by Lexie Scott
For the first time since I learned who, and what, I really was, I hoped I took after my dad. Was it possible that side of me was dormant too? What kind of shifter had he been? Might I be? How could I find out without asking? I had to be discreet. Masie reinforced that with her call. I couldn’t get too comfortable, even with my friends. As much as I liked each of them, I didn’t know them well enough to trust them with my whole story. I didn’t think any of them would run off telling the rest of the school, but I couldn’t risk it. It wasn’t worth my life.
Maybe I could ask Mrs. Hedgings. I was so new to this world that maybe she would assume I was just curious. When did shifters first change? Did they display any abilities before then? Was there a way of knowing?
I could always do my own research in the library. There was probably a record of past students somewhere. Yearbooks? I could check, but with what free time? I had so many tutoring sessions on top of my normal homework and classes that I barely had time to sleep and eat. It would save time to ask, but I’d have to wait and make sure I could bring it up naturally, without raising suspicion.
The guys continued chasing and fighting, although I could tell they were going easy on each other. They warned me some shifters could get violent, but it didn’t seem like they wanted to take it to that level. Maybe they would if there was actual danger present, but there was no need right now.
After they tired themselves out, they came back to where Hannah and I were sitting on the grass and laid around us. Sai rested his head in my lap, and I grinned down at him while playing with his fur. I flatted the extra fluffy area under his jaw with the palm of my hands until it stood up like a mohawk.
“Look.” I pointed out my masterpiece to Hannah. She chuckled and tried to do the same to Daniel, but his fur was too short.
Sai raised a paw and rubbed it over his face.
“Aw,” I cooed. He looked adorable, fumbling with his big paw. He glared at me, and I combed my fingers through the mohawk and smoothed it down. “There you go, grumpy.”
His lips raised, revealing his teeth, and I couldn’t tell if he was smiling or trying to look scary. Either way, I was past being afraid of him. I’d gotten used to his tiger and could see his personality clearly.
“Go change, I’m craving something sweet.” Hannah pushed at Daniel and Malik, who had curled up on either side of her.
Sai huffed, and the three of them got up and lazily trotted to where they’d left their clothes. Within a minute or two, they emerged. Daniel and Sai were running their fingers through their hair, but it was in vain. Hannah and I had done an excellent job of messing it up. They would have to shower to get the strands to lay back down.
Malik hurried past us at the mention of desserts. “I hope the dining hall has the sundae bar out.”
Daniel hesitated, glancing between his friend and Hannah like he couldn’t decide who to walk with. I turned suddenly and walked slower than normal, accidentally cutting him off and making the decision for him. Hannah could thank me later.
Sai fell into step next to me. “So? What did you think?”
I smiled up at him. My brain was struggling to connect this version with the tiger version I’d just been petting.
“It’s a little weird. I mean, I get it. I saw you, then the tiger, but it’s hard to accept that it was you.” I pinched my lips together. “Hannah said you’re still you. That you’re in control and aware, just in the form of a tiger.”
“That’s right. I know some legends state that the animal is a separate spirit with its own mind and desires that the shifter has to control and work with, but it’s not like that. It’s just another form I can take. I’m still me.”
“So, no cravings for raw meat?” I teased, only half-joking.
“Gross, no.” He laughed, and I relaxed.
“Thanks for showing me.” I felt shier now. Even though I’d just spent an hour or so petting him. That was different. But it felt like something changed between us.
“Anytime.” He winked. “I could get used to your ear rubs.”
That might have been the weirdest thing anyone ever said to me, but I couldn’t help the excitement that grew in my gut at the thought. Spending more time with him, in any form, was exactly what I wanted—even if he was a distraction.
Chapter 19
Natasha didn’t move as I got dressed and snuck out on Saturday morning. With little siblings, I never got the chance to sleep in on weekends, even if I wanted to. With my string of nights of restful sleep, I was too full of energy to stay in bed anyway.
Back home, Aiden and Brielle would jump on me by seven if I wasn’t up to watch cartoons with them. My friends thought it was cruel and unusual, but I didn’t know any different, and looking back now, I was grateful to share those memories with them.
This was the first weekend I wasn’t home to make them pancakes or waffles and snuggle up on the couch while they watched their favorite shows. My heart ached. Did they miss me? I knew they did. Aiden would put on a brave face and try to console Brielle. He took his job as big brother very seriously. I’d call them after my tutoring session. I needed to hear their sweet voices and remind myself why I was here.
I crossed the empty lawn toward the labs and headed up to Mrs. Hedgings’ office without getting lost. I knocked on her office door right at eight, and she called me in.
“Good morning,” I said as I closed the door behind me.
“Good morning.” She was blowing into the mug in her hands. “Would you like a coffee?”
I shook my head and sat down on the couch across from her and put my backpack on the ground. “No, thank you.”
She nodded and rested the cup on her lap before lifting her gaze to mine. “How was your first week?”
It was the obvious first question she would ask, but I still sighed. “It’d been long and overwhelming, and I feel like I’m barely treading water upstream.”
