by K. G. Reuss
I could breathe again. I didn’t try to analyze the faint memory of hanging myself or the man I could’ve sworn I’d spoken to during the time I was unconscious. I didn’t even dwell on being brought back from the cusp of death by Shadow, who’d made my life and death his priority. For now, I was just Ever. Nothing else. Not a Special. Not a ghost whisperer. Just a normal girl at her new school.
I woke up late in the afternoon to a knock on my door. I shuffled to it, wiping sleep out of my eyes, to find an envelope taped to it with Dementon crest on it. Tearing it open, I pulled out the parchment from the inside.
Greetings and welcome to Dementon!
Today begins the rest of your academic career here at Dementon, and we are so proud to call you one of our own. Be advised that orientation begins at 3 p.m. sharp in the auditorium located at 59 Jayes Street at the campus center.
As a new student, you are required to attend. Your speakers today will be Professor Walton and Headmaster Brighton with an introduction to the rest of Dementon staff. Special guest speakers with be General Raiden F. Hawthrone, First Class Conexus Elite, Eric V. Craft, Lieutenant General, First Class Conexus Elite, and Damien A. Wick, Captain, First Class Conexus Elite.
Failure to attend could result in your expulsion from Dementon.
Sincerely,
The Office of Headmaster Brighton
“Sounds fun,” I grumbled, tossing the letter aside. A few other students poked their heads out of their rooms and read their letters. Not wanting to engage anyone in conversation, I quickly shut my door and got ready to start the day, my stomach in knots. I made sure my cloak was tied high and tight around my neck. There was an ugly black and purple mark on my neck from the rotwraith bite. If someone didn’t know better, they’d think I had a very fun night with someone latched to my neck like a leech. And I definitely didn’t want the rep of being that kind of girl.
“You’ve got this, Ever. You’re not the only freak in the room anymore.” I smiled at my reflection in my mirror, knowing the smile looked forced and unnatural. The curve faltered and fell off my lips.
“Screw it,” I grumbled, shutting off the light in the bathroom and grabbing my book bag off my bed. I felt ridiculous in the all-white uniform. I’d definitely have some weird stain on it before the day ended.
I snatched the campus map off the stack of welcome papers and scanned it as I stepped outside. I figured I could grab something to eat before finding my way to the auditorium. Keeping my head down, I headed in the direction the map indicated was the commons area. I’d probably be able to find some vending machines or something there.
It was easier to find than I thought it would be. It was literally in the center of the campus, and the auditorium was within easy view. Breathing out a sigh of relief at not having to struggle to locate the building, I approached a vending machine, trying to decide what I wanted.
“Get the breakfast bar,” Harper’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned and gave her a small smile, noting the cute dark-haired girl beside her. “How was your first night?”
“Peaceful,” I answered, choosing the breakfast bar and snatching it out of the machine quickly.
“Awesome.” Harper grinned at me. “Ever, this is Abby Sanderson, another caster. Abby, this is Ever, the girl I was telling you about.”
“Hi,” Abby said, giving me a smile, her dark eyes sparkling. “Harper told me all about your whispering. That’s so cool!”
I wrinkled my nose, knowing damn well isn’t wasn’t as cool as it sounded.
“Sorry, I bet it’s also really frustrating,” she added earnestly.
“Yeah,” I agreed, looking around at all the students milling around, wondering if I’d catch a glimpse of Eric somewhere in the crowd.
“Come on. Let’s go sit down,” Harper said, nudging me forward. I fell in step silently, keeping my head down. Regardless of where I was, I still felt like I had FREAK tattooed on my forehead in neon letters.
“Everyone’s staring at you,” Harper whispered. I glanced up. She was right. I was certainly drawing a lot of attention.
“I bet it’s because she’s like the hottest girl to step foot on this campus since Amara LaCroix,” Abby added knowingly.
“Are you seeing anyone?” Harper asked as we sat down at a table on the edge of the commons. “I only ask because if you’re not, I think you’re probably going to get asked out. A lot.”
