Reaching Answers (Artemis University #8) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,26

do this, but I was trying to save her life. Her clan’s lives because they would have gone for revenge as well. We would have all been dragged into this and apparently, I was going to lose her either way, but at least she’s alive.

“I wouldn’t have stayed out of it and if I die, everyone in Faerie is frozen forever! That’s all on me. So if this world wasn’t so fucking corrupt and horrible, I wouldn’t have ever done it this way. I did the best I could because everything is fucked. But this is who I am. I will make the hard choices and go at the bullshit head-on. I will not change for a man or just fall in line obediently to any of you.”

“That’s not what I wanted,” Lucca argued, scrubbing his hand over his head. “Magic is swirling around you, Tams. Get it out and we can talk later when you’ve chilled. I’m staying all week and—”

“What?” I couldn’t even hide how annoyed I was then. “You just decide you’re staying at my house for a week without asking me?” They both winced which meant Darby had known. Lovely. “And we’ll talk later when I’ve chilled? Do you hear yourself, Mr. Von Thann?”

Lucca reacted like I’d punched him in the gut, going pale as well as it sunk in what he’d just said, how he’d just treated me.

“Guess I don’t have to worry about the vampire in your life after all,” Neldor muttered, not even trying to hide his amusement. “The bear gone is a welcome addition as well.”

I blew my lid, seeing red. The men in this world and around me were trying to take the last of my sanity.

No. No way.

I turned and let out a power clap to send him flying since he was on his feet again. He only went about ten feet before crashing into a huge tree that broke into pieces from being hit at that speed.

But horror filled me as I realized I’d clipped one of the fae dogs who had been too close. I thought the fairy rune for speed and was there instantly. I dove to the ground and hurried to heal the poor dog.

“I’m so sorry,” I rasped as I made her better.

She wasn’t angry, turning and licking my face. Her thoughts were grateful I cared, accidents happened, and she shouldn’t have run in to give Neldor a warning snarl. She had been upset how all the men were treating me and wanted to back up a female.

Nice someone did. I thanked her and kissed her head, making her promise to eat extra food and rest for the day in the cozy beds. She was already healed but I’d hurt her badly, so she got time to just recover.

“She’s fine,” I confirmed for the others as I got to my feet and she jumped to hers. I watched as she went over to her pack and they all gave me happy barks or had their tongues hanging out to let me know they weren’t upset with me.

At least my dogs didn’t judge me.

I needed more of that and less problems in my life if I was to handle what I needed to. My anger started to build from my hurt and I couldn’t seem to put the bottle back in the stopper.

Turning when I heard several people gasp, I saw a temp portal open up under Neldor and he fell through it. I didn’t understand why that would shock them. So he’d portaled somewhere?

So what?

“You did it,” White explained, shaking her head when I tried to argue. “We saw your magic flare, Tamsin. Apparently, you can open portals from a distance.”

“And without thought,” I grumbled, glancing at my hands. “Well, that’s new. I don’t even know where I sent him.”

Zack snorted. “He can handle it.”

Ray couldn’t hide his amusement either. “What were you thinking?”

I shrugged. “That he should take a long walk off a short pier.” My eyes went wide. “Did I send him to the ocean?”

They were not the only people who burst out laughing. I thought Larson was going to fall off his chair.

I glanced at Lucca and thought about sending him away. I did a double take when I practically saw the runes for the portal he’d arrived from in his aura. An evil smile formed on my lips. “I’ll send your stuff.”

The portal opened up beneath him before he could even object, sending him back to… I assumed the portal at