by Emma Dean
“Why aren’t you going to try out?” Ethan asked, easing around Hunter.
It was ballsy of him and the way he pretended like the fox didn’t even exist was kind of hot. Hunter could be scary when he wanted to be.
“Yeah Mika,” Finnick said with a smirk. “Why aren’t you trying out?”
“My little problem,” Mika told Ethan, wriggling her gloved fingers at him. “I can’t afford to accidentally touch anyone, and thanks to my block I can’t shield for shit.”
Hunter’s watch went off and he finally broke eye contact with the back of Ethan’s head. “Kenzie is on her way back from class. We should head back to the dorm.”
Ethan reached out and took her gloved hand, eyes locked with hers and Mika couldn’t look away despite all the eyes on them. She’d been really worried about Ethan, and then she’d felt weird about seeing him after he’d been discharged from the infirmary.
How did you reach out after nearly killing someone? ‘Hey, sorry about that. Would you like to maybe grab a coffee? Funny how you’re still breathing.’
Hunter stared at their hands and then he frowned. “How are you feeling right now?” he asked her.
Mika instantly released Ethan, feeling even weirder. “What are you talking about?”
“When you held his hand,” Hunter said. “Did you feel like you were going to lose control?”
Audrey, Finnick, and Ash looked at her with interest – like this was all some sort of fascinating reality TV show.
“No, Hunter,” Mika snapped. “I didn’t feel like I was going to murder him. Can I have my damn bracelet back?”
The fox tossed it to her with a nod. Mika was surprised he’d held up his end of the deal. “I’m going to see what I can find in the archives,” Hunter said, turning to head back to Oleander House. “We’ll be back tomorrow.”
She sighed and glanced at Ethan, who was grinning like an idiot. Finnick pounded him on the back and whispered something into Ethan’s ear. Then he followed after his alpha fox with Ash trailing behind him.
“I just wanted to check on you,” Ethan said, glancing at Audrey who was smiling at him with no intention of leaving so they could have some privacy. “Do you have time for coffee or something?”
Mika glanced at Audrey. She wasn’t a flake. “I have plans,” she said, inclining her head toward her dorm mate. “Maybe we can do coffee tomorrow or Sunday.”
“I would like that.” Ethan gave Audrey a nod and then leaned forward to kiss Mika’s cheek over the scarf. “I’ll text you to set up a time.”
She watched him walk away, feeling her stomach flutter. Those shoulders… “It’s still not serious!” she called after him.
Ethan waved without looking back and Audrey burst out laughing. Her dorm mate linked her arm through hers and pulled her after the foxes. “Let’s go test this bracelet on Hunter.”
19
Kenzie was taking interdimensional physics too. Something about a missing portal or whatever. But she’d decided to leave at the break halfway through the class since she already knew most of the work.
She’d picked up her foxes and headed to the library, promising to visit again next week.
Without all their chaos it felt oddly quiet in their dormitory.
Audrey and Mika sat on one of the couches in front of a massive fireplace and sipped at Audrey’s brandy hot chocolate.
“Hoes over bros,” Audrey finally said.
Mika nearly spat out her hot chocolate. “I promised you I would go to that stupid party tonight and I wanted time to get ready. Bros and hoes have nothing to do with it.”
Audrey sipped her hot chocolate, eyes twinkling over the cup. “Ethan is super cute. I see why you like him.”
He was definitely hot.
Going out with Ethan was probably a mistake, but she’d nearly killed him and he still wanted to hang out with her. That had to count for something. Even her ‘no boyfriends’ rule had to take a back seat for that.
“It’s nothing serious,” Mika said again.
“What do you think it would be like to have three significant others?” Audrey asked. “Do you think they have to like, schedule things, or…not?”
Mika watched the log pop in the fire and a spark rose up the chimney like a lazy snowflake – opposite in every way. “I’ve no idea, but it works for the feline shifters.”
“Do you really think it would work with people who weren’t mated?” Audrey asked.
She eyed her dorm mate. “Are you asking because you want to date more than one girl?”
Audrey laughed and pushed Mika with her socked foot. “I’m just curious! And you’re the one with multiple boys drooling all over you. Ethan and then Lucien. I bet you Malachi would be interested too. If he didn’t think you were gay.”
The whole universe was conspiring against her.
Mika smiled slightly and set down her mug. “And I could accidentally kill them all.”
“Hey! Not anymore.” Audrey grabbed Mika’s bare hand and shook it. “We know the bracelet works, thanks to Hunter.”
It was a blood spell. Of course it worked. The power infused into the silver was considerable. But still…Mika had doubted.
“Do you really think they’ll come tomorrow?” Mika asked.
Audrey sighed and set down her mug as well. “I hope so. For some reason I get the feeling that if anyone is going to get you through this block, it’s going to be that psycho.”
“Yeah, probably. Like calls to like and all that,” Mika muttered.
“Truer words,” Audrey laughed. “So, what can I do to get you to try out for the team?”
Mika considered what Hunter had said. Maybe having an outlet for all her anger and rage wasn’t a bad idea. But with her issues shielding and generally being out of practice…she wouldn’t make the team.
