The cool clamp of his hand was iron tight and I didn’t think I’d be able to pull mine free if I tried. Astrum gasped, releasing me as he stumbled back with a look of horror on his face.
“What is it?” I demanded, not liking how pale he suddenly looked.
He cleared his throat, brushing down his dark robes. He dropped his voice to a deadly whisper, leaning closer. “Beware of your enemies, girl. They are made of fire and shadow.” He turned away, moving to help another pair of students while I was left to stew on what he’d said.
“This is all bullshit,” Tory said, elbowing me. “Don’t look so freaked out, Darcy.”
“How can you say that?” I sighed. “After everything we know to be true now.” I loved Tory but she was too cynical for her own good sometimes. We were in a classroom for magical lessons, on the grounds of an Academy in a world of Fae and she’d shot magic at one of Darius’s cronies just yesterday. But she was still intent on denying the possibility that horoscopes, tarot and any magic beyond the physical could exist too.
“It’s fairy tales,” she said but she didn’t seem as convinced this time. “I can see the fire in my hand, but this is just a card which can be interpreted any way anyone wants to.”
“What about the vision I just had, are you denying that happened too?” I arched a brow and she frowned in apology.
“Of course not. Are you alright?” Tory asked more gently and I nodded.
“Just freaked me out a bit,” I murmured, burying the sensation deep inside me. I laid the deck out before her with a grin pulling at my mouth. “Alright, your turn. Let’s see if this can make you a believer.”
She beamed with the challenge, holding her hand above them as Astrum had taught us. A moment later, she picked out a card and turned it over.
The High Priestess glared up at us and my heart jolted at the sight.
“I'm gonna do it again.” Tory immediately shoved the card back into the deck, shuffled it several times then laid them out once more. My throat constricted as I watched her run her hands across the pile then pluck out the card on the far left.
She flipped it over and The High Priestess stared back at us. Tory shuddered, placing it down on the desk and pushing it away from her.
“So someone's lying to us,” I whispered and Tory nodded, belief filling her eyes as she finally bought into the art of Tarot.
Tory and I headed toward The Howling Meadow, following the directions on my Atlas to our Werewolf Order Enhancement Class. Sofia headed off to join the Pegasus group and Diego had been sent to the Griffins to see if they could bring out his own Order.
As we wound through the path in Air Territory, the scent of the sea washed over us and the crash of waves beyond the eastern cliff soothed my anxiety. The Tarot class had creeped me out, but now I was out of the cold room with the sun shining down on my back, it didn't seem so frightening. More than half the students in Zodiac were probably withholding crap from us. Especially the Heirs who didn't want us anywhere near their precious throne.
As we cut through a corner of The Wailing Wood, we stepped out into the sprawling meadow where we'd had our Awakening. Yellow and purple flowers swayed in a gentle breeze, the grass almost up to our knees as we carved a path through it to where a large group of around a hundred and fifty students were gathered.
Many of them were howling, bouncing up and down on their heels, some tussling in the grass.
“I don't know why we have to do this,” Tory said, pursing her lips. “I know I'm not a dog.”
I nodded in total agreement.
I am not like Seth.
“Right!” the Professor barked loudly from the centre of the group. The students ringed around her, some jogging on the spot in anticipation.
We hurried to join the group and the Professor beckoned us forward. She had a long black ponytail and a wide smile on her face. She caught us both by the arm, tugging us toward her, her hands immediately sliding into our hair. “These are our new pups, take good care of them. They're trying to work out what Order they are so no shifting too close to them, no biting, no scratching, no being an asshole, alright?”
The class hollered and howled in answer and I spotted Seth amongst them, eyeing us with a devilish expression that made my gut prickle.
“I'm Professor Canis.” She leaned in close to Tory, breathing in deeply. “Don't be shy,” she said as Tory flinched away.
“I'm not shy, you're just so far beyond my personal boundaries right now I can't even see them anymore.” She stepped back and the Professor laughed loudly then pushed us forward to join the group.
“Don't we have like...a lesson plan or something?” I asked her, but she answered by pulling her shirt off.
What the actual crap?
“No plan,” she said brightly, her neon pink bra all I could look at in that second. “Just run free.”
“Holy shit,” Tory breathed as everyone around us started stripping.
“What is happening?” My eyes travelled to Seth as he pulled his shirt over his head and the sun gleamed on the hard muscles of his body. He looked like temptation embodied with his ripped stomach and the sharp V which cut a path beneath his waistband.
Warmth spread through my cheeks as over a hundred students dropped their pants and I shielded my eyes as I saw way too much of my classmates and Professor.
Seth's trousers were hanging open, riding lower over his hips as he cupped his hand around his mouth and started howling to the sky. Every single person in the valley but Tory and I joined the chorus, the noise a cacophony pounding into my skull.
Seth tugged off his pants and boxers, turning away at the last second before we got an unwanted eyeful. Tory started laughing and I looked at her, shaking my head as a bubble of laughter escaped me too.
Seth started running down the hill and one hundred and fifty naked students sped after him. The Heir leapt forward in a sudden movement and his whole body changed as he pounced. White hair spread across his skin, fluffy ears, a brush of a tail and four huge paws hit the ground in his place. My mouth fell open and my pulse quickened at the startling sight.
