The Charm (H. Academy Series #2)

Chapter 8: Danger

I took the coldest imaginable shower, not even caring about the burning sensation all over my skin or the fact that I was shivering all over. I needed to wash everything off; all the exhaustion, and fear, and confusion. Warmth couldn't help me with that.

So I endured the shower, and when I finally wrapped myself in a towel, I felt slightly better. Once I got dressed, I knocked on Morta's door, hoping she wouldn't scream at me for waking her up this early.

To my surprise, she opened the door immediately.

"Hey." I offered a small smile. "Can we talk?"

"Of course." She yawned, "I don't know what otherworldly force woke me up at this time."

"It's 9AM."

"Inhumane."

I chuckled, "Is Amma awake?"

"I think so." She shrugged. "Do you want me to call her?"

I nodded, tears gathering in the corners of my eyes again. Morta realised, and her gaze softened, but she didn't ask anything. Instead, she went to Amma's room, disappeared inside, and after a minute, the two of them walked out.

Amma had her arm wrapped in a cast and a blanket thrown over it. Judging by her eyes, she hasn't got much sleep last night either.

"What's going on?" She asked, and her gaze softened the moment she saw my expression, which has probably been one of complete defeat.

I squeezed the hem of my hoodie, and my lips quivered. Anger and helplessness seeped out of me, as if a dam broke, and tears flooded my eyes.

"I need someone to- to keep an eye on Leon." I said, all the responsibilities suddenly too heavy for my shoulders. "Because I can't do it. I need to stay away from him."

To my surprise, Morta took a step forward, "I'll do it, don't worry."

Her eyes were round and wide, full of sympathy, and I knew I didn't have to explain anything. I sat on her bed and buried my face in my hands. Everything boiled over.

"Jade-" Amma began, her voice tentative, "Do you... love him?"

My chest tightened, and the only way to breathe was to let tears fall freely down my cheeks. So I masked those tears with a throaty, brittle laugh.

"See, I can't say that." I took in a shaky breath. "Because if I do, then I'm a fool. I'm everything I can't stand in girls like Bella."

"Honestly, with the father you've got, it's no surprise you're going for the emotionally detached." Morta murmured, and it made me laugh.

"Thanks for the analysis." I wiped away the tears.

"Anytime."

"Nobody would judge you." Amma said, her voice still soft. "If you loved him."

Morta put her thumb and forefinger together, "Maybe just a little."

I breathed in and got off the bed, "It doesn't matter. We've got problems that can't be solved with a bottle of vodka."

"Oh, awesome." Morta's face fell. "Something other than the fact that your ex-boyfriend is a demon?"

"He's not-"

Morta cut me off. "If you cry because of him after you slept with him, he's an ex-boyfriend."

I sighed and glanced at Amma, "He told me something today, and it's about what we talked about last night."

"Crap." Amma murmured. "What is it?"

"Apparently, there's a demon following me."

Morta and Amma both glanced around in panic, as if expecting to see the demon hanging in the room with us.