Paladin

I Hope He's Happy

"You like reading about unicorns, huh?" Aitor and Novak came to sit on both sides of Illyria. "I knew you were secretly soft."

"What?" Illyria closed her book on occult creatures. "Well, my favourite creature are dragons."

"Of course, it is," Novak snorted, his eyes focused on his screen. "Listen we went through the footage and the school system. He actually checked in with a-"

"Wait," Illyria stopped him mid-speech. "I don't think we should investigate any further."

"So, you're going to Ms. Baten?" Aitor breathed a sigh of relief. "It only took you this long."

"Actually no," Illyria countered and they both stared at her. "I appreciate you guys helping me and everything but my life's a mess and what's the point in complicating it."

"Are you certifiably insane?" Aitor tried to keep calm. "Your life might be-actually it is in danger and you just don't want to find out who's targeting you anymore?"

"This is my decision," Illyria took Novak's HGM and went through his files, deleting the footage and the downloads.

"What are you doing?" Novak's forehead creased.

"Ending it," The bell rang, and Illyria placed the device before heading for her next class.

***

The Montrose house was tense, even with the return of Umma and Laith. No one wanted Sofia to leave but everyone wanted her to get better. So, Illyria wasn't surprised to find her long-lost grandfather smoking outside one day.

"Grandfather," Illyria bowed her head.

He didn't bother to take his coat off or put his cane away, he pressed a hand lightly upon her hair, "Child, go get your parents for me."

Illyria did what he asked and an hour later the adults seemed to have come to an agreement. With their decision, the fight left her body and her mind calmed. She knew her sister would be in good hands. She felt almost sedated. The sisters held one another tightly and Illyria made Sofia promise that she would come straight back home when she got better.

"If you don't make it to my birthday, I won't forgive you," Illyria said.

"Well now I need to think about that...," Sofia said and went to hold Laith one last time.

"Grandfather," Illyria started, "What's your ability?"

"Oh, it's better that you don't know," Alasdair lightly chuckled, his eyes gleamed. "Sometimes knowledge is a terrible thing."

"Well will you promise that you won't let Sofia out of your sight?" Illyria had to know Sofia was going to be safe.

"I promise you she's never going to leave my side," The way he spoke chilled her but she watched them go until their town car was just a blur in the horizon.

***

"Illyria," A hand on her wrist stopped her in her tracks and she shot daggers at Aitor with her eyes. "You've been running from me."

She rolled her eyes at his accusation, "I've been avoiding you actually. There's a difference. And we're not forced to be together everyday so why should I be seeking you out exactly?

Had he forgotten that they no longer had to be civil to carry out their detention duties? Not that they were ever civil.

He studied her hard, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," She lied and didn't meet his eyes. "What do you want?"

"I think you should go to Ms Baten. I won't be here next year, and I can't leave without knowing you're going to be safe."

"No," She whispered harshly. "I'll deal with this without you. Leave it alone, Aitor."

"I'm worried about you," A gaggle of girls passed by and Illyria took a step back from Aitor; she didn't need any more problems.

"I didn't ask you to," Illyria looked around suspiciously. "Stay out of it."

***

"Illyria, can I speak to you for a moment?" Ms Baten stopped Illyria's path to freedom and her summer holidays.

"It's officially the holidays," Illyria sighed. "Am I ever going to leave this hellhole?"

"Excuse me?" Her Eima levelled her gaze on her and raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, what's up?" Illyria folded her arms.

"Let's go to my office," Amanah lead the way and Illyria followed reluctantly.

She had never been in the headmistress's office and made a point in touching every trinket and gadget before nonchalantly plopping down in front of her aunt.

She ignored her frown, "So why am I in trouble this time?"

"A student has reported that you were attacked a few months ago-"

"Would that student be the Crown Prince?"

Amanah Baten turned her screen around to show Illyria footage of what had happened, "Why didn't you come to me? You know we can't have your identity compromised."

"Because my identity wasn't compromised," Illyria lied even though she wasn't completely sure why. "It was just a student messing around."

"And how are you so sure about that?" Amanah wasn't impressed. "Please give me a walk-through."

"Your students haven't been the most welcoming. They're not very accepting of a human," Illyria said in an offhand manner. "Which makes me not want to come back next year. I think I've made reasonable progress with my ability that I can go back to my normal life."

"That's not your decision, Illyria," Eima said seriously, drumming her fingers on her desk. "But rest assured your parents will be hearing about this."

***

"Are you watching?" Hyeon poked Illyria and she returned back into the land of the living. "We've been waiting for this season for ages." Laith gurgled in her arms.

"Of course, yeah." Illyria coughed slightly and started to watch the television seriously this time, playing with Laith's small hands.

Months had passed and Illyria's first year was coming to an end, yet her sister had yet to return. She wondered if she would ever come back.

"She's coming back," Hyeon was optimistic, lightly shoved her shoulder with her own which set Laith off. "Very soon."

She hoped so.