Bitter Magic

by Raven Steele

  “Let’s go into the dining room,” May said, pulling me along, weaving in and out of the young adults, all of whom were preening and strutting around like prized canines at a dog show.

  Both May and I sucked in a breath at the sight of the dining room, which had been transformed into an elegant ballroom. The chandeliers were lit by what looked like real fire, but I didn’t know how that was possible. On the outer parts of the room, long, silk-looking white curtains layered into each other and fell from the ceiling, making the room feel like we were in the clouds. The air smelled of lilacs, but even stronger was the smell of cider and pastries against the wall.

  In front of the room, on the slightly raised platform where Sophie usually spoke, an orchestra played classical music. I didn’t recognize the tune, but it sounded like Bach.

  May scooted me to the side of the doorway so students could get by us. “This is so beautiful. I’m shocked they put so much effort into this!”

  I was still too stunned to say anything. Who knew Auras could throw a party?

  Within minutes, the dining room was packed. Several students had already begun dancing, and by the looks of it, the Auras and the private school boys were well trained in the art.

  “Do you know how to dance?” I asked May.

  She shook her head. “But I’m more than willing to learn. See those guys over there?” May pointed to two boys not far from us.

  “The ones with the blond hair?” I asked.

  She nodded. “I’m going to ask them to teach us to dance.” May grabbed my arm. “And you’re coming with me.”

  “Wait, no!” I said, but it was useless. She was pulling me forward with a death-like grip.

  “You are going to have fun tonight if it kills me,” May said over her shoulder. She stopped in front of the boys. “Hey, guys. Are you having fun?”

  The blond one with bright green eyes said, “We might be soon. What’re your names?”

  He looked us up and down, along with his friend who was blonder, but with brown eyes. I might’ve been offended, but I was too busy eyeing them too. The one with brown eyes had huge veins that ran across his muscular forearms only to disappear beneath his rolled-up, white sleeves. He was one of the few to have already removed his suit jacket. I was glad he did. By the look of those veins, he worked out a lot.

  Why am I noticing his veins?

  May gestured to me. “This is Llona, and I’m May. And you guys are?”

  Brown eyes said, “I’m Tyler. And this is my friend, Corey.”

  May smiled. “Nice to meet you boys. How would you like to help us out with something?”

  “Name it,” Corey said, a little too quickly.

  It was about this time that I noticed a steady line of about twelve guys come through the door, also dressed in black tuxedos, but they carried themselves differently from the private school boys. They were stiffer, more alert with their eyes forward and not on the females in the room.

  Christian walked in last. My heart stopped.

  May tugged on me to get me to face forward, toward Tyler and Corey.

  “We don’t know how to dance this fancy sh-,” she stopped herself from cursing, “stuff and we were hoping you could teach us how.”

  Tyler bowed and extended his hand toward me. “We’d be honored.”

  I glanced over again toward the doors. The Guardians had spread out and positioned themselves around the room. They looked like club bouncers, with their hands clasped together and their stern expressions.

  “Go ahead, Llona,” May encouraged.

  I turned back to Tyler and accepted his hand. He guided me onto the dance floor, glancing back at me several times to make sure I didn’t get tangled into other dancers.

  Halfway there I felt Christian’s eyes on me. I don’t know how. I just did, much in the same way I felt the moon rise at night no matter where I was. And just like the moon, his stare warmed my skin, made my pulse race, sent heat to my core.

  I ignored the enticing sensations and refused to meet his intense stare. Don’t look over. Stare straight ahead. Maybe Christian would get angry at me for dancing with someone else. That would sure make things easy if he was the one who ended our relationship.

  But as Tyler placed his hands on my waist, I knew that would never happen. I’d have to really mess things up to make him do that.

  “Do you really not know how to dance,” Tyler asked, “or was your friend just saying that?”

  I glanced over at May not far away with Corey. She was moving with him as if she’d invented ballroom dancing. “Apparently she was just saying that, but I honestly can’t dance.”