Her smile was kind. “That’s to be expected. You’ve had quite the shock and change with no time to adjust. I got a report back from your teachers, just to get their impressions on where you might need the most help.”
Yikes. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what they said.
“Your history, literature, and math teachers aren’t concerned. Ms. Jefferies informed them of your study group, and they believe you will advance to the level of your peers in those subjects soon enough.”
That was a relief, and I was grateful Hannah had vouched for me so my teachers knew I was trying.
“Mrs. Sheridan is another story.” She slid her glasses from her hair and put them on before reaching for a paper on the table next to her. “She recommended you start with the year three students at the least.”
I cringed. While that was one of my favorite subjects, she wasn’t exactly the friendliest teacher. “I’ve been reading the third year’s textbook to catch up. I don’t have any experience with potion making, let alone portals or making things move. I did well in my chemistry class last year, and I really enjoy science. I just need time.”
“I agree. I told Mrs. Sheridan that if you weren’t performing to her expectation by the end of this term, we would reevaluate.”
Right, because if I didn’t pass my classes, I would be expelled. That was one way to reevaluate.
“Mrs. Brooks informed me she has assigned a classmate to tutor you in your Water ability.”
“I’ll start meeting with him on Monday and Wednesday evenings.”
“Good, good. Mr. Beckerman stated your assessment results were surprising. You show signs of having not only healing abilities but vegetation and earth manipulation.” Her lips turned up at the corners. “You’re a rare student, indeed.”
Yeah, that was pretty much what Mr. Beckerman had said the day before. For the entire class to hear. Not only was I an anomaly for having two affinities, but three specialties within Earth were nearly unheard of.
“I imagine it’s adding to the already heavy burden you’re under, but I assure you tha
t it won’t always feel like this. I’m sure within a year, you will level up and even surpass some of your peers. You are a powerful witch, Saige. That much is certain.”
But how? My mom was an Earth witch with a vegetation specialty, and my dad was a shifter. It didn’t seem like either of them was special or particularly strong. So why was I?
Was it because I was a hybrid? Did their combined abilities make me different? Yet another question I couldn’t ask anyone.
“I think our time would be best spent on science for now. As long as you put forth your best effort, I believe we can get you to the level you need to be before the holidays and in time for exams.”
I sucked in a breath. “Really?”
“I’m a Water witch, so I can help you with any questions concerning those abilities as well. If you need help with Earth, I recommend asking a classmate or Mr. Beckerman for a tutor.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“Let’s not waste another minute.” She stood and walked over to the table she used during my assessment. I followed her and bit my lip at the instruments waiting for us. Several labeled bottles were clustered near a small cauldron. A real, black, cast-iron cauldron.
Now, this was the witch stuff I expected.
“I’ll let you pick what we do today. Remember the things I told you about when we first met? The hair dye, blemish remover, and basic things witches usually learn at home?”
“Yes.” I’d been interested in those but pushed them to the back of my mind with everything else going on.
“We’ll start with one of those. They’re simple enough to show you the process we use to create potions.”
My eyes widened. “Really? I’m going to be able to make one?”
Her grin widened, but she quickly contained it. “Yes, what would you like?”
Well, my skin wasn’t flawless, but I usually only got one or two pimples around my time of the month. I didn’t want to color my hair. I loved my natural red even if it had made me the target of bullies in elementary and middle school. But it did get tangled easily. And my nervous braids were a beast to get out.
“Is there something to make my hair smooth or detangle easily?”
I swear her eyes twinkled. “Yes, we can do that.”
She read over the labels on the bottles, keeping a few and putting the rest on a shelf behind us while searching out some others.
“Here we go.” She explained the purpose of each ingredient, and I was surprised by how common they were. Shea, rose, honey, some oils. I recognized most of them by name at least.
“The most important part is intent. All magic is sensitive to the intent of the witch. You can use these same ingredients to create a potion to make someone’s hair fall out. Or a floor wax that will last a year. What you must focus on is the why. You must never forget that purpose.”
I nodded. I read this in my science textbook, but the way she explained it made sense. I didn’t plan on ever forgetting it. The last thing I wanted was to go bald because I wasn’t paying close enough attention.
She explained each step she took, whether to use heat, the order to add each ingredient, and how to tell if something went wrong.
I’d never tell anyone here to save myself from hearing their laughter, but it was a lot like baking. Once I made that connection, it seemed a lot less intimidating.
By the end of our two hours, I had a large bottle of deep conditioner better than anything money could buy because it was specific to exactly what I wanted and needed. I thanked her profusely, and she waved me off after she made me promise to keep studying and working during the week.
As I walked back to my dorm room, I couldn’t help but feel Mrs. Hedging liked me more than she wanted to admit. She tried to act strict and direct and no-nonsense, but she and I chatted easily. I caught her looking at me with something in her eyes. More than a teacher’s pride in a student’s learning. No, it was like she cared. Really cared for me.
