Winter Term

by J. J. Krzemien

  “Why don’t you just shut up!” Brody’s voice boomed across the room. “You can’t help me. Don’t you get it?” He stormed out, leaving an offended, red-faced classmate behind.

  Lana’s gaze caught mine. “He’s been getting worse. Yesterday, I saw him snap at a second year who picked up a book he’d dropped. The guy was only trying to help.”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard some people have a really rough time with the Culling year,” I said. “Which is totally understandable,” I quickly added. If my childhood hadn’t been so traumatic and unstable, I wasn’t sure I’d be dealing with this place well either. I’d learned long ago to roll with crisis.

  Lana crossed her arms. “Well, I sink beneath that red line a lot, and I’m not a total bitch.”

  “Is that why you’re assisting Mr. Freemen for extra credit?”

  “Yeah. He was my teacher last term and didn’t seem to completely hate me, so I thought I’d give it a try. At least he’s not a total asshole all the time.”

  I very much doubted that but didn’t say anything.

  “The cool thing about the Culling Club though,” she continued, “is the club house. Have you been down there?”

  “Once, last term.” That was a night I’d sooner forget. It felt like ages ago that Aimes had tried to rape me at that party. It was before I knew what I was, that I could shift, when magic still affected me. I shuddered, recalling the muting spell he’d used to silence my screams.

  Lana seemed oblivious to my mood change. “We should go down there for dinner. It’s much less crowded than the cafeteria.”

  “I bet,” I muttered.

  She rolled her eyes. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”

  “I thought you had to assist Mr. Freeman right after class,” I said.

  “Only three nights a week.”

  Once class let out, we strolled across the field toward Sorrentino Hall. The club house was actually the basement of the building and only open to those students who were in the Culling. Which meant…Aimes and his friends could be down there. My stomach tightened. They’d backed down the last time I’d seen them, but that didn’t mean I wanted to face them again. Come to think of it, I hadn’t crossed paths with them in weeks. Which was fine with me. Hopefully, they weren’t harassing any other students. If they were, and I found out about it, I’d show them a little more of my dragon side.

  “Actually,” I turned to Lana, “there are some things I really need to do tonight. I’ll see you at lunch tomorrow though.”

  “Sure. You do you.” She waved and headed into the Hall.

  The conversation with the dean was weighing heavily on me. So were Montrell’s unfair judgements. I needed time and space to sort all of this out.

  I slipped a note, saying I wouldn’t be at dinner, under Jaxon’s door, then went to my dorm room. Luckily, the common room kitchen was reasonably well-stocked so I wouldn’t starve while holing up.

  First, I needed to get a grip on what the hell a dragon-shifter was, and I had just the book to do that. I grabbed the large volume that Isabella had gifted me for my birthday. There were several hours left before I needed to go to bed. Tomorrow I started as Mr. Sharpe’s assistant.

  Pushing all other thoughts and worries from my mind, I dove into the book. The first part covered material that I already knew: Fire breathing, resistance to magic, attracting wealth, and hoarding treasures. I blushed a bit while reading the section on taking multiple mates. What did Isabella think of me now? She had to suspect something was up with the guys—or at least Jaxon and Liam.

  Had she believed everything she’d read in this book? I’d told her about some of these abilities but not all of them. I was still hiding my resistance to magic. Did Isabella know I was not telling her about that? Maybe she thought I didn’t know about it yet.

  The book got more interesting. According to Professor Winslet, a dragon-shifter had the power of invisibility—which was way cool. I wondered how to make that work, as he didn’t go into detail on achieving it. I mentally tucked away that bit of information.

  Besides attracting wealth, certain gems were supposed to aid in amplifying a dragon’s powers. Rubys and diamonds were supposed to be the best. Either it was a coincidence, or my grandma did believe the book and was trying to help me.

  I set the book aside for a minute, while I retrieved the necklace Isabella had given me and the diamond bracelet from the guys. The best way to test out the book’s theory was to wear these every day.

