Page 135 of Glutton for Punishment

“Where are they?”

“They’re hidden, I promise. No one will stumble across them.”

His jaw tightens faintly.

“Schedule a private appointment with me,” he says quietly. “Bring the relics, and do not tell anyone else you possess them.”

His gaze holds mine. “I won’t be able to protect you if they're found in your possession. It will be much safer for you if you give them to me.”

I nod and stand, feeling a little better than before at the thought that he still cares enough to protect me…

Unless this is just to get them out of my possession.

I reach the door before stopping again.

“Professor?”

“Yes?”

Asking this feels humiliating, but I have to know.

“When I was exiled…” My voice comes out quieter than intended. “When I disappeared…”

I finally look back at him. “Were you worried about me at all?”

The question hangs there between us. Raw feelings exposed.

“Did you even care?” I whisper. “Did you feel it?”

His composure cracks. Pain flashes across his face so quickly that I almost think I imagined it.

His voice drops softer than I’ve ever heard it. “More than you know, Arwen.”

My throat tightens, but I nod and slip out the door before he can see how badly that answer affects me.

***

Nikolai Gabriel

Arwen leaves, and I have to hold myself in place forcibly to keep from going after her. The bond urging me to comfort its other half.

Instead, I force myself to the bookcase and pull out five books before removing the brick behind them. The burner phone falls into my hand. I type in the number from memory and send a message.

Unknown: We need to talk. She’s getting stronger.

I click send and then delete it. Then reset the phone to factory setting for good measure before putting everything back.

Chapter 40

Arwen

By the time Professor Pox finally dismisses me from our session, my entire body feels wound too tight.

Not even a flicker this time.

Just me, alone in the center of the padded training room. The three second-year Gluttony students by the door shift their weight, their eyes skating over my shoulders, the ceiling tiles, the scuff marks on the floor—anywhere but directly at me.

I shove open the classroom doors hard enough that they slam against the wall behind me.