Shadows and Sorcery: A Collection of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance Novels

by Adkins, Heather Marie

  She places her hands on the counter, leaning against it. “He’s a ladies’ man and doesn’t care if you’re a student or not. If you’re lucky enough to catch his attention, a word of advice. Don’t get attached. He’s not known for sticking with one girl for long.”

  That’s good to know. Not that I have to worry about some ladies’ man. I have my own man problems back home to keep my occupied.

  I nod with pursed lips. “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Do you know where Spencer Hall is?”

  She points back the direction I came from. “Walk toward the admissions building and take the sidewalk to the right. It’ll be the big stone and white building on the left. There’s a big sign out front, too.”

  “Thank you.” I head out the door at a brisk walk. I have five minutes to find it and the classroom.

  Spencer Hall comes into view, the two-story building reminding me of a castle with turrets on the top of the front section. Several students are walking into the building and I fall into step with them.

  Just go with the flow.

  Two girls in front of me mention Professor West and I tune into their conversation.

  The blonde looks down one hallway. “I’ve heard he’s great in bed. He can take me anywhere he wants.”

  Her brunette friend smiles and laughs. “Right. We could only be so lucky.”

  I roll my eyes behind them but follow them into an auditorium-style classroom with three sections of chairs, the middle being the largest and two smaller ones on the sides. The rows of seats form a step effect down to the front where a desk and whiteboard face the class.

  No one is sitting at the desk.

  Am I in the right place?

  It must be since the room is filling up with students, a couple placing the textbook I purchased on the small desk area that lifts up beside the chairs and over their laps.

  Lining the front row of seats are women wearing low cut shirts and short skirts and shorts, hair and faces caked with makeup.

  Could they be any more obvious?

  I pick a seat halfway up the middle section to blend in.

  The door opens and my heart stops before palpating in my chest.

  Professor West walks in with a messenger bag slung over his shoulder. He makes his way to the desk and places it on top.

  Holy crap. It’s the man from the admissions room.

  His shoulders tense and he appears to take a deep breath before pulling items out of his bag. His intense blue eyes take in the students filling the room, looking at each of them except for me.

  What is his damn problem?

  I keep my head down and wait with bated breath for him to speak.

  His deep voice echoes around the room, sending chills down my spine. “Welcome to Psychology One-oh-One. As many of you know, I’m Ezra West. You can call me Professor West. Some ground rules. I’m here to teach you, but I’m not your parent. I will not be taking attendance. I don’t care if you show up for class or not, but you must be here for exams.” He stalks back and forth in front of the class.

  His movements remind me of an animal.

  Didn’t classes start a week ago? Why is he introducing himself today?

  I lean over to the guy a few seats over from me and whisper, “Why is he introducing himself? I thought last week was when classes started.”

  The guy’s face swings in my direction, a smile replacing his frown. “He wasn’t here last week.” He falls silent, but I feel his gaze on me every so often.

  Just ignore him. Maybe he’ll go away.

  The professor picks up a stack of papers from the desk. “However, I will spring pop quizzes throughout the semester. You are adults now and are responsible for getting notes from someone should you not be here. I will start promptly at ten and end at ten fifty. Here is a syllabus to follow.” As he hands the girls at the front of the middle and side sections a stack to pass down and back, he winks at each.

  My feel my body temperature spiking and my ears heating.

  Why am I getting upset over him winking at some girl? He’s nothing to me.

  “You can read over the syllabus later. My office hours are at the top, as well as ways to reach me. My door is open only during the times listed. Let’s get started.”

  The girls in the front of the class giggle, grating on my fraying nerves.

  He turns his back to the class, picks up a black expo marker, and writes psychology and its definition on the board.

  I open the notebook and the pack of pens, grabbing the blue, and start taking notes.

  The syllabus makes its way back to me and I take one and pass it on. There’s no time to scan it with how fast he’s covering material.

  I’m speed writing to keep up with everything he’s putting on the board before erasing it and moving onto the next topic.

  At least, with this pace, I have little time to think or stew about the frustrating renowned ladies’ man at the front. Not that I can help staring at his butt every time I take more notes.

  It’s… He’s distracting. His voice lulls me into a trance and I have to catch up.

  I don’t seem to be the only one having that problem. Students glance at each other’s papers and jot words down.

  He lifts his wrist to his face and caps the marker, turning to the class.

  “Finish reading chapter two and answer the questions at the end to turn in to me tomorrow. This is optional and will be extra credit. Trust me. Most of you will need it. I’d get started now because I will not offer many opportunities to make up grades.”

  Voices blend together as students begin talking to each other as the sounds of papers rustling, textbooks closing, and zippers fill the room.

  I have an hour before my next class, which gives me time to go back to the bookstore and get my other books. Hanging back, I stare at him, waiting to see if he will even look at me.

  The blonde I came into class with pulls her shirt lower and sashays up to the professor, talking in a low tone.

  My ears strain to hear what she has to say.

  She giggles at something he said and my gut clenches in pain.

