Night Witch (Weatherstone College, #2)(79)

It was a familiar chant I’d learned in class last year.

“Dad,” I said softly, not wanting to spook him in his current mood. He was liable to burn the school down if his energy grew any more out of control, and this time he would absolutely end up in prison for it. “You’re freaking me the Hel out.”

Dad took his time making his way to his chair on the other side of his desk. His office was sparsely furnished, the only personal item a framed family photo on the overflowing bookshelf—which was otherwise filled with his favorite texts on fire and general magic. “I’ve been keeping an ear out for council news,” he said as he sank into his chair, eyes dark as they met mine. “It was unremarkable until this morning.”

Leaning forward, I swallowed roughly and tried to keep the tendrils of panic from spiraling. At the other end of my bond, Logan’s energy stirred, and I didn’t want to wake him. At least not before I knew how serious this was.

“What happened this morning?”

“The full roster of elders are gathering,” he said hoarsely. “Elder Monroe called them all in, and I can’t remember the last time they gathered as a whole.”

“Do you know why? Could it be about the spellcaster issue in Europe? I know it’s somewhat died down, but I heard on the news that they’re back to meeting with the council in regard to giving spellcasters more say in magical decisions.”

Dad shook his head. “It’s not that, Paisley. That’s been going on for months, and it hasn’t required all the council to gather.”

Right. Crap. “Elder Monroe being involved is a bad sign,” I admitted as the hold on my magic wavered, sending my panic down my mate bond. “He’s been quiet since Logan interfered with him attending your trial.”

That slipped out before I remembered Dad hadn’t been aware of it. Only, he showed no surprise as he rubbed a hand against his right temple. “Logan shouldn’t have done that,” he said with a huff. “He painted a larger target on us all, and I would have been fine either way.”

“He did it for me,” I said, feeling strangely soothed at the mere memory of his caring actions. “He knew how worried I was about the outcome.”

Dad looked pained as he leaned closer to me. “I love you, Little Gem. You know I love you more than anything, and I can’t imagine life without you, but I think you and Logan should disappear for a while. Just take off and lay low until Monroe finds a new target for his rage. He’s been an asshole since his wife left him and made her base in India. He doesn’t like to lose, and especially not when it’s to do with his family. You befriended his daughter, and he won’t let you have her. He’ll do whatever it takes, and unfortunately, it won’t be difficult for him to convince the council to investigate. They have the evidence from the monster attack here last year.”

“I won’t break in front of them,” I promised him. “No matter what he does, I won’t call the monsters again. I have complete control of my magic.”

Not totally accurate, but I was confident that even if I accidentally called a beast, I could send them back fast enough that no one would notice. Hopefully.

“What if he threatened someone you cared about?” Dad said as fire licked across his skin. I hadn’t seen my dad lose control like this in a long time. “You’re vulnerable because you have a lot of witches and warlocks you love. He will use them against you, Pais. He will take and hurt until he gets what he wants. I can’t have that happen. You have to run.”

My distress had called my mate; Logan’s energy was getting closer. “Okay,” I said with a rasp. “Okay, Dad. I’ll leave today. How will I know when I can get in contact with anyone again?”

Logan’s power grew stronger, until my magic swelled. Dad’s flames expanded as he felt my magic. “We’ll grab burner phones for contact. Here are a few months of suppression potions to get going.” He reached into his bag on the floor and lifted out a small pouch. “From your mom. But you will need to contact us for more.”

“Here’s hoping Logan has some of his billions stashed in cash,” I said, my laugh strangled and weird.

Speaking of, the spellcaster’s energy crashed against the warded door, and Dad shot to his feet to remove his spell before Logan blasted it to pieces. Logan strode through in a cloud of darkness—not literally, but I could feel it in our bond. “Precious,” he growled, eyes locked on me, before they ran over my face as if checking for injury. “Why are you panicking?”

I’d been so focused on the power that rode around him like an entourage that I missed the part where he was wearing black sweats and a soft gray shirt, his feet bare and hair mussed. He’d clearly rolled out of bed and grabbed the first clothes he could find to get to me fast.

Moon goddess, I had a hot mate. That was one upside to life on the run. There weren’t many others.

A fraction of his tumultuous energy eased up as he noted my general well-being and blatant perusal of him. His finger tipped up my chin. “Focus for me, baby,” he chuckled, and I wondered how he smelled so good when he hadn’t showered or brushed his teeth. Had he used magic to clean his teeth as he rushed here?

“She’s less focused than usual,” Logan said, raising his head to meet Dad’s gaze. “Maybe you’d better fill me in.”