Chapter 31 31- Never Let Him Make You Feel Safe
LEXI
I’m not sure if Blake took that much better than I anticipated… Or a whole lot worse. What did he mean by ‘I’ll handle everything else’? What else is there to handle?! If it weren’t for the fact that I’m not supposed to be running around, or, you know, stumbling into walls because half my body is numb, I would definitely have gone after him. The image of Blake stalking off with that calm, dangerous focus makes my stomach twist. I’m fairly sure he isn’t planning anything too terrible. Probably. Right? I could call him. Or text him again. But what if he actually went to class like he said he would? I don’t want to distract him. Or get him into trouble- I snort out loud. Who am I kidding? I seriously doubt there’s a single instructor in this place willing to call Blake out on anything. Screw it. I’m texting him.
Lexi: Hey, did you make it to class okay?
Blake: Just heading to class now.
I frown at the screen. Only now? It’s been several minutes…
Lexi: What have you been doing up til now to make you so late?
Blake: I told you, I was handling the problem. That won’t happen to you again.
I stare at the message. Just… Stare. That sentence is doing absolutely nothing to calm me down. If anything, it makes my chest feel tight. Should I be concerned? I feel like I should be concerned. Or I could just… Trust him. Trust that Blake wouldn’t have done anything I REALLY don’t approve of. Wouldn’t he? It’s honestly hard to say. He clearly has his own rules. His own code. I just wish I knew what the hell they actually were.
Lexi: Should I be worried?
Blake: Not anymore.
Lexi: Correction. I meant should I be worried about YOU?
Blake: No. You shouldn’t worry about anything at all.
I sigh, long and heavy. Yeah. This isn’t going to get me anywhere. Blake is not the kind of person who explains himself over text, especially not when he thinks the matter is already settled. I’ll just have to wait until I see him in person and then interrogate him properly.
Lexi: Just go to class. I’ll see you at lunch.
Lexi: And thanks for worrying about me. It’s sweet of you.
I drop my phone onto the bed beside me and let myself collapse back against the pillows. The moment I stop holding myself upright, the exhaustion hits like a wave. The adrenaline from earlier, the shock, the fear, the pain, has completely drained away, leaving me heavy and hollow. Annie glances over at me from across the infirmary and smiles knowingly.
“Take a nap. I’ll wake you if you have any more guests.” She says gently. I nod, too tired to argue. My eyes slide shut almost immediately. And despite everything, despite Blake, despite Mallory, despite whatever consequences are quietly unfolding, I fall asleep.
When I wake, it takes a few seconds to realise that I have woken. My thoughts drift up slowly, like I’m surfacing from deep water, heavy and sluggish. My body feels strange, too warm in some places, oddly distant in others. There’s a faint pressure at my shoulder, rhythmic and gentle, and only then does my brain finally catch up enough to register it as touch.
“Lexi? Someone is here to talk to you.” Annie’s voice comes to me softly. I groan faintly and blink, my vision swimming as I try to focus. For a split second I forget where I am, then the white walls, the medical smell, and the unfamiliar bed snap back into place.
“Blake is back?” I ask, the words coming out automatically, half-formed and sleepy.
“No, someone else.” Annie says. That does it. I sit up a little too fast, dizziness washing over me, my heart giving a sudden, sharp thump in my chest. Someone else? Who would come looking for me here? My gaze drifts past Annie, and lands on the woman standing at the end of the bed. Principal Istvan. I straighten immediately, even though my body protests the movement. The effect is instinctive, reflexive. Authority like hers does that. Up close, she’s even more imposing. Her appearance is flawless in a way that feels intentional, almost aggressive. Her dark hair is pulled back so tightly into a bun that it looks sculpted rather than styled, not a single strand escaping. Her clothes are immaculate, sharp lines and perfect tailoring, as if even fabric dares not disobey her. Her posture is relaxed, but controlled. One arm rests on her hip.
“Miss Elle. How are you feeling?” She says evenly. I swallow and take a moment to actually check in with myself. My arm is still numb. Parts of my back feel heavy and dull, like they don’t quite belong to me. I’m exhausted in a bone-deep way that makes thinking feel like work.
“I don’t really feel great.” I answer honestly.
“But at least I’m not in pain. That’s something to be happy about, I guess.” I add, my tone joking. Her expression doesn’t soften. Not even a little.
“Yes, it is.” She says. Well… Okay then. Silence stretches between us, thick and uncomfortable. I can feel her watching me, assessing. Measuring. The weight of it makes my skin prickle. I clear my throat.
“So… Are you here about the incident in potions?” I ask carefully.
“About how I said Mallory did it on purpose?” I add. Principal Istvan tilts her head, just slightly, like she’s considering the angle of a chess piece.
“Mostly, yes.” She confirms. My stomach tightens.
“She really did do it on purpose. I’m sure of it.” I say again, firmer this time. One eyebrow rises, not high, not dramatic, but enough to signal interest.
“You have made a great many enemies here, Miss Elle. And exceptionally quickly.” She says calmly. The words hit harder than I expect. My stomach drops. Is she blaming ME?
“I didn’t do anything to her. She’s been harassing me.” I say defensively, heat rising in my chest. Principal Istvan exhales slowly, a sound that feels like restraint rather than fatigue.
“Look…” She starts, and her tone shifts, still firm, but marginally more personal.
“I will be honest with you. I believe that you are probably telling the truth.” She tells me. Relief flares, bright and sudden, And dies just as quickly.
“But, you do not have proof. Professor Matthews questioned the class. Every student either claimed they did not see the incident clearly, or believed it to be accidental. Without corroboration, there is little we can do in terms of formal disciplinary action.” She continues. My shoulders slump despite myself. Of course. So Mallory walks away unscathed. And I’m the one sitting here, numb and shaken and humiliated. The unfairness of it settles heavily in my chest, bitter and sharp. Principal Istvan clears her throat.
“However…” She says, and I look up again.
“Professor Matthews has informed me that Mallory will not be permitted to participate in any practical potion-making activities for the next month.” She informs me. My breath catches.
“This is not being framed as a punishment, rather, she requires additional instruction on laboratory safety to prevent future… Accidents.” She adds smoothly. Then… She winks. Actually winks! I blink, stunned, and then a shaky breath slips out of me. Relief washes through my body, loosening tension I hadn’t realised I was holding. It’s not justice. It’s not enough. But it’s something.
“Thank you.” I say, my voice softer now, genuinely grateful. She shakes her head once.
“Do not thank me. This was not my decision. And I doubt it was Professor Matthews’ either.” She replies. Her gaze sharpens, something dangerous and knowing flickering beneath the surface.
“You may have made enemies here,bBut you have also made one very powerful friend.” She says A chill runs down my spine. Powerful. Oh.
“Rest, Miss Elle.” Principal Istvan continues.
“I suspect this will not be our last conversation.” She finishes. She nods once to Annie, then turns and strides from the infirmary with effortless authority, her heels clicking softly against the floor. I watch her go, my heart pounding. A powerful friend. Blake… Oh no. Blake. What did you do?!