Reaching Answers (Artemis University #8) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,9
a bear, had tried to explain that to a fairy who was all about justice, and fairies had invented the whole “eye for an eye” thing. The laughing hadn’t helped. I admitted that, but it had been more at the situation and him being an idiot mansplaining shit to me. Witches and warlocks held grudges like total mother fuckers. Vampires were petty and vindictive.
And what about humans? Did he think they just let shit go?
I think every human just laughed at the damn bear. For a while probably too.
That was also why Darby was unhappy with me. His argument was more that I would have been furious—and rightfully so—if anyone had tried to handle me like that, and yet I’d done it to someone I called a sister. He didn’t like the line I’d crossed and as my boyfriend, didn’t appreciate the possible implications it could mean for him.
I didn’t think that was fair. I could see his argument about people handling me… Except I did let Mel handle me like that and a lot as she knew me best.
He also couldn’t believe I could betray the honor of a dragon I cared about so much.
Which made it hysterical that Hudson was on my side. Lucca and Darby said it was because Hudson was trying to win me back, and I’d honestly never seen Hudson so pissed off. He took a swing at both of them for saying that and they apologized, admitting the dragon had disagreed with me even when we were fighting or upset.
Hudson said in a perfect world without so much corruption, he would agree with their arguments, but the world wasn’t like that. And as someone who knew Mel probably only second best to me, he understood the move. Also as a dragon, he knew how bad their tunnel vision could get, and she would have died without thinking about logic, the circumstances, or anything other than her pain.
And it would have been an unbearable loss for not only all of us, but our world, so I’d made the right move. A painful one that could have cost me too much and apparently too many people judging me—a very pointed comment to make—but he supported me.
Mr. Vogel agreed.
Surprisingly, Mrs. Vogel didn’t. Awesome. Especially awesome? Apparently they’d had a huge fight about it.
Yeah, I really wanted to be the reason they fought, like ever.
White and Edelman were on my side. Dr. Salzman and Professor Richardson were on Mel’s. So were Zack and Ray, though they saw my side and were trying to stay neutral.
Everyone was letting me know their opinions while I was trying to study for and take finals… Which had annoyed me only a few dozen times and I’d repeatedly replied with the same thing:
“Great, really, but this isn’t America Idol and every vote doesn’t matter.”
That probably didn’t help.
But it made me feel better.
Why did everyone think I wanted their opinions on this? Because I was normally so open on everything else?
Uh-huh.
But still they continued. Marshall and Sean were on my side but felt bad for Mel. Same with Professors Nelson and Puth. Larson was very much on her side and furious with me for not talking to anyone before making the move I did. He lectured me several times that there was a reason he was brought in, and to handle situations like those was a major one.
Which was why Geiger and Claudia weren’t happy with me. Not because they really sided with Mel, but they didn’t like how often I did my own thing and didn’t ask for help. I got a bit snippy on that and reminded them about giving me shit on all their billable hours and taking over their firm when they dropped the warlock elders and elite magical families that were a threat to me.
And then I hung up the phone like a child. Fine, whatever, I was tired of taking shit. I couldn’t make anyone happy most days. They wanted me to act like an adult and ask for help when I needed it.
Right, I did, but simply not from them. I asked Councilman Brooks for help, and I stood by him being the right decision as things went as I had hoped.
And adults made decision. Children ran to the adults all the time for help and to let them handle things so… Pick a fucking lane and let me know what I should do to make people happy.