  I made a mental note to scold May later.

  “It’s easy,” Tyler said. “I hold your hand like this,” he raised his left hand, which was holding mine, “and then you put your left hand on my shoulder and rest your arm on mine. Simple, right?”

  “Sure, but what about my feet?”

  He grinned. “Just follow me.”

  Tyler pressed me to his chest and practically lifted me as he spun me around the room. The way he was doing it made dancing easy. It felt like I was floating, and I laughed out loud.

  “So, where are you from?” he asked.

  “I moved here from Wildemoor not long ago.”

  “Wildemoor, huh? I’ve been boating there. I loved it. You ever been?”

  I shook my head. “I wasn’t there that long.”

  Just then—it was an accident, I swear it—my eyes met Christian’s. He gave a tight smile and nodded formally, making me lose my balance, and I stumbled.

  Tyler’s grip tightened. “You okay?

  “Just klutzy.” I turned my head the other direction, away from Christian.

  Tyler and I continued to talk. He seemed like a normal guy with high ambitions. Already he was interning at the mayor’s office in Coast City. Under any other circumstance I might’ve been interested in him, but all I could think about was Christian, despite my best efforts not to.

  When the orchestra finished, Tyler asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “I’d love something.”

  “I’ll be right back.” He raised my hand and kissed the top of it gently. I stared after him, wondering what that would’ve felt like if I wasn’t in love with someone else.

  I stayed where I was, swaying slightly to the violins that had just started up again. When May laughed, I glanced over just as Corey dipped her. I was happy she was having a great time.

  “You look beautiful,” a familiar voice said.

  I turned around. Christian stood directly in front of me, only a few inches of pressurized air between us. The nearness made my heart thunder within my ribcage. “Thank you. You look good too.”

  “I want to dance with you,” he said, his voice commanding.

  I glanced around nervously to see if anyone was watching us. “You can’t. You know that.”

  He collapsed the small space between us, forcing me to step back. “I don’t care.”

  My cheeks flushed, and I stared up at him, sucking in a tiny breath at the hunger gripping his blue eyes. It made my own desires surge within me, but I restrained myself for him. I didn’t want him to get kicked out of Lucent.

  I stepped back again. “We can’t.”

  He pursued.

  “I’m not afraid.”

  Neither am I.

  I continued backing up to keep our bodies from touching, but he wouldn’t stop, which only made me more excited. The thrill racing through me was electrifying, invigorating. I could barely breathe, barely think. My only focus was his body moving towards mine.

  We kept moving until my back hit something soft. I glanced up. We’d reached one of the long-hanging, white curtains. It was sheer, too see-through. My gaze moved behind it. But that curtain wasn’t.

  Licking my lips, I stepped into the drapes at the part and continued to move back. Christian glanced around before following after me, stopping only when the white layers entirely hid us f
rom others.

  Christian’s gaze left my eyes and traveled to my mouth, considering it like it was something he wanted to conquer. My lips parted in anticipation of what was to come. His fingers found mine, and he tugged my hand forward, pulling my body next to his. His other arm tightened against my back until I was pressed against every inch of him.

  His hand ran up my back and into my hair, creating a trail of heat in its wake. “I don’t know how I resist you every day.”

  “No more talking.” I lifted up on my toes and pressed my mouth to his. I couldn’t stand it anymore. I had to touch him, feel him, breathe in everything about him. The fire burning inside me had to be satisfied.

  His tongue thrust inside my mouth with the same urgency I felt. I sucked on it greedily and hooked my fingers into the front of his pants.

  But all that came to a screeching halt, when I heard, “You two better stop right now.”

  Chapter 12

  I opened my eyes, my heart stopping. Christian stared back at me, the color draining from his face. At the same time, we stepped away from each other, our chests heaving.

  May was a few feet away, standing in the parted curtains. “Sophie’s looking for you, Christian. And she’s mad.”

  He smiled awkwardly. “I better go.”