“I had a boyfriend, but it wasn’t working out. He wanted to date other girls while he was with me. We tried to work it out and failed. He’s seeing someone else now. So, yeah.” I flushed at my overshare, glancing around at the curious stares I was getting from students as they passed by.
“Ugh, what a rat.” Harper shook her long blonde curls angrily.
“Don’t worry. We’ll find you a cute boyfriend here who’ll gladly kick your ex’s ass,” Abby piped up. “Ooh, what about a vampire? They’re super gorgeous! I hear they’re fantastic lovers—”
“You weirdo.” Harper laughed loudly. “Stop! You’re going to freak Ever out before she’s even had a chance to learn anything about Dementon!”
“Uh, think I’ll pass on the vampire boyfriend.” I cringed, unwrapping my breakfast bar.
“Just as well.” Harper winked at me. “The fae are gorgeous too and a lot nicer than the vamps are. You’ll want to stay away from the Weres, too. They’re a moody crowd.”
“I’ll, uh, keep that in mind.” I cleared my throat. The idea that I was surrounded by all sorts of supernatural creatures made me feel like I was in some messed up dream I couldn’t escape from.
A group of guys walked by, laughing and talking. Fascinated, I watched as they passed. One of them was making various colored sparks geyser from his hands. The guy with the coal-black hair and amber-colored eyes winked at me making me blush.
“Those are warlocks. That one—” Harper, who’d apparently been paying attention, nodded at the handsome one who’d winked at me. “—is Marcus Ambrose. He’s a fae warlock, or Lock as they’re called. Marcus has a different girl every other week. Seriously delicious to look at, bad to taste, if you know what I mean.”
“I know the type.” I nodded, making a mental note to stay away from the sexy warlock named Marcus. He finally turned away from me and continued across the grounds with his group and joined up with another group.
“And that group over there…” Abby indicated the dangerous looking group adorned in navy uniforms with maroon pins that Marcus’s group had merged with. I followed her eyes to the group of gorgeous students. There was something about them that didn’t look quite human. It sent chills down my spine. “Those are vamps. The blond one with the great butt, body carved by the gods, and beautiful face? His name is Nevron Blackburn. Everyone calls him Nev. They say his great uncle a billion times removed is Aviram, the Cipher vampire overlord. You’ll want to stay away from Nev, his pointy fangs, and his dreamy blue eyes.”
“Got it.” I made another mental note as I looked at him. He glanced in my direction like he knew I was staring at him. A small smile curled on his full lips, his blue eyes sparkling mischievously. Hurriedly, I ducked my head, not wanting anything to do with being on a vampire’s radar, no matter how gorgeous that vampire was.
They continued to point out various groups, and by the time they’d finished, I found it easy to pick out which faction everyone belonged in by looking at their colors.
My eyes locked on a tall, muscular guy with the most beautiful aquamarine eyes I’d ever seen. He had to be over six feet tall. He stalked confidently through the courtyard, his head held high, his eyes focused in front of him, never deviating from their path. His hair was white—no, silver-gray like that weird color people liked to dye their hair, only his looked natural—and was thick, shaggy, and glossy—the sort of hair my fingers could get lost in for hours. There was a tremendous tug in my core to run up to him and wrap my arms around him. Confused about where those feelings came from, I shoved them back, swallowing t
hickly as I kept my eyes trained on him. A group walked with him, clad completely in black just like he was. They looked menacing—the sort of people I’d steer clear of at all costs. “Who is that?” I breathed out in awe.
“That’s Raiden,” Harper whispered, drawing my attention away from the group as they passed by.
“What?” I asked, flustered, not wanting her to know I’d been staring at—OK, outright ogling—the leader of the group with avid curiosity. The strange pull in my stomach became intense and painful. I absently rubbed at my chest and let out a slow, deep breath.
“Raiden Hawthorne,” she continued, tearing her gaze away from the group, a visible shiver going through her. “He’s their leader. He’s the Conexus general. Remember? I told you about him yesterday.”