Maybe I was imagining it. Maybe I was desperate for acceptance and support from any adult right now. I missed my parents and Masie and just wanted someone I could rely on. I shouldn’t project onto Mrs. Hedgings because she was tutoring me.
This was my first weekend at the academy, and I wasn’t sure what to do. I went back to my room to drop off my creation, but Natasha was gone. Was she at breakfast? Was there some activity going on?
I sat on my bed and sent a text to Hannah asking if she had plans. I didn’t want to be clingy, but she was my only friend so far, and it seemed like I was her only girlfriend. If she didn’t want to hang out, she would either let me know or ignore my message. That was fine.
It wasn’t like I should be wasting time today. I should be in the library studying. But I’d already had a two-hour class. I wanted a break. A brain break. I needed it.
After five minutes of resting my eyes, I jumped off my bed and headed outside. There had been more people out on my walk back. Maybe I would run into someone I knew. Or maybe I would meet someone new. I could always use more friends.
Feeling braver and far more extroverted than ever before, I took the stairs and headed out the front doors to the open area in front of the dorms. There were some people throwing a frisbee. A couple of girls lying on a blanket and reading. A couple of guys set up a hammock between the trees, and I could hear their laughter. That looked like fun. I wanted to march over to them and ask them about how they set them up, but the thought alone made all my bravery disappear.
I was the new girl. The weirdo. The one with more abilities than I should have.
“Hey?” A voice called, and I tried to look around casually. I was pretty sure they weren’t talking to me, but just in case, I didn’t want to be rude.
Two guys were jogging toward me. I stepped to the side of the path to give them room, but they stopped in front of me.
“You’re Saige, right? The new fourth year?” the tall one asked. He had black hair buzzed close to his head and very light skin.
“Yeah, I am.” I offered them a smile.
His chubby blond friend beamed. “We figured. We don’t get very many new students after first year.”
“We heard you have two affinities. That’s nuts.” Buzzcut said.
I wasn’t sure what to say to that. It was nuts.
“You’re probably really powerful too. Huh?” the chubby one asked.
I shrugged. “I’m not––”
“Can you make us a potion?” Chubby asked.
“We’ll pay you of course.” Buzzcut winked. “We’re vampires so we can give you whatever you want. Hair, eyelashes, nail clippings.”
I tried to hide my revulsion to that idea. “Um.”
“We need something that will keep someone asleep for like at least a day,” Chubby said.
“Closer to two days.” Buzzcut corrected.
I narrowed my eyes. This didn’t sound like a good idea. “Have you tried normal sleep medicine?”
Chubby roared with laughter. “Oh, that’s such a norm thing to say.”
He said that like it was a derogatory word. Something gross, beneath him.
I didn’t like either of them, and I was ready to leave.
“Sorry, I can’t help you.” I stepped back, but Buzzcut followed.
“Come on, you’re obviously the most powerful witch in our year.”
“Yeah,” Chubby added. “We know you can do it.”
Maybe I could, but I didn’t want to. “Sorry.”
Chubby took a step forward, adding to the intimidation his friend was already showing.
“Saige,” a cool voice called from my right.
I looked over to see Theo striding toward me. “There you are.”
I stared at him, thoroughly confused as he threw his arm over my shoulders and kissed my temple. Chubby and Buzzcut started backing off.
Theo glared at them. “Simon. Frederick. Can I help you with something?”
The boys shared a look before shaking their heads and walking off.
/> I watched them until they turned a corner and disappeared behind the boys’ dorm, then pulled away from Theo. “Thanks for that.”
He shot me a perfect, dimpled smile. “No problem. Those two are always up to something sketchy. I heard you try to turn them down. They need to learn that no means no.”
I was so caught up in staring at his beautiful face that it took me a few seconds too long before I replied. “Uh, yeah.”
He eyed me like he was considering something. “What are you doing right now?”
“Nothing.” Anything he asked me to.
“Perfect. Come on.” He took my hand in his, and I felt a small spark. There wasn’t anything in the universe that could have talked me out of following him.
Chapter 20
He led me past the dining hall and tower toward a path I hadn’t taken yet before he stopped suddenly and stood in front of me.
“Can I ask you a favor?”
The unexpected stop and question threw me, and I had to take a second for my brain to comprehend what he said. “Um, maybe? What do you need?”
The corners of his lips tilted up in the barest hint of a smile. “You’re so suspicious.”
“Not normally, but things have been a little strange for me this week.”
He laughed. “Fair enough. You’ve probably seen and heard things you never imagined. I’m not asking anything from you, other than trust.”
Well, now I was nervous. He was a stranger. And a vampire. Besides studying with Carter, I hadn’t spent any time around them. That I knew of. I still wasn’t able to figure out what the other students in my classes were, outside of Water and Earth.
“I don’t––”
“I know Hannah probably warned you to stay away from me, but I’m asking for a chance. I want you to form your own opinion about me rather than believing what you may hear.”
That was more than fair. I wouldn’t want anyone to assume they knew me just because I was the late-bloomer that came from the non-supe world. I wanted a chance to prove who I really was, what made me the person I was.
