Was I even allowed to be in here? I blinked as I looked up at the massive arch announcing entry.
“What are you doing, weirdo?” Honey stood there looking beyond gorgeous. Even after a long day, her hair was still perfectly styled. Even her clothes still looked perfectly pressed, whereas I was currently close to being mistaken for a vagrant.
“Uh,” I said eloquently. “Am I allowed to go into the shifter dorm?”
Honey’s brow rose. “Not without an escort.” Curiosity burned in her gaze. “Why?”
I’d already trusted Mannix and it looked like it was about to come back and burn me. I couldn’t trust Honey, could I?
She waited, crossing her arms over her chest. “Obviously you have a burning need to get inside here otherwise you wouldn’t be arguing with yourself inside of your head. What happened? Was one of the shifters mean to you?” Her eyes twinkled with amusement.
I didn’t have the heart to tell her about Brittney and the other girls today in class. Honey seemed nice. Too nice for a cheerleader. Even nicer for a shifter, if the other girls today were any indication of their personality type.
She tapped her foot. “I’m waiting. I don’t do anything out of the goodness of my heart. Tell me why, and tell me the truth, and I’ll escort you in.” Her eyes glittered. “Tell me a lie, and I’ll know.”
She would. Shifters could smell a lie coming at them a mile away.
The magic trailing me to where the letter originated beckoned as it pulsed softly against the floor. If I didn’t trust her, I wouldn’t get in. No one else was going to vouch for me.
“Fine,” I snapped. “I’m looking for someone who wrote me a letter. It was dropped in my room earlier and I have reasons to suspect ulterior motives.”
“Ooh,” Honey said. “Juicy.” She eyed me. “Tell you what. Let me come with you and I’ll escort you in.”
Annoyance filled me. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”
She shrugged, allowing one tanned shoulder to rise and fall. “It’s the deal now.”
I was pretty sure I knew where the letter originated from. If it came from where I thought it did, I’d have to deal with a devastating truth. I’d been used and lied to.
I studied Honey. Her face was guileless, an innocent facade but deviltry was in her eyes. I shouldn’t trust her, but maybe she was the only one I could trust. “Honor binding,” I said, “and you have a deal.”
Honey’s eyes widened to almost comical proportions. An honor binding was rarely used and when one was invoked, the secret usually involved something akin to state secrets. My secret wouldn’t bring down a government, but it would be bad news for anyone having my blood and possibly my adoptive parents, too.
She hesitated for only a moment. “Done,” she pronounced.
I held out my hand to grip, but she shook her head. “One caveat.” A sharp smile appeared on her pretty face. “You tell me everything.”
My hand dropped. An honor binding would prevent her from telling anyone my secret, but there could be ways around it. Dropping hints for one. Someone smart enough could figure it out if she really wanted them to.
The magic still pulsed against the floor, but the spell wouldn’t last forever. I cursed under my breath. “With a change in the wording of the Honor Binding, I’ll agree to your request.”
Wariness entered her eyes. “What wording?” The binding was strong but simple and had rarely, if ever, been altered. But I couldn’t risk anyone else finding out who I was.
“A geas against uttering any word or dropping any hint of what I’m about to tell you.” She would say no. It was in her best interest to say no. I didn’t know of a single magician who thought being bound by a geas was a good idea. Not only would it prevent her from speaking about anything I told her; it would also trigger a punishment if she violated the agreement.
Interest sparked in her expression. “Damn. This must be good.” She chewed on the side of her lip for a second. “How long will the geas last?”
She was considering it. What kind of psychopath was she? “Permanent,” I said. “I can’t risk anyone finding out about this.”
Honey slowly shook her head. “Permanent only until someone else finds out about it. When the secret is out in the open, the geas will dissolve. And the punishment?”
That was … fair. “But if you are the one to somehow divulge the secret, the geas will trigger. Your magic will be suspended”
Honey blanched. “That’s … insane. Though now I’m dying to know. You do know binding my magic will prevent me from shifting?”
I nodded. “I’m sorry. It’s that important.
Honey stared at me, her gaze searching my face before she shrugged. “Deal. You have no idea the deep, dark little secrets I’m hiding down in the depth of my cavernous heart.”
I stuck my hand out again and Honey grasped it, her grip strong and warm.
“By the laws of the Council, I strike an Honor Binding in exchange for assistance in entering the Shifter Dorm.” I looked around to make sure there were no witnesses. A few people milled around, but we were far enough away from them that we wouldn’t be overheard. “The information divulged will pertain to my identity. If at any time Honey divulges any of the information given to her in exchange for this favor, she will be stripped of her magic for a period of no less than two years.”
Honey blanched but didn’t let go of my hand. “Two years? Damn, Harmony. That’s harsh.”
“Necessary,” I repeated back. I gritted my teeth as the magic sank into our skin. Ancient runic letters sank into our forearm, leaving behind only a single matching mark on our wrists.
The deal was struck.
Honey took my arm and jerked me into the shifter dorm.
