Tarot Academy 4 - Sarah Piper Page 0,57
simply about feeling safe and whole. About being in the presence of love without fear, without manipulation, without judgment.
It’s about picking up the broken pieces and making something new with them—something even stronger and more beautiful than before.
So that’s just what we do.
One touch, one kiss, one whispered I love you at a time until we finally drift off to the incomparable lullabies of crickets and the soft desert breeze fluttering through the curtains, knowing that in this room, between Cernunnos and his Star, there is only love.
The next morning, we’re up before the rest of the house, slipping into the guest room downstairs to give Professor Broome a break and spend some time with Ani. He hasn’t awoken yet, but his color is looking better, his breathing soft and even. When I lay my head on his chest, the strong, steady beat of his heart thumps against my ear, and it fills me with the same sense of comfort and peace I felt in the cave with my Princess of Cups.
“He’ll be home soon,” I tell Baz. “I have no doubts.”
“Then neither do I.” Baz leans in and kisses Ani’s forehead, the gesture so soft and tender it makes my heart melt. “You hear that, Gingersnap? Get your ass home.”
We stay with him a little longer, taking turns reading him passages from the very naughty vampire romance novel Professor Broome inadvertently left on the night table. We’ve just finished up a particularly juicy scene that left us both a little breathless when our phones ping with an official Academy alert.
Baz digs out his phone, his face falling.
“It’s from Trello.”
“What’s it say?”
“Esteemed students and colleagues,” he begins. “I regret to inform you that due to recent unforeseen circumstances, we have made the difficult decision to end our winter semester, effective immediately. Final exams have been canceled, and all grades will be determined based on work and class participation to date. Feel free to contact your professors directly if you have any questions about individual grading policies.”
“I can almost hear the collective cheers on campus.” I let out a sigh, leaning back on the bed next to Ani. “Honestly, I’m surprised she waited this long to shut things down. It’s just not safe, especially if Eastman turns out to be a traitor.”
“There’s more,” he says, continuing on. “Unfortunately, given the volatile and often violent situation escalating outside our boundaries, students will not be permitted to return home at this time. All students will be required to remain on campus, under the sole direction and supervision of Agent Eastman of the APOA, who will be implementing new safety protocols to ensure your safety. While these protocols may feel restrictive, rest assured they are designed solely for your safety and will be lifted as soon as possible. Until that time, we are requiring all students to remain within their assigned dorm buildings. With the exception of Hot Shots, which was damaged recently after a gas leak, restaurants and stores will remain open and accessible within each building, as will the common rooms. Students are not permitted to visit other dorms or access any outdoor spaces. The Promenade is also closed at this time.”
“Holy shit,” I breathe. “She’s going into full lockdown mode. People are going to freak out.”
He scrolls a bit farther down the message, his brow pinched with concern. “Most of you are aware of the ongoing investigation involving our former head librarian, Professor Phaines. I am pleased to announce that the investigation has come to a close, and I can personally assure you that Phaines poses no additional threat, as he is deceased.”
“Murdered, incinerated, and buried,” I say, happy to remind myself of my attacker’s multi-part brutal demise.
“Due to the diligent efforts of the APOA,” Baz continues, “in coordination with key faculty and staff, Phaines was discovered taking refuge in the basement storage area of the library, aided and abetted by interim librarian Janelle Kirkpatrick. All indications are that they were using the area as a makeshift magick lab, conducting unregulated and illegal experiments. In the late hours after Harvest Eve, the lab suffered a massive explosion, damaging much of the library’s foundation. Kirkpatrick has been apprehended by the authorities. Phaines was pronounced dead on the scene. Thankfully, no students or faculty were hurt, but several offices, along with some of our most prized collections, were destroyed. The library will remain closed for repairs for the foreseeable future and is, as are all non-dorm buildings, off-limits to students and faculty alike.”
“Holy