by R L Medina
24
I woke up in a sweat. I was a mess of nerves and fear. My heart pounded as I sat up and looked around. I was back at Tío and Tía’s house. The window had been left open, a cool salty breeze blowing in, making the curtains move. I took a deep breath and sat up. My body instantly relaxing as I did. In the daytime, my fears evaporated as if by some magic, the sunlight banished all the darkness.
My throat was raw, and a dull ache was spreading in my head. I needed water. Swinging my legs off the bed, I stood and headed for the bathroom to get ready. Tío promised to take me back to look for Grayson.
Once downstairs, I found I was the only one up. After the recent events, everyone was probably still sleeping. I poured myself a cup of ice water and stared at the espresso machine, wondering how hard it would be to figure it out myself.
“You’re up earlier than I expected.”
I jumped at the sound of my tío’s voice. I turned around to face him. He stood wearing jeans and a crisp white collared shirt. I blinked, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. Since when did he wear jeans like ever?
He ignored my stare and pulled a box of cereal down from the cupboard. “Do you want some?”
Recovering from my shock, I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’m good.”
His eyes shifted to the espresso maker. “Espresso?”
“Yeah… I’m trying to figure out if I should wait for Tía or try to figure out this contraption on my own.”
He nodded and gave me a thoughtful look. “I will show you.”
“That’s okay. I can just wait for Tía or Anya. I’m sure they’ll be up soon.”
His mouth twisted in a smirk. “Your tía is with the healer, discussing Javier’s injuries. Who knows when she’ll be back down, and Anya has the day off.”
He walked over to the machine. “So, you’re stuck with me.”
I didn’t respond. How was one supposed to respond to that any way? I wasn’t sure if he was making a joke or if he was trying to bait me, so I kept my mouth shut.
It was weird being back in his house. My running away and putting Javi in danger seemed to be forgiven or forgotten and I wasn’t going to bring it up. The memories of the compulsion ring still stung. Though it was nothing compared to what the witches would do to me.
A shiver crawled up my spine. There were still so many questions left unanswered, but all I could focus on was finding Grayson.
“I’ve already been back to the crime scene. Your friend was not there.”
My eyes snapped to Tío’s. I took the hot cup of espresso he handed me and stared at him.
“You said you would bring me back.”
He nodded. “I can, but there’s nothing there, Rose.”
I frowned. “I want to see for myself.”
He gave me an incredulous look. “You really are like your mama. She…” His eyes glistened. “She would be so proud of you. Your Papi too.”
A lump grew in my throat as tears blurred my vision. Tío was giving me compliments now? Jesse’s confession replayed in my mind. Did Tío know who my real father was? It didn’t seem like it.
“After we make that stop, we will return to the academy. The investigators will be there to take a statement from you. You must tell them everything, I’m afraid.”
“Statement?”
“Yes. Everything you know about Luna Negra. Then you will face the school board. You’ll have to tell them the truth about your mother. They will determine your punishment.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Punishment?”
He folded his hands together and stared at me. “Yes. You broke the law. As did Javier and your friends. The unpermitted portal use, taking weapons off school property, skipping class.”
“What?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “You broke the law. As did I. We will all be held accountable for our actions.”
His words stunned me. I’d almost died. What more of a punishment could they give me? And Javi and the others weren’t at fault. I’d dragged them into it.
I frowned. “You know just when I think I like the GRIMMs they do something like this.”
His mouth quirked into almost a half-smile. “They have to do their job.”
I sat back and sipped my coffee, contemplating what would happen next. Would they kick me out before I’d even had the chance to prove myself? Did I still want that chance? It seemed stupid now after what I’d been through. The GRIMMs could do no worse. But if they knew about my mom, would they still want me? Pushing away the thoughts, I glanced at my tío.
He stood rigidly against the kitchen counter, staring into his own cup of coffee.
“So, what’s going to happen to you then? When they find out all the rules you’ve broken?”
He looked up and gave me a sad smile. “I’ll have to step down from the board. Relinquish my title and amenities.”
“Amenities?”
“The jet.”
“But you won’t be thrown in jail?”
He sighed. “Possibly. It is in their right to charge me for aiding your mother all those years ago. And the compulsion ring.” He added silently, guilt stamped on his features.
Though he didn’t come outright and say it, I knew he was regretting it and not just because he had gotten caught. This was a whole new humbled side of my tío I’d never expected to see. Who was this man?
“But… what about Javi and the twins? And Tía?”
“Javi will have to face the consequences of his own actions, but that is all. No one will suffer the price for what I’ve done. I acted alone and I will pay the price myself. As it should be.”
His words shook me. If the GRIMMs locked him up, it would devastate his family. What would they do without him? Would they lose all their money too and be turned out of their community? I couldn’t let that happen.
I slammed my mug down on the counter behind me, the coffee sloshing nearly spilling. “You shouldn’t have to go to jail for helping your family.”
“That’s not how it works, Rose.”
“But I won’t press charges for the bracelet… I’ll tell them I insisted on it.”