“That’s him?” I squeaked out, my eyes going back to look at him.
“Don’t stare at him!” Abby hissed, nudging me. “He’s freaking terrifying!”
“I don’t disagree,” I murmured, watching as people moved aside for him. Everyone seemed to keep their distance from him and his group.
“We don’t talk about them out here,” Harper’s voice was rushed and soft.
“Why not?” I frowned, chancing a glance back at the group now seated at a table on the opposite edge of the courtyard from us. Raiden sat at the head of their table, his eyes hooded as he murmured to the blond guy beside him. Eric Craft.
“Don’t stare at them!” Harper gulped, giving me the same command Abby already had, diverting my attention back to her.
“What’s the big deal?” I demanded, my mind alight with curiosity. “Maybe they’re not so bad. I mean, I’ve talked to Eric. He’s nice.”
“You’ve spoken to Eric Craft?” Abby breathed out in wonder. “Wow! You’re so lucky! He’s almost as gorgeous as Raiden is! Why did you talk to him? Tell me everything!”
“Abby, seriously,” Harper hissed. Abby rolled her eyes but shut up.
“I told you last night. You want to stay on their good sides. They can be dark,” she whispered, her voice so quiet I could barely hear her. “Like, they drink blood, and rumor has it that they’re strong enough to take the lost ones—the dead—to Xanan in the little boxes they carry on them.” She licked her lips before continuing. “They can shift into stuff, and not like normal shifters can. Like they can turn invisible. I mean, you’ll learn how to become invisible as a Special, it’s part of your training so the Natties can’t see you. But they can become invisible to even us. People say they have these meetings where they cut themselves and bind themselves to one another. They do whatever the Order tells them to, even if it’s bad stuff. My parents are worried because of how bad things have gotten lately with the Cipher. Conexus are capable of anything and everything. The entire group is a mixture of the very best Specials. And, not to be a total weirdo conspiracy theorist, but what if the good guys are really the bad guys? If Conexus turns on us, we’re screwed.”
“Why would they turn on us if it’s their job to keep us safe?” I frowned.
“You’ll learn that Harp is a tad dramatic,” Abby piped up, nudging Harper playfully who rolled her eyes. We all grew quiet.
I had to ask.
“So, they’re vampires?” I ventured, really hoping she’d say no. I couldn’t imagine sweet Eric sucking the blood out of someone. Eric said he was a fae telepath and Damien was a shifter. I’d seen their powers firsthand. “And you really think they’d turn on us?”
“No.” She shook her blonde curls, frustrated. “Not vampires. And I don’t know if they’d turn on us, but it’s always a thought, you know?” She paused for a minute, contemplating. “Actually, I guess they kind of are like vampires, but everyone knows that Raiden hates vamps and doesn’t allow them to join Conexus.” She looked around, then lowered her voice, “People say the Conexus group drinks blood, even if they aren’t vamps. They’re faster and stronger than anyone else. They can become shadows. I think it’s something they gain once they’re inducted into the faction. And that’s why people refer to them as Shades—sorta dead, but not. It’s like they give their life to Conexus, and in return, they get to walk in shadow and be Shades. It’s super creepy. No one really knows how everything works with them.”
Shadow sprung into my mind. I swallowed hard, my intense desire to just ask Eric if he was who I thought he was eating at my brain like a voracious beast.
“And Raiden…” Abby said in a low voice, pulling me from my thoughts. “He’s different. He’s insane as a trainer. No one can move like him. He’s the elite of the elite. They say he possesses many abilities.”
“Elite.” I swallowed thickly at the words. So, he was a total bad ass. I couldn’t argue that. He looked the part. “Do the Conexus really not talk to the rest of the population here?”
“No.” Harper shook her head again. “And Raiden doesn’t do as much of the training on the grounds as the other members unless he decides you might be good enough for Conexus, then he steps in. Like, if you somehow do get paired up with him, you’re pretty much guaranteed a butt kicking before you beg the headmaster and instructors to be assigned a new partner. He’s not a nice guy.” She paused, contemplating her next words. “He’s super-hot, though, in a terrifying way.”
