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Chapter 182
~Author’s POV~
After Solstice and Valerie returned to the school buildings for classrooms, she informed Solstice of Storm’s visit.
Although Solstice seemed tense, she relaxed soon enough and awaited ehr brother’s visit.
It did not take long after most of the usual uproar in school had dissipated for them to arrive.
The sleek black car bearing the Ministry of Education’s seal rolled through the tall gates of Prestege Supernatural Academy.
Every guard and assistant at the entrance straightened instantly. Few ever walked the grounds of PSA without reason, but when the Ministry sent someone, it was cause for whispers.
And this time, they sent Storm Gold.
Dressed in an official charcoal suit, he blended with the group of dignitaries and ministry observers.
The moment the head ambassador turned to make polite introductions with the school’s administrator, Storm cleared his throat softly and took a half-step back.
"I’ll take a walk around the premises," he said coolly. "Familiarise myself with the environment before the assessments begin."
The ambassador gave him a nod of approval. "Of course, Inspector Wynter. We’ll reconvene in the main hall at the hour’s end."
Storm dipped his head in thanks before slipping away, his polished boots gliding across the marbled floors as he moved out of the main lobby.
The moment he was alone in the shadow of the west tower, Storm pulled out his phone and typed a message.
Storm: I’m at the school. We need to meet.
It took barely two minutes for Valerie’s reply to come in.
Valerie: Courtyard behind the music hall. Five minutes.
Storm didn’t reply. He didn’t need to.
He made his way there swiftly, his sharp eyes scanning everything—student formations, posted schedules, and hidden surveillance corners—as if he were still in a field operation.
Technically, he still was.
Though he wore a minor disguise—simple charm to shift his appearance just enough from the sharp Gold heir he truly was—there was no hiding his aura. Not from her.
Valerie was already waiting when he reached the edge of the music courtyard, arms crossed loosely over her chest. Her hair caught the breeze, black and silky, her posture relaxed.
The moment she saw him, though, her lips pulled into a smirk. "You think a charm disguise would fool me?"
Storm raised a brow. "It worked on the others, did it not?"
She shrugged. "Maybe, but we have faes in this school, remember?"
"Try it, but I wasn’t up for the disguise outfit. I got so busy putting this together—the ambassador’s visit.
Valerie stepped forward and hugged him. It wasn’t stiff or formal like how they used to do in family gatherings—it was firm, real, like a moment she needed.
Storm didn’t hesitate to hug her back, holding Valerie tightly against him.
He pulled back slightly. "I smell a male on you, Vi."
Storm hesitated, his conviction cracking under his younger sixers’ expectations.
His fingers hovered near his phone, his shoulders tense. But then Solstice gave him that same wide-eyed innocent look she used when they were kids—when she wanted extra dessert, or when she broke the garden fountain and blamed it on the cat.
Storm exhaled slowly. His shoulders dropped just a little.
"Father was right, and so was I, and everyone. You two together are trouble. They’ve been worried sick, you know. I have been worried sick."
Valerie’s face lit up in a soft smile. "Hello, Brother," Solstice said, her voice quieter than usual, gentler.
For a moment, he said nothing. Just stared. And then, finally, he opened his arms.
Solstice didn’t wait. She ran forward and wrapped him in a tight hug, burying her face in his shoulder like she hadn’t done since she was thirteen.
Storm stood still for another second before sighing heavily and embracing her back.
"What are you doing here?" he asked in a low, firm voice
Solstice pulled away just enough to look him in the eye. "Simple. I’m here to help Valerie."
He blinked. "Help her do what?"
"She doesn’t have anyone here she can trust with her secret. Not fully," Solstice said. "She needs someone on her side. Someone to help her figure out where Nightshade Group is hiding—and who’s involved. And you know I’m the best at uncovering secrets."
Storm looked from Solstice to Valerie.
Valerie spoke next. "I’ve been careful. I didn’t want anyone knowing who she really was—not even her roommates. But with everything escalating... I need her."
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