Behind him everyone was changing too like a ripple effect, all of them turning into enormous wolves, twice the size of any normal beast.
Fear and excitement battered my heart as I watched the incredible display.
The huge mass started splitting off into packs, dividing across the meadow and darting into the trees at the verges. There were only a few white wolves amongst them and Seth was the largest of all the animals, meaning I could keep my eye on him the entire time.
He led a group of nine along the edge of The Wailing Wood, moving like the wind as he circled around, his ears flattened to his head. The ground shook as all ten of the massive beasts bounded our way led by the pure white beast at the front of them.
Tory and I backed up and my hands raised on instinct as I willed power into them but Seth came to a halt before I needed to even attempt to defend myself.
He released a soft whine, moving forward, eye to eye with me with his massive size. He bumped his wet nose against my cheek then did the same to Tory. She tentatively reached out, brushing her fingers over his ears. He nuzzled into her so hard that she fell on her ass and she laughed as I pulled her back up. In that moment, I pushed aside the fact he was an Heir, too fascinated by his beautiful transformation and the inviting look in his wolfish eyes. The magic of this place and the students in it was just too wonderful to ignore. And I longed more than anything to know what my own Order was.
Seth suddenly dropped to the ground, turning his head as he gestured toward his back.
“I think he wants us to get on,” I said in alarm.
Tory looked to me with a grin and excitement tore through my body like wildfire.
At least Seth can’t talk in this form. So what the hell?
I ran my hand down his velvet soft neck and swung a leg over his shoulders, not placing my weight down until I was sure this was what he meant. When h
e didn't react I settled into place, wrapping my hands in his fur to try and get a good grip.
Tory moved to get on behind me but another black male dropped down next to Seth and barked at her in encouragement. She bit into her lip as she hurried over and clambered onto his back.
“This is crazy,” I laughed as Seth rose beneath me and my belly swooped.
I clung on for dear life as his nose angled toward the trees far across the valley. He threw his head back, howling loud enough to make me wince, then lurched forward in a burst of speed.
I cried out in alarm as the wind tore at my hair and I nearly lost my grip on his silky smooth fur. I clamped my knees tighter around him, slipping back an inch as I clung on for dear life.
Laughter burst from my throat and I whooped as adrenaline bled through me. Seth bounded toward The Wailing Wood, charging into the trees down a long path. He immediately turned off of it into the thicker woodland and I ducked my head in time to avoid the low-hanging branches. The crash of heavy paws sounded behind me and I threw a look over my shoulder, spotting Tory grinning her head off as she clung to the wolf beneath her.
A chorus of howls carried from more packs throughout the forest and my heart raced as one of them charged across our path, making Seth swerve violently to the left.
The trees whipped past me in a blur of green and we were soon so deep in the forest I didn't think I'd ever get out without the wolves' help.
Seth finally slowed, padding down into a clearing where a large pool of shimmering water lay. It was surrounded by tall reeds and shaded by the low-hanging fronds of a willow. The sunlight fell in shafts over the beautiful spot and dust and pollen spiralled within the golden rays.
Seth padded straight into the pool and I gasped as he sank deep into the icy water. I slid off of him and he swam under the surface, disappearing into the depths. A moment later he resurfaced in his human form, smirking at me.
“Did you like riding me?” he asked suggestively.
“I prefer you as a wolf.” I splashed him, but a smile tugged at my lips.
Several of the wolves dropped to the ground around the pool, rolling in the dust or resting in the shade. A few of them joined us in the water, changing back into their human forms and baring all to the world. Seth's eyes followed a girl with curves to die for as she swam across the rippling pond. Tory dismounted from her ride and the guy changed back right in front of her, making her bristle as he leaned in too close. She eyed the pool with concern, taking a measured step away from it and my heart went out to her. She hated deep water and even a bunch of handsy naked students weren’t going to chase her in here.
I moved to swim back to shore but Seth curled an arm around my waist, tugging me close. I surveyed the water droplets running down his chiselled face, unable to help tracing the angles of his cheeks as I debated whether to run away. His hair was a mane of damp hazel and his eyes were penetratingly dark. I wanted to push him back but something kept me in place as I fell captive to his animalistic aura. There was something about him in that moment that made me feel like I was a part of something. Maybe it was a pack thing. Like he was always trying to bond, but at the same time keeping me under his heel. Perhaps I was a Werewolf after all...
The stressed look I'd seen in his gaze this morning seemed to have dimmed, but he was clearly less on form today. Words rose to my lips and I let them fall free as I hoped the softness I saw in his eyes now would stay a while longer. “You seemed upset this morning,” I said, cocking a brow and his eyes narrowed.
“You been spying on me, babe?” His muscular arm folded tighter around me and he dragged me against his hip.
“No,” I whispered. “It was plain to see.” My knee brushed against his thigh and a deep noise left his throat.
He released a heavy breath. “It’s nothing to worry yourself with, Vega.” He released me then splashed a wave at me in the same movement.
Bastard!
