School had been canceled due to the breakout and the fear of another attack, but after two days, warden training started up again. Mr. Johnson explained that it was even more important for them to get the current group of recruits through the program.
Dylan was already in a bad mood before he even stepped into city hall. Aiden was a mess, and halfway through the drive Dylan had worried they might have to turn around because his friend was on the verge of a panic attack.
Aiden had only left Dylan’s house once during the past two days to grab a few things from home. Tiago and Rosalind were still staying with Dylan’s family too. It was weird but kind of nice to have more people in the huge house. Well, except for the reason they were staying over.
“You sure you’re okay?”
“I’ll be fine,” Aiden said.
Dylan walked into the classroom. Of course today had to be rules and regulations.
Warden Bully stood leaning against the desk, eyes narrowing when he spotted Dylan. “You may have Johnson fooled, but I’m watching you.”
“What now?”
“Isn’t it convenient that you were there when the breakout happened?”
Dylan’s jaw actually dropped. “What?” No, he wouldn’t dare. Behind him, Aiden echoed his question.
Warden Bully straightened and took a few steps toward Dylan. “You were awfully cozy with the Rhodeses. You spoke at the protest. You’ve made no secret of how much you hate wardens—”
“I saved your fucking life!” And he’d never regretted it more than now.
“Maybe that was part of the plan. They knew they were losing and they’d need someone on the inside for their next attack.”
“That’s crazy,” Aiden said. “Dylan would never—”
“Of course you’re on his side. Maybe you’re in on it too.” His gaze flicked between them.
It took all Dylan’s self-control to keep from lunging at the man. A faint scent of heated rock rose around him as his magic responded to his anger.
“Please, Mr. Galloway. Please try it. I would love nothing more than to walk you next door and put you behind bars where you belong.”
“We could’ve died.” Aiden’s breath came fast. “We were victims just like everyone else.”
Dylan glanced around. The classroom was half-full, everyone staring at them. One woman had her arm in a sling, others had bandages and bruises. Several of the desks were empty, and one of them always would be. Mr. Johnson had told them one of the recruits had died in the attack.
Thinking about it fueled Dylan’s rage until he was choking on it. “You’re so full of shit. You have it out for me so bad now you’re making up conspiracy theories.”
Aiden took his arm. “Let’s go. Let’s just go.” His racing heart signaled a panic attack.
“Please do. You don’t belong in this class.”
For a second Dylan considered throwing it all away and punching that asshole right in the face. But that was exactly what Warden Bully wanted—an excuse to get Dylan in trouble. Dylan would love to get out of his promise to become a warden, but it wasn’t worth going to jail for. And it wasn’t worth leaving Aiden alone to take on the burden for Dylan’s mistake.
Would it even matter though? The extremists could come back and destroy the town any minute.
Aiden tugged at his arm. “Come on.”
“I’ll be back,” Dylan promised, only because he didn’t want Warden Bully to think he’d won.
* * *
Heat broke out over Aiden’s body, and his legs started to shake. “I need to sit down.” After everything he was already dealing with, Warden Bradley’s accusations were way more than Aiden could handle.
It wasn’t fear that set off his anxiety this time, it was anger. He couldn’t do anything against Warden Bradley. Aiden almost never wanted to lash out, but he wanted to now. Attacking the warden would get Aiden thrown in jail, and yelling at the warden would only make things worse. Holding in the rage made it loop back on itself, growing until spots danced at the edge of Aiden’s vision. It was a trapped, frustrated feeling, and he wondered if this was what Dylan had dealt with all those times.
“Here.” Dylan guided him to a door, then told him to wait.
Aiden stared at the floor, white marble with little flecks of gray, and tried to breathe slow and deep.
“Okay.” Dylan took his arm again and led him inside a dark room.
A big table dominated the space, and Aiden sank into a chair. It looked like some kind of meeting room. Aiden leaned his head against the table, the smooth wood cool against his hot face.
“Just breathe, man.”
Aiden tried to think of calming things—flowers in a sunny field, a gently flowing brook, Tiago’s smile. The world around him slowly came back into focus. Dylan rubbed circles along his back. Aiden tilted his head up to see the concerned look on his face.
“You okay?” Dylan asked.
“I’m so pissed.” It was under control, but the anger was still there, clawing away inside him.
Dylan’s eyebrows went up. “I thought you were having a panic attack.”
“I was, but not because I was afraid.” Aiden slowly got to his feet, checking his stability. “Let’s go see if Mr. Johnson is in his office.”
“You gonna go tattle on Warden Bully?” Dylan looked even more surprised.
“I’m gonna get his ass fired.” Aiden clenched his fists.
Dylan leaned back. “Who are you, and what have you done with Aiden?”
“Just because I’m not as aggressive as you doesn’t mean I can’t get mad. I’ve had enough.” His heart started going too fast, and Aiden took a deep breath. “He’s accusing us of working with the extremists. We’ll never get fair treatment from a guy that makes up conspiracy theories about us.”
Calm. Stay calm. Mr. Johnson will sort this out. Aiden stalked out of the room with Dylan close behind him.
The wardens’ headquarters was in the back of the building across from the courthouse. Aiden went up to the receptionist and took another deep breath. “I’d like to talk to Mr. Johnson. Is he in his office?”
“May I ask what this is concerning?” the man asked.
“Just tell him Aiden and Dylan need to see him right away.”
Dylan gave him an impressed look, and Aiden wondered if that had come out snappy.
Aiden cleared his throat. “Please.”
The receptionist nodded and picked up the phone. Even if he didn’t recognize their faces from the newspaper, he would definitely know their names.
A few moments later, they got permission to go through to Mr. Johnson’s office.
“I like this new you.”
Aiden couldn’t help cracking a smile. “Don’t get used to it.” He didn’t like being angry any more than he liked being afraid.
When they stepped into Mr. Johnson’s office, the warden’s face was guarded. “Aiden, Dylan. If this is about the help from Faery, no, I haven’t gotten an answer from the council yet.”
Aiden was distracted for a second. What were they waiting for? The extremists could attack at any moment, and the council had to know they didn’t stand much of a chance against a dozen dark fae, let alone all the criminals they’d broken out. “It’s not that.”
“It’s Warden Bul— Bradley.” A growl rumbled under Dylan’s tone.
“We want him fired.”
They explained the situation, Mr. Johnson’s expression turning stormy. Still, Aiden expected him to make excuses, tell them they were overreacting, try to placate them by saying he’d have a talk with Bradley.
Instead, Mr. Johnson shook his head. “That’s it. He’s done.”
“Really?” Surprise made Dylan’s voice high.
The knot that had formed in Aiden’s chest loosened a little, but he was still wary.
“I can’t fire him outright…”
Of course not. Here came the excuses.
“But I’m pulling him out of teaching. I’ll send him to guard the prison.” He got up. “Wait here.”
“Where are you going?” Aiden asked.
“To tell him he’s bumped down to guard duty.”
“Right now?” Dylan asked.
“Everyone needs to know this won’t be tolerated.” As he walked out the door, he muttered, “I’ve got enough shit to deal with.”
Aiden and Dylan stared at each other. After a moment Dylan said, “Wow. He’s really doing it.”
Mentally, Aiden was relieved, but his body was still on high alert. He started pacing the office. “Now I’ve got all this energy, and I don’t know what to do with it.”
Dylan smiled. “I know exactly how to handle that.”