by Tamara White
I sigh and move into his arms. “I know you wish to help but you can’t. You’re bound to help the council. I don’t know how you’ve managed to avoid mentioning me for this long, but our luck is bound to run out sooner or later. I’d rather the council think you were one hundred percent on their side, so you don’t get hurt.” I press a soft kiss to his lips before backing out of his embrace. “Now, you really should go. I imagine it won’t take long for Drake to realize I’m not in an abandoned town halfway across the world.”
He stares at me a moment like he wants to argue but finally, he sighs defeated. He can’t convince me otherwise and he knows it. So it’s time for him to leave.
As he crosses the threshold and strolls out into the street, his phone dings. He pauses to pull it out and read whatever alert or message he got before stuffing the cell back into his pocket with a resigned sigh.
When he turns back, the foreboding expression tells me precisely what he’s going to say before the words leave his mouth.
“Drake knows you’re not across the country. He’ll be in town tomorrow.”
I nod, knowing it was only a matter of time before he caught my trail. “It’s okay, J. I’ll pack tonight and be gone before sunup.”
He exhales loudly, frustration clear in his eyes. “I really hate that the two of you are being this stubborn, but I’ll do my best to keep him as far from the school as I can. You need to lay low though. It’s only a matter of time before he realizes you’re the vigilante nicknamed the Midnight Guardian, babe. And once he knows you’re the one stalking the night like a vigilante, he’ll be on you faster than you can say wolf.” He shakes his head sadly at my lack of concern. “Keep in mind, Iz, there’s a reason the council has always favored him.”
I know he means that. Drake used to say he was there because they believed that only he could tame me since I’d gone feral upon my first shift, but it was a combination of him and J that brought me back from the brink. I was intrigued by their tenacity.
“Stay safe, babe.” He offers me a gloomy smile and disappears into the night.
As I watch him fade into the darkness, I build the wall back up around my heart. I will always love him, but his oath is not to me. And until it is, I need to put myself first.
Chapter Two
Isobel
My heart races, not with fear but hope, as I stare at the grounds of my new soon to be home. I can’t help feeling excited that I might finally find the answers I’ve been looking for since I was first turned.
I’ve asked Jordan and Drake many times in the past what exactly made me different and why we couldn’t tell the council of some of my particular abilities. All they would tell me is they were sworn to secrecy and that I had to find the answers on my own. It wasn’t until after I had left the council compound that I discovered it was the council they were bound too.
It never used to worry me, but the moment I left, I knew I wanted full disclosure. I wanted to find out why I’m different from any other supernatural they had come across. Even I started to realize how different I was. No other among the supes at the compound could shift into more than one form. It was only me, but I couldn’t exactly ask anyone without revealing my secret. Hopefully, now I would get those answers.
I tighten the strap on my backpack before grabbing my duffle in a tight hold. The bag over my shoulder only contains a spare change of clothes, cash, and the fake documents I need to go from place to place without detection. But the duffle holds clothes, a few of my most prized possessions, and my weapons.
I take quick steps from the bus stop to the wide open and welcoming iron gates. The moment I pass the iron gateway of Midnight Society, my whole body tingles as power rushes through me. The urge to take that power and use it is in my mind for a millisecond before I force it back out.
It’s something I’ve learned in the past six months when on the run. I’ve met a few witches who explained that not all of them are born bad, just that the power behind their ability is very addicting and dangerous. Most witches who are labeled as evil are only given that tag because they have given in to the power and used death magics, otherwise known as blood magic. Most witches though are born light without ever having to resort to such dark ways but for me, it’s harder to control than an average witch seeing as I deal in death almost daily. It’s yet another reason why I need to know what I am.
I shake off the remnants of power and walk slowly into the safety of Midnight Society. The grounds themselves remind me so much of the council’s headquarters, with their creepy ass gates and brick wall that surrounds the entire place, but the people conversing freely on the lawn with happy tones changes the whole eerie vibe I was getting.
As I tread the cobbled path, studying the grounds and the perimeter wall, I notice there are more than just one set of gates interspersed along the barrier, so it’s not as confining as it was at first glance. There are many ways to leave if one wishes to.
A pent-up breath leaves me at the openness this place offers me. It’s more welcoming than the council could ever be. Sure, the main house above ground was pretty freeing, but once you got underground, you knew there was no way to escape. Concrete walls kept everything confined, so much so that when I finally left, it took me a while to adjust. Which is why I refuse to go back.
After Jordan departed last night, I spent four hours hacking into the mainframe at Midnight Society and inserting fake records of enrollment into the school’s system, along with siphoning funds from the council’s black accounts through multiple channels and into an untraceable account I’ve set up for myself. Not to mention the funds I added to my account that goes onto this handy ID card they give you at the administration office.
Despite my assumptions, the Midnight Society mainframe was a lot trickier to get around than I first thought. There was a fair amount of dummy walls to get through without tripping up their warning systems. It made me curious as to how many people had tried to hack their way into the system before me.