I spluttered, lurching back as he swam away toward a huge rock jutting up from the middle of the pool. I headed back to shore, rejoining Tory, annoyed with myself that I’d tried to make some effort with him.
“You okay?” I murmured, not wanting to draw attention to the fact Tory wouldn’t go anywhere near the deep pond. I didn’t want to give wolf boy any more ammo against her.
She nodded, a smile etched into her cheeks that only I had the laser vision to see through.
“There's only one sure way to know if you're a wolf!” Seth’s sharp tone sent a tremor through me.
He stood up to his waist at the far edge of the pool, an inch away from giving the whole woodland a glimpse of his magic wand.
“What’s that?” Tory called, folding her arms.
“Both of you howl,” he commanded, pointing to the sky.
Tory and I shared a glance and we both remained silent.
“Shut your eyes and howl with all your might,” Seth commanded, but neither of us were ready to make a fool of ourselves like that.
Shall we dig holes and sniff each other’s butts too?
Seth shrugged when we didn’t respond. “Fine don't bother. But howling can bring out the change so it's up to you.” Seth turned and strode up the bank, his bare ass staring me in the face as he marched out of the water.
Tory sighed. “One howl.”
Seth didn't answer.
Tory cupped her hands around her mouth and I mimicked her, gazing up at the wide blue sky beyond the treetops.
“A-wooo!” we called together.
Some of the wolves joined in and we continued on despite the fact it felt pretty ridiculous. I didn't sense anything wolfy happening to me so I looked down at Seth who was stood near the edge of the clearing.
“You're not wolves,” he growled dismissively. “So you don't run with my pack.” He leapt toward the trees and morphed into his beautiful white form once again. My heart stuttered as the rest of the pack tore after him, those in human form shifting into wolves as they charged away into the forest, their pounding footfalls rumbling through the air.
My mouth fell open and my heart stuttered to a halt as they left us in the middle of the The Wailing Wood who knew how far away from the meadow.
“Asshole!” Tory shouted after him as we gathered up our satchels.
I retrieved my Atlas, locating us on the map with a groan. “We're practically off campus.”
“Great,” Tory sighed as she stalked off ahead of me into the trees. “Just goddamn great.”
I SAT ACROSS from Professor perfect-manicure Prestos who had been assigned as my Liaison while she tap, tap, tapped away on her keyboard. We’d had a thirty-five second conversation during which she had let me know that she intended to conduct this relationship via email after this meeting. She had zero interest in giving up her personal time to me a couple of evenings a week and was confident that sending me worksheets and corresponding online would be more than sufficient to bring me up to speed.
Aside from the fact that I was clearly not invited to spend more time with her than absolutely necessary, she did seem to know what she was talking about and had been forthright, if a little short, with the answers to every question I’d had.
She was currently in the process of sending me at least fifty emails containing information on everything from the history of Changeling Fae to news articles about our birth parents to resisting Coercion and even casting it: If I could learn to Coerce some of the asshole students in retaliation to their efforts against Darcy and me then I was definitely up for that and Prestos had encouraged a fighting back attitude which I appreciated.
From the example sheet she’d given me to peruse while she worked, I got the feeling that this was going to work out well for both of us. Though she clearly didn’t want to be directly involved with me more than absolutely necessary she was more than happy for me to contact her with any questions - strictly online - and the information she’d provided was thorough and easy to understand. I just needed to stop by her office every now and then so t
hat she could sign off on our lessons together so that it looked like I’d physically attended. Simple.
She’d even given me a credit card with access to my sizeable stipend, emailed me a map and shuttle bus timetable for the local town and thrown in some advice on the best shops there for free. And judging by her outfit, her advice was well worth taking.
We were going to get on just great.
“Okay then, Tory,” she said with a flourish as she hit send. “I’ll have a meeting with you after The Reckoning once you earn your official spot in the Academy and we can discuss the new classes which will be added to fill in your timetable then. Other than that, I have a date in town and I’m already running late.”
She got to her feet and I followed suit as we moved towards the door.
“Well I hope you make him work for it,” I said, eyeing the tight fitting black dress she was wearing with a smirk.
“I always do, don’t worry,” Prestos replied with a grin before locking her door and strutting away from me in her three inch heels.
Well that was a lot less painful than I expected. What to do with my evening of freedom?
After spending half the afternoon traipsing back through the woods soaking wet and missing most of our following class, I had no desire to face The Orb for the dinner rush where no doubt all of the Heirs would be holding court and laughing about Seth’s prank.
I made my way down the steps of Neptune Tower where the brief meeting with Prestos had been held and looked up at the sky where the sun had begun to set. It was just eight-thirty and I wondered if I should try to contact Darcy. We'd had a Coercion practice session with Sofia after our last class of the day and I already felt slightly more confident at fighting it off but now I wasn’t sure what to do with myself.
The campus was massive and there were countless places we hadn’t seen yet. I opened my satchel to search for my Atlas to call my sister but after a good few minutes of rifling through I had to accept that I’d forgotten it back in my dorm and I gave up with a sigh.
Zodiac Academy: The Awakening: An Academy Bullymance (Supernatural Bullies and Beasts Book 1) Page 18