I nodded. She had that right.
“Seriously, though, stay away from them,” Harper added as another warning, as if she hadn’t given me enough already.
“Is he really that scary? I mean, if no one’s ever spoken to him then how do you really know?” I asked diplomatically.
“It doesn’t even matter if he is or isn’t,” Abby said. “He’s a killer. He’s killed hundreds of Cipher on the Order’s demands. He delivers death, regardless of who it is. And I heard he likes it. All of them do. They’re pretty to sneak a peek at, but deadly. No one goes near them. Our world is at war. The Cipher are trying to take over, the Order is handing out death sentences like candy on Halloween, and everyone is terrified that the Mancer may have been born. In either side’s hands, the Mancer will be a big freaking deal!”
“There’s a war happening? And what the hell is a Mancer?” I asked, feeling faint. What the hell had I stumbled in on?
“Yeah,” Harper said softly. “The Order has been killing off Cipher. There’s a rumor that Aviram is behind the revolt and is trying to take over. And the dead have been more prevalent lately. They say not only is Conexus hunting and rounding up the Cipher, but they’re also capturing the lost ones and taking them to Xanan.”
Any minute smoke was going to start coming out of my ears with the information overload. And if the deep breath Harper just took was any indication, the data wasn’t going to stop flowing any time soon.
“The Mancer is someone who can raise the dead. And it’s just really strange all this is happening now. I mean, a Mancer hasn’t been born in centuries. It’s a scary time for everyone if it’s true.”
I looked in the direction of the Conexus again, watching as they talked to one another. Everyone except Raiden, who sat as still as a statue, his body rigid.
“How can they take the dead?” I frowned, pulling my attention away from them.
“I told you, Conexus means business,” Harper murmured. “They take whatever they want, Ever. It wasn’t until Raiden came into leadership that they were even able to do it, which makes it more likely that he is as special as everyone claims. And with the talk of a Mancer being born. . . It’s terrifying. Even my own parents have considered running to the witch commune located in the Upper Peninsula. We’d be labeled rogues though, and then we’d be hunted and brought in to Xanan for questioning.” She shuddered at the thought.
“Seriously, Raiden Hawthorne is scary,” Abby cut in, her voice low. “And he’s involved with the new group within the Order, F.I.R.E. now. People who’ve been let go have been talking about how brutal it is to be interrogated by them. And I’m almost a hundred percent positive Raiden is leading it. My uncle said that his neighbor’s friend’s son was brought in on suspicion of
harboring a Cipher during raids the Order conducted last month. He claims Raiden’s the one who interrogated him. And he said Raiden ordered his death, but Damien Wick stepped in. If Raiden would’ve gotten his way, that poor vamp would’ve been toast. Just goes to show you how very dangerous and deadly he is. Now isn’t a good time to be a Special. Things are getting heated for our kind. Just stay in line, and everything will be fine.”
“Whoa,” I murmured. Unable to help myself, I glanced over to where Raiden perched. I drew in a shuddering gasp as his eyes flickered to where I was sitting. They settled on me, the intensity of his stare making my knees quake. I clutched the infinity symbol on my necklace and nervously slid it on the chain. I struggled to look strong, not wanting to be the first to divert my gaze, but something about the way he stared back at me made me feel weak and helpless. I tore my gaze away from him, my heart hammering an unsteady rhythm in my chest.
I attempted to focus my attention on Harper and Abby who were now discussing in great detail some fae named Mena making out with a Were named Grady and being caught by Professor Walton.
Nervously, my body still trying to recover from the last time I peeked, I chanced a glance back at the Conexus table. This time, it was Eric’s blue eyes that greeted me.
He cast a smile at me which looked uncharacteristic on his face as he sat with the group clad in all black. My lips gave a tiny twitch, my hands still trembling. Eric cocked his head at me, concern in his eyes. I tried to widen my smile. I couldn’t. This place was too much.