Once I planted myself in the system, I had to create a bunch of fake records for the school in case they ever looked into my file. The forms required a ton of information that I had to throw together and hope it made sense. Where it needed my supernatural race, I simply put shifter since it was the most likely part of myself that would reveal itself in anger. And as for the date I was turned, I chose the day I left the council. I knew I couldn’t leave anything unanswered without drawing suspicion to myself, but some of the questions were strange and I had to wing it and hope the answers made sense. Though it was nothing compared to the questions asked of those who were born shifters and not turned.
For instance, it asked if the born shifter had any pre-existing abilities, if they had visited a witch priestess, whether they had any cravings such as blood, fresh meat, dead meat, and sweet syrups along with other strange things that I really had no clue about. While I wanted to delve deeper into the life of a born supe and why they could crave syrup, I was limited on time.
With the warning of Drake’s arrival following me, I had to clean up my trail and get the hell out of Denver before he came looking. He won’t expect me to be only a twelve-hour drive away. It’s how I’ve managed to stay hidden as well as I have. By only leaving a state or two between my trips. He would expect me to run as far and fast as I can, but I’ve learned the way he thinks. I think only Jordan has caught on to my pattern of moving.
Now I’m here, staring at a building I would have killed to visit before I was turned. It’s such a beautiful piece of architecture and must hold some interesting history behind it. But rather than visit it and enjoy its beauty, I feel a sense of resentment that I’m forced to attend out of necessity in my quest for answers.
When I tried to look for Midnight Society and its grounds online, I couldn’t find any trace of it in Las Vegas at all. I came to the conclusion that the property and the buildings were hidden from humans. Which I guess is understandable, based on how unusually shaped it is. It would proba
bly draw unwanted attention if it wasn’t warded.
Against my better judgment, I let the witch side of me reach out and get a feel for the magic that cloaks this place. It’s unbelievably powerful considering it’s a teaching establishment and not a council headquarters. Even the magic over their compound wasn’t this strong. I may be a novice in magic, having only recently started exploring the full extent of my powers, but there are some things witches have taught and shown me along the way.
I slowly walk the path in the school, my eyes barely taking in the other people around me as I feel the intent behind the wards. It was one of my first lessons ever taught to me by the witches I visited with.
Some days it feels strange looking back on my journey over the past two years. Even after I was turned, it was hard for me to believe I was what Drake and Jordan said. That I was some mythical creature who could change shape.
They both mentioned this school to me, but I was quick to shut down any mention of leaving them. I had already lost my family and was in a new frightening world. I didn’t want to be thrown in with other supes and risk harming someone when I could barely control myself.
Now, as my gaze travels around to the many people who are all mingling about on the manicured green lawn like they’re attending a garden party, I have to wonder if my life would have been different if I had of let them convince me to take that step instead. I mean, there’s no set school term, you simply show up and go to the required classes to give you basic knowledge over the supernatural world. Every three months is an assessment where you show your knowledge and are tested on your supernatural ability to ensure you’re able to be out in the world. Which I don’t get at all. There’s no graduation, no diploma, nothing to say you’re able to be out with the human populous. This school’s existence is just plain confusing to me.
As I walk past other students, I feel their fear rise in the air. So many people are between me and my destination, but I don’t stop. I know the effect I have on people, and I don’t give them the warm and fuzzies, that’s for sure, so keeping my head down and shouldering on is my only option.
Compared to each of these supernaturals, I’m unique, different in ways even the council doesn’t understand. I’m the Supreme Alpha, but unlike any others before me, I have the attributes of many supernaturals. And with each species that has shown itself, I’ve become more powerful than even the witches could believe.
Many people stop mid-conversation when I pass, turning to ogle me, confused by their natural fear. They tremble ever so slightly, unable to hide their body’s natural reactions at the presence of their leader.
Most of the powerful supes are strong enough to hide their instinctual response to me, but the weaker people are unable to fight their visceral reaction to my energy.
The first few months after I turned, I tried to pretend it wasn’t just me causing such a response, but with each supernatural ability I gained, I knew I was just being naive.
Drake and Jordan helped me understand that the source of my power automatically made supes fear me. Even if my scent doesn’t distinguish what I am, other than supernatural, my otherworldly energy ignites their most basic instinct for them to tremble in my presence.
The fear in the air always leaves me giddy, something I used to worry would turn me into a monster, but now I know different. I am a monster. I simply choose to embrace it rather than fear it.
I’m tempted to stop and shout “Boo,” just to see who scatters away like a scared little mouse, but I withhold the urge. While most of the submissive beings will steer clear of me, the more dominant supes will get angry at the unease they feel in my company. Some of them will act on it and try to take me out, deeming me as a threat. Scaring them will just agitate them more.