He shook his head. “No. Even without that crime, I still have others to pay for.”
“It’s not fair though. You did it to save my mom and me.”
His face hardened. “And I would do it again too.”
“The oath she made you swear?”
He shook his head. “She didn’t make me swear it.”
I gaped at him. “But you said…”
“I know. I’m sorry. I was angry and scared of losing you. Like I lost her. If I hadn’t pushed, you so hard… and Javi. I’m sorry.” He stared at his hands.
Tears welled in my eyes. How had I ever missed his true loyalty? Sure, he was still an arrogant jerk, and he had a lot to learn about expressing his love, but he was family. And I didn’t want to lose him.
Not after everything I’d already lost.
True to his word, Tío took me back to the site. It looked so different in the daytime. The agents had worked tirelessly, setting up runes and a ward to keep the ordinaire from suspecting anything more than a simple house fire. They’d set traps in case the coven returned, but that seemed unlikely.
No one had seen any sign of Grayson. As depressing as that was, it gave me hope that maybe he’d gotten away. If they could find no body, then there was still a chance he was okay. One of the investigators took my statement there, writing everything I told him. I left out all the incriminating details of my time with the wolves, but the agents would still have to follow up with Rafael and his pack.
After answering all the questions and replaying the story one too many times, the agent nodded his thanks and told my tío someone would be coming to the house to get Javi’s statement.
“The coven? Did you track down the witches?”
His face darkened. “Still at large.”
Dread punched my gut. She’d gotten away. I wasn’t surprised, but I couldn’t stop the shudder
running through me.
Something had settled inside me. I had come so close to death and no matter how I tried to play it off, it changed me.
I was scared. What if the next time she found me, I was alone? I wasn’t ready to face her. Pushing away the dark thoughts, I steeled myself. I would be ready. I had to be.
“But we have some of her followers in custody. The vampires and shifters. They’ve been transported to Paradise Prison.”
My eyebrow arched. It seemed so long ago I’d broken in there with the others. Was it only a week ago? I wrapped my arms around myself and pushed away the memories.
With nothing else keeping us there, Tío led me through a portal back to the academy.
It was time to face the school council.
“Wait here,” Tío instructed before disappearing behind the office doors.
My heart hammered in my chest as I stood waiting behind the closed door. Javi was still too weak to be moved, but the others came. We didn’t speak much, but their presence gave me strength. Shiloh sat silently on the bench, an anxious look on her face and Brady had taken out a cigarette and was literally lighting up in front of a no smoking sign. They were in trouble too, but not the same as me.
The GRIMMs knew who I was now.
A thousand thoughts ran through my mind as they kept us waiting. What if they threw me out? How would I look for Grayson then without their help? What if they disenchanted me? My nerves were a ball of yarn, unraveling too fast before I could stop it.
Breathe. Whatever happens, I’ll survive.
I didn’t want to think of leaving the academy, it was my last tie to Grayson, but if that’s what they decided, I would have no choice but to go. Pushing away the negative thoughts, I rehearsed my lines over and over again.
“Rose.”
My body jolted at the sound of my name. Gathering every scrap of courage and calm that I could, I took a steadying breath.
“Wish me luck,” I whispered to the Brady and Shiloh.
I didn’t wait to hear all their responses. The doors opened, and I stepped through. A wave of nausea hit me full force as I entered the massive room.
There was a stage that took up half the room and pedestals where each council member stood, peering down at me.
Giant, marble statues lined the carpeted walkway. Their blank stone eyes drilling into me. A chill crawled up my spine. The whole architecture of the room was built for intimidation—and it worked.
It was terrifying.
“Step up to the podium, Miss Vasquez,” Headmaster Rutherford commanded.
Taking longer strides, I hurried to obey. My throat had gone dry, and I regretted not accepting the water Shiloh had offered me.
“Miss Vasquez.”
My eyes snapped to the headmaster. Did I already miss a question?
Shit.
“Umm. Yes, headmaster?” I gripped the sided of the podium, my fingers turning white.
“Please state your name. Your full name.”
I squared my shoulders. “Rose. Rosita Reyes Vasquez.”
Using my father’s last name along with my mom’s felt strange now that I knew who my birth father was—Julian Peña. Ironic that Reyes was the same name of the wolf pack I was actually related to.
The stony faces of the council members stared back at me, bringing me back to the present. Not a single one cracked a smile. It was probably part of their motif. Intimidate and interrogate the students. I guess they didn’t play bad cop good cop games here.
“And your connection to Rosa Vasquez?”
“She was my mother.”
Murmurs filled the room. Everybody started talking at once. I couldn’t hear what they said, but I doubted it was good. I knew my mom’s reputation.
25
“Is it true that you falsified your relation in order to gain admittance at this academy?”
My jaw dropped. “What? No.”
“She had nothing to do with that. I enrolled her under the guise that she was related on my wife’s side,” Tío Javier spoke up.
The headmaster whipped toward him. “You knowingly placed our students at risk by allowing a witch entrance? A Luna Negra witch at that?”
A lick of anger curled inside me. “I am not a witch.”
