Spotlight

Chapter 18

I wake up on a hard sofa. I'm not sure where I am.

I groan and a guard in the official royal uniform nods. He leaves through the doors.

A second later, Grey walks in.

He sighs in relief when he sees me. "I'm so glad you're alright. I didn't know when you'd wake up."

"Where am I?" I squint my eyes.

"You're in my mum's office." He helps me sit up and sits beside me.

"Why am I in Lilian's office?"

"Because," aunt Freya walks in through the door. "It's time for your trial."

"My what?"

My aunt sits behind Lilian's desk. "Your trial. For attempted murder." She clarifies.

Grey glares at her. "She's joking."

Aunt Freya laughs. "Oh, am I?"

Seb walks in with Lilian. They don't look happy.

"She is." Seb glares at his sister. "Of course you're not on trial for attempted murder."

It all comes rushing back to me. At first, all I can remember is fire. Then an image of Collette's frightened face.

"Collette." I whimper. "Is she alright?"

Aunt Freya rolls her eyes. "It's all fine and good if you want to burn someone, Cassandra. But never cry about it."

"Did I hurt her?"

"No, you didn't." Seb stands beside the sofa I'm sitting on.

"Just emotionally. Luckily, Katya learned defence magic from Dillon this summer and was able to pull her out. It wasn't easy though. Your flames were..." She laughs. "Really powerful."

"I almost killed someone," I whisper.

"Yes. And you're lucky Katya and Greyson were there. There weren't many witnesses and the situation has been handled." She sighs in relief.

"Handled?" I look up in anger. "I almost killed someone."

Aunt Freya abandons the desk and walks up to me. "Yes, but..." She sighs dramatically. "Are you even a Harrington if you haven't tried to burn someone?" She places her warm hands on my cheek and rubs a bruise. "Our physician sent a salve. This should clear in a few days. Till then, put on extra concealer in the morning."

I shake my head and she loses her grip on my face.

She's not offended by that. She just hums and walks to the door.

Aunt Freya clears her throat. "I have only a minute before the students begin waking and realize we're here. Come, Sebastian. We have a big day ahead."

Seb gives me a solemn nod and follows after his sister.

"Oh, and Cassandra." Aunt Freya pauses at the door. "Congratulations on getting into the Blue Rose. You've done the family well."

I feel like vomiting.

A minute after they leave, I run out of Lilian's office.

I race down the stairs, out of the building and bump into Tristan at the door.

"Are you alright?" He hugs me.

I start crying again and push him off. "Can you leave me alone?" I stalk off.

"What's the problem?" He asks.

I turn back. "What's the problem?" Tears are streaming down my face. "I don't even know where to start."