“Heck no, Bethany’s got a mean tackle, wouldn’t want to piss her off by not calling her after a date. She’s all yours, dude,” Devon said with a grin.
James laughed. “Then I’m the going to steal her away,” he commented and swept me out of the common room.
Chapter 38
James
After leaving Bethany and Professor Singh to go to the nurse for a quick bite to eat, I headed to the vampire dorms. I knew they were headed there to check on those that had been affected by Sara De Abrew’s spell. I hoped Professor Corbett was cooperative with them.
As I reached the hallway leading to the dorms, I ran into Professor Singh, but Bethany wasn’t with her. “Hi, Professor, did Bethany head to her room?”
“James, no, she went to speak with Mira and the boys who were attacked in her math class. I imagine she is acting as a diplomat between Caroline and Dorian and them. They were very sorry for what happened, not that they had control over it.”
I grinned, that sounded like my girl. My girl. I liked the sound of that. I couldn’t wait to have her back in my arms. “Okay, thanks. I’ll go see if she needs some help being diplomatic.”
Professor Singh nodded. “Tell Professor Corbett that I am going to have Professor Zin give you all tomorrow and the weekend off. Classes will resume Monday.”
“You haven’t spoken to her yet about it?”
“No, but I doubt she’ll want to return to classes tomorrow after the mess of tonight. And most of the witches have been asleep for hours, so I can’t imagine any of them will be prepared for classes anyway.”
“True.” I nodded. “Well, goodnight, Professor, and thank you.”
She waved and continued on her way.
I opened the door and headed into the vampire wing. I knew Mira and the others would be in the common room on our floor, so I headed there. I paused just outside of the room as I noticed Noor hugging Bethany, tears streaking down her face. I didn’t want to disrupt what Bethany was doing. If anyone could mend the fences of distrust between the witches and vampires, it would be her.
I smiled as I watched the two of them teasing and cracking absurd jokes. I shook my head at them and then watched her approach Mira. I admired how gentle she was with her and smiled as they came to an understanding. From there she moved over to the pool table.
They boys were the ones I was more concerned with, but I held my spot, lurking and almost interfering until I heard Brad tell her that they all knew Caroline wasn’t at fault. Feeling relieved I decided to join her.
Bethany laughed, clearly happy. “So you all forgive her?” Her gaze traveled over them.
“Yeah,” Devon said with a nod and a glance at the others. “Tell her no hard feelings.”
“I will.”
“You will what?” I asked. I didn’t want her to realize that I had been spying on her, not that I thought she’d mind, but still. I wrapped an arm around her waist and looked at the guys at the pool table. I was friends with most of them. “You guys wouldn’t be hitting on my girl, now would you?” I joked, grinning at all of them.
“Heck no, Bethany’s got a mean tackle, wouldn’t want to piss her off by not calling her after a date. She’s all yours, dude,” Devon said, showing off his fangs when he grinned.
I laughed. “Then I’m going to steal her away.” I pulled her completely into my arms and using my vampiric speed, headed for my room. I hoped Cory wasn’t there, but even if he was, I’d kick him out.
Luckily when I pushed the door open, Cory was nowhere to be seen. I kicked the door shut and flopped down on my bed pulling her down with me, snuggling her into my arms.
“Why do I feel like it’s been years since I’ve snuggled with you?”
She giggled and wrapped her arms around me. “I don’t know. Maybe because this night feels like it has gone on for years?” she commented and then started laughing.
I grinned. “What’s so funny?”
She laughed some more, and even harder until tears where streaking down her cheeks. After about three minutes she calmed and wiped her face. “Earlier, when Professor Corbett said it was after midnight, I had been thinking that the night had passed so fast. But now, here, with you, I feel like it’s been forever since we did this too. Just struck me as funny.”
I grinned at her. “Yeah, I think you’re over tired and now you’re in the crazy, silly kind of mood that people get in when they haven’t slept in forever.” I rubbed my nose against hers.
She pursed her lips and kissed me. Just a gentle brush of her lips at first and then she melted into me, opening her mouth and I delved my tongue in to tangle with hers.
If I could, I would stay like that. Kissing Bethany forever and ever. She was everything I wanted, everything I needed. I never wanted to let her go.
She pulled back, a grin on her lips and she took a breath before once again pressing her lips to mine.
“My girl,” I murmured against her lips.
“Mmmm, yes,” she whispered against my lips, never even breaking contact.