“You would have to go back in time to when I first got here, convince me to try out, remove my block so I could shield, and then make me practice eight hours a day,” Mika said with a shrug, stretching out across the couch, throwing her legs across Audrey’s lap. The warmth from the fire felt perfect and for the first time all week she didn’t have to wear a hundred layers inside. “I’m not good enough to make a university level team right now. It’s been three years since I played.”
The other witch grumbled under her breath but didn’t argue. “You don’t have to be perfect. That’s the whole reason we have so much practice before our first game.” Audrey tapped Mika’s knees. “You are good enough for a spring season. And you don’t necessarily need to shield if you use offensive spells to block.”
The fire crackled again and Mika thought about it.
Spring session broke up a team of eighty players into four teams. They played against each other all spring until the last game. The best players were then handpicked to join the Marauders for the fall season when they would play against the other branches of the University of Morgana.
“I’ll think about it,” she promised Audrey. “Depending on how tonight goes.”
“I know it’s cold as fuck outside, but it’ll be warm inside the hunters’ dormitory,” Audrey said, a grin spreading across her face. “Now that you don’t have to layer up, how sexy do you want to get tonight?” She tapped Mika’s legs. “How badly do you want to make those boys lose their minds?”
Three years of keeping her distance and wearing clothes that covered most of her skin…Mika smiled slightly. It would be nice to wear some of the stuff she used to. “I’ve actually got something in mind,” she told Audrey. “Want to get ready?”
Audrey glanced at her phone. “We have three hours before the party starts.”
Mika shrugged. “Getting ready is the best part. Come on, bring some wine or something. I’ll do your makeup.”
The way the other witch lit up was worth it. Mika hadn’t had a friend in a long time. She’d missed this.
“Yes!” Audrey exclaimed. “You always look amazing. That smoky eye suits you, but I don’t know if it
’ll work on me.” Audrey shoved Mika’s legs off her lap and hopped up. “I’ll get the wine and meet you upstairs.”
Mika got up slowly and stretched.
She almost hadn’t come to the university. She’d applied in her senior year of high school of course because that’s what was expected of her. But when she’d gotten her acceptance letter Mika had sat on it for a long time.
How could she possibly go to a university to learn higher magic if she couldn’t do a simple illumination spell?
So she’d deferred and then all hell had broken loose with her coven.
Mika had almost sent the dean an apology stating she couldn’t attend at all, but Takahashi had convinced her to try at least one year.
One year.
And it was the best decision she’d made in a long time.
Not only did Mika have a friend, she was breaking out of her shell. She was finding answers and solutions. It no longer felt like she was drowning in her secrets, in the fear of what she could do.
She had a lot of work to do still, but Mika felt like she was making progress. And that, that was a huge thing after three years of hiding.
It was a miracle she’d even gotten through high school. Mika didn’t want to think about how she’d managed it.
No, this was a new beginning and it was time to start moving on from all that shit.
Mika picked up their empty mugs and headed toward the kitchen, humming as she considered how to do Audrey’s makeup.
Finally, it felt like she could breathe again.
“Okay, I think that should do it,” Mika said, dusting the excess powder off of Audrey’s face.
Her dorm mate had insisted on watching Mika do her own first. But makeup was one of those things she’d gotten really good at over the years. It was now her favorite hobby after quitting the dodgeball team at her school.
Audrey turned and looked in the mirror. “Holy shit, I look like a fierce femme. Gah, you used magic didn’t you?”
Mika smiled at that. “You know I didn’t. You’re gorgeous Audrey, and you don’t need makeup to look femme.”
“I tend to dress like a tomboy even though I’m not butch,” Audrey admitted, moving her head from side to side to admire the wings of her eyeliner and the way the highlighter glowed under the light. “I wish I was better at this stuff.”
“I can teach you if you want,” Mika said with a shrug, putting her makeup away. Audrey had opted out of the bold eyeshadow look Mika had on – deep red with thick black eyeliner. “But you’re beautiful and any girl would be lucky to have you, makeup or not.”
Audrey turned and Mika could feel the other witch studying her from head to toe.
The chunky boots Mika wore had a silver pentagram clasp, and her thigh high stockings would add a little warmth to her outfit. Her black skirt was short and flirty – totally preppy. The burgundy sweater only added to the schoolgirl look, but it showed just enough cleavage to remind everyone she wasn’t in high school anymore.
The bone bracelet didn’t really match her ensemble, but Mika wasn’t taking it off, so she had a silver necklace with real bones dangling from it – runes carved into them for protection and power.
“You’re going to make someone’s nose bleed,” Audrey finally said, adjusting her hair cuff. It was a savagely feminine gold piece that wrapped around Audrey’s bun and reminded Mika of some kind of pagan goddess.
Mika finished the last of her wine and it warmed her blood. Thanks to the bone bracelet though her magic didn’t rise up – she felt it sleeping under the weight of the silver and it eased her anxiety to normal levels.
Normal – whatever that meant.
“If someone’s nose bleeds, I’ll try out for the team.” Mika smirked at Audrey and set the wineglass down on the vanity. “You ready to go?”