He ignored me and stared at my tío. “Is it not true that your sister was forever excommunicated from the OG and that all future heirs of hers would also be forbidden?”
I stumbled back at the words. What were they saying? That I would be thrown out?
“She is not her mother. She has proven her loyalty to the GRIMMs.”
My eyes widened. Tío of all people defending me.
“Is it not true?” he demanded. His face was reddening. There was a mad glint in his eye. I could see it now. He was desperate to win this. To put my tío in his place—off the council. It was just as Tío feared.
“It’s true,” Tío admitted.
No. Icy fear shot through my veins. They couldn’t do this.
“There is something here that you are all failing to see,” a woman spoke.
Everyone fell silent.
Her eyes roamed the room and landed on me. “If the Luna Negra want her so badly, they’ll make another attempt. This could be the trap that we need.”
A shiver crawled up my neck.
Tío whipped toward her. “That is too dangerous.”
She waved a hand at Tío. “Listen, we will keep the girl here in school and monitor her movement. They’ll be looking for a chance to strike. I say we set up our own trap and catch them in the act.” She grinned, so obviously proud of herself.
The headmaster scowled. I couldn’t help but smile. He wasn’t getting his way, and he was pissed about it.
“No. No. She cannot be trusted here. What if she is their spy?”
“A spy they’ve tried on multiple occasions to kidnap and kill?” The woman’s tone brooked no argument.
The others murmured their agreement.
“She’s just a girl. She hasn’t even completed her first year at the academy,” Tío protested.
The lady nodded. “We will train her first and then we will send her out on a decoy mission. They’ll think they’ve caught you alone, and that’s when we strike.”
Others murmured their approval. Tío Javier tried to speak but was silenced by the others. His eyes met mine, and I saw the regret and fear that plagued him. He’d already lost his sister.
Fire burned inside me. They were already planning the next mission when we hadn’t even found Grayson yet.
“What about Grayson?”
They blinked at me.
“Where is he? We have to find him.”
“We are doing everything to locate Mr. Chapman,” the headmaster answered.
“Why didn’t the GRIMMs come sooner?” I couldn’t hide the accusation in my tone.
“She’s right. There shouldn’t have been such a delay in getting agents to the scene. What happened?” Tío voiced his own suspicion.
“There was a glitch in the report. It didn’t get to us in time,” a guy answered.
Tio’s brow furrowed. “Someone stalled it?”
“That’s a possibility, yes.”
“And you think, I’m the mole?”
My eyes widened. The mole? Tío?
He barked a harsh laugh. “Why would I do anything to help those witches?”
The man’s eyes narrowed to slits. “You’ve broken GRIMM law before. For your sister.”
Tío turned to him, face a mask of calm. “Never to help Luna Negra.”
“Your sister was one of them!” The man’s face reddened.
Tío didn’t flinch. For once, I was actually glad to see his stoniness and severity. He was a pillar of strength and pride.
“Enough.” One of the women sighed. She rubbed a hand over her face, “Fighting isn’t going to help. We need to run an investigation. We will find this mole. It’s not the first time we’ve had a traitor in our midst.” Her eyes shot to Tío.
If she was hoping for a reaction to her jab about my mom, she didn’t get it.
“I want to lead the investigation. The mole must be found as soon as possible. We cannot allow Luna Negra anymore advances. Even now, I fear the consequences of our inaction too steep.”
“You?” Headmaster Rutherford scoffed.
The lady held a hand up to him. “We will consider your request.” She turned to me. “Miss Vasquez, do you agree to these terms? That you will continue in your studies and do your part in capturing the coven?”
“Fine. I’ll do it.” I heard myself speak.
She nodded in approval. The headmaster’s eyes blazed with fury. I fought the urge to shrivel under his gaze.
“But the others are innocent. They should not be punished for helping me. And… I… want to help look for Grayson.”
Headmaster Rutherford stiffened. “We have all the agents we can spare trying to find him.”
“There is, however, the matter of Miss Vasquez breaking the school rules. Using portals without permission. She’s missed much of her schoolwork as well,” someone else spoke up.
I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it. After everything I’d been through, they wanted to punish me for such asinine things? Really?
My heart twisted as I thought of Jimena and the others. They’d been planning their war for so long. The GRIMMs, they weren’t ready.
“Miss Vasquez, you will not be expelled.”
My eyes widened in disbelief.
Before I could answer, the woman held up a hand. “However, you will be suspended. One week.”
I opened my mouth to argue but stopped myself. One week of suspension was reasonable. After listening to more of their argument, I was ready to sneak out and face the consequences. I glanced at the clock and sighed. Were the others still waiting for me?
“Are we boring you, Miss Vasquez?” the headmaster asked, in that tone where you weren’t sure if he as slightly annoyed or amused. It was the same one Brady used.
My head snapped up to meet his. “No, Headmaster Rutherford. I was just wondering how much longer before you agreed on my punishment. My friends are waiting for me.”
The woman cleared her throat. “You may go, dear. Your uncle will give you all the specifics.”