13
The air was cooler here, the light a little darker. Plants hung from the walls - ivies and small trees. Honey pulled me along, none too gently until she forced me into a small room decorated with a shocking amount of pink. She slammed the door behind her and put her hands on her hips.
“Now talk.”
I looked around and up at the ceiling. I pointed upward and shook my head. Honey laughed, a merry and bright sound. “There haven’t been cameras in this dorm for years. The shifters can smell them out and they tear down everything they find.” She shook her head. “We put up with it in the common areas, but not in our own rooms.” She wiggled her fingers at me. “Now tell me what was so important that I promised to give up my damn magic.”
I sat down on the edge of what could only be Honey’s bed - a pink and frothy monstrosity of a bedspread on top of it. “My name isn’t Harmony LeCharme,” I began.
Honey looked impatient. “Okay. A lot of us don’t go by our real names. So far, this isn’t worth what I paid for it.”
I glared at her even as I itched to get out of the room and follow the trail of magic pulsing just a few feet away. “My name is Luna.”
I waited for her to realize, but she merely snorted and rolled her eyes.
“Yeah and so is half the damn population here at this school. There was a Luna boom sometime around seventeen years ago.”
My eyes dropped to the hands I clasped in front of me. “My name is Luna,” I repeated. “Luna Rook.”
Silence fell like an anvil in the room. Honey’s face went chalk white. She slid boneless into a chair sitting beside her dresser. Her eyes were wide as her gaze roamed over my face. “You’re the lost heir.” A hysterical giggle burst from her. “Oh my gods. You … I can’t believe this. Everyone has been searching for you for years.”
“Then you can understand why I had to take the precautions I did.” A sour feeling crept into my stomach. I didn’t know if this was a good idea.
“Sure,” Honey agreed. “Who else knows?”
A snort escaped me. “Mannix does. He knew who I was before I got here. I guess he was part of the team that extracted me.:”
Honey’s brow furrowed. “Extracted?”
I nodded. “I was living as a
non-mage in Texas expending enough magic to alert the academy to my presence.”
She leaned back in her seat. “Mannix works with the Council sometimes.” Her eyes widened as she realized what that meant. “You think he betrayed you?” She shook her head. “Mannix wouldn’t do that. There must be some misunderstanding.”
“That’s why I’m here.” I stood up. “There’s a tracker spell on a letter left in my bedroom. I need to see where it came from.”
“Even if it came from him, it doesn’t mean he’s given your identity away.”
A sigh escaped me. “His father checked out my student record. He has to know.” Tears filled my eyes, but I blinked them away.
“Right.” Honey stood. “Then let’s go find out.” She opened the door and gestured for me to get out.
When we stood in the hallway, Honey waved her hand at me. “Lead the way. I’m not going to say anything until we’re there. I know everyone who lives here, so I’ll know right away who it is.”
I nodded and started following the trail of the silver magic.
A lot of curious stares followed us down the hallway before Honey snapped, “Take a picture!” Eyes slid away from us, but I could still feel the weight of the shifter’s attention. The path took us down several hallways of dorm rooms before it stopped in front of a small, nondescript door.
Room 322.
Honey’s lips pressed together, turning them into a white slash on her face.
“So it’s Mannix then?” I asked.
She nodded. “I still can’t believe this. Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know if he did,” I said. “I think his parents have been visiting him.”
At that, Honey straightened up to her full height and gave Mannix’s door a contemplative look. “Wouldn’t that be something? One of my best friends lying to me for the better part of a year.” Her lips curled in disgust. “I guess that’s what happens when your father is a Head Council member.”
I raised my hand to knock on the door.
Mannix opened, his hair disheveled and his eyes wide with surprise. “Er, Harmony?” There were questions burning in his gaze.
I was just about to open my mouth when Honey burst past me and shoved him in the chest. Her shifter strength made him stumble a couple of steps back until his legs hit the edge of the bed. He fell backward as Honey stepped into the room.
“You prick!” she said, her words a hiss in the quiet dorm.
I stepped in after her, shutting the door quietly behind me.
“Honey! What the hell?” He stared at her as if he didn’t know her.
“How could you sell her out?” She jabbed a finger back at me. I was surprised at her vehemence since we didn’t know each other that well, but then I realized it was more a question of loyalty than any warm feelings toward me.
He blinked, and I saw the moment realization washed over his face. Yes, you jerk. Busted.
"Why did your father check out my student record?" I asked, my voice low and steady. If I didn't concentrate on my emotions, I would start to cry. A Rook did her best never to show too much emotion.
Mannix blinked again. He was beginning to resemble an owl. "Um," he said.
Honey punched him in the arm and made a noise of disgust.
"Ow," he said, jerking his arm away. "Damn it, Honey. Give me a chance to explain."
She shook her head. "Then explain. We don't turn in students, Mannix. We all have secrets here. What were you thinking?"
Mannix ducked his head, his cheeks turning scarlet. At least he seemed to be ashamed. It wouldn't help me now that the cat seemed to be out of the bag, but at least he had at least a small moral code.
