I jumped and turned to him, my heart thundering. “I didn’t even hear you come in.”
His eyes widened.
“Do you need something?” I exclaimed.
“Just checking to see how things are going, and if you need anything.”
“Only for my pulse to return to normal.” I peeked back outside. “It looks like they’re fine, and I know Victoria’s in good hands.”
“Perhaps you should grade your papers.”
“You’re right. I also need to prepare for tomorrow. I hate winging it.”
Brick nodded and then left the room. I glanced outside one more time before settling into my chair with homework that needed correcting. I really needed to hire a teacher’s assistant. That had been most helpful when I taught high school math. Then I could focus more on Victoria.
It took twice as long to get through the sheets as usual because I kept checking on them. After what felt like forever, Victoria finally came into my office. I jumped up, knocking over papers, and wrapped my arms around her. “Did you two learn anything new?”
“Only that something is blocking me from shifting.”
Gessilyn peeked in. “It’s an actual spell, not a blessing or curse. So, that actually helps. I know which direction to aim for.”
“How could it be a blessing?” I asked. “There’s nothing good that can come from it.”
“Not unless the ones applying it see it as a positive thing, and I’m sure they do.”
I clenched my jaw. “Jerks.”
Victoria gave me a sad smile. Her eyes were bloodshot and she had dark bands under them.
“I should take you back home.”
She shook her head. “I drove, remember?”
“Then you should stay in the guest room.”
“If I don’t start sleeping in my own bed, my roommate is going to start asking questions. We’re supposed to fit in, and not raise questions, right?”
“Unfortunately.” I kissed the skin next to her ear and pressed kisses to her lips, longing for so much more. I cleared my throat. “Maybe going back to the Waldensian isn’t the worst idea.”
Soleil popped in. “I’ll drive her home. Maybe I’ll even crash on the floor.” She yawned. “Or would that be weird?”
Victoria shook her head. “Sasha’s had friends over. It’s fine.”
“Perfect.” Soleil pulled Victoria away from me and gave me a reassuring glance. “She couldn’t be in better hands. I’ll drain the life force out of anyone who tries anything.”
Chapter 5
Victoria
“What are we doing tonight?” I asked Toby, holding his gaze but wishing I could hold his hand. Holding back my affections at school made me crazy. I couldn’t wait for the weekend to finally begin. All week, I’d been focused on studying and projects. I just wanted some down time with him.
“About that…” His eyes widened and he gave me the same look he always did when he had bad news. I’d seen that expression many times in my lifetime. Lifetimes?
“What?” I asked, disappointment already washing through me.
“I have a poker game tonight.”
Soleil snorted. “You? I didn’t peg you as a gambling man.”
He made a face. “Why’s that so hard to believe?”
She shrugged. “You just don’t strike me as the type.”
“I’ve been teaching math for decades,” he said. “If anyone can take on some college professors at a game of poker, it’s me.”
“Don’t tell them that,” she said. “You look like you just graduated college yourself.”
“How long’s the game?” I asked. Maybe we could get some time in after.
“Sounds like it goes all night.” He caressed my cheek.
My face fell. “Why are you playing?”
He held my gaze, longing in his eyes. “Not because I’d rather be with them than you. It’s an exclusive game from the sounds of it, and I’m supposed to be honored by the invitation.”
“But what about everything going on with the pack? With me?” I hoped I didn’t sound whiny, but I hadn’t spent any time with him since the night Gessilyn had done her ritual out in the field next to Moonhaven.
“Awkward,” Soleil muttered. “I need to refill my drink.” She got up and scurried away.
“Well?” I asked Toby.
He leaned closer. “People are whispering rumors about Moonhaven—the pack. I need to do whatever I can to assuage their concerns. Playing a weekly poker game will make me look normal.”
“I see.”
He glanced around and then reached for my hand, and gave it a squeeze. “We’re already overwhelmed with problems. I don’t want to add the humans to our list.”
I played with my food, no longer hungry. “Well, I have homework, anyway. I’m going to be busy all day Saturday.”
“You are?”
“Remember? I’m going to Seattle with my roommate and some others girls.”
“Including yours truly.” Soleil returned and sat, sipping her drink.
“And Ziamara,” I added.
“Right. I have so much running through my mind, I forgot.” Toby turned to Soleil, looking relieved. “I’m glad you’re going with her.”
“I’m not helpless,” I reminded him. “Remember who saved you from the jaguars?”
“I know,” he said. “But until we figure out how to get you to shift, we need to be careful.”
“Will that help my aches?” I rubbed my neck.
He arched a brow. “You hurt still?”
“Not too bad, but yeah.” I rubbed a wrist. “Mostly my joints.”
He frowned. “I’ll find out if Gessilyn has made any progress. You should only have bone pain around the time of the full moon.”
“Tell that to my body.”
“Let me know if it gets any worse, okay?”
I nodded.
People got up from their tables and headed for the doors. The next class period was about to start.
“Looks like it’s time to get going,” Toby said. “Can I see you before you leave tomorrow?”
