Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 142

Chapter 142

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Evander

After my morning hunt, the day drags on. By the time I make it back to the attic, the place feels emptier than usual. Kael and Allison are still gone, probably training or doing whatever “training” looks like when

he’s in charge. I try to settle, but the silence presses in. So I clean. I start with the dishes first. Then the

books scattered across the table. I even fold the blanket Kael left on the couch three days ago. Anything to

fill the space while the sun crawls across the floorboards. Rhaziel drops in mid-afternoon, materialising by the window without a sound. One second the light’s normal, the next it bends around him like he’s pulled

the shadow straight from the walls.

He glances around, takes in the freshly swept floor, and hums. “Domestic.”

I arch a brow. “You could help, you know.”

“Not my skill set.”

“Didn’t think demons got to choose skill sets.”

His mouth twitches, almost a smile. “You’d be surprised what we get to choose.”

We fall into companionable silence. He stays by the window, tail flicking lazily against the wall. I try to read the same book I’ve been halfway through for a week, but the words blur and every so often, I catch

Rhaziel watching the door.

By the time the latch finally clicks open, it’s well past sunset. Allison’s the first through. Her hair’s a mess, her shirt grass-stained, cheeks flushed from the cold. Kael’s right behind her and his grin wide enough to

light the whole room.

“Well, that took long enough,” I say, leaning back in my chair.

Kael stretches, looking entirely too pleased with himsel. “What can I say? Training’s exhausting.”

“Training,” I echo flatly.

Allison snorts, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. “You can roll your eyes all you want, it was

actually productive.”

Rhaziel’s voice drifts from the shadows. “You look exhausted, little one.”

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Chapter 142

She glances over, a smile softening her expression. “I am. But I’m fine.”

Kael drops onto the couch. “You’re filthy, trouble. You want to shower before dinner?”

She laughs under her breath, already tugging at the hem of her shirt. “That was the plan.”

“I’m joining you,” he says, sitting up instantly.

Her head tilts, amused. “Are you?”

“Uh-huh.”

She just shakes her head, smiling as she disappears into the bathroom. The door clicks shut behind her, and Kael grins at me like he’s won something.

“Seriously?” I ask him.

“What?

I’m a man in love.” He smirks.

Rhaziel mutters, “Incurable,” under his breath.

I ignore them both and start gathering ingredients from the small cupboard. The pipes rattle faintly through the wall, followed by the rush of water. It’s oddly comforting, this new normal, domestic we’ve all found ourselves in. When the water stops, I hear muffled laughter, then the door opens again and steam rolls out in a cloud, followed by Allison. Her hair’s damp and curling at the ends, her skin flushed from the heat. Kael trails after her, shirtless, looking entirely to satisfied.

I sigh. “I don’t want to know.”

“You really don’t,” he says cheerfully.

Allison crosses the room to me, rising on her toes to press a light kiss against my cheek. “Hi.”

“Hello, pet,” I murmur, catching her waist for a second before letting go. “Good day?”

She nods, smiling softly. “It was. Kael pushed me hard, but I needed it.”

Her eyes flick toward Rhaziel, who’s still lounging near the window. “And no, I didn’t overdo it. Promise.”

Rhaziel’s tail curls once, slow and deliberate. “I’ll be the judge of that later.”

Kael flops into a chair at the table, stealing a slice of bread straight from the plate. “So what’s for dinner,

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Chapter 142

chef?”

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“Something edible if you behave.”

He grins. “So, not your cooking then?”

I throw a napkin at his head. He ducks, laughing, and Alison shakes her head as she sits opposite him. She tucks her legs under herself, still damp from the shower the glow of her markings dim now but visible when she moves. I cook while they talk-her telling Rhazeil about trying to control the different magics she’s siphoned, him pretending to listen but mostly just watching her. He stays quiet, though I can feel his whole attention fixed on her. By the time dinner’s read, the attic smells faintly of herbs and toasted

bread. I set the plates down and drop into the chair beside her.

Allison takes a bite, hums softly. “You always make it taste better.”

“Magic,” Kael says with a mouthful of food. “He seasons with sarcasm.”

I smirk. “And you season with chaos.”

“Exactly.”

She laughs quietly, the sound small and warm. It settles something in my chest I didn’t realise was tight. For a while, it’s just that-the clink of forks, the soft rustle of pages when Rhaziel returns to his book, Kael humming under his breath. When Allison finishes, she leans back against her chair and exhales, eyes half-

lidded.

“Feel better?” I ask.

“Much.”

“Good,” I say. “Because if you scare another professor, I’m not writing the apology letter.”

She smirks. “You love writing letters.”

“No, I love watching you try to explain yourself.”

Rhaziel glances up, amusement flickering in his eyes. “You three sound like an old married coven.”

Kael points his fork at him. “Says the shadow lurking in our window.”

Allison hides a laugh behind her hand. “Be nice.”

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Chapter 142

Kael inclines his head slightly. “I am always nice.”

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We all look at him skeptically for that. After dinner Kac clears the table-mostly because I glare at him until he does-and Allison disappears into the bathroom again to braid her hair. When she returns, she’s

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