by LJ Swallow
Is she scared of me?
“Take the boy out of his comfort zone,” says Professor O’Reilly gruffly. “Don’t give him the chance to extend his magic.”
He’s a hard taskmaster but cares about his team. Darren had an issue last year with his grades slipping and needed extra tuition, which meant he missed practice. Our coach kept him on the team and, when he discovered the reason why he kept missing matches, found him extra academic help.
If you look at the scarred shifter with his shock of red hair, who was once a Confederacy army general, you’d never guess he had a soft spot.
“Please don't send me to Ravenhold,” I say with genuine meekness.
I’d call the place the equivalent of a human young offender’s institute, but the reality is harsher. Many who are sent there have no hope of rehabilitation and remain in the old building on a Scottish island for years.
Some disappear. Others go insane. Last I heard, the student body were ruled over by long-term residents: powerful hybrids who’ve banded together and keep the students under their control. Do the staff allow this? I wouldn’t be surprised, as it helps with their job of subduing the kids there.
If anybody sent me to Ravenhold, I’d fight tooth and nail to get out.
But nobody has ever succeeded in escaping.
“I’ll stop,” I plead. “I won't perform any magic I shouldn't.”
Theodora pulls out a chair and sits. “How many times have I heard those words from you, Matt?”
“I mean it this time. I understand how close you are to sending me to Ravenhold.” The words are finally spoken. The place the supernatural world would like to pretend doesn't exist.
Last time we had this conversation, Sofia argued that Ravenhold would corrupt or kill me, and her passionate defence warmed me to her. How could Theodora think of sending me to the place. Is she under pressure from someone?
Theodora runs her tongue along her red-painted bottom lip and looks down at the paper in front of her. The form is my death sentence if she signs. The old, wooden clock on the wall behind ticks through the silence, and I pray this isn't counting down the seconds to the moment my life changes.
“Take away Matt’s free time,” suggest Sofia softly. “Place him somewhere he’ll be under a watchful eye every moment he isn't studying or sleeping.”
“We’ve no detention class that allows such supervision,” says Theodora with a frown.
I tense but keep my worry out of my expression. Keeping me under their watchful eye is their only choice—the faculty can forget putting a tracking spell on me; I can bypass that with a click of my fingers.
“No, but there’s something happening in the school that leaves the participants exhausted and short of free time.” Sofia smiles at me. “The school musical performance is underway. I’m watching over and directing. I can ensure no untoward magic is used.”
Who’s more stunned by her suggestion, Theodora or me? I couldn't think of a worse way to spend my time.
Apart from incarceration on an island for an unforeseeable future.
I brighten. “Yes. One more chance. I promise you won't regret the decision. Uh… but I can’t sing.”
My words break the tension and Theodora smiles. “That’s not a problem. Do you need backstage help, Sofia?”
She nods. “We have a set to construct and plenty of backstage work.”
I keep my false smile even though I’m watching my free time disappear. I’m facing time with a group of dumb students who like to waste time on human activities rather than learn their place in the supernatural world.
Theodora places her pen down. “Don't make me regret this, Matt.”
My shoulders sink and whole body relaxes. Another chance.
“And don't make me regret this,” adds Sofia. “I’m putting myself on the line for you here.”
CHAPTER THREE
AMELIA
The auditions for this year’s school musical take place early evening, in the performance hall, before classes begin. This way, vampires can take part. The hall is situated in the centre of the main school building with its own entrance up a flight of stone steps, allowing audiences to attend without walking through the centre of the academy.
This was once a large dining hall, when the academy was an asylum in Victorian times, but has since been furnished with rows of seats and a stage. Several theatrical families sponsor the plays and musical, as well as music recitals, whereas others grumble about how frivolous this is for an institution teaching their children how to become leaders.
They sit now, Katherine and her group of hangers-on, chatting and whispering about the people around. The self-appointed school queen commands respect partly due to her family status, and partly because she’s skilled at using her looks and natural lamia charm to draw people to her. Katherine’s careful to choose friends in all three houses--Gilgamesh shifters, Walcott witches, and Petrescu vampires--and has her eyes set on a high-ranking shifter or witch.
Currently, that’s Clive or Matt. Last term she pursued an unimpressed Ash. She backed off the day Ash discovered Katherine threatened me, and Ash told Katherine exactly what he thought of her. Unfortunately, this backfired as Katherine became convinced me and Ash were an item. A couple of days later, Jamie came across her threatening me again. That led to further complications when Jamie told her I wasn’t with Ash because I was in a relationship with him.
I would’ve denied this, but at the time Katherine had cornered me and threatened to set her shifter minions on me. Since then, she’s never let up. Katherine deliberately sabotages my spells in class by distracting me and watches me like a hawk. Ash caught wind of what happened and told her to stay away from the three of us. The only person she’s nice to now is Matt. Katherine’s smart and knows who would make an unwise enemy.
I’m positive she now has her sights set on him as a potential lover.
Until she turned on me, I’d felt sorry for Katherine. Yes, she has perfect everything from sleek blonde hair and expensive clothes, down to her to-die-for figure and social standing, but underneath everything I sense an unhappiness. Aren’t bullies always bullied themselves, somewhere along the line?