  I clasped the necklace at the back of my neck, letting the ruby fall nearly to my breasts. The bracelet, I slipped on my left wrist, pulling my sweater sleeve down to hide it. The gold and silver jewelry against my skin made it tingle. There was power in both of them. I could feel it.

  I’d never owned anything as valuable as these. Wearing them made me both excited and nervous. What if something happened to one of them? In my mind, they were irreplaceable.

  The hours flew by as I read about breathing fire and my scales being like armor. A few chapters through the book, my eyelids started to droop. Time to sleep. I’d pick it up again tomorrow.

  I had a lot to try tomorrow. Would the gems amplify my power? And what power was that exactly? Could I become invisible? Control flame?

  12

  Caprice

  The next couple of weeks were a blur of early rising to help Mr. Sharpe with office work and run his errands, lunch with Lana, and skipping dinner to read that dragon book.

  Angel had been absent from the Academy for most of that time, though I didn’t keep exact track of his comings and goings. I was beginning to wonder if he was ever going to talk to me again.

  In shifter class, I tried to channel the gems’ energy to bolster my own, but I wasn’t sure it was working. I switched my attention to my other test. For the umpteenth time, I focused on turning invisible while standing in front of the mirror. Sure it might freak my classmates out, but it would also be way cool.

  I opened my eyes, staring at my reflection. Damn. There had to be a trick to this. Or else it was a myth.

  “What are you doing?” Lana asked, her head morphed into a tiger’s. Striped fur covered her face and hands. Sharp, black claws tipped her fingers, reminding me of my own talons. She was like a furry version of me in some ways.

  “Trying to turn invisible,” I said in a low voice, not wanting to be overheard.

  “Seriously?” Lana shifted back to human form. “You can do that?”

  “Well, no. But I’m supposed to be able to.” I refocused on the mirror. “There must be some trick to it.”

  “Hm…” Lana watched my reflection, “is it full on invisible or more like camouflage?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, are you supposed to be totally gone from view or do you just blend in with your surroundings?”

  “Huh, I don’t know.”

  “Well, if it’s camouflage, and you’re staring at yourself in the mirror, maybe it is working, but you’re blending in with yourself.” Her brow knit. “Does that make any sense?”

  “Actually, it totally does. I need a different backdrop.” I turned to her. “Don’t tell anyone I’m trying this, okay?”

  “Sure. Just let me know when you can do it. I wanna see.” She grinned, baring feline teeth.

  “Deal.” I smiled back at her.

  When class ended, we walked through the door together. Brody bumped my shoulder as he hastily left the room. He didn’t acknowledge me in any way.

  “Hey! Dude!” I called after him. He didn’t so much as glance back. “What’s his problem?”

  Lana sighed. “No idea. Are we doing dinner or are you running off to the library again—or wherever you go.”

  “I do need to run off again.” I gave her a guilty look. “See you tomorrow.”

  I’d spent last Saturday with Jaxon, which had been a pleasant break from my hectic school schedule. With being an aid to Mr. Sharpe in the mornings, my classes, studying for mid-terms, reading the dragon boo
k, testing out theories, and researching my Physiology final, I was too exhausted to have dinner with the guys.

  Tonight I wanted to curl up in bed and read, but I needed to go to the library as my research had fallen behind—again.

  Regina Chang was at the library desk when I entered. She handed me the pass card to the Obscura Room with a friendly smile. Was she friendly to me because I might be on the Council with her one day? Lana thought she was a snob. So far, I hadn’t seen her in that light.

  At the top of the flight of stairs, I inserted the pass card into the middle of the wall. The massive stone slid in half. As soon as I walked into the hidden library, I was hit with that tingling sensation I’d experienced here every time before. The first time, it had hit me when I’d approached the far wall. Now I noticed it as soon as I entered. What was it, and where was it coming from?

  I approached the back wall, running a hand over the texts on the shelf, but none of them pinpointed that feeling. For the hell of it, I shifted. Maybe my dragon form would sense something more specific.

