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I entered the dark tunnel, catching the soft murmurs of the guys eating inside.
What if I say there’s a family emergency and I need to leave the school but—?
“Vanda.” Calix’s voice broke in. “One more thing.”
I turned back, and got a blast of pink-and-silver smoke right in the face. A sweet, cotton-candy-like scent hit my nose before I could shout.
Rocking back, a goofy giggle burst from my lips. “Calix? Oh, Calix, my love.” I ran into his arms.
He caught and spun me, laughing back. “Hello, darling, how are you?”
“I’m wonderful. I’m amazing,” I cried, “because I’m with you.” I kissed him all over—cheek, nose, lips, eyes. I couldn’t get enough of him. My heart filled to bursting to finally be in his arms. How long I’d waited for a love like this.
It was Calix all along.
“My love, would you do something for me—?”
“Anything,” I said. “I’ll do any and everything you ask.”
Setting me back on my feet, he removed something from his pocket. I squinted at the vial.
“Drink this for me, would you, darling? It would make me so happy.”
I downed it so fast, I choked on it. A thick, cottony cloud enveloped my mind, or that’s what it felt like. I clutched my head, swaying on my feet.What’s wrong with me? I don’t have time to be sick. I need to be here for... for... for someone?
“Vanda.”
I blinked at the figure before me. I wasn’t sure who he was, but I loved him more than air.
“You will forget everything you saw and heard last night,” he stated. “You’ll forget everything you know or think you know about Calix Lambros, Tycho Sagona, and Tycho’s friends, Nitsa,Theron, Ionna, and that wolf girl. You don’t know them. You don’t go anywhere near them.”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Can’t have you running to those sons of Hades to undo this, so you’ll forget about Sebastian, Jason, Castor, and Dimitri too.”
“Yes, I will forget.”
“Most importantly...” His eyes narrowed. “You will forget Alexander Damien completely. I don’t know what the fuck he sees in some random Sisyphean, but I’m not letting my best friend throw his life away over a nobody. You’re not in love with him. You don’t know him. You don’t give a shit about Alexander at all. Understood?”
My lips parted. “Understood.”
I CAME TO, SHAKINGmy head. Gazing around, I noted I was standing in the hall near the infirmary.
When did I come out here?I frowned at the glow of reds, oranges, and golds streaming through the windowpanes.It’s almost nighttime. When did that happen? What did I do all day?
“Selene,” I croaked. “What is this? Is this you? Did you do something to me?”
“I did nothing, girl,” she replied. “You foolishly slipped in the mess hall and hit your head. You were brought to the infirmary to recover. Now you are well.”
I blinked. “Oh. Okay then.” I turned to leave, then paused. “Wait. I think I... I think I was coming here anyway. That’s why I was leaving the mess hall. I need to look for the barrier-jumping potion. Healer Helena must have a stash somewhere. Likely in the same place she brews all her potions.”
“Oh, dear, you hit your head quite hard.” She tsked. “You don’t remember that we abandoned that foolish plan.”
“Did we?”
“Yes, child. We agreed that if such a stash exists, it would naturally be heavily protected and guarded. The protections of a powerful daughter of Hecate could not possibly be undone in a few days, leaving your mother in a terrible position.”
My shoulders slumped. “You’re right. Of course they’re not going to be lying around. I should’ve thought of that.”
