

  Geiger: Certainly not. See you at 11.

  “Hey, did you get my message?” Craftsman asked as he came towards me.

  I locked my phone and tucked it away as I shook my head. “Not until I was already in the cafeteria. So what happened?”

  He sighed as he sat down in front of me. “I realized last night I was a complete duffer. Of course they would sense you. I went to the leader of their group here and told him you were found and in hiding—just the basics, I promise.”

  “And?” I asked when he hesitated.

  “He said he knew—they knew. They sensed you the moment they arrived on campus and more. They were ridiculously excited.” He ran his hand over his hair and scratched his neck. “I don’t understand what else that ‘more’ is but they promised to keep your secret and help you as you needed. That didn’t make any sense to me either.”

  I decided on a bit of a fib, turning to the page I’d flagged in the book with the cute colored sticky flags I liked. I handed it over to him and let him read the passage, his eyes going wide.

  “So that’s part of it as I got a lecture about eating more and the kids were coming over bringing me more food.”

  He cursed under his breath. “Right, the little duckies have never met one of you. They would immediately be drawn to you.”

  I nodded. “I caught onto that after a bit. We blamed the red hair since they don’t have that color. Who knows? We’ll figure out something. Irma said she was doing my laundry because I offered to watch the kids.”

  He shook his head. “Someone else handling the wash sounds lovely.” He smiled at me. “Now, on your schedule. I added in times to—”

  “No,” I cut in, giving him a stern look. “That is not an open calendar anyone can just write shit in for me. Just because you’re my power assessor now doesn’t make you the boss of me. I believe you understand our situation.”

  His eyes filled with heat and he licked his lips. “I do, love. My excitement got the better of me and not for the prize. I don’t want you to think it’s that. I like the idea of working as a team with you and seeing what you can do, learning who you are.” He said the next part under his breath. “Spending time alone with you and having a reason to meet often.”

  “Hmmm, sounds promising. Let’s talk ideas though instead of you writing yourself in.”

  So we did. He wanted my weekends, but until Darby lightened the tutoring load I didn’t want my head to pop off.

  Plus, we also had our first display of using runes on Thursday and I needed to start practicing when most of my classmates had years to work with their magic.

  “Can I raid your books and start doing research too?”

  I nodded. “Mel is as well but I’ll send you both the list Calloway sent me, though maybe not all of them should be through her. Plus, I want to start checking out the libraries I inherited but once I go on the property, the stasis spell unlocks so I don’t just want to go and leave it be again.”

  He nodded, clearing his throat. “I was hoping I might be invited as well for winter break.”

  “Izzy’s going to be there,” I reminded him.

  “I’m sure we can work something out in a house that big.”

  I burst out laughing, blushing even at the heated gaze he was giving me. “You sound like you got hooked on something good.”

  “You taste like passion fruit and a nectar I need more of, my sweet fairy,” he murmured under his breath. I shivered and he smiled at me. “When can you meet me?”

  “I’ll text you. Maybe after dinner at your classroom?”

  “Delicious.”

  I cleared my throat when I saw Darby making his way over to me, Craftsman catching on in more than enough time.

  He glanced over his shoulder and gave a half wave. “Apparently you get priority tutoring her this weekend and I can start my evil plans of dominating the power challenges later.”

  Darby nodded he understood and focused on me. “Care to tell me why two hobgoblins showed up to my room and started cleaning and toting out our laundry to wash?”

  I groaned under my breath. “I have no idea, Darby. I didn’t tell them who you were.”

  Craftsman took that one for me, which I appreciated.

  “She did them a kindness with their kids who were stalking her to play with her hair. Their leader also talked to me about the unknown who refuses to care about species. And you know how they like those who fight for what’s right and tear down divisions. He said they supported her knocking down walls.”

  “Well, my roommate appreciates it and might bitch at me less for how late I stay up,” Darby muttered, rubbing his hand over his head.

  “You okay?” I asked, searching his tired face.

  He nodded, giving me a guilty look and glancing away.

  “Darby, if someone’s messing with you and especially because of me and you don’t tell me I’m going to not only be pissed but hurt when I’ve let you in so much,” I told him gently, but firmly.

  He sighed. “I can handle it. I should be able to handle it.”

  “Sure, and I should be able to handle math and yet it’s smarter for you to help me.” I met his gaze and didn’t budge. “What’s going on?”

  “A few of the vampires who are seniors aren’t happy I took your side over Blake’s, betraying my own. They made it clear if I wrote a few of their papers that they wouldn’t be so offended.”

  “Oh bullshit, more like they’re using that as an excuse to get free work done and abuse you,” I seethed. “Seniors care so much about a fucking freshman? Bullshit.”

  “She’s a Ward and vampire,” Craftsman reminded me. “You’re used to human standards and ways.”

  “Fine, it’s still bullshit. Names?”

  “Stay out of it, Tamsin,” Darby warned.

  “No, now give me names or I will tear up the vampire dorm and get myself in trouble looking for them.”

  He sighed, rubbing the scruff on his chin. “You really would
, wouldn’t you? You are so damn pushy and righteous that it drives me nuts you’ll be eaten alive by the assholes.”

  I made kissy faces at him for caring enough to be worried about me. “Maybe one day but not today and not because of some douche seniors. I got this, I promise.”

  He told me the names and sat down for a bit of rest while I finished eating before we went to study.

  Craftsman headed out then and I talked Darby into studying in my room instead of the library.

  Mostly because I was hoping he could take a nap if I didn’t need him for the next section.

  “Why did hobgoblins come take our laundry and bedding?” Izzy demanded when I showed up. I sighed and filled her in, glad at least when she burst out laughing that they also cleaned the bathroom and windows.

  Wow, so, wow.

  “Craftsman filled in some areas here,” she warned me, gesturing to the schedule.

  “Yeah, I told him he’s not the boss of me and we discussed the times. I’ve got a meeting with Claudia before lunch so I can sign some shit so, yeah, today wasn’t even working.”

  “Well, I’m going after lunch to practice runes. You in?”

  “After my session with Darby, yeah, I gotta start.”

  Never a dull moment or downtime for very long. It would get easier, right?

  I mean, it had to get easier even if I was in a lot of intro and 101 classes. I would get used to it or in a better flow?

  Fuck I hoped so.

  We got to work and the hobgoblins came back with our bedding and our clean clothes. I thanked them over and over again, offering to pay them, but they wouldn’t hear of it.

  “I told you, fair folk are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet,” Izzy chuckled.

  “Yeah, but I don’t deserve all of this. What can I do?”

  “They’re really into unique and natural stuff so if next time we go out we bring back a case of cool fruit or something then you would totally make their day.”