They’re automatically suspicious of me because I don’t have a distinguishable scent. It’s only that of a supernatural, though some people say that they scent shifter, but not a specific species.
Sometimes, I still can’t believe this is my life now. My existence used to be pretty standard, and I never had to worry about the supernatural world. I could remain ignorant of the creatures that went bump in the night, but now I’m the dangerous one. I’m the thing that makes the monsters scared.
I ignore all the stares and mutters, making my way straight to the building that houses our classes, the library, and the cafeteria. Turning my thoughts inward, partially to help me avoid the lingering gazes, I consider everything I learned about Midnight Society. On the online pamphlet, the picture of the school is set out in what I could only describe as a three-pointed star, with flat edges rather than points. I know from the brochure that it contains two levels, but it doesn’t exactly have pictures of the inside.
From the information provided, the first level holds classrooms, the library, and the gymnasium, along with the administration office which rests in the middle of the building.
The second level holds the cafeteria, more classrooms, and empty rooms meant for one-on-one training and exams. There’s no headmaster’s office, if you are to be disciplined, each teacher has that authority. The people who run the school are only called on in special cases, and they use one of the spare rooms on the second level for disciplinary actions.
Their power is equal amongst each other, no one able to out rule another, which is something the Council of Elders should do, but there is a very obvious power difference between them. It’s clear, even to me, that Elder Jebediah is the one in charge of the council, and his rulings are always final.
Clearing my head of all thoughts of the council, I head straight into the building, eager to start this new chapter of my life.
The halls within the large structure are absolutely amazing, and it takes everything in me to not just wander off and explore the building. Instead, I head straight down the hall to the administration office that sits front and center.
The moment I open the door, though, I have to suck in a breath in an effort to stop the assault of scents on my poor nose. How is it worse in here than it is in a hall that’s traversed daily?
I try to hold back my groan of frustration as the glass door slams shut behind me, trembling loudly in its frame. So much for not drawing any attention to myself.
Everyone in the room has stopped what they’re doing to stare at me. I nervously run my hand over my hair, ensuring it’s still covering the scarred side of my face, hiding the hideousness from the room. I don’t want whispers about me on my first day here. I know sooner or later rumors will spread because that’s just the nature of people in general, to gossip about things they don’t understand. But I would at least like a day to settle into this new life before I’m confronted with the many questions the scars are sure to bring.
I stand in line, curiously taking in my surroundings as I do my best to distract myself from the many different scents overwhelming me. Otherwise, it feels like shoving my nostrils up into someone’s personal business when I walk into a room. My sense of smell is just that good.
People return to their tasks, whether it be getting ID cards or submitting paperwork just like you would at college. A couple of individuals continue to flick their gazes my way before hurriedly turning away as if embarrassed to be caught staring. I simply ignore them and wait.
After twenty minutes of waiting in line behind others, it’s finally my turn.
“Next,” the girl behind the window calls out in a bored tone.
I plaster a smile on my face and step up to her window. “Hi, I’m Isobel Carter.” I try to let the name flow smoothly from my tongue, but it’s hard. My real last name is Walker, but I knew if I put my actual name in the system, the council would have no problem looking me up. So as a tribute to Mrs. Carter, I took her last name as my own, though I kept my first name simply because I’m not that good of an actress.
I considered registering under my middle name of Rose, but thought for sure I wouldn’t respond to anything other than my name. I did, however, change the spelling of my name in the sys
tem just in case. Rather than Isobel, it’s in the records as Isabelle, and I left my middle name off the records completely, just in case.
“I filled out all the required forms online. I just need to get my dorm assignment and ID to access the rooms, library, and cafeteria.” I do my best to emit nothing but happiness, but sometimes it’s hard to pretend to be happy when you’re strung tight.
If I could, I would just steal an ID card and break into the library when everyone is busy and take the books I need, but I have no clue which ones they are yet.
The scent of Fae surrounds me when I breathe in, and I realize the petite brunette behind the glass window must be one of the mythical creatures.
She nods absentmindedly before her eyes come up to mine. She sucks in a breath the moment her gaze settles on my face, immediately noticing the harsh lines on my cheek. Her gray eyes blink rapidly as she tries to meet my gaze. She turns away quickly, unable to meet my stare, and enters my name into the computer system.
Thankfully, the ID system they use here doesn’t require photos. Otherwise, my identity would have been revealed to the council before I ever freaking arrived.
I expect the girl behind the desk to ask me questions or make small talk of some kind, but she doesn’t, remaining solely fixed on her task.
While I wait, I study all the posters on the back wall. They remind me of the signs you would see in a doctor’s office. Things that talk about the risk of sharing saliva with humans and turning them into a supe. The dangers of vampires giving a human a hickey and infecting them with their venom and so many other possible scenarios and outcomes.
Then, there are political ones saying each species should be ruled separately, but one sign, in particular, catches my interest. Sign the petition. We should hide from the humans no longer.
