Whitethorn Academy

Chapter Thirty-Seven

In my dreams, I once again found myself in Inara's office, staring out of eyes that weren't mine.

"The circle almost took her." It wasn't a question that Inara spoke, but a statement. She looked tired, too tired. Her usually pristine appearance was a bit disheveled, and dark shadows were forming under her eyes.

This conversation was about me. And what happened tonight. How the dark deity — or his power — had tried to lure me into the woods.

"Yes," the body I inhabited replied solemnly, glancing away as if unable to meet her gaze. "It wanted her badly. It was almost impossible to get her to snap out of it."

Inara dropped her head into her hands. "I am losing control. Something needs to be done. She needs better protection—"

The reply from Inara's companion was swift and angry. "No."

"We have had this discussion too many times. I've grown beyond tired of it. Either step up and take the role you are meant to fulfill, or step out of the way. I cannot take your dabbling in between any longer. I am too tired of these childish games."

"There has to be another way to keep her safe."

Inara's voice trembled slightly, betraying the fear that mirrored the weight of her words. "I believe there isn't. I have made promises to her mother that I don't think I'll be able to fulfill. I worry that sending Selene here was the greatest mistake we could have made."

I woke with a start, my heart beating in my chest. For the first time, I was absolutely certain Inara was speaking about me. But how? How was I continuing to see these conversations? Whose eyes was I seeing through?

Only two people were present tonight when I nearly went into those woods, lured by god-only-knows what. Jason and Alek. And of the two of them, it seemed more likely that Jason would want to protect me. Alek hated me. He'd made that clear on more than one occasion.

But how would I see through Jason's eyes? Was this my magic coming out while I slept? More importantly, how did I stop this from happening? I was tired of these dreams that obviously weren't dreams. I was seeing actual conversations in my sleep, my consciousness implanted into someone else's.

Did he know I was there? Could he sense someone in his head? Or was he unaware this was even happening?

My head spun with all the questions racing around inside my skull. I knew I could ask Naomi about some of it, but I'd have to be careful. I didn't want her realizing I was leaping into someone's head while I slept. Especially when I was hearing conversations I knew I had no right being a part of, even if they were about me.

Loki let out a soft mew as I kicked off the blanket. "Sorry buddy," I told him, giving him a quick scratch behind one ear. I slid out of bed, my bare feet pressing against the icy chill of the hardwood floor, the coolness creeping up through my soles as I stood.

Since it was too early to head down to breakfast to see what answers I could get out of Naomi, I headed into the bathroom. I'd taken a shower last night after returning from my study session with Jason, but no matter how long I'd stood under the stream of hot water, I'd still felt freezing to the core.

I'd deleted the text from my phone, but the haunting words still raced through my mind. How would Jason feel if he knew what you'd been up to this summer?

And the images of Samantha and Oliver... I hadn't needed the photos sent. I would never forget those pictures Detective Brennan had shown me in that interrogation room. I shook my head, trying to push the memories away. They clung stubbornly, their edges sharp like shards of ice inside my mind.