Academy of Beasts XXXIII

by Becca Fanning

  Letting out a frustrated sigh, I stopped and reached for his arm. "Ren stop."

  He spun around, still wearing an unreadable mask. "What is it?" His eyes swept the garden, already looking for a threat.

  "What are we doing?"

  He blinked. "Walking to your first class…"

  Gritting my teeth, I inhaled and gathered my patience. "I mean, what are you doing? You've barely said a word to me."

  "I'm giving you what you want."

  "What I want is for you to stop treating me with indifference."

  He looked skyward, and air audibly rushed from his lungs. When he looked at me, his blue eyes burned with annoyance. "Christ, Fiona, make up your mind, will you? Treat you like a teammate or treat you like my girlfriend. Which one?"

  "Both," I waved my hands in frustration. "Both. Okay?"

  "What?"

  "I need you to learn how to read the room. Know when to treat me like your colleague and when to treat me like your lover."

  When he just stared at me with a frustratingly straight face, I huffed. "I need you to stop being possessive and overprotective when it comes to council matters."

  His arms folded defiantly. "Can't help myself when it comes to you. If I feel uncomfortable with you being in danger, I'm saying something."

  "Well then, make suggestions. Don't tell me what I should or shouldn't do. I hate it when you guys do that in a work situation. We're all supposed to be equal members. My safety doesn't come before any of yours when we're out there in the field. I expect to take the same risks as you, Dracus, Jasper, Theo and Enrique. I'm a Core Council member too."

  His jaw clenched, and he shoved a hand through his hair. It seemed I was making my point, and he was considering.

  "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have snapped at you in front of the others. That was wrong and I'm owning up to it. If I had a problem with the way you were treating me, I should have addressed it in private. I was just angry, and I acted on the emotion. Forgive me." I stuck out my lower lip and gazed at him beseechingly.

  His low groan almost brought out my satisfied smile, but I shoved it down. I was so forgiven. No way could he resist the pout. "Of course, I forgive you. I wasn't angry with you. I really was just trying to tread lightly. Give you what you asked for. I was treating you like I would the others."

  Still pouting, I rested my palms on his chest. "I didn't say I wanted you to treat me like that when we're alone."

  "Well, next time be more specific," he grumbled, eyeing me with a hint of annoyance but with great affection. "You're a pain in my ass sometimes, you know that?"

  "I know."

  "You all are. All of my teammates are royal pains in my ass."

  His declaration makes me snicker. "But you love us, anyway." He grimaced. "Don't even try to deny it."

  Ren rolled his eyes, but a smile played on his lips. "Are we done with the touchy feely stuff? I'm getting antsy."

  "No, we're not done. There's still more touching and feeling to be done." Tuning my face upward, I waited expectantly.

  Smirking, Ren lowered his head until our mouths were closed. "Don't tell anyone that you have me wrapped around your finger. It'll ruin my rough and tough rep."

  Giggling, I promised, "It's our little secret." Our lips met, and for a moment, it felt like all was right with the world. It was a relief to have things go back to normal between us. When he pulled away, we were both breathless.

  Resting his forehead against mine, he whispered, "I'm sorry too."

  "For what?"

  "For making you feel as if you're not as capable as the rest of us." He frowned. "I bet we make you feel like that a lot. We mean well…"

  "I know. And to be honest, I'm not as capable as the rest of you. You all have a lifetime of experience. You knew who and what you were since birth. Plus, you've all been at the academy longer than I have. I have a lot of catching up to do."

  Ren didn't look at me with pity, and I was glad. I didn't want his or anyone's pity. I didn't tell him these things because I was complaining. I just wanted him to understand. If only everyone could understand. He nodded as if he did, and I relaxed a little.

  "Okay, now we're done with the touchy feely stuff. Let's go or I'll be late for class." With his version of a smile― the slightest curve of his lips― he took my hand in his. When we exited the privacy of the garden through the gate and stepped onto the sprawling campus, he still held on to me. I was a little surprised. For the most part, we all kept our relationship under wraps… except when they all showed up at the campus party.