“Challenge accepted,” Audrey said with a laugh. “But you still have to consider trying out! For real, and not just as a joke.”
Audrey grabbed her coat and Mika adjusted the other witch’s dress. “I told you I will. This dress is perfect.” She smoothed Audrey’s collar and stepped back. “You look sexy.”
Her dorm mate grinned and tossed Mika her coat. “Back at you, witchy bitch.”
She couldn’t help but smile at that.
They headed down the stairs together, eyeing the others who were getting ready for the party as well. Audrey and Claire hadn’t been lying when they said this party was legendary.
“Is everyone on campus going?” Mika asked, noticing how empty the common areas were. They pushed open the massive doors to the wintery night and small groups were laughing and joking as they all headed to the same place.
“Everyone,” Audrey told her. “It’s one of those things – the hunters aren’t all witches so they don’t discriminate. Doesn’t matter if you’re from Oleander House or Sage House, everyone is welcome.”
Mika liked the sound of that. “I wish that attitude spread to the witches,” she muttered. “Something needs to change.”
Audrey glanced at her. “What do you mean?”
They stayed on the paths where the snow had been plowed and followed the other groups of students toward the music they could hear clear across the island.
“Witches have insanely stupid prejudices toward shifters,” Mika told her. “Shifters don’t trust us because of it. We’re supposed to be neutral, yet working with other paranormals is almost impossible. They buy magic from us and still hate us. We help some, and not others…they’re not even allowed to attend this university. The hunters were let in only two hundred years ago,” she explained. “Be grateful you grew up without all this crap.”
“Witches don’t like us human-borns,” Audrey reminded her. “I’ve been made painfully aware of this over the last year.”
“That too,” Mika agreed, linking her arm with Audrey’s. “Though I think that’s just jealousy. A lot of human-born witches are very powerful. And there have been more of them over the last few decades.”
Audrey led them through the trees toward the hunter’s dorm, the stone path slick enough they walked slowly. “It’s weird that there are born hunters, and then there are people who just decide to be hunters – witches, humans…”
Mika thought of Lucien and wondered what he would be classified as. Not that she really cared, she was just…intrigued.
Who was he and why was he so damn fast?
“We should petition to let others attend,” Audrey said after they passed another group. “Shifters can’t do magic, but we all live in the same world. There are half-demons…who knows what else. If they qualify as a paranormal – they should be allowed to study here. They let in Kenzie, the first void witch in forever.”
A void witch.
Nothing like her at all – and yet, more alike than one would assume.
“It took the Council of Paranormals overruling the university’s decision to get Kenzie in,” Mika admitted, glancing up when an owl hooted at them. At least it wasn’t snowing. “That kind of change would require changing the rules, or replacing those on the board opposing the idea.”
The music grew louder and even though it was pitch black outside, Mika could see perfectly. Each branch of each tree was in perfect focus. The snow was crystalized and the light from the dorm made it glitter as they grew closer.
The two of them paused outside the hunter’s dormitory, letting others push past them.
“Imagine what we could accomplish if we worked together.” Audrey smirked. “Let’s go make some noses bleed.”
20
The hunter’s dormitory was even bigger than Oleander House, but it made sense. It was the original building for the school and housed all the hunters attending the university. No doubt it was to help them study and practice with other students working on the same specialty, but it still felt weird to Mika that they were all kept to one dorm.
Most didn’t take any classes the witches did. There were a few basic intro classes that allowed for some crossover, but Morg
ana was definitely geared toward witches and everything else was an afterthought.
She climbed up those stairs with Audrey, noticing that some witch must have spelled the stone so ice didn’t stick to the stairs. Either there was a witch training to become a hunter, or someone had witch friends.
The dorm radiated a warmth that combatted the freezing night air and Mika slipped off her coat, handing it over to whatever freshman was in charge of the coats that night.
If the University of Morgana had something like a ‘frat’ house, this would be it.
But she was pleased to see there was a good amount of female hunters as well based on the class pictures hanging in the massive entryway.
There was something different about this dormitory. Mika felt it in the air.
It was a home and the hunters had this camaraderie the witches didn’t have, even when they lived in the same house.
Audrey was already laughing with someone as she handed over her coat. The music was so loud Mika didn’t know how anyone could hold a conversation. Alcohol was served at various different bars along with the kegs that were set up in strategic places.
Someone had even posted an itinerary on the wall next to the coat check. Apparently a band was going to play outside at some point. There were games in various locations, and food in the kitchen.
It was fancy and Mika could see why this party was legendary.
“I didn’t think you would show,” a sly voice whispered in her ear.
Mika looked up to see Lucien behind her and her heart started pounding. He’d snuck up on her and she’d never even noticed. Fates, he was good.
“I didn’t think I would either,” she told him, standing up on her toes so she could practically yell into his ear.
The music was loud and the forced closeness was strange after being so careful for so long.
Lucien looked her up and down, gaze snagging on the bone bracelet before meeting her eyes again. “Would you like a tour, little witch?”
Mika had to tear her eyes from his and looked over to Audrey who was watching them with a smirk. Her dorm mate raised an eyebrow in question and tapped her nose. Mika glared and shook her head. Lucien would definitely not be the one.
