Page 75 of Revenant

“Right, well, we were just concerned. Thought maybe we would see if we could get her to come back to Veilcrest,” I tell her, keeping my voice high and inviting, much like Naomi did when we first arrived.

“Yes, well, if that were the case, maybe you wouldn’t have brought someone along that is the reason for her leave of absence.” Clara’s tone darkens, something sinister lying beneath her words.

I open my mouth, ready to defend the guys in any way I deem necessary, but Naomi beats me to it. “Given the circumstances, it was a safety precaution.” Her smile is wide; meanwhile, her eyes tell me to shut the fuck up. “As you are well aware, the werewolves are still a threat, and we have only just begun training.”

Clara takes the information, digesting it as though she doesn’t know whether it’s the truth or not. “I suppose. Well, you can try, but I’m afraid she hasn’t been wanting to do much of anything. Run along now, the tea should be ready any minute.”

Naomi doesn’t say anything in return and takes the steps two at a time. Maybe her skin is crawling just like mine is.

Picture frames line the wall leading upstairs: photos of different families, some individuals. Each laid out perfectly as if to give the illusion to an outsider that a happy family lives here.

Lacey’s room is easy to locate, and Naomi doesn’t bother knocking; instead, she just barges in as if she’s done it a hundred times before. Lacey stands abruptly from her desk, her dark brown hair falling into her face, stunned as she looks at each of us.

“Naomi? What are you doing here? How—”

“We don’t really have time for twenty questions,” Naomi rushes out, wrapping her arms around Lacey in a warm embrace.

Maybe she’s only a conniving bitch to me.

Naomi pulls back first. “Let’s get you back to campus.”

“I can’t go back there.”

“Lacey. Snap out of it. Bastian’s a tad crazy sometimes, and I can admit he can go a bit off the rails but enough wallowing. You’re a powerful, bad ass witch, and it’s time you start acting like it.”

“But I’m not like you,” she admits, her voice sounds small.

Naomi ignores her whiny disposition, turns toward the closet, and grabs a duffle bag. “Look, I mean this in the nicest way possible, but this is pathetic. And this place is giving me the creeps.” She whispers the last part, as if the walls can hear.

Come to think of it, they might.

“You’re coming back to Veilcrest. Whether that be on your own merit, or I have to drag you there kicking and screaming, I don’t really give a fuck.” Lacey smiles like she missed her friend. But then she turns to me, confusion weighing on her expression.

“Why did you bring her? And who’s the guy?”

“Bastian insisted I bring her along. Something about needing to get her off campus.”

I tilt my head. “Actually, I was already coming to get you. Naomi’s the one that decided to crash. And that’s Reed, he’s been honored with the privilege of escorting us. Given the circumstances and all.”

“We’ll explain more later, but right now, you need to get back to campus. Where it’s safe,” Naomi insists, shoving clothes into the duffle.

“Forgive me if I think Veilcrest is the least safe place for me to be. Or anyone for that matter.”

“The wolves out here are a bigger threat than anything behind the Conservatory walls. You know they’ve been hunting witches for years,” Naomi argues, eliciting a noise from Reed who stands behind me, but I ignore it. His head is probably still hurting or something. Do vampires get headaches?

“Werewolves aren’t a threat to us,” Lacey states, eyes narrowing a fraction toward her friend.

“Can we please just get the hell out of here. I promise to explain everything, but right now we need to go. Just trust me.” Seeing Naomi interact with Lacey, it’s hard to believe the same person had basically made it her life’s mission to make mine a living hell.

Lacey finishes packing and we file out of her room and back down the stairs. Clara meets us at the bottom like she was expecting us. “Lacey, honey, are you sure you want to go back?” Naomi’s head tilts, looking at Clara as if she has two heads.

“She’s sure. Sorry, we can’t stay for tea. We have class in an hour,” Naomi lies. And I’m grateful to know I’m not the only one that finds this woman eerie.

Clara doesn’t pay Naomi any mind, which is such a contrast to how she greeted her when we first arrived. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Lacey is...scared? Whoever this lady is to her, it doesn’t look like she wants to make her upset.

“She’s sure,” Naomi cuts in, hooking her arm around Lacey’s in a protective stance. I’m not sure what kind of power Naomi holds, but she can surely make you believe she’s the most powerful one in the room.