My sister, Genevieve, once dated Ash, in secret. She’s in her final year, a year above me, and we couldn't be more opposite. In looks she’s a dark-haired Katherine, but in personality she’s more like me. I’m short to her tall, and hate how I look with long hair, preferring to keep my straight dark hair in a bob style.
Final-year students attend exchange programs with other Nightworld academies in order to foster relations between the different communities. She’s in the States currently, and I miss her terribly.
On my bad days at the academy she’d lend me a helping hand, and we’d often sit and watch old '80s movies. We know every one word for word from watching them over and over as kids. We rewind to those days and switch off from all things Nightworld academy.
Genevieve is due home in a couple of months and I’m counting down the days
I sit on the edge of the stage and count through the number of people who are here to audition. Suzie, a girl from my house, chews on a pen as she scans the sign-up sheet. “Some of these people are overconfident. Tamara tried out for Cats last year and she certainly had the wail.”
I nudge Suzie. “Shh. That’s mean.”
“Oh, I don't mean to be. I'd rather some new students auditioned this year, because with this choice of people, I’m worried about the show.”
Katherine put her name down to audition for the lead, of course. Mine is written beneath hers to apply for a backstage position. Last year, my sister worked in costume and taught me makeup techniques which I loved. I don’t like being centre of attention, so there’s no chance of a public performance for me
Sofia walks through the double-doors that are propped wide open between the hall and corridor, and her heels click as she crosses to us. “Suzie, can you run through the list with me?”
The pair walk over t
o a small table, but I’m distracted by the person who walked in behind Sofia. Matt. I watch, expecting him to cross to Katherine, but my heart flutters as he approaches me.
He buries his hands in his pack pockets and gives me a hesitant smile. I look behind him in confusion. Who’s he with?
“Hey, Lia,” he says.
“Hello, Matteo.” Nobody calls Matt by his full name and he smirks. He knows I did because he shortensed mine, which I hate. “Ash and Jamie aren’t here. They’re not interested in taking part.”
“I wasn't looking for them.” He’s quiet with his head down, almost as if he’s hiding.
“Katherine’s over there.” I point with my pen.
“Not looking for her either.” His green-blue eyes meet mine. The colour fascinates me, and I’d expect him to be a water-elemental witch based on how they change depending on his mood--from deep sea green to shallow ocean blue.
“Who are you looking for?” I ask.
“You.”
My heart thumps out of sync for a moment. The look and smooth tone triggers heat in my cheeks, as with every time he looks at me. I turn my eyes back to the list, annoyed with myself. Matt doesn't mean me. He’s teasing.
“Then you must be auditioning.” Curiosity joins my sarcasm. “The queue is over there.”
A group huddle sits around the stage, some filling the echoing hall with song and others mouthing words as they read from scripts.
He snorts. “No.”
“Surely you’re not here to help.” He nods and I gape at him. “Why?”
He sits in the seat beside me. “I’m interested in uh… what’s the thing you're doing again?”
“The ‘thing’ is a musical. Grease.”
Now it’s Matt’s turn to stare in disbelief. “Grease? Could you crowbar any more dumb human culture into the academy?”
I suck my teeth. “Dumb human culture is something we need to live in once we leave the academy. So, learning dumb human things helps.” His look shifts to disgust. “There’s no point being Mr. Super Witch if you can’t fit in.”
He laughs at me. “Some of us won't need to deal with humans much. Only the less skilled need human jobs.”
Those like him, firmly planted in the witch society, won’t lower themselves. I ignore his jibe. People like him at the academy have no clue what exists outside their sheltered childhood, or how some of us struggle.
“Prejudice aside, Matt, why are you looking for me in particular?" I’m in my own environment; he isn’t, and somehow this helps me keep my cool when heat builds.
Those eyes remain trained on me. “I’m here to help.”
“With what?” I blurt.
“Backstage stuff, apparently.”
I glance at Sofia, who’s distracted from her conversation with Suzie as she watches us.
“Surely your spells belong on stage. You could wow the musical with some added Matteo Kohler special magic effects.”
He cocks his head. “Are you teasing me, Lia?”
Has he apologised to Ash yet? Is that what he’s doing—avoiding those he upset? Matt kept a low profile yesterday evening and didn't attend class. Rumours that Theodora shipped him off to Ravenhold spread as quickly as his fire on the rugby pitch. The thought horrified me. He may have a big head and not think through his actions, but Matt isn’t dangerous.
“I can help with some pyrotechnics if required.” He gives a small smile. “But that’s all. I’m laying off the magic for a while,” he says and darts a look around him.
I study him. He’s tense, tapping his foot against the stage and stares around, as if he’s in a zoo and one of the animals might break free and attack him.
Sofia’s heels click across the polished wooden floor. “Ah, Matt. I see you’ve introduced yourself to our stage manager.”
I blink. Am I?
“You know we’re already friends,” says Matt with a smile and he nudges me with an elbow. “Right?”
“Loosely speaking,” I mutter.
“Amelia has the most experience as she assisted with backstage management last year. She’s reliable and smart. You could learn a thing or two from her.”