  Ren didn't seem to mind if anyone saw us holding hands, and I didn't either. Smiling, I picked up the pace to keep up with his long strides. My smile melted away the further we walked. Suddenly, I wasn't feeling so relaxed anymore. A mixture of emotions that I knew weren't mine bombarded me. My steps faltered, and Ren's fingers tightened around mine.

  "Are you okay?"

  "Uh… sure." I tugged at the scarf I had wrapped around my neck to hide my fading scar. I tried again to heal myself last night and failed. Funny how when I wanted my powers to work, they failed me. Yet, when I least expected it, they were in full operation. Like now, when I was practically soaking up a sea of emotions that swirled in the atmosphere. There was an inexplicable amount of fear and anxiety. The intensity almost knocked me off my feet again.

  Ren stopped. "Fiona, you're not okay. What's going on?"

  "I have no idea. I just know something isn't right. There's a lot of anxiety and fear floating around here."

  His brows creased. "Are there exams coming up or something?"

  "Of course you wouldn't know. You never go to classes."

  "I'm going today."

  "To play bodyguard." He shrugged nonchalantly, and I shook my head. Although, the method of study that the guys took seemed to work perfectly. Their grades were top-notch. They took a more homeschooling approach. They studied alone, did their coursework on their own, and only showed up for major exams. Sometimes they were accommodated for private exam sittings. The core council members had a lot of perks. Theo and I were the only ones who didn't take advantage of those perks. Neither of us was disciplined enough to practically school ourselves. If I didn't go to classes, I'd probably end up daydreaming all day without doing any school work. Theo was worse when it came to focusing than I was.

  "I'm pretty sure these intense feelings have nothing to do with exam stress," I said. Ren's attention was elsewhere when I glanced up at him. I followed his gaze across the campus. "What is it?"

  "Some commotion."

  "Where?" I looked around. I didn't see anyone.

  "I can hear the concerned whispers," he frowned, "at the dorms."

  "Let's check it out." He tugged me back when I took a step.

  "How about you go back to the manor and I'll check it out?"

  "Absolutely not."

  "Fiona―"

  "It isn't Dante, Ren."

  "How do you know?"

  "Because…" I shuffled my feet, feeling a little uncomfortable. "Because I think I'd be able to feel his energy, especially after he touched me."

  Ren's irises flickered, flashing golden for a millisecond. I knew his snarl was involuntary. It was his wolf showing its displeasure over the warlock laying a finger on me. Wolves sure were territorial. That was why I excused Ren's crazy possessiveness… usually. Gaining his composure, he inhaled. "Are you sure?"

  "Positive."

  "Fine, but stay behind me."

  Rolling my eyes, I lagged behind, allowing him to lead. I'd learned that sometimes it was better to just entertain the guys' overprotectiveness. Just to avoid arguments. Ren was right. There was a gathering in front of the dorms. Students were crowded on the lawn, murmuring to each other.

  "Fiona! Ren! Over here." Amara, standing beside Priscilla, waved us over. Her gaze dropped to mine and Ren's connected hands. She frowned.

  "Shoot." I dragged my hand from Ren's without further thought. Confusion swirled in his blu
e orbs. "She thinks only Dracus and I are together…"

  He lifted a brow and smirked. "I see. I'll tell her we were holding hands because we're besties."

  I shot him an annoyed glare. "Don't say a word. I don't want you scaring her, anyway."

  "I don't―"

  "You scare people, Ren." Unintentionally. He couldn't help his intimidating aura.

  "I can be nice," he grumbled. When we reached Priscilla and Amara, he smiled― one that looked more like a wicked leer than anything else. "Good morning, ladies."

  Oh, my gosh.

  Amara gulped and took a step back because Ren's "smile" was still directed at her.

  I elbowed him in the side and hissed. "Stop, you look like you want to eat her." The predatory look that he thought was a sweet smile faded. I rubbed his arm comfortingly. At least he tried.

  Back to his normal scowly self, he huffed and gave a curt nod. "Priscilla."

  "Ren," she mimicked his short greeting, all the while fighting back her smile.

  Grabbing mine and Priscilla's hands, Amara glanced back at Ren with a nervous giggle.