“Stay?” I whispered.
“Yes,” she answered and pressed another kiss to my lips.
Chapter 39
Bethany
I spent almost the entire weekend in the vampire dorms. Not in James’ room, though I wanted to. Unfortunately, Cory came back around three a.m. and I had to spend the rest of the night in Jodie’s room. But the next morning, well, late morning by the time I actually woke up, I met up with James and we spent the whole day making out and watching movies. The rest of the weekend was pretty fun, too hanging out with Jodie, Fira, Mira and Noor during the day and the evenings with James. I didn’t get a lot of sleep though and finally had to return to my dorm room on Sunday night. Professor Corbett insisted.
“Think he’d noticed if I just stayed here?” James asked, pulling me close.
I giggled. “If he doesn’t, Professor Singh will.”
James sighed. “Fine.”
I grinned and lifted up on my toes to kiss him, my arms going around his neck as I buried my fingers in his thick hair. I loved his hair. It was so soft.
“I should go,” he murmured, pulling back from me.
I sighed and laid my head on his shoulder just enjoying the feeling of being enveloped in his arms. “I know.”
I wasn’t looking at him, but I could feel him smiling as he pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I’ll see you in Corbett’s class tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I breathed out, finally letting him go and moving from his arms.
“Goodnight, beautiful. Sweet dreams.”
“Night,” I said leaning against my doorframe watching him walk away from me. When I could no longer see him, I sighed and closed the door.
Feeling bereft from his company, I sank down in my desk chair and opened my text book for Corbett’s class, History of the Magical World. I couldn’t remember the last thing we’d talked about in there and thought I should refresh my memory. As I found the right chapter, my phone rang.
Looking at the screen, and hearing the ‘Your Mom is on the Phone’ ringtone, I sighed. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“Bethany, are you alright? We’ve been hearing from some of the other parents that there is some sort of infection going on at the Academy and they’ve cancelled classes. Do we need to come and get you?”
“No, Mom. I’m fine and the infection is over. A few of the vampires were bespelled. It was nothing, but the professors were being cautious until they figured out what was going on. Classes resume tomorrow.”
“Are you sure? Because Helen’s parents said she was attacked and I just don’t think that is a very safe environment—”
“Mom! Stop. Yes, Helen was injured, but she is fine now, well mostly. She is a bit scared of the vampires now, but she wasn’t mortally wounded. I am perfectly safe here. Really. The professors took care of it.”
“But—”
“How’s Dad?”
“Your father is fine, don’t change the
subject. Are you sure you’re okay? Are you still seeing that… James boy?”
I heard the hesitation in her voice as she ended that question. “Yes I’m fine, and yes, I am still seeing James.” I sighed. “How was book club?”
“We’re reading the new Clive Cussler novel, we meet next Friday to discuss. Now stop changing the subject, Bethany. I am very worried about that school.”
“Mom, I promise, we’re all fine. Would you like Professor Singh to call you?”
“Yes, yes I would like to talk to Professor Singh and discuss this. If she says that the school is safe, then… well, I will try to stop worrying.”
“Okay, Mom. I will ask her to call you. And you don’t have to worry. I’m fine.” I smiled. “Tell Daddy I said hello and I love him.”
“I will sweetie. Love you!”
“Love you, Mom. Bye.” I hung up and sighed.
Looking back at my textbook, I read over the chapter and then closed the book and grabbed my pajamas and toiletries and headed down the hall to the bathroom. As I was going in, Helen was coming out and I paused.
“Hi, Helen.”
She looked at me and hesitated before saying, “Hi.”
“How are you?” I asked softly.
She nodded. “Fine. I… I’ve got to go.” She pushed the rest of the way out the door and left me feeling depressed.
I hurried through my night-time ritual and then headed back to my room. Luci was waiting for me at my door.
Can I come in? she asked.
“Sure,” I said and opened the door. “What’s up?”
“Helen.” She didn’t say it using telepathy, but actually used her voice.
“Yeah.” I nodded, understanding now why she was here.
“It’s nobody’s fault, but seeing you… it just brings it all back for her.”
I sat down on my bed and Luci sat across from me on Helen’s old bed. “I get it.”
“She’s going to therapy, but I think it’s going to be a while before she is okay hanging out with you again. Let alone see any of the vampires. She knows Noor didn’t mean to hurt her. It just doesn’t matter. She’s terrified.”
“I’m glad she’s going to therapy. And I’ll do my best to steer clear for a while.”