Blushing at the compliment, I stare at the ground. I could learn a few things from Matt, and I’m not only talking spells.
“Why the sudden interest in amateur dramatics?” I ask.
Sofia gives a light laugh. “Let’s call this atonement.”
Her choice of word sends a shiver down my spine. There’s no religion in our society apart from the worship of Confederacy law. Disrupting a rugby match hardly counts as a sin.
“I’m here every rehearsal,” he says, and adds sarcastically, “I’m about to have so much fun.”
“You can sit and sulk or make your punishment interesting,” replies Sofia.
Silenced, he looks the other way.
“Amelia, we’re starting the auditions soon. Suzie and I would love your input.”
I smile, but how the hell will I manage Matt backstage? Sofia informs Matt that he must sit with us under her watchful eye until I take him backstage. He sits at the edge of the row, feet on the chair in front. I’m amused when Sofia removes his phone from his hands and tells him to pay attention.
“Dude!” Clive’s voice echoes through the hall and heads turn as he joins Matt. “What are you doing? We’re getting together for a little soiree tonight.”
Soiree? Drunken session, more like.
Matt mumbles something and Clive’s mouth drops open.
“What? Why would you want to?”
Again, a muttered response. Katherine wanders over and plays with a strand of her hair as she nudges Clive. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for Matt. He needs to spend time relaxing with us.”
“Oh? Do I get an invite? I’d love to relax with you and Matt.”
He blinks at her and I roll my eyes at her innuendo and sultry look—the one that confuses guys into doing what she asks. Usually.
“Uh. Vamp-free night,” he says.
Her face sours. “Why? We’re supposed to fight prejudice at the academy.”
Katherine may be a lot of things, but she’s happy to mingle with most. Mingling keeps everything and everybody on her radar.
“We had trouble between the vamps and some guys on the rugby team last time,” says Clive.
She sticks her bottom lip out. “But Clive, I’m not on any teams.”
“Yeah, she’s team Katherine,” says Matt with a smirk.
I hide a laugh behind my hand and Matt winks at me conspiratorially. Katherine’s too busy smooching up to Clive to notice.
Clive gestures around him. “I can understand why Katherine wants to do this crap, but you? Don’t tell me you’re auditioning?”
Matt splutters. “No way.”
“Then leave.”
Clive looks at Matt expectantly. “I’m staying.”
“Seriously? You want to lower yourself to this?” sneers Clive. “I thought you were with me on this—supes shouldn't pretend to be human.”
“Um. Like I said to Matt, isn't that the whole point? We’re supposed to blend in.” I interrupt. “You’re happy enough to take part in some human activities. You head out to clubs.”
“Supes clubs,” he retorts. “And this is just a sad activity for sad people.”
Katherine gasps at him. “Clive! Are you saying I’m sad?”
I watch with interest as Clive’s eyes meet hers and her lips curve into a sensual smile. I’ve avoided looking into any lamia’s eyes--guy or girl--not wanting to be caught in a hypnotic trance. Sure, I’m schooled in mind control at some level, but we’re not supposed to use this on others at the academy.
At eighteen, Katherine isn’t a fully fledged lamia looking to feed on sexual energy, but she laps up any attention and is never short of a guy in her thrall.
“No.” He’s confused, pushing fingers into his hair. “That’s not a word I’d use for you. At least with you as the star, the musical wil
l have credibility.”
Her smile widens and she touches his arm. “That’s so sweet, Clive. Am I okay to come to your party later?”
“Soiree,” I add snarkily and again exchange a look with Matt.
Still enraptured by the girl, Clive nods. “Sure. Tell the boys you're my special guest if they try and stop you.”
“As if they would,” she says with a giggle that grates like nails on a chalkboard. “They know I’m not your typical vamp.”
“That’s one thing we agree on,” says Matt.
Katherine tucks her hair behind an ear and looks around. “First I need to audition and then I’ll be right with you.”
“You won't need to,” says Clive. “You’ll be a perfect leading lady.”
I blink. A lamia playing the shy and virginal Sandy? She isn’t who myself and Sofia have in mind.
“You could be my Danny, Matt.” Katherine switches her attention to him and runs a finger along his arm. “You’d be perfect.”
Oh hell.
Matt shrugs her off and shifts closer to me, prompting a glare from Katherine. “I’m backstage with Amelia.”
“Is that so? How cosy. Did you ask him, Amelia?”
Omigod no. There’s no way she could think I have Matt in my sights and am stepping on her toes.
Clive turns his attention back to Matt. “You’re off the team, I heard.”
His eyes harden. “Yeah. I had this out with Ash. I’m not talking to you about the situation.”
“You can’t hide with the dorks.”
“I’m not,” he retorts.
“How the mighty have fallen.” Katherine smirks and pulls a script from her bag. “Matt’s working backstage. Not even important.”
“I don't have any choice,” he says crossly.
“You always have choice, Matt,” she purrs. “See you tonight, but don't bring your nerdy witch with you.”
I grasp at a retort but none comes—I won’t have one until I’m alone later, as always.
Matt doesn’t speak. Instead, he stands and moves to a chair away from me and the group.