“We’re going pretty early,” Soleil said. “Breakfast on the ferry.”
He tapped the table. “I could always make a trip over there, too.”
Soleil arched a brow. “To hang out with a bunch of freshman girls?”
“Hmm, that wouldn’t look good, would it?” He turned to me. “Sunday?”
“When can I move in with the pack?” I asked. “I’m part of it, right?”
“Of course, but we need to keep up appearances. Poker games, living situations, classes—all of it.”
“Wouldn’t I be safer staying with you guys? Plus, we’d be able to see each other whenever we want.”
He shook his head. “Nobody is going to do anything to you with a bunch of humans around. You’re safe at school and in your home. And besides, Soleil is following you around like a lost puppy.”
“Hey.” Soleil glared at him. “Speaking of appearances,” Soleil stood. “We’d better go. Massaro’s going to fly off the handle if we’re two seconds late.”
Toby and I held each other’s gaze. It was obvious he didn’t want to be apart any more than I did.
“Come on,” Soleil urged. “You’re already on his list.”
I couldn’t pull myself from my spot.
Toby mouthed, “I love you.”
It took every ounce of my self-control not to run around the table and wrap my arms around him. Soleil tugged on my arm. I would take a lecture from Massaro in exchange for just a moment with Toby.
She yanked on me hard enough that I had to adjust my footing so I wouldn’t fall. “You’re going to make Toby late, too.”
“Okay, okay.”
We grabbed our trays, dropped them off, and headed for class.
Massaro called for everyone’s attention just as we ran through the door.
“Living life on the edge, I see.” Carter shook his head.
I slunk into the
seat next to him. “You know me.”
Massaro glared at us, but didn’t slow down his speech about the big presentation coming up—a project that would be worth nearly a quarter of our grade. I pulled out my computer and took notes, trying not to miss a detail—not with as meticulous and demanding as he was, and as Soleil had pointed out, he already had it out for me. She knew because I hadn’t stopped complaining about Massaro since the first time he’d picked on me.
After class, Carter followed Soleil and me out of the building. “I’m going to spend the weekend digging into my dad’s stuff.”
“Any idea what you’ll find?” Soleil asked.
He glanced at me. “Hopefully answers. Haven’t had any new memories surface?”
I shook my head. “I told you about the last one already. Maybe Yurika knows something.”
“She doesn’t. Ninety-nine percent of the staff just do what my father says without question. I gotta get to my next class. Call me if you remember anything.”
An idea struck me. “What if you work with the other one percent?”
“What do you mean?”
“The workers who don’t obey unquestioningly.”
He shook his head. “No, they would be the first to tell my father if they suspected anything.”
I arched a brow.
“They may give him a hard time, but it’s because he allows it. They’re his favorite.”
My face fell. “Oh.”
“We’ll think of something. Call me if you find anything.” He went the other way.
“Are you ready to party?” Soleil asked. “And by party, I mean shop.”
“That’s tomorrow,” I reminded her.
“I know. It’ll be so much fun to go into the city after hanging around here.”
“Can’t you go anytime you want?” I headed for my car.
“Sure, but wanting to and actually doing are two different things. I’ve found a place where I feel like I belong. Do you know how rare that happens? I’m happy here. Between your pack and Tap, I feel normal. Speaking of Tap, I’m suddenly in the mood for a strong rainbow drink.”
I shook my head. She would have those all day long if she could. “What about Valhalla? You don’t belong there?”
She laughed bitterly. “Hardly. It’s all business, and valkyries aren’t supposed to stop and have fun.”
“None at all?”
“In school, we could get detention just for cracking a smile.”
My mouth dropped. “Really? Wait. You had to go to school?”
“Death is serious business, and yeah. Years of school. Our headmaster would make Massaro cry. Daily.”
I turned to her. “Serious?”
“Serious as a final exam. I’m expected to take out a dictator, remember? It’s not child’s play.”
“Yeah, I guess not.” I remote unlocked the Bentley and hopped in. “You sure you won’t get in trouble spending time with us?”
“Nah. I have at least a decade before they even give me a second thought. I’ll have to have some progress by then.” Soleil climbed in the passenger side. “Where are we going?”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry, and then I need to go somewhere quiet to study. That means not Moonhaven or the Waldensian. What do you think? The library?” I started the engine and pulled out of the spot.
“Boring. Let’s go to the Faeble.”
“Right, because a bar full of supernaturals on a Friday night is going to be so quiet.”
She rolled her eyes. “We grab some drinks, find out if Tap’s heard any good gossip lately, then we hit one of his private rooms. He’ll give us any one we want.”
“You sure?”
“Of course. He loves me.” She grinned.
“Okay. I’ll go to the Waldensian first. Make sure everything is good with Sasha. Ziamara’s still coming, right?”
“I thought so. That’s what you told Toby at lunch.”
“Oh, right. But I never double-checked with her. What if she forgot?”
“I’ll give her a call while you talk to your roomie.”
“Thanks.” I pulled into the parking lot at the mansion. “So, you’re staying in here?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She pulled down the visor and checked her reflection in the mirror.