  Slowly, I walked that aisle once more. There was a stronger pull to the left side, but I still couldn’t determine what was drawing my attention. I didn’t have time for this either. Morphing back, I sought out the books on mutated genetics and started taking notes.

  I had about thirty minutes between leaving Mr. Sharpe’s office and needing to be in Physiology class. Just enough time to answer Jaxon’s note from earlier. It had said to stop by his office, so I headed to Academy Hall.

  Mid-February weather was cold and clear. The stars shone brightly overhead, illuminating the campus. It was a welcome change from the endless cloud-covered nights and rain.

  The inside of the building was only slightly warmer. I strode to his office and knocked, wondering what he wanted to see me about. To my surprise, Liam opened the door.

  “Hey there,” he said softly. My heart fluttered at the tone of his voice. Not having dinner with the guys regularly was taking its toll. I missed Liam so much.

  “Hey,” I said, stepping past him, while trailing a hand along his warm chest. “Jaxon sent a note. He wanted—”

  Liam held out a bouquet of white roses. I blinked, trying to wrap my brain around the gesture. He chuckled at my blank expression.

  “It’s Valentine’s Day, sweetheart,” he said, leaning close enough that his breath warmed my skin.

  “Oh? Oh!” I had totally lost track of my days. Taking the flowers, I stretched up to give Liam a kiss. “Thank you. These are beautiful. I totally forgot.”

  Behind him, Jaxon was sprawled on the loveseat. “Hey, cupcake,” he said, straightening up. “Why don’t you come over here and see what I have for you.”

  I arched a brow at that, smiling. One of his hands darted out, snatching me up so fast I let out a squeak. He pulled me down to the sofa, cradling me in his strong arms. Jaxon’s lips pressed against mine, hot and demanding. I kissed him back with everything I had, knowing this moment would end too soon.

  When he finally came up for air, my head spun in a most delightful way. He settled me on the couch beside him. Liam leaned against the desk near us.

  “He got you the flowers,” Jaxon said, “so I had to get you the chocolate.” He produced a square red box tied with a white bow.

  I laughed, taking it. “You two are so sweet.”

  Liam didn’t cringe this time at my calling him sweet. He beamed back at me, surely sensing my happy emotions. “We know you don’t have a lot of time for us today, but I hope this makes your day a little better,” he said.

  Jaxon nodded. “You’d better get going. Don’t want to make you late for your first class.”

  Right. I had to deal with Montrell in a few minutes.

  Jaxon’s jaw worked, and I knew he was thinking about Montrell’s opinion of me. I had told both Liam and Jaxon about that incident. None of us could think of anything to do, except what I was already doing—working harder and getting extra credit where I could.

  I stood, holding the flowers in one hand with the box tucked under my arm. “Thanks, guys. This means a lot to me.” A tinge of sadness pieced my chest. Angel wasn’t here. I was really missing his large presence and that animal connection that we had.

  “I should go,” I said, letting myself out. Liam and Jaxon waved goodbye.

  I turned toward the exit. A bolt of magic hit my back, freezing me in place. What the fuck? I mentally willed my body to move, but I couldn’t even blink.

  The solid clip-clop of shoes approached, coming around in front of me. Ms. Duinn gazed into my unresponsive face. “Finally, proof that you’ve been up to no good with those boys.” With a flick of her wand she made me hover a few inches above the stone floor. “You’re coming with me to see the dean.”

  Jaxon’s office door burst open. “What are you doing?” he demanded. Liam followed him out, his eyes narrowed at Ms. Duinn. She’d already put May through hell, now she was trying to make trouble for us.

  She clucked her tongue. “You three are in big trouble. Did you really think no one would notice you sneaking around?” She pointed her wand at them. “I was there too, you know, when King Sebastian claimed her. He told you boys to keep your hands off. What do you think he’ll make of this?” She gestured at the flowers.

  Jaxon glowered at her. “You won’t tell him.”

  “Won’t I?” She cocked her head to one side. “Maybe he’ll give me a reward for my loyalty.”

