The Puppet Master (The Paranormal University Files: Skylar Book 5) by Savage Vivienne & Kristine Dominique

Author:Savage, Vivienne & Kristine, Dominique [Savage, Vivienne]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-02-11T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

Tristal’s office had always been a little dark and formal, which gave it an almost spooky atmosphere, but it felt even more so after her surprising admission. Jiro and I each took a seat and waited while she closed the door behind us. That click sounded positively ominous.

“Now then, no one will disturb us.”

Maybe that was code for “Now I can eat you in peace.”

Guilt swamped me at the ridiculous thought. Tristal had always been odd, but she was a great teacher and she’d taken time out of her schedule to help me more than once. Discovering she was a rehabilitated darkling didn’t make those truths vanish. She made her way around the desk and took a seat.

“I imagine you both have questions, but first, allow me one of my own. Are you all right, Jiro?”

“Yes, professor. I knew to expect…” He struggled for words to accurately express his feelings.

“Douchebags?” I offered.

Jiro’s brittle smile barely curved his lips. “I knew people would reject me.”

“It is a hard line you walk, Mr. Yamazaki. The memories of events two years ago are still fresh on the minds of those here at campus. Monica wreaked havoc. Students and civilians died.”

“I know,” he replied in a quiet voice. “And I helped her. I don’t know if I can ever atone for my bad choices. It doesn’t matter that they threatened my family. I could have told someone. I should have said they threatened to hurt my mother.”

What?

My head snapped around to stare at him.

Why hadn’t the rest of us been told that?

A sinking feeling in my gut told me why. Who would believe it?

“The fact that you are here means you have already started down that path,” Tristal said kindly.

“Honestly, I thought for a long time that if I wasn’t with her, my heart would be next. I knew if I didn’t show up that night with the kids, she’d kill me. She wanted a dreamwalker. Badly.” He shuddered.

“You’re safe now. You made the best choice, both for the children and your own soul.” Tristal cut her gaze to me. “You’ve been quiet.”

“I’m not sure what to say, I guess. I…” I glanced from Tristal to Jiro then back to the professor again. “I had no idea.”

“And now that you know the truth, has your opinion of me changed?” Tristal asked.

“No. I mean, you’re still the same professor I know and respect.” And that was the whole point. While I hadn’t harassed Jiro or talked poorly about him behind his back, I hadn’t given the forgiveness he sought either. I was so set in my mind that he was a darkling and didn’t belong here, which would mean that the professor shouldn’t either. Except she did.

She’d mentored me and taught me the combative magic no one else would until I met Dain. Not once in all the time we’d known each other had Tristal ever been anything but a stern and loving authority figure.

“Mr. Yamazaki, why don’t you head on to your next class? I need a word with Miss Corazzi.

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