  I nodded and wiped at my head. It felt a thousand degrees in here.

  Christian remained where he was, still looking at me like he wasn’t finished. I didn’t dare move either. I didn’t want to.

  “Oh, come on!” May pushed Christian away. “And straighten your tie!”

  He looked over his shoulder at me and winked before he disappeared.

  As soon as he was out of earshot, May said, “That looked pretty hot. I almost squeezed myself into that C and L sandwich.”

  With Christian gone, the realization of what had just happened hit me hard. “What did I just do?”

  May laughed. “Kissed your boyfriend. What’s the big deal?”

  “We need to stay away from each other, remember? At least until I figure out some things.”

  “Does he know that?”

  I paused. May had a point. I shook my head. “I really need to grow a pair of ovaries and just talk to him.”

  “You’ll figure it out.” She put her arm around me and ushered me forward, parting the curtains along the way. “Tyler’s looking for you.”

  I groaned. “I think I’ll sneak outside. He’s nice, but I don’t feel like dancing anymore.”

  “I’ll come with you for a minute. I could use some fresh air too.”

  “Is Corey cool?” I asked her when we were almost to the doors.

  May nodded. “He’s just super formal.”

  “Which equals boring.”

  May smiled. “Maybe.”

  “Hey, guys, wait!”

  I turned around. Kiera was hurrying toward us, lifting up her green gown so she didn’t trip. “Where are you going?”

  “Outside,” May said.

  “We’ll be back though,” I added.

  Her shoulders slumped. “Can I come? I just endured a ten-minute lecture on US relations with the Middle East.”

  I laughed and pushed open the door. “Sounds like we could all use a break.”

  We were only a few steps into the empty hall when two Guardians appeared. Jackson being one of them.

  “Hello, Llona,” he said, his eyes roaming every inch of me. “You look lovely tonight, as do your friends.”

  May and Kiera turned to me, probably expecting an introduction, but I didn’t have time before the other Guardian said, “Where do you ladies think you’re going?”

  “Lay off, Spencer,” Jackson said. “They probably are just going to powder their noses. Isn’t that right?”

  May laughed. “Do we look like the type of girls who powder our noses?”

  Spencer flipped his head to the side, to get his long brown hair out of his eyes. “Then you must be trying to go outside to meet up with some guys. Isn’t that right?”

  “No,” I said and nodded my head toward Jackson. “It’s like he said. We’re going to the restroom.”

  Jackson smiled at me knowingly.

  “Let’s go, girls.” I began to walk, but Spencer stuck out his arm, making me run into it. This sudden and unwelcome contact sent a surge of rage through my bones and blood, igniting that dark thing inside me I didn’t understand.

  “I don’t believe you,” he sneered and looked at Jackson. “You said her name’s Llona? As in, Llona Reese?”

  I turned to him slowly, my breathing quickening. Stay calm. “Do you have a problem with me?”

  “I’ve heard about you. You’re a troublemaker.”

  Jackson straightened. “That’s enough, Spence. Let them go.”

  “What he said,” May growled. She pulled on my arm to get me back by her and Kiera.

  I should’ve gone with her, but all my nerves were humming with fevered energy, and not the kind that made me want to run. The kind that made me want to fight.

  My mind raced with all the ways I could hurt him, the sound his bones might make when I broke them, and the blood I might see.

  My expression must’ve been showing my thoughts, because Jackson gave me a firm nudge. “Go. Get out of here.”

  He broke through some of the anger, and I sucked in a deep breath. While Spencer stared me down, it took every ounce of strength I had to turn away.

  “Come on,” I said to May and Kiera.

  We were halfway down the hall when May asked, “What was that all about?”

  I shook my head, but then I heard Spencer’s voice say, “That girl is a certifiable nut job, just like her mother was.”

  Whatever restraint I had been maintaining shattered. I whirled around and walked back to Spencer, my fingers curled tightly into my palms.