  In a flash, Jaxon had his wand out. A bluish bubble encased the three of us. A second later, the spell released and I dropped to the floor. I lost hold of the flowers and box.

  Liam crouched down beside me. “Are you hurt?”

  I shook my head, standing up on wobbly legs. Liam offered his hand to steady me and I took it.

  Ms. Duinn cast a spell at us, but it bounced off the translucent energy that Jaxon had manifested. “You can’t hide in there forever, boy,” she said, sneering.

  Jaxon shoved me and Liam behind him. “I have no plans to hide.”

  Liam unfurled his red-orange wings, clutching me against his body. Jaxon let the blue shield fall at the same time he cast a spell at Ms. Duinn, distracting her. Liam lifted us into the air, flying with an incredible speed along the hallway.

  “What are you doing?” I protested. “Let me shift. Her spells can’t hurt me, remember?”

  “And we do not want her to know about that.” He flew us through the door and turned toward the Dean’s Hall. In the darkness outside, his wings were a blur of light behind his head.

  Frustration gripped my gut. For once I could protect myself, but the chance was taken from me. What use were all of my dragon abilities if I couldn’t use any of them at a time like this?

  “I know you’re angry about it,” Liam said, landing at the doors to the Hall, “but trust me. Someday soon you probably will have to use your powers. But for now, let me rescue you one last time.”

  I sighed. “Why are we here?”

  “We’re going to the dean.” He took my hand, pulling me into the building. “We’re going to tell her everything before Ms. Duinn can.”

  My heart sank. This wasn’t a good plan. How would Dean Wright react to us blatantly disregarding the Tromara’s orders?

  In the end, she wasn’t happy about it—at all.

  Dean Wright slouched her tall frame behind her desk, head in her hands. “You guys were trouble when you were students, why did I think it would be different now that you’re teachers?” she muttered.

  Liam, Jaxon, and I stood before her, waiting.

  “You have a lot of faith in the Council Queen, if you think she has something greater to offer the King than a dragon-shifter.” Dean Wright lifted her head to gaze at us. “I wish you’d all waited until that matter was settled. But, the time for that has come and gone.” She shook her head. “I won’t tell King Sebastian about any of this. We don’t need another war with the Tromara.”

  “What about Ms. Duinn?” Jaxon asked. I was still
unclear of how he’d gotten away from her. Maybe he’d teleported. He’d done that several times last term, and it would explain how he arrived here as we were entering the dean’s office.

  The dean sighed, dropping her hands to her desk. “I’ll deal with her. But, I need this to end between you…three. At least until the matter of Miss Sorrentino’s future is resolved. No spending time alone. Actually, just keep a good distance from each other. Understood?”

  “Yes,” I said, the word echoed by Jaxon and Liam.

  “You may go,” the dean said, gazing straight at me. “You two stay. I want to speak with you.”

  I darted out of her office, feeling like my whole world had fallen apart. Hot tears stung my eyes. I’d been working so hard on getting out of the Culling that I’d neglected the guys. Now who knew how long it would be before I could spend time with them again. Maybe never. The sting of regret brought more tears.

  I wanted to wait for them, but the dean had made it very clear she wouldn’t like that, so I headed for the exit. What did she want to talk with them about?

  Stepping outside, I paused, unsure of where I wanted to go. Physiology had started at least a half hour ago, and there was no point in showing up late for that class. No, I needed someone to talk to. Someone who’d understand.

  I arrived at May’s office, but she wasn’t there. Frustration made my eyes sting again. I wiped angrily at my cheeks. Drawing in a couple of deep breaths, I tried to calm down. I couldn’t let my studies slide just because I was having a horrible night.

  By the time I retrieved my backpack and calmed down enough to stop crying, it was time for Math. We had a pop quiz, and for once I was grateful for it because I didn’t have to pay that much attention to anything else.

  At lunchtime, I found Lana at our usual table in the cafeteria. I set my tray down and dug into the mac and cheese.

  Lana leaned forward, keeping her voice low she asked, “Do you want to try that invisibility thing again today? We could take part of the lunch hour and go to the woods.”