Page 116 of Glutton for Punishment

“Arwen Davies.”

Every muscle in my body snaps taut.

Dean Bellows stands at the top of the academy steps, posture rigid enough to shame a Wrath lieutenant, dark suit pristine and pressed. Her expression unreadable as ever.

“My office. Please.”

She turns on her heel and strides into the academy without waiting to see if I’m even following as my friends collectively wince.

“See you in our room,” Holly says quickly, pulling me into one last tight hug. “If you get expelled in the first ten minutes, I’m burning the place to the ground and coming after you.”

Snorting despite myself, I grab my bags and hurry after her.

“Don’t forget to stop by that place we spoke about!” Tabby yells after me, and I blush. After last night, I fully intend to head straight to the clinic after meeting with the Dean and get the birth control shot.

The whispers follow me all the way up the steps. “Is she getting kicked out already?”

“Probably. I heard after the Council sent her to the Wastes, the rebels kicked her out because even they didn’t want her—”

Bursts of laughter follow.

“No way, idiot! I heard she has some insane power, and Greed’s offering a reward for her. Maybe the Dean’s cashing in.”

My stomach clenches. That one hits too close to the truth, but I keep my face blank.

The grand entrance hall swallows me whole the second I step inside. The enormous central courtyard fountain is still there, spilling crystalline water into its basin. And next to it is Atticus in his immaculate academy uniform. He’s surrounded, of course, as Pride students cluster like his loyal subjects.

Daphne stands closest to him, her manicured hand moves to rest on his forearm. My stomach twists, but he immediately shakes her off without a glance.

His gaze lifts right to me, like our growing bond has become a beacon. The look on his face nearly ruins me.

Longing and Pain… so many raw feelings beneath that perfect, controlled mask.

The Dean’s office door swings open, shattering the moment. I tear my eyes away from his and step inside.

Dean Bellows crosses to her desk and gestures toward the chair opposite it.

“Well,” she says, “this will be quite a different discussion from last year.”

“That’s putting it mildly.”

She raises a brow at my sass, but continues. “I’ve received reports from Councilor Willshire and Councilor West.” Her eyes narrow. “But I would prefer an account from you directly on the events of the summer.”

I launch into the specifics of my time with Greed and Gluttony as pity hints at her features. She recovers quickly.

I need help. Now’s not the time to hold things back. I confirm my bonds with both Maddox and Atticus and express worry about my power.

When I finish, the office sits in heavy silence. Dean Bellows leans back in her chair. I think this is the first time I’ve seen her relax her posture.

“Well,” she says at last. “This situation is… unusual. Having an active outside faction bond with another student while still attending the academy is unheard of. There’s a reason we send students home for private tutelage within their new faction.”

I panic. Would she send me to Gluttony or to Pride?

“However,” she continues, ignoring my panic, “the Councilors have given explicit authorization for you to remain enrolled and continue training here despite the bond ties you have.”

I feel my shoulders sag in relief.

“Since you now possess an active sin power,” she says, sliding a stack of papers across her desk, “you will no longer attend the sin rotation courses you participated in last year. Instead, we will place you into Gluttony specialization classes since the power you produced aligns with that faction.”