  Spencer pointed a long finger at me. “You better stop right there.”

  I cocked my fist and propelled it forward like a rock from a slingshot. It smashed into Spencer’s nose. The sound of cartilage and bone grinding against each other sent a shot of adrenalin throughout my body. But it was the blood spraying from his nose that excited me the most. As Spencer was falling back, I jumped on top of him, my dress ripping up the side, and continued to smash my knuckles into Spencer’s blood-covered face.

  I landed three blows before Jackson was tearing me off. May was right there, telling me to calm down. Behind her, Kiera’s eyes were big. I saw and heard them all, but all I felt was the storm raging inside me. I struggled against Jackson, thrashing my head and legs at him in an attempt to free myself so I could get back at Spencer.

  “Chill out, Llona!” Jackson shouted.

  May stepped in front of me and placed her hands on my arm. I cried out when they began to burn. The pain of it was enough to bring me back. I stared at May, aghast.

  “I’m sorry, Llona,” May said, her eyes tearing.

  My gaze lowered to Spencer. He was lying on the ground, holding his face and moaning.

  “Are you finished?” Jackson hissed in my ear.

  I forced my muscles to relax. He let me go, cursing under his breath. They were all staring at me with horror, but their shock and disgust were nothing compared to the way I felt about myself.

  “I’m sorry,” I whispered, just before I turned and ran down the hall and out the doors.

  Night had fallen upon Lucent Academy. It was dark, but not dark enough for me. The full moon cast light in every direction, making it difficult for me to hide. I found a place, behind Risen Auditorium, where it was quiet and bathed in shadows. I leaned against the building, breathing heavily. Adrenalin, along with that other foreign parasite, still coursed through me, and it took several minutes until I was able to fully relax.

  I sunk to the ground, May’s dress already ruined, and buried my head into my hands. The air cooled the back of my neck, and it was a welcome relief to the heat I’d felt earlier. I remained like this for some time, and only when I heard the buses drive away from Lucent did
I finally move.

  Peeking around the side of the building, I saw that the grounds were empty and quiet. A few lights remained on inside Chadni Hall; probably the Lizen women cleaning up after the dance. But after another thirty minutes, the lights shut off and a breeze blew as if Chadni had expelled its last breath before falling asleep.

  I didn’t return to my room. Instead, I left my shoes next to the brick wall and headed toward the shed near the outer wall. The grass was damp under my bare feet, and its coolness spurred me on. I picked up my pace, wanting to get as far away from Lucent as possible.

  Within feet of the shed, I leapt up to the roof and over to the stone wall. I paused, the forest only a short run away.

  So much had happened tonight. I glanced back at Lucent, wind whipping the dress around my legs. What if Christian had seen me earlier? Would he have been as disgusted as the others? Maybe I should be more concerned with trying to protect him from me than anything else.

  I stared out into the forest thinking of Christian, and swallowed hard. What would I have to do to push him away? He meant everything to me, but I couldn’t bear it if any harm came to him. I loved my mother, but how could she risk the life of the man she loved, especially if she’d been warned ahead of time?

  As much as I wanted to go into the forest, I stayed, knowing that I shouldn’t give in so easily to these new desires inside me. Whatever they were couldn’t be good.

  I sighed and laid back on the top of the wall, my legs crossed. I stared into the black sky and began to count the stars. I was on seventy-two when a sound made me sit up. I looked toward the forest, my skin exploding into a cold chill. The forest was an impermeable wall of darkness.

  Snap. There it was again. A low, throaty growl followed near the tree line maybe fifty feet away. A tree moved, more like bent forward, branches cracking and wood breaking, as if someone incredibly strong had pushed against it.

  I jumped up just as a figure stepped out of the forest; moonlight bathing his bare, muscular chest, and when he lifted his head, his eyes glowed an eerie yellow. Parts of the skin on his face were missing, leaving only deep caverns of bone and tendons. His mouth opened, like a tiger yawning, and blood dripped from his sharp canines.