  "He's quite intense, isn't he?"

  "He's really a nice guy." Priscilla waved a hand over her face. "He just has a hard time showing it here."

  "Right." With one more look over her shoulder at Ren, she said. "Fiona, have you heard? I was just telling Priscilla what happened."

  The students were gathered in front of the building Amara resided in. "I didn't hear a thing. What's going on?"

  "A student has gone missing," Priscilla whispered.

  Ren took a step closer to hover over us. "Missing?"

  "Yeah," Amara nodded sadly. "Her name is Whitney, a fellow freshman. Her roommate, Clair, has been going door to door since last night asking if anyone has seen her. This morning she raised an alarm. Whitney still hasn't been seen."

  I swallowed the feeling of dread threatening to rise up and choke me. It was only one night. For all we knew, Whitney was just fine. She had probably snuck off campus and was hungover somewhere― normal eighteen-year-old stuff. However, I couldn't shake my bad feeling. Last year, when students went missing, we found them dead.

  "Gods, this is reminiscent of last year when―"

  "Don't even say it," Priscilla warned. "She isn't dead because the walls have not been breached by slayers or any other evil entity." She folded her arms around her middle and shook her head as if she was trying to convince herself.

  Ren and I knew better. We shared a knowing look. None of the other students knew that there was more than one killer on the loose. Dante and the elusive couple's killer. I'd told Priscilla, but she seemed to prefer being in denial.

  "I'm sure Whitney will show up." Amara nodded. "Yeah, she's probably just off doing crazy teenage stuff, you know?" Yet her brown eyes were wide and clouded with worry.

  Before I could add my two cents to comfort the obviously worried Priscilla and Amara, Dean Sahni emerged from the building. Her expression was calm, neutral as she surveyed the crowd of students.

  "Everyone, it's time to get to class. Whitney's… absence is being looked into. We're sure she's fine." The dean's confident words were a complete contrast to the worry she projected. When no one moved, she clapped her hands. "Move now or you'll all be penalized for being tardy to your classes."

  Another wave of murmurs rose but quickly died down as students scattered. In the dispersing crowd, I spotted Radolf. He leaned against a tree, hands in his pockets, watching. Our gazes locked, and he smiled. I quickly looked away before Ren noticed. The last thing I wanted was another encounter between them.

  "Are you coming, Fiona?" Priscilla waited expectantly.

  "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up."

  She and Amara walked away.

  "Dean Sahni is coming this way," Ren announced.

  The dean's brisk stride towards us made me glance at Ren questioningly. "Do you think she knows about Dante and the killings going on in the villages?"

  "Of course, she knows. The dean is always aware of the Core council's movements. We are, at the end of the day, her students. She still has to give an account for us."

  "Oh." I blinked—that made sense.

  "She's probably the only one who knows everything. I doubt the rest of the professors know all the details."

  "Mr. Firefall, Miss Adelson."

  Dean Sahni's formal greeting made me smile. "Dean Sahni," we chorused.

  She glanced over her shoulder and lowered her voice. "I assume you've heard what happened?"

  Ren nodded. "We have."

  The dean looked from Ren to me. "I need to meet with the core council." She sighed. "After I've gotten the students to settle down. I'll inform Mr. St. Clair."

  Ren nodded again. With a grim expression, Dean Sahni headed to the administration building.

  "She thinks this has something to do with Dante, doesn't she?" I asked.

  "Maybe," Ren absently replied. "We're going back to the manor."

  "What about my class?"

  He sighed impatiently. "I excelled at astronomy last year. Say hello to your new tutor. Now let's go."

  "I had to stay in the manor yesterday." I didn't mean to sound whiny, but my complaint came out that way. "I want to sit in the classroom with the other students. I want to hang out with Priscilla and Amara today."

  "Fiona," he sighed. "I know we just got over the apologies for my overbearing behavior but I'm not putting you at risk."

  "You're not." I lowered my voice because although we stood at a distance from others, everyone had an acute, animal-like hearing. "I told you, I'd know if a powerful warlock was in the vicinity."

