The Culling Trials 3 (Shadowspell Academy #3)(28)

“You got into a fight with Ethan,” Wally said, anger lighting up her eyes. “He dragged you in here, unconscious, with a broken nose and two knives sticking out of you.”

I frowned up at her and shook my head, the movement sending waves of agony pinging through my skull. “Ethan? No, that can’t be right. Knives? He doesn’t even carry knives.”

“He got the drop on you, didn’t he?” she asked, searching my eyes for answers to questions that didn’t make any sense. “Why did he slash your ear? Was he actually trying to kill you? I mean, you stabbed him, so all wasn’t lost, but Pete said—”

“So.” A slick voice filled the room, velvety and decadent. Jared drifted closer, his attractive face hard and eyes glimmering with suspicion. He didn’t glance at Wally when he stopped next to my bed. “It seems you provoked another student of reputable standing. It is becoming clear that your goal is to get kicked out of this establishment. Luckily for you, Master Helix has decided not to press charges. I cannot think as to why.”

“Probably because I wasn’t fighting with him. I was following—”

The words died on my lips. Adam stood behind and a little to the side of Jared, the sound of his approach hidden by the pounding of my cranium. His eyes shot sparks of warning at me. Tingles of it stopped my tongue.

“You were following Ethan, yes, he mentioned that,” Jared said, his mouth twisted in distaste. He turned slightly, glancing over his shoulder at Adam, before his expression darkened. “Ah. Lovely. I see the director’s minion has arrived. Another reason to leave the office unattended, Adam?”

“Thank you, Jared, you can go,” Adam said, his eyes not leaving mine, his voice steel.

Jared made a frustrated sound. “Surely Madam Director sees that this…creature should be kicked out. Her presence waters down the prestige of the whole school. Attacking a fellow student? A Helix, no less? She amused me in the beginning—thinking to take on three vampires—but that has faded. It is clear she is a danger to everyone here.”

“I didn’t attack him,” I said, pounding my stare into Adam as hard as the pain pounded into me.

“How many more will she attack before your office actually does something?” Jared said.

“Thank you, Jared,” Adam said again, his tone icy and his gaze spitting fire. He chewed off each word. “You. May. Go.”

Jared’s eyes narrowed as they surveyed me. “I will get to the bottom of this. Something isn’t adding up. A full report should be made, regardless of the Helix boy’s decision not to press charges. If it were up to me—”

Adam leaned forward, a small movement. Pressure increased in the room. He didn’t have to say a word.

Jared’s body tensed, and he drew himself up straighter and lifted his chin. “Very well.” He glided out, indignation covering him like a cloak. “This is not forgotten. You can rest assured of that.”

A hard look from Adam sent Wally scurrying from the room, as well. “I’ll just be outside,” she said over her shoulder, clearly not wanting to leave.

“What do you remember?” Adam said, his voice deep and low, sending tremors over my limbs.

“Everything,” I bluffed, looking at him through narrowed eyes.

“That right?” He studied me. “Ethan did this to you, then?”

“There is no way Ethan could stab me. Twice. He’s not fast enough, and you know it.”

“Then who did?” His blank face didn’t give anything away.

I hesitated in naming him, suddenly unsure of my own hazy memories. Besides, at the moment, I had no proof.

“Where’s Ethan?” I asked.

“In your dorm, healed up and preening over his victory against a woman with the potential to be the best Shade the house has seen in years.” Adam’s face gave nothing away.

I shook my head slowly, the effort costing me. What was the point in arguing when I didn’t have the knowledge to do it successfully?

He must’ve realized that from my silence.

“You can’t be the best Shade dead, Wild,” he said, his voice low and rough. “I’d really think about your options if I were you. I’d think about leaving.” Without another word, Adam took a step back, turned, and stalked from the room.

A memory flitted through my mind: Your number is up, and your protection is dead. Best thing you can do is run. Get out of the trials and don’t come back. Run.

I’d been walking away from Adam, I remembered that now. We’d fought, but we’d walked away. He hadn’t done this to me. But then who had? Not Ethan. I was sure of it.

I took a deep breath and palmed my head again. “Healer! I need aspirin! Or a lobotomy.”

I also needed to get to Ethan and compare stories. I needed this gap in my memory filled.

Unfortunately, it quickly became clear I wouldn’t get that opportunity. The director’s office had reached a compromise with Jared, who wanted me gone now seeing as I was such a danger. I wondered though what had turned him suddenly against me, because before he had seemed more amused than anything. What had changed? Was it because he’d noticed the others following him? Or was it more than that?

The healer, Mara, mentioned she’d keep me under surveillance, monitoring the concussion to make sure it really had healed. If I was in good enough health by morning, I could continue on in the trials. If she deemed it a health risk, I’d be kicked out with a standing invitation to return next year.