  I finish packing up my things and walk out of class as if nothing is wrong. Walking over to a black, metal bench under some trees, I sit down and close my eyes, inhaling a deep breath.

  What do I care if he flirts with some woman? Why does it bother me?

  Someone sits beside me.

  I ignore them, not feeling like carrying on polite conversation.

  “Rough class?” a familiar voice asks.

  My eyes pop open and meet the green gaze from earlier.

  I sigh. “It wasn’t that bad. Just intense.”

  He leans forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “Professor West usually has that effect on women.”

  Is he following me?

  My eyebrows scrunch together and I lean further away from him toward the end of the bench. “How did you know what class I had?”

  He sits upright. “We have psychology together. Didn’t you see me? I was sitting on the same row as you.”

  I didn’t even notice him in class. I was too enthralled with the man at the front. Way to make friends on my first day.

  Biting my lip, I lower my head, relaxing my shoulders. “Oh. I was trying to keep up with everything he was writing on the board.”

  He spreads his arm along the back of the bench. “Sure you were.”

  “Hey, what is that supposed to mean?” I cut my gaze at him from the side and smile.

  He shrugs. “Nothing. Just that he has a reputation for a reason.” He holds his hand out to me. “I’m Clarke. I know we met earlier, but I didn’t catch your name.”

  I tuck my hair behind my ear and grasp his hand to shake. “Sage.”

  My mouth falls open as he lifts my hand and kisses the back of it.

  “Nice to meet you, Sage.” He grins at me and I can’t stop the smile on my lips.

  He might take me for a fool later, but I’ve never had a man give me this kind
of attention that was welcomed.

  The door opens behind us and I turn. Professor West walks out with the blonde under his arm.

  What the hell?

  I spin around to face Clarke again. He can keep my mind off of Professor West’s face. Forget him.

  He glances in the same direction and clears his throat. “Do you want to grab a bite to eat for lunch?”

  “Sure. But it will have to be quick. I need to get the rest of my books before my next class in forty minutes.” I pick up my bag, getting ready to stand when a shadow falls over us.

  “Don’t you have somewhere you need to be?” Professor West’s voice flows over me, goosebumps pebbling my skin.

  I glare at him, but he isn’t looking at me.

  He and Clarke are in a stare off.

  Clarke stands to his full height, which is a couple inches shorter than the teacher.

  Their eyes glow for a second before returning their normal color.

  What have I gotten myself in the middle of? Shifters are off limits for me, even as friends. Supes never intermingle and there’s a reason for that.

  West’s chest expands outward before Clarke breaks the stare, lowering his head a little.

  Clarke’s fists ball at his sides. “We were about to get some lunch before her next class.”

  The professor’s nostrils flare out. “I think she doesn’t need your assistance. Head on to class.”

  Clarke looks at me with pinched features. “We’ll grab lunch another day. I just remembered I’m supposed to meet my lab partner now.”

  I stand, picking my bag up. “Oh. Okay. I’ll see you around.”

  West turns at an angle so that he’s facing away from me as Clarke leaves us.

  Needing to get away from the mercurial professor, I turn in the direction of the bookstore.

  His deep voice stops me. “Stay away from Clarke.”

  No worries there, buddy. That’s all he was concerned about. Why does he care about Clarke, though? He doesn’t have any say in who I get to spend my time with.

  I turn my head to face him. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.” No one is around us, which is weird. “I’m not one of your shifters to boss around.”

  His eyes glow bright blue and his spine stiffens. “You may not be, little witch, but Clarke is.”

  My teeth grind together, and I walk away with my heartbeat pounding. He didn’t deny being a shifter and he knows what I am.

  Why is he such an ass?

  And I have to endure his presence three days a week in class. I’ll just have to keep my head down and focus on being a normal student, blending in, and wait for word from Willow.

  5

  Two weeks pass by and my unexplainable feelings for Ezra grow, as well as my nerves regarding my coven’s situation.

  Every time he steps into class, my heart pounds. Whatever this is that I feel toward him isn’t going away like I thought it would. It’s like I’ve been soul bound by him.

  His gaze seeks mine for a brief second at the beginning of class and never looks at me again unless I ask or answer a question. The look of indifference on his face whenever I speak in class leaves a sour taste in my mouth and a pit in my stomach.

  The amount of women gracing his presence doesn’t lessen and I have to stop myself from cursing each and every one of them.

  Instead, I throw myself into my studies to keep my mind off of it. Learning has always been one of my favorite things to do.

  There’s still no word from Willow or Grams. Worry gnaws at me and my appetite has decreased.

  Please let them be okay. If I haven’t heard from them in a few days, I’ll have no choice but to return. Too much time has passed, and I can’t hide out here forever while I leave them to suffer at the hands of Xavier.

  It’s almost time for my first class of the day, and I don’t think I can face Ezra today. I pace in my small dorm, my gaze darting around the room, and a sense of foreboding surrounds me.

  Something’s wrong.

  My phone chirps from the little desk at the foot of the twin sized bed in the beige room.

  I pick it up, my heart hammering in my chest as Willow’s name pops up on the screen. “Hey, how are things going?”

