The Breaker's Promise (YA Urban Fantasy) (Fixed Points Book 2) by Conner Kressley

will give us the perfect opportunity to get in and out without anyone being the wiser.”
    “Until they check the security tapes, or the coaster on Dahlia’s desk tells her our secret,” Owen frowned.
    “I’ve got that covered,” I answered with a snap. “The cameras won’t be able to see our friend Flora here.”
    “You want me to do it?!” Flora stood.
    “I want you to take me inside,” I clarified. “So long as you’re invisible, and we’re holding hands or something, I should be invisible too, right?”
    “Theoretically,” Flora grimaced and looked at the floor.
    “Good enough for me,” I answered. “And with me on the inside, I can work my shade shaping magic, and stop Dahlia from being able to gleam what we’ve been doing.”
    “You sure you’re up for that?” Owen asked with an arched eyebrow.
    “I can handle it,” I said, though I wasn’t really sure which one of us I was trying to assure.
    “Fine,” Owen said through pursed lips. “But where does that leave me in your little plan?”
    My eyes fluttered a little. This was the part of things that I really didn’t like. “With Dahlia and Echo out of the way, that just leaves one person we need to keep tabs on.”
    “Merrin,” he answered, already knowing what I was going to say. “You want me to keep her busy?”
    “Trust me, I don’t want you to do it,” I admitted, stuffing my hands back into my pockets. “If I had it my way, she’d never get near you again. But she’s always around. I mean, it’s a wonder she isn’t here right now.”
    “She’s questioning some of the other students about the night you got here,” Owen explained. “For the Council.”
    “Of course,” I grimaced. “Anyway, the chance of her coming to look for us while we’re in Dahlia’s office is too great. She’d ruin everything. You have to keep her occupied. You’re the only person who can.” I cleared my throat. “And don’t make me say why.”
    “Fine. I’ll bring her some ice cream. We’ll reminisce.” He walked closer, and wrapped me up in his arms. “You just have to promise me you’ll be careful.” He looked between Flora and me. “And don’t get caught.”
    It rained that night, which could have theoretically been a problem. Luckily, Dahlia was still pissed at me, and willing to take it out on the freshman class. So, instead of giving them the night off, she dressed them in parkas and forced them into single file lines. Crappy for them; great for me.
    Owen shot me a wink as he headed toward the main chambers (now Merrin’s room) with a pint of rocky road. Something akin to a sting ran up my chest. I hated the idea of Merrin canoodling with my boyfriend over ice cream, but she had just spent the last two hours following me from Dr. Static’s Merits of Social Media class down to Home Economics. So getting rid of her for a few minutes was definitely a must.
    I glanced out the hall window as I passed. There was Echo, just as expected; a mug of coffee in one hand and an open book in the other, sitting by the lake. I’d swing by my room in just a minute and pick up Flora, but first I needed to do something.
    Making sure the coast was clear; I slinked into the janitor’s closet. Pushing through the mops and cleaning supplies, I found the sliver of Casper’s sweater that remained to me and stuffed it into my pocket. My plan was a good one; at least it seemed like a good one to me. But even good plans didn’t always work. There was a chance I was going to get caught. And if that happened, if I had to run or if they moved me somewhere, I wanted to make sure that I had what I needed to see Casper again, even if it was just a few more times.
    Surprisingly, Flora was actually visible when I walked into our room. She lay on her bed, staring at a picture in her hands. “It’s my little brother,” she said, though I hadn’t asked.
    “He’s adorable,” I said, noticing his buck teeth and dark bangs.
    “He’s dead,” she