  "Maybe, but we're not taking the chance."

  "Ren―"

  "So help me, I will throw you over my shoulder, and you can be mad at me all you want."

  I gasped, outraged that he'd impose his will like this after we just made up. "You wouldn't."

  Leaning closer until our noses almost touched, he growled, "Try me."

  My lips parted, ready to argue, but the determination in his eyes made me back down. He would throw me over his shoulder and haul me back to the manor, right in front of everyone. I wasn't up for that particular form of embarrassment so early. Gritting my teeth, I gave him a seething glare before wheeling around.

  "Fine. You win." I marched in the manor's direction.

  "Fiona, I'm just trying to…" He sighed when I didn't acknowledge that him but kept walking. There was a hint of pain and frustration in that sigh, and I softened a bit. He was sorry, I knew that. It was like Enrique told me― he'd rather have me mad at him than death. Ren shared the same sentiment. All the guys did. Slowing my angry strides, I let out a breath. I didn't want to make Ren's bodyguarding duty more difficult. He cared about me, and I accepted and appreciated that.

  When he reached my side, I held out a hand. "I expect to be served snacks for our tutoring session. You know, I love chocolate."

  With a relieved expression, he took my hand. "Whatever the lady wants."

  "Your tutoring had better be top-notch. If I fail my astronomy exam, I'm kicking your ass."

  "I'm strangely turned on right now."

  Rolling my eyes, I listened to his low rumble of laughter with a smirk.

  Chapter 7

  The core council's meeting with Dean Sahni was quick. She wanted us to look into Whitney's disappearance. There was a good chance the incident had nothing to do with Dante or the couple's killer, but the dean wanted to make sure. We chatted briefly about our investigations with her, and after Dracus reminded her of the importance of keeping things quiet.

  "I'm well aware of the importance of discretion, Mr. St. Clair," she sniffed. "I don't need a reminder." I swallowed a snicker when Dean Sahni sent Dracus an irritated glare, and he shrugged. "I expect all of you to be very careful. Please. This business with Dante is quite… dangerous."

  Her gaze zeroed in on me from behind her round frames. She was silently pleading with me to be careful. I guess it
was public knowledge that Dante was gunning for my head. The reminder sent a sliver of fear through me, and I shuddered. Instinctively, my fingers lifted to my neck, where Dante's mark was still visible. Ren's palm covered my hand that still rested between us on the couch. His reassuring touch made me feel better. It warmed to the core, and my tensing muscles relaxed.

  He glared at the Dean. "We'll be careful. Are we done?"

  My wide eyes swung to his face. I was shocked that he'd snarl like that at the dean just because her words upset me.

  Dean Sahni lifted a perfectly arched brow as she peered over her glasses at Ren. Sharp chestnut brown eyes dropped to Ren's hand covering mine and understanding dawned on her face. She smirked. "Yes, we are." She glanced at Dracus. "You'll give me a report of your findings?"

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "Lady, gentlemen." She nodded and swept out of the Manor's sitting room.

  No one spoke until Dean Sahni was long gone. Finally, Jasper said, "Our jobs have been significantly easier with her as dean."

  "Yeah, she really knows how to cover our asses with the other professors… and the students." Enrique chuckled.

  I snorted. Yeah. The students still thought the core council was the typical student body government. Theo nodded. "I'm confident she won't double cross us like our previous dean."

  That made me tense again. My mouth opened to defend Demetrius, but one look at Dracus had me snapping my mouth shut. Defending the man whom he thought killed his brother wasn't a good idea, especially since he was still pissed at me.

  "Speaking of covering our asses with the students." Enrique stood up. "It's about time for us to put on another show."

  Confused, I glanced at everyone. "What does that mean?"

  Grinning, Enrique shared, "Now and then the core council throws a little party. You know, to keep up the pretense that all the council does is sit on our asses and plan events to encourage school spirit and whatnot."

  I snorted. "Can you imagine if that was all we did?"

  "My grades would be much better. I'll tell you that," Theo grumbled.

  "Mine too."

  "So, Mr. President," Enrique grinned at Dracus, "should I get started with the planning?"