"I made the mistake of telling my dad my suspicions about who you were," he said after a moment.
A soft sigh of disbelief escaped me. "And when you caught me?"
"I told him who you were." He swallowed hard, refusing to look at me.
My gaze met Honey's. Disappointment was deep in their depths. She shook her head in disgust and plopped down on Mannix's bed.
"It was your family that sent me the care package," I said. It wasn't a question.
He nodded. "How did you find out?"
"The one good thing about being a Rook is few people understand how our magic works." I didn't offer any other details. I wasn't surprised Mannix had betrayed my confidence, but I was still upset about it.
"How long have you been able to see your parents, you little turncoat?" Honey glared at him. The expression on her face was positively thunderous.
He scratched the back of his neck. "Awhile," he mumbled.
"How long is a while?" Honey's eyes flashed in the dim light of his room.
"Close to a year," he admitted.
Honey shut her eyes briefly, then stood up. "I'm sorry. I'll wait outside for you. If I have to stay here any longer, I'll end up doing something I can't take back."
"Okay. I won't be long."
She slammed the door behind her, leaving only me and Mannix. The traitor. The boy with lips as soft as silk, but words covered with honeyed lies.
"I plan to keep everything in the package because I need it," I said. "But I won't be beholden to your family." He looked ashamed, but even that didn't diminish his physical looks. I rolled his name over and over in my head until something finally came to me. My mother had been adamant I know at least two languages, but she also made me study culture. "Wahya means wolf, doesn't it? Or something close to it."
He nodded.
"So you're a werewolf?" That didn't seem right.
"No. I'm a shapeshifter, though the wolf is my preferred form."
Another piece of the puzzle clicked into place. "So you can appear as anyone or anything." I snorted. "And so can your family."
He didn't answer.
"I hate that you pretended to be my friend. I hate it even more that you kissed me." Tears filled my eyes and I blinked them back. "I've never done anything to warrant what's happening to me. None of us can control the magic that chooses us. It's what we do with it that makes us who we are." I shook my head and turned to go to the door. "I think we know where you fall on that line."
"Harmony -" Mannix started to stand, but I shook my head once, sharp.
"Don't. I think it's best we stay away from each other." My hand hovered over the doorknob and I knew if I walked out, things would never be the same for us. It was for the best.
"What are you going to do about what happened in the library?" His gaze was concerned, but he didn't make another move to try to stop me from leaving.
"I can take care of myself. I'll figure it out." I opened the door.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry."
I turned and let me gaze rake over him one more time. I didn't have a lot of friends even when I was younger. When I was with the fosters, I'd made the best friend I ever had. Now she was gone and I was stuck here, in a reform school. Maybe I did belong here, but I could choose to make better, more trustworthy friends. "Yeah," I agreed. "Me too."
I let myself out of his room. Honey sat against the wall on the opposite side of the hall, her knees scrunched up to her chin. She gave me a dull look but stood. We walked for a little while in silence.
"I can't believe he sold you out," she said.
"Do you think his parents will tell anyone?" I said. It was the biggest worry I had.
A snort escaped her. "Please. They're sitting on a gold mine of info and they're magicians. Like any good magician worth their salt, they will at first try to control you."
A laugh escaped me.
"Then, if that doesn't work, they will try to blackmail you. If they don't succeed there, they'll threaten you with harm or your loved ones." She rolled her eyes. "That usually works."
"So I have some time is what you're saying."
Honey laughed long and loud. "That's exactly what I'm saying. Now, come on. We need to take care of some prom prep." She took my arm. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't believe I'm walking wi
th a known fugitive. How do you feel about that?"
"I'm only wanted because of my parents. Technically, I haven't broken a single law." That was kind of debatable, but I'd worry about that one later.
"My parents would be horrified if they knew we were friends." A wide, sharp smile spread across her face.
"I'm not sure I'd call us friends," I advised. "We're bound by a mutually beneficial oath."
Hurt flickered in her eyes. "Well, you're the only friend I have with a secret so large it could destroy all of us, and I'd rather have you as a friend than an enemy, so yes, let's go with friend."
"Okay then," I said and let her escort me out of the hall. Having a friend like Honey, especially one who would suffer pretty serious consequences for uttering the truth about me, could be beneficial.
I could use a friendship, even one that started off a little shaky.
14
Two weeks went by, most of them uneventful. The only thing to happen was another care package showed up, this time with another letter. More clothing was included, all of it modest enough to cover up my body art. A leather journal was also in the box along with a nice fountain pen.
I tossed the fountain pen in the trash. I didn't get people who used those. First, they took forever to write with. Second, I didn't know a single unpretentious person who used one. I did know, however, of certain magicians who used them to write in blood.
I didn't know what kind of freaky deaky nonsense Mannix's family was into, but I did know they weren't sorcerers.
Technically. Shapeshifters did possess magic, but I was under the assumption a lot of had to do with the earth. Still, I didn't want it. Technically, I didn't want anything his family sent me, even more so now that I knew they were trying to butter me up, but whoever was picking out the clothing knew high-quality threads.
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