280
Lucy
The air in the classroom shifted as Duke reached for me, squeezing my hand. The undercurrent of tension made the atmosphere crackle with energy. What was she doing here? How was she here?
Then, I narrowed my eyes and squeezed Duke's hand back.
She was dressed in a simple white gown, and though she seemed solid, someone walked right through her.
Did that make her just in our imaginations or some sort of ghost? Did it matter? She didn't move or speak. Her gaze bore into us, and I admit that I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. The talisman around my neck warmed again and suddenly felt heavier, like it was grounding me.
"Lucy," Duke said softly. "I think--"
"You're wasting time," Selene said, her voice more like a cold whisper from the back of my mind that sent shivers down my spine.
"The more time you waste, the angrier I'm going to be."
I swallowed. My heart felt like it was in my throat.
"How do we talk to a ghost without looking like we're crazy?" Duke asked, leaning into me.
"I have no idea."
Duke huffed and turned. I looked over at him. He pulled his books out, and it seemed like he wasn't paying her any further attention.
"I've got enough on my plate without worrying about being sent off to the loony bin. She can take a hike."
I burst into laughter, unable to help it.
"The time for resistance is fading. Fall in line or face the consequences."
"You think you can ignore me?" She asked. "I'm the only reason you two are alive!"
There was something in me from somewhere deep down that screamed she was a liar. Duke's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing in defiance. I didn't look at her or pay her any attention. My heart was racing, but Duke was right.
"I guess I can't punch her now."
Duke grinned at me as Selene sputtered. "That's the spirit."
Her voice turned softer and softer, more like a distant howl of wind the longer we ignored her. I didn't know if that was because her spell was wearing off or if we were somehow pushing her to leave, but when the air warmed around me, and the tension in the air faded, I felt better. Duke bumped shoulders with me.
"Look at you," he said. "Ignoring evil crazy ladies."
I nudged him back. "Look at you... also ignoring evil crazy ladies."
Class started. No one else seemed to have noticed a thing, but I was still nervous. I didn't let go of Duke's hand, and he didn't let go of mine until the class was actually over.
Duke laughed nervously. "Guess it's good I'm left-handed."
I nodded. "Let's eat lunch."
He grinned. "You think an Amelia is going to come sit with us again?"
I grit my teeth. "Here, too?"
Duke laughed, and we walked out. "Everywhere."
"Maybe Tom will just join us," I said.
"If Sarah invites the professor, we're getting our own table."
"Deal."
The cafeteria buzzed with activity as Duke and I entered. The air was thick with the scent of various foods. I guess the cafeteria was serving something that was really strong-smelling.
"You're late, and we're starving!" Michelle called, grinning at us. "Aren't you going to come over here? What's in the cooler today?"
Duke shrugged. "I never get any forewarning, but I know that David added something in there this morning."
I could almost see David grinning mischievously as he put whatever in there. The doughnuts had been so good I couldn't wait to taste what the surprise was. The cake from last time was still one of my favorites.
Just as we settled into our seats, I noticed Daedalus across the room, his watch glinting and drawing energy from the air. A knot of discomfort tightened in my stomach. Sarah turned in her direction, and her whole expression lit up. I felt Duke bracing to get up, but before Sarah could speak, I heard David's voice.
"He said he knew you," David said. I looked up as Tom flashed a charismatic grin. "If he's lying, we can kick him from the table."
Duke snorted. "He seems familiar, but I'm still tempted to at least extract a fee."
Tom grinned. "The cost of dinner or a round of drinks?"
Duke glowered at him. "Neither."
Tom shrugged and took the seat next to Duke. "Guess I'll have to think of something better. How's everyone doing?"
David slid into the seat beside me and smiled at me. He wiggled his eyebrows, and something in me eased. He had to have checked into Tom for him to be okay with letting Tom join us and continue to flirt with Duke.
"You alright?"
I nodded. "Thanks."
Sarah looked outright put out, and Amy seemed relieved not to have to put up with a repeat of last time.
"We'll talk about it," he whispered in my ear. The heat of his breath sent a shiver through me, but I nodded.
Sarah leaned on her hand, her gaze going over to Daedalus longingly as she ate. Michelle and Amy were talking about some concepts that Michelle's class covered, and as much as I could tell, Tom was trying to engage with Sarah and Duke, but Sarah wasn't very interested.
"Something happened?" David asked.
I gave him a thin smile. "We'll talk about it... For now, I just..."
I met his gaze. "I'd like to just enjoy the normalcy right now."
He nodded. "Sounds like a plan."
He bumped shoulders with me. "What do you have planned this weekend?"
I blinked. "Uhm... homework, I think."
He chuckled. "How about a redo on the date?"
I smiled at him and nodded. "That sounds great."
"Great, I--" He broke off. His eyes darted around before he turned his head, slowly scanning the room.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
He clenched his jaw. "I'm hoping... to give you a little bit of normalcy."
I frowned at that. "But?"
He shook his head. "I'm not sure yet."
"I thought that was you, David!" A woman's voice came through the air. I turned my head to see a young woman hurrying over to our table. She didn't look like she was going to try to sit down or be mean, but I also felt completely unbothered.
"Hey, Emily," David greeted. "Good to see you."
He turned to me. "Emily and I had a class together last semester."
He introduced her to the rest of the table.
"David was such a lifesaver," Emily gushed. "I never got to thank you properly for all of your help. I swear you just up and disappeared once the semester was over..."
He chuckled. "Things got a little hectic."
She pouted. "I didn't even get your number..."
I listened to her with half an ear. Sarah looked at her with an unimpressed expression. It seemed that I was right when I first thought she was trying to flirt with him, but I felt nothing about it.
"Mind if I join you?" She asked. "I couldn't find anyone else I knew..."
She looked around the table. There was only one seat available, and it was between Michelle and Sarah.
David turned to glance at me, and I shrugged. His eyes twinkled, and he smiled.
"Sounds good to me."
Emily looked at Sarah expectantly, and Sarah looked right back at her, twirling paste onto her fork and not moving.
Emily's lips twitched like she wanted to say something, but she took her tray, rounded the table, and slipped in between Michelle and Sarah. Amy flashed me a grin, and I could only smile back.
Sarah might be ridiculous most of the time, but she was a great friend.
As Emily settled into the vacant seat, she turned her attention right back onto David, barely flashing a smile at the rest of the group.
"So, David," Emily began, her tone playfully teasing, "I see you're still adhering to the suit and tie dress code."
David chuckled, casting a glance at me. "Well, I've had a few reasons to keep it up lately."
My stomach fluttered, and I looked away, not listening to much else she was saying.
"Oh? You got an internship?" She asked.
"Something like that," he said. "The position I'm hoping for is one that requires a bit more effort than usual... Feels more like audition, honestly."
I wanted to nudge him, to make him stop, then he caught my hand under the table and squeezed.
I squeezed back. Strangely enough, I didn't feel the need for the reassurance.
Emily was nothing like Amelia, not in looks, but in general standing. She was just human, with no ties to the supernatural at all. She wasn't a threat at all. Listening to the way she talked to David felt like listening to any other conversation. I let my gaze wander across the hall, wondering what had put David on edge, and then I saw it.
The bright light of another device a few tables over and the group sitting around it, looking at us.
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