Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

There was more slack in the tension when I arrived at the Manor than the first time I came for supper since returning from the Kingdom. It made me on edge, sure I couldn't trust it. That's what happened when I lost my memory and Devland had pretended to be a doting father, using his authority over the community to make them all play along. I couldn't sense anything from him now to tell if it was an act again, but anger still simmered within Maible despite her outward all-is-good performances.

Onyx laid on the floor, her head on my feet, and I focused on the warmth of that connection wherever Maible's emotions started penetrating the calm I was actively working on throughout dinner.

"So." I forked a piece of chicken and glanced between Maible and Devland, all sitting where we had before. "What's going on with you guys?"

"I've had a lot going on, so it's been late nights at the Council." Devland looked at Maible. "You?"

"School." Maible shrugged. "Can't do fun when I'm grounded."

"Still?"

Maible snorted and pushed a broccoli across her plate with her fork.

"Try again." Devland refocused on his food. "She thought it wise to try sneak out while she was grounded the first time."

"She is right here, and Nora doesn't need to know what I've done. She doesn't live here."

Devland sighed and looked at me. "How is your final project coming? For art, right?"

"Uh... I've thought of what to do, but I have to go back to Briarville to finish it."

"Don't worry. You've completed everything else. I'll phone the school and have it excused without penalty so you can be done."

I blinked, not understanding, and saw Maible jerk her head to look at Devland.

"What?" Devland laughed, ducking his head to spear a vegetable. "I am capable of being nice. I'm sure if you've already thought the project out, you'll do it anyway for yourself later on."

He's not wrong.

I internally groaned, not knowing I liked that Devland knew me well enough to know that.

"Besides, you have tons that can be handed in anyway. It's not like you're slacking in your favorite subject."

I shared a confused look with Maible, feeling less hostility. Perhaps it was a sign of progress.

"Wow. Can you d that for me for gym?"

"Hardly." Devland's amusement faded. "Missing a class you're failing isn't something to reward."

"You're failing gym?" I blinked at Maible, then tried to keep all the surprise from my face. I should have taped my mouth, though, because words kept coming. "How is that even possible?"

"Attendance would help," Devland said, still looking at Maible. "Moving forward, your teacher won't be accepting parental notes to get you a spare or sit on the sidelines."

"But—"

"Physical Education is a mandatory subject in order to graduate," Devland said. "Do you want to go back next year or to summer school? Not be able to walk in the graduation ceremony with friends because of gym? Come on, Maible. You're smarter than this."

"You think gym is going to benefit me in the real world after high school."

"It teaches you how to remain healthy. It's important."

"Whatever."

"Well, on that positive note, I am going to go to the Council for a while. Don't wait up. We've been waiting for tonight's phase of the moon and it will likely be after midnight when I get back."