I looked at my friend, but she was staring down at her lap. What was that about? Who was Ms. Chronis?
“She might be able to help train you to get out of the dream or how to identify when or where it takes place. She might also think creating a potion or spell to block them would be the best plan.”
“When can we meet?” I was eager to get this over with. If she had answers, I wanted them.
“I’ll send her a message tonight and let you know as soon as I have an appointment arranged.”
I let out a sigh. “Why don’t you two go get dinner? I’ll get a message to you as quickly as possible.” She stood, and we followed. I thanked her at the door, then linked my arm with Hannah’s.
“Does it ever get easier?”
We took the stairs and walked out of the building into the bustling courtyard. The sudden noise and crowd felt overwhelming. I needed time to process what I just learned. Being a psychic wasn’t something anyone had mentioned. Was this genetic? Did I get it from my mom? Masie would have mentioned that. Right? Or was it another little detail she failed to mention?
What if it was a shifter trait? Would that give me away?
“Hey, are you okay?” Hannah pulled me onto the grass and out of the way of the passing students.
I shook my head. “Even though I knew this about myself, having it confirmed and giving it a name feels like a lot.”
She nodded like she understood, but how could she? This wasn’t new to her. This was her world. It was as simple as telling her my eyes were blue. It was a fact. An attribute that made me who I was.
“I didn’t know I was psychic. I didn’t know that was a real thing. It just feels like every time I start to make progress and even catch up a little, another flaming torch is thrown at my face that I have to dodge to survive.”
“Graphic,” she said with a low chuckle.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose. “I’m not sure how much more I can take. I’m toeing my breaking point.”
She put her hand on my upper arms and squeezed. “You’re going to get through this. Remember, you’re not alone. You have me and the guys and Mrs. Hedgings. We’re not going to let you fall off the edge.”
“I don’t want to tell the guys. Not yet at least. I want to meet with Ms. Chronis first.”
“Okay,” she agreed. “I won’t tell them, but you have to realize something. You’re obviously more powerful than any of the other witches in our year. I’m honestly surprised you’ve been able to stay under the radar this long. At some point, word is going to spread that you have two affinities. It’s not like that’s something you can keep secret. Anyone paying attention to you will realize you go to Water and Earth.” She cringed. “And when they find out you’re being tutored with Ms. Chronis, there’s going to be no stopping the rumors.”
“Why does that matter? Who is she?”
She licked her lips and glanced around. “Remember the daemons we told you about?”
“Yeah? The guardian spirits? Immortal and cannot be created or destroyed?”
“Right, she’s one them.”
“So are Mr. Athanasios and Ms. Martin.” I learned that detail during our weekend long study session. It made sense that an immortal taught the history and literature class since they were alive through it all. Other than giving off a distinct vibe of being far older and wiser than he looked, he was pretty normal. For Drexel, at least.
“Well, she’s not just a teacher. She’s one of the originals. Chronis means time. Sheistime.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“She’s existed since our universe was created. She’s the past, present, and future. That’s why she’s the divination teacher, but I heard she stopped taking students a few years ago. She only does research and attends council meetings on behalf of the school.”
I pursed my lips. “So this is a big deal?”
“Yup.” She turned and tugged me along toward our dorm building. “We can try to keep this from getting out, but if there’s one thing you need to know about Drexel, it’s that we get really bored here. With little to no connection to the outside world, we entertain ourselves with the drama taking place here. And if there is none, we create it. This alone is enough to fuel rumors for weeks.”
I dropped my head. “That’s the last thing I need.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll try to keep them off your scent, and in the meantime, you can distract yourself with your crushes on Sai and Theo.”
I froze in the middle of the path, pulling her to a stop with me.