“I’ll hurry. I want to get as much studying done as I can tonight.” I grabbed my backpack and hurried inside.
Sasha sat on her bed, texting. She glanced up at me. “You ready for tomorrow?”
I threw my bag on the bed. “Yep. Just gotta get as much studying done as I can tonight.”
“You were serious about that?”
“Yeah. What are you planning? To study on the ferry?”
“You’re hilarious. I’ll have a cram session on Sunday. Pull an all-nighter if I have to. No way am I wasting a perfectly good Friday night on homework. There’s a huge party at one of the frat houses. It’s all hush-hush, so I don’t even know which one yet.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s supposed to be some ultimate, giant murder mystery party, but with lots of alcohol. Sure you don’t want to go?”
I stared at her.
“What?”
“You want a hangover for our shopping trip? And you do realize the ferry is a boat, right? You’ll get sick for sure.”
“I’m not getting plastered. Geez. Just going to have some fun—and it’s way more entertaining to watch everyone else have too much to drink.” She batted her lashes. “Sure you don’t want to come?”
“As entertaining as that sounds, I’d rather keep my grades up. Get some videos?”
“You know it. So, we’re supposed to catch the ten o’clock ferry, right? Ugh, that’s so early—especially for a Saturday. Was that your idea?”
“If we want to make it in time for lunch at the Space Needle.”
Sasha grabbed a sparkly, turquoise book bag. “I hope it’s worth it.”
“I hear the view is great.”
“It better be amazeballs if I’m going to be up that early.”
I laughed. “I’m sure it will be. You still planning on driving?”
“Yeah, the Highlander holds six.”
Soleil appeared in the doorway. “What’s taking you so long? I’m going to die of boredom out there.”
“We’re just discussing tomorrow. You’re cool with leaving so early?”
“I can sleep when I get old.” Soleil winked at me. If she wasn’t old now, I didn’t know when she would be. She had stories of hanging out at parties hosted by some of the earliest pharaohs.
“Yeah, I guess.” Sasha seemed to be considering the logic.
My phone buzzed. I checked the text.
Toby: Moonhaven. Now.
Victoria: What? Why?
Toby: DB
My mouth dropped.
“What?” Soleil exclaimed.
“H-hold on,” I said.
Victoria: Dead body??
Toby: Yes
Chapter 6
Toby
I stared at the partially-decomposed body Alex had dug up. A million questions ran through my mind. How long had it been there? Who had put it there? Why? What had led Alex to dig it up now?
The gray wolf plunked himself on the ground next to me. He could probably feel my anxiety, and with him being an unofficial part of the pack, I was his acting alpha. He felt responsible for my stress.
I reached down and rubbed his scruff. “What do you think this means?”
He let out a yelp.
“That good, huh?” I turned to Brick. “Where’s Gessilyn?”
“On the phone with her parents.”
My stomach twisted in knots. Gessilyn’s face had paled when she saw the body. She’d spun around and run back inside almost immediately.
“Can you go find out what’s going on?”
“Whatever you need, sir.” He rushed inside.
I held my head higher, listening for Victoria’s car. But the Bentley was so quiet, I probably wouldn’t hear anything until she
activated the gate to open.
Alex whined.
“What are you thinking this means?” I asked. If only we could communicate outright. It was so strange having a pack member who only turned human when the rest of us turned into wolves. So far, only Victoria had met him as a human.
Jet came over. “How long do you think it’s been there?”
“I’m hardly an expert in body decomposition, but I would assume that without a casket protecting it from the bugs and the soil, it would decay faster. On the other hand, a curse could keep it in the same shape for years. Basically, I have no idea.”
He leaned over and studied it. “That makes two of us.”
We could only see the head and shoulders—that was as much as Alex had unearthed before howling nonstop to get our attention.
The gate opened, and Victoria drove in with Soleil. They were practically attached at the hip these days, and I couldn’t have been happier—unless it was me spending all that time with her. She parked before the gate closed, and they both ran over.
“What happened?” Victoria threw her arms around me.
Soleil walked over and took a peek. “It wasn’t natural causes. I can assure you of that much.”
“How do you know?” Jet asked.
“Oh, I don’t know.” Soleil’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “I’m just an angel of death.”
Jet scowled. “What happened to him, then?”
“He asked too many annoying questions.”
“Whatever. If you can’t tell us, just say so.”
Her eyes widened and she shuddered, holding her arms tightly across her chest. “I sense dark magic—really bad stuff. It feels like it’s crawling all over my skin.”
“That explains why Gessilyn freaked out.” Jet moved closer to the body. “Why’s it here?”
Victoria clung to me all the tighter. “Should we call the police?”
I shuddered at the thought. “And give the humans more reason to distrust us? No, we’ll deal with this on our own. First, we’ll see what Gessilyn has to say. I might have to bring Tap into it.”
“Tap?” Victoria asked. “The bartender is supposed to help with this?”
Sal came over. “He’s much more than that.”
“He was once a king,” Soleil said.
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