up on her as Ash. It makes sense they'd be interested in the same female with them being paired as siphons for their coterie-- all they’d needed before was to find their vessel, but with all of us tied to Drake who took Damien's place with Cora, I guess that’s no longer an issue. He's been keeping quiet the last few days, and I wonder what’s going on with him. Usually he's not shy about voicing his opinions.
Attempting to suss him, out I bring up the need for Cora's chaperoning, staring at him directly. "So, should we get a schedule figured out that fits around us all, or what?"
His scowl is immediate. "Why are you looking at me, Blaise? Seems Jaeger and Ash have it under control so far. We each keep an eye on her in classes. Isn't that enough for you?"
Jaeger intervenes before we can get into an argument, determined to keep the peace and save us from ourselves. "Is there a problem with escorting Cora that we should know about?” Jaeger’s stern countenance indicates that he’d better not.
Riggs’ jaw is set, obviously unhappy with something. “I’d hoped to have a personal life while I can, Jag,” he whisper shouts at us, knowing the walls aren’t thick enough to stop more than a quiet conversation from carrying to Cora. "This entire thing is doomed. We only got a stay of execution. When she ascends, we'll be the council's bitches more than we are now...at least until she's burnt out and of no further use to them, then who knows what will happen, but it won't end well."
"I thought you wanted Cora too, Riggs. What changed?" Ash's confusion mirrors my own, but has an added dose of betrayal mixed in. Maybe Riggs had meant it when he told Cora she’d caused our problems.
Riggs’ reply is angry, almost venomous. “That’s the point though, isn’t it, Ash? We won’t have her. What’s the point in getting our hopes up for the Order to just come in and crush them anyway?” His logic is probably correct, but he’s apparently not even going to bother trying. Fucking coward. I want to know when my friend became such a pussy and let others control him. Probably right about the same time you all fucked Cora over. I have to battle the shame over that bonehead move down to deal with the one in front of me.
Ash echoes my thoughts. “So what? You’re going to be the resident partying fuck-boy and bury your head in the sand until you can’t anymore? How’s that going to help matters?”
With a snarl marring the sharp features girls fawn over, Riggs is about to reply to Ash, but the opening of Cora’s bedroom forestalls it.
“One more thing…” She takes in the tense atmosphere as she steps out of her room. “Uh, am I interrupting?” Riggs' expression morphs into a mulish pout, while Jaeger shakes his head. “Okay, well, if we’re going to call a truce, your guests have to be nicer. I live here too and will for the foreseeable future. If I can’t ask for new housing and you have to be around me all the time, the least you can do is make sure your fangirls keep their mouths shut when they’re in here.” Cora’s back is straight, but I can see the tremble of what I think is nervousness in her hands. She’s never been big on confrontation unless it’s in the heat of the moment. She’ll defend herself just fine, but coming out and initiating a possible disagreement has always been rare.
Taking the opportunity to extend the olive branch even further, I answer for all of us, much to Riggs’ dismay. “We’ll make sure any company we have in here or that hangs out with us are polite.” Riggs opens his mouth again, but Ash, close enough to reach, swings out an arm to backhand his stomach.
Her forehead creases, nose wrinkling as if she’d expected an argument. And possibly before our meeting with the dean it would have gone that way, but we all have to protect our asses as a group now. “I think I’m going to have a nap. Uh, thanks?” She disappears, shutting her door before any of us can respond.
Riggs though, he’s pissed. “Thanks a lot, asshole. Next time, speak for yourself. The only way to get over that piece of ass in there,” he snarls, finger jutting toward Cora’s door, “is to put it in another one.” He storms out,