Stuck

Chapter Eighteen: Solstice | Part 1

Thirtyx wasn’t sure if it was his well-rested state in the wake of Comps, the approach of the midterm break, or the relief of having the headmistress off his back, but he hadn’t felt so much like himself in ages.

While rumors continued about his role in the Liamer Forge attacks, the threat of violence was quashed in short order.

“I can’t believe you went through with that Comp,” sneered Vix, kingpin bully of the senior class, one afternoon while his friends moved to block each end of the hallway. “A Verith lawyer? Not in my lifetime.”

He’d caught Thirtyx in a bold mood. “I’ve already taken the test. What is beating me now going to do? Last I checked, I can still fill out apprenticeship applications from the infirmary.”

The muscles in Vix’s bluish-gray neck tightened. “Not if you aren’t breathing.”

Thirtyx chuckled, although the threat dampened his boldness. “Okay, sure. You murder me, and both our careers are over before they start. Vix, I know the Magic Comp scores aren’t in yet, but yours can’t possibly be bad enough to warrant this.”

Vix swung a punch that Thirtyx ducked. Vix had always been sloppy in hand-to-hand combat, but if Thirtyx pushed him far enough to get magic involved, he might be in trouble. He started looking for escape routes—rating nearby rooms for their potential hideouts.

Thankfully, none of that was necessary. A sharp voice echoed down the hall. “Mr. Darzam, I would advise you to let Venmagalion pass before I see something that might result in your suspension.”

Vix gaped at a spot over Thirtyx’s shoulder. “Headmistress!” he cried, not without confusion. “I was just—”

“We both know what you were doing, Mr. Darzam. Now, move along.”

Vix watched Azirenne for several more moments, clearly sizing up her seriousness, before he turned away with a growl. Thirtyx’s relief didn’t come immediately as he and his friends retreated. What if Azirenne wanted something in return for saving him?

But the only interaction she offered as she passed him was a wink.

“I just don’t know how long it’s going to hold,” Thirtyx sighed over breakfast the following morning. “What if she starts getting pressure from the parents? What if she figures out I lied to her? She might have more time over Solstice Break to poke around the security field.”

Even though Seerla said nothing, Thirtyx caught her frown and tasted her frustration in the milieu of their secretive energy. He’d told her how he’d fed the headmistress false information, but he still couldn’t share the full truth. Thirtyx couldn’t blame her for being irritated. In fact, it was a more filling and less concerning energy than another she’d been exuding lately. It had strengthened over the past couple of weeks, to the point that Thirtyx could now discern the remarkably unique flavor of whatever she was hiding.

“Well, we’ll have time to pivot as well… with nothing else to do but agonize over why our Magic Comp scores haven’t arrived yet.” Rhea folded her arms in a full pout, but she quickly realized she’d broken her facade of uncaring. “I just mean, it’s the last day of class, and I can’t remember the last time scores weren’t in by now! Waiting all break for them sounds like— like—”

“Like what the rest of us will be doing?” Thirtyx said wryly.

Seerla chuckled. “At least you three will be together. I’m really going to miss you guys, you know.”

Benn grinned. “Don’t get sappy on us. It’s only a week.”

“But I’m missing your birthday!” Seerla cried.

“It’s the day before Solstice, Seerla. Everyone always misses our birthday,” Rhea said with a sympathetic smile.

“Yes, but you usually get a palace party and your crown jewel ceremony and whatever other fun family traditions.” She pressed her fingers into her eyes with annoyance. “I tried so hard to convince my parents to let me stay here, but they really insisted—”

Benn held up a hand to stop her. “That’s really sweet, but there’s no reason for you to have a crummy break just because we’re stuck here. We’ll have plenty of fun with Thirtyx. Might actually show him a real Solstice for the first time since… what, third year?”

Thirtyx flashed Benn a bittersweet smile. Even before the Veriths had abandoned him, Solstices in his assassin-grooming foster home had been pretty lackluster, and they’d been even less exciting in the state home where he lived before that. Celebrating the holiday with his friends would be a dream come true if not for the fact that every moment would be a reminder of why.

Grimmary didn’t want the twins caravanning across the continent right now, nor did he want all three of them in the same place for an extended period of time.