Suppliant

by Laura Tree

  Chapter 39

  “Are you excited?” Trish asks. “Passing scores are going to post today at lunch. The Passing Ceremony will be held on Friday night. I can’t wait; I hope I pass all of my classes. I am sure that I won’t pass Combat yet, though; I can’t land a punch. You might. I was watching you the other day, and you are pretty good. You nearly beat Zeke. I wish I learned as fast as you do.” Trish is rambling on, so typical of her.

  “Slow down, Trish. I’m excited too.” I try to help her relax, but she is too bubbly.

  “Then why don’t you look excited? You look bummed out. Is it Damien again? I swear you guys have the most lovers’ quarrels of anyone I know.” She’s on a roll, and there’s no stopping her.

  “I just have a lot on my mind.” I try to deflect her questions, but the look in her eyes tells me she won’t relent. “Anna and I shared words. It wasn’t pleasant, and I’m not sure how to handle her.” Trish’s eyes light up. There’s nothing that she loves more than juicy gossip.

  “I’m a good listener, and I might be able to help.”

  How much can I tell her without blowing our cover? Besides, I’m already aware of her gossiping tendencies; I will have to watch what I say.

  “All right, GQ, calm down. She just confronted me and told me to stay away from Zeke. She thinks that we have something between us,” I say.

  “That’s ridiculous. Anyone can tell that you are head over heels for Damien. What did you say?” Trish asks.

  “Exactly that, I assured her that I was with Damien. I just know that it will be weird to talk to her from now on. I got the feeling that she didn’t believe me,” I reply.

  “Then you have to make her believe you. It’s not like you can stay away from Zeke since he and Damien are best friends. You should just put on one heck of a PDA show next time she’s around. That should make her cool her jets.” Trish’s idea isn’t half bad. It would show Anna that I’m taking her threat seriously.

  I don’t know what Zeke is going to do now that he knows about the fight. I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him about it. I guess I’ll have to ask him the next time that I see him.

  Anna doesn’t show up at lunch, to my relief. The scores are posted, and I pass two of my classes. At least I can look forward to having a lighter study load next week. I would still be attending Powers, Magical History, and Combat.

  The rest of the day went by without a hitch. Both of the boys were busy after Combat, so I spent the rest of the evening being guarded in my room by Hunter. I relish my time alone and spend most of it researching my heritage.

  ...

  “Today we’re going to work on identifying different herbs. You can taste, touch, and smell. Using your senses will help you tell which one it is,” Professor Zander states. It’s already Third Period and I still haven’t seen the boys yet. They must be really busy.

  Trish and I start walking around the room and filling out the worksheet that was provided. We have to quickly sketch and explain each herb. Our homework is to complete the last column describing the uses of the herbs.

  Really, it could be worse. I like coming to class. I already know the uses of most of them, but don’t want to let it on to Trish, who is struggling.

  “This one looks funny. What is it?” She holds up a jar to my nose, and I pull away from her hand, one of the leaves rubbing against my nose.

  “Trish, that’s dangerous. You’re supposed to waft them, not smell them directly. Now my nose is tingly. Let me see that jar.” Trish hands it over coyly.

  “This is a Gromwell plant. They are highly poisonous. That is what the X on the bottle means. ” I do a quick probe and feel the poison in my system. I know that I have to get to the clinic and soon.

  “Oh my goodness. I am so sorry. I didn’t know what it was. Are you going to be all right?” Trish is tearing up.

  “Professor Zander.” I get his attention with a wave. “I need a pass to the clinic. I was accidentally exposed to the Gromwell plant.”

  Disbelief displays on his face in response. “Do hurry; you only have a few minutes.” He hands me the pass as I speed from the room, the buddy system forgotten due to the emergency.

  My head is already starting to pound by the time I reach the hallway. I hunch over to grab my stomach as a pain shoots through it.

  I take a few more steps and stumble. Sweat is dripping down my brow. I am beginning to lose my balance. Determination sets in as I round the corner to the clinic.

  The hall is empty between classes so there is not a soul in sight. I can see the entrance to the clinic about a hundred feet away. Almost there, I tell myself.

  I can hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. I stumble past an alcove, and a set of arms grab me. I lose my balance and hit the ground hard.

  I catch a glimpse of two bodies dressed from head to toe in black. Their faces are covered in masks. I reach out my hand for assistance, and it’s slapped away.

  The blows start landing on my ribs. The two unknown assailants kick and punch with all of their might. I curl up in the fetal position trying to protect myself. I am too weak to try to fight back.

  One kick lands on my head, and pain begins to radiate down my spine. I am in agony. I’m helpless to do anything. I try to let out a yell for help, but my voice clams up. It’s hard to breathe.

  Panic floods through me. I can feel bruises forming all over my body. My eye is cut open, and blood is gushing down my face, clouding my eyes so I can’t see.

  For a moment I consider wiping it away, but I don’t want to leave my abdomen unprotected. Tears mix with blood and make the floor around my body slippery.

  One of my assailants slips and falls on top of me. The person’s weight is crushing. I hear a snap and know that I now have another broken rib. The familiar pain hits me like a ton of bricks. Foamy blood comes pouring out of my mouth with each breath.

  I send out a mental feeler for Zeke and Damien. I don’t know if I can survive this; I haven’t told them how much I have grown to care about them. I haven’t had the chance to evaluate my feelings, but I know that they mean the world to me, and at least now they are out of danger.

  I love you both, and I’m sorry I failed. I try not to let the darkness take me, but I’m slipping away, too weak to do anything about it.

  “Hey, you there, what’s going on?” An unfamiliar voice calls out.

  The attacker who was standing hauls the other to his feet and takes off in a run.

  I try to hold out the bloody hall pass to my savior as the darkness takes me.