Luci smiled. “Doesn’t mean we can’t still hang out.”
“Thanks.” I gave her a hug. “What about class tomorrow? I have Warding with her.”
“Yeah, she’s um, she’s getting her schedule changed. No classes with you or vampires for a while.” Luci looked away as she said this.
I reached out for her, bringing her gaze back to me. “It’s okay. I understand. And you don’t have to feel bad for telling me. I’m just glad you did. If I can help her by not being around her for a while, then that is what I’ll do.”
Luci nodded. “Her therapist says to just give her time. Eventually she’ll be encouraged to renew her friendships with you and the vampires. It’s just going to take some time.”
I nodded. “I hope we can repair it when the time comes. Not with me, I am always going to be here for her. I hope she knows that. But with the vampires. Noor is devastated that she hurt Helen. I don’t know if either one will ever be able to be around the other without remembering what happened.”
“If I could take their memories of it, I would,” Luci commented.
“Me too,” I said, thinking I would ask Professor Singh about it.
“I should go.” Luci stood up and headed for the door.
“Night,” I said with a smile.
Night. Her voice floated through my head as she opened the door and slipped out.
Chapter 40
Bethany
School had returned to normal, well, mostly. I didn’t have tutoring with Professor Ubel anymore, and in fact hadn’t even seen him in the last week. Professor Singh was now tutoring me and I was really enjoying it. She was much friendlier and easier to talk to. And I knew she wouldn’t direct me to hurt anyone. Even if they deserved it. Thinking about it, I realized I was much happier with the way things were going now. I felt comfortable and more like I was actually learning to hold my own in the magical world. I had more faith in myself.
“Hey, beautiful,” James said, slipping his arm around me.
“Hi,” I replied, grinning up at him as I headed toward the cafeteria. “What’s up?”
“Thought I’d ask if you want to go hang out in town tonight.” He smiled at me.
“Sure, I have practice with Singh after classes, but I’m free after that.”
“Okay. Meet me at the clock tower?” He grinned.
I nodded. “Sure,” I said, smiling as he leaned down and kissed my cheek.
“Gotta go, chemistry class calls,” he said jogging away.
Smiling, I watched him leave.
“Miss Welch?”
I stopped walking and turned around to see Professor Ubel. “Hello, Professor.”
He nodded. “I wanted to apologize for my behavior this semester. I have no idea what came over me, dear girl.”
I smiled tightly. “It’s fine, Professor,” I answered.
“I understand you are now tutoring under Professor Singh?”
“Yes, sir.” I nodded, wondering what he actually wanted.
“I don’t suppose you would consider coming back and working with me more? We do after all share similar gifts.”
I frowned. He might be apologizing, and he might truly be sorry for acting so strange, but I didn’t trust him anymore. And I didn’t fully believe he was innocent. I couldn’t outright call him on it either though. “I think right now, Professor, I need to see what Professor Singh can teach me. I do hope you understand?” I replied trying to be diplomatic.
“Yes, yes, of course. I do understand. Perhaps once things get back to normal around here you will feel more at ease and wish to continue our lessons,” he acknowledged.
“Maybe.” I smiled tightly. “Was there anything else, Professor? It’s just it’s my lunch hour, and I need to eat before my next class.” I looked over at the kitchen where the line was getting longer.
“Yes, of course, I will let you go then.” He nodded. “Have a good day, dear girl. And know that you can come to me if you need help in the future.”
“Thank you, Professor.” I moved away, toward the lunch line. I could feel his eyes on me the whole way. It was very uncomfortable. The whole interaction with him just seemed… wrong.
A shiver went up my spine and I turned to see him with his gaze still focused on me. I had a premonition that the rest of the semester wasn’t going to go as well as I’d thought when I’d woken up that morning. My gaze was drawn to the windows where dark clouds were stirring in the sky and a brilliant flash of lightning struck the ground in the courtyard.
I looked back at Professor Ubel and his eyes flashed black before he turned and left the hall.
* * *
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About Sophie Castle
Sophie Castle writes writing paranormal romance featuring vampires and witches and mingling them together in her stories.
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Also by Sophie Castle
Supernatural Academy
A Vampire Meets A Witch - Book 1
A Witch Against The Vampire - Book 2
A Witch’s Immunity - Book 3
A Witch Saves A Vampire - Book 4
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A Witch’s Immunity: Supernatural Academy - Book 3 Page 19