  “Hey. Things are… okay, but I have some information. Can you meet at the diner about halfway there in two hours?” Her voice sounds strong.

  Relief floods through me. I’d be able to tell if something was wrong by the tone of her voice. “I’ll be there. Make sure you’re not followed.”

  We hang up the phone, keeping it short in case someone is listening.

  I grab my bag and keys, leaving the dorm room that’s become my place of refuge in the last few weeks.

  There are a few students walking around campus, but none are paying me any mind. They’re all busy with their own lives and schedules. That’s one thing I enjoy about college life.

  Once I’m in the car, I have to crank the key a couple of times to get the engine running. I follow the directions to get on the highway.

  The further I get from the campus, the more the pain in my chest tightens and my throat dries. I pick up a bottle of water I grabbed from the mini refrigerator in my room and chug it.

  What is wrong with me?

  I’ve never felt like this before. Focus on the destination.

  Before I realize it, I’ve arrived at the halfway point. I pull into Rosie’s Diner right off the highway and put the car in park.

  When I step inside, it’s like going back in time. Black and white checkered tiles cover the floor, and red booths line one side along the windows. A black bar top with red bar stools runs halfway across the other side, and a couple of tables fill the space in between. Behind the counter is a drink machine and a square section missing in the wall that looks into the kitchen.

  A waitress stands there calling out food orders to the chef through the window opening.

  I walk to the back of the diner and take a seat in a booth facing the door. I’m early but I couldn’t sit in my dorm another minute.

  The busty waitress stops at the side of my table, smacking pink bubble gum and holding an order pad in her hand. “What can I get you, hon?” The checkered tag says her name is Tabby.

  “I’d like a water and a cup of coffee, please. I have someone joining me in a bit.” I smile up at her.

  She nods. “You got it.”

  After checking on a few other patrons, she brings my drinks over within a few minutes.

  “Do you need creamer?” She sets the black coffee and a glass of water and ice down in front of me.

  I pick up a packet of sugar. “Yes, please.”

  Reaching into the red apron tied around her waist, she puts a handful of creamer cups on the table.

  I grab one and peel the lid back, pouring it into my cup. “Thank you.”

  She blows a pink bubble. “You’re welcome. Let me know if you need anything else.” She walks off.

  The coffee is strong and bitter as I take a sip, but it keeps my hands occupied as I wait. The few customers trickle out as lunch winds down until it’s just me and the employees. Tabby comes over a few times, topping off my coffee and water.

  Thirty minutes later, the bell on the door chimes. Willow walks in, her gaze darting around the diner, a sight for sore eyes.

  I stand and wrap my arms around her as she reaches the booth. “I’ve missed you. How are things back home? You weren’t followed, were you?”

  She squeezes me back before letting go and sitting on the opposite side of the booth. “I’ve missed you, too. I made sure I wasn’t followed. It wasn’t easy getting out of the village.” Her head hangs down, avoiding eye contact.

  My chest tightens with panic. “What has happened?”

  Her sorrowful gaze locks with mine, unshed tears at the corners. “Xavier is becoming more impatient the longer we give him excuses. We’ve held him off, saying that you had to go through a special process to prepare yourself for him. He’s killed five of our member
s.”

  What? Breath doesn’t leave my lungs from the weight constricting my chest.

  Tabby takes that moment to approach the table. “What can I get you?”

  She couldn’t have chosen a worse time to come over.

  Willow places the menu on the table behind the napkin and condiments holder. “I’ll take a coke, please.”

  Tabby glances at me, writing down Willow’s order. “Would you like anything else?”

  Picking up the menu, I stick it behind the napkin holder. “I’ll take a refill. Thank you.”

  I’ve been skimping on all of my purchases to make my cash last as long as possible.

  She walks over to the drink machine, dispenses the soda, and picks up the coffee pot.

  My hands cover the sides of my face. “Who’s gone? What did Ivory do?”

  She leans forward, closing the space between us, and lowers her voice. “Lizzie, Marie, Freya, Beth, and Laura. What could she do? We’re still at a disadvantage. The good news is that the Grove Coven said they would assist us when we need them.”

  I interlace my fingers on the table top in front of me. “That’s good. They’re a powerful coven to have on our side. Any others? We have to take him down for good. We need all the firepower we can get.”

  Fire flashes in her gaze. “We haven’t heard from some of the others or they’ve said no. We’re running out of time.”

  I sigh. “I know. Give me a few days to wrap things up and I’ll head back.”

  She looks at me with worry. “We’ll figure something out.”

  That’s not what I’m worried about now. A certain professor flashes in my mind, and my chest tightens. He’s all wrong for me, but I can’t stop thinking about him.

  Looks like I won’t have much choice in the matter if things keep going the way they are.

  Willow lowers her head. “Is there any way we can change his mind? Some way that no one has to die in the end?”

  My gaze narrows on her. “He killed our people, Willow. What’s going on with you? Before I left, you were on board with the initial plan. What happened?”

  She avoids me. “Nothing happened. It’s just that he isn’t as bad a guy as everyone makes him out to be.”