“Don’t you have anything to say about this?” Jaxon stood in front of me, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.
I didn’t need to have Liam’s empathic skills to see what was going on with Jaxon. My wolf senses picked up on the smell of lust that mingled with Jaxon’s annoyance and fear. He had it bad for the Sorrentino girl. He wanted her. And he was terrified of losing her.
My wolf wanted to rip his head off.
“I agree with Liam,” I said, keeping my gaze locked on Jaxon’s.
He took a step back, plopping into the other sofa across from us, and buried his face in his hands. “Fine. Go for it. She’s driving me crazy, and I don’t even know why.”
Liam and I exchanged a knowing glance.
I stood. “I’ve got papers to grade.” Jaxon waved a hand above his head, and Liam gave me a parting nod.
I jogged down the flight of stairs to the ground level and staff offices. Coming toward me was this year’s werewolf girl pack. They were always the same. Cliquish, haughty, and trying to get into my bed. Not that they wanted me only for a fun romp. They were after my position and family name.
Right now my dad was the Alpha of the Pacific Pack and sat on the Supernatural Council. Diego Cortez was a powerful and wealthy man. When he died, both of those positions, and his money, went to me.
“Hey, Mr. Cortez,” said the wolf girls’ ringleader. She batted her eyelashes up at me while thrusting out her chest.
I gave a curt nod, stepping past them and walking with determination to my office. I knew from experience that if I gave them even the slightest bit of encouragement, they’d latch on like a wolf with a rabbit. And I was the rabbit.
No, my mate had to be chosen carefully. She had to be from a good family, preferably with wealth and power of their own. She’d one day be a councilman’s wife. It was important that she fit that role. And most importantly, she had to be a werewolf. The Cortez line went back thousands of years. We were wolves. We never chose a mate outside of our own supernatural kind. My father forbade it.
I had to keep my wolf in check. The Sorrentino girl was not an option for me. The sooner she fell into Jaxon’s—or any other guy’s arms, the better. My anguished growl echoed in the empty hallway.
12
Caprice
I’d agonized over my options, but finally decided on not telling anyone about the black scales. Instead, I went to the library and did my own research. There wasn’t much to go on, but it could have been a random flare up of a skin disease actually called Black Scale. Though that usually needed treatment. More likely, it was the result of pent up magic trapped in my hand, which apparently did happen to some witches. In which case I was lucky to not have been left with the resulting burns.
I called Isabella every Saturday night. We chatted about my lack of progress, but there was nothing she could do about it. At least the other students were mostly leaving me alone, though I still watched my back at all times.
On Saturday and Sundays I also returned Elena’s texts. Which were becoming more and more superficial, since I couldn’t tell her about this insane supernatural world. So we texted about boys, hot teachers, and her fun times at UMB parties. Which only rubbed in how much my school life sucked. And how I didn’t have a social life.
I managed to slip in a quick text here and there to Antonio and Vanessa, too. The last thing I needed was Antonio getting suspicious and coming out here after me. Keeping up this everything-is-fine act was tiring.
The next couple of weeks went by without incident. Jaxon went back to ignoring me in History class, he never summoned me to his office again either.
This Friday’s lecture was turning interesting. He spoke from the front of the room like a golden god and no one could look away. I swore he got more attractive each time I saw him. By the end of the term I was sure to go blind from his sheer radiance. But I never let myself forget what an asshole he was, so that helped.
“The Tromara are not like the rest of supernaturals,” Jaxon said. “Most of us have lifespans about twice as long as humans. We’re not immortal. But the Tromara are. They are the same supernaturals we’ve been dealing with since before the Truce.”
The more I learned about the Tromara, the more interesting and creepy they became. Their leader was like three hundred years old. Very few people ever saw him, but those who did said that he didn’t look old.
“It is rumored that the Tromara feed on the souls and powers of supernaturals to sustain their immortality,” Jaxon continued. “When the Truce was made, and this school was built, the terms of the Culling were established. But the Tromara never specified who would be Culled. The Council decided it was best to sacrifice the weakest among us to the Truce. Thus the lowest ten percent was chosen.”
He talked about it as if it were normal and accepted. After a hundred and fifty years, I supposed that people would grow used to all of this. But I couldn’t. The whole situation struck me as barbaric.
The Tromara were bullies. They ruled with fear, and the entire supernatural community let them do it. More than let them. They sacrificed their children to them. Every. Single. Year.
It made me sick. I’d never be the Council Queen, because I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I perpetuated this disgusting arrangement. How did Isabella do it year after year? She didn’t strike me as unfeeling.
The goth vampire across the aisle was chewing noisily on the eraser end of a pencil. I’d sat in the same spot for weeks, but she still freaked me out. Even the haughty werewolf girls in the front row didn’t mess with her.
On the way out of Gi Hall, I spotted Angel walking toward me. He glanced up, raked his gaze over my body, then abruptly made a ninety-degree turn. I could only assume that Jaxon had told him something awful about me.
“I guess I don’t have to worry about you hooking up with my man,” said Destiny, queen of the wolf-girl clique. She stood with her hands on her hips. Her pack was made up of the twins Jade and Amber, Emma, and Rachel.
“Whatever,” I muttered, turning to leave.
Rachel stepped in front of me. “I heard you’re a dud witch.”
Destiny’s laugh was annoyingly high pitched. She spread her arms wide. “Come on, cast a spell on me, Dud.”
I shoved past them. They snickered as I walked away. Having all of the other witches know that I couldn’t work magic was bad enough, if those five knew then everyone on campus would know soon. They would make sure of that.
In Magic we practiced summoning objects. Well, everyone else practiced while I stood in the lineup watching Madison bring first her backpack, then mine, floating toward us.
After class, I stayed to talk with Ms. Duinn.
“I’m failing,” I said. “How can I stop failing?”
She flourished a hand in the air. “Find your magic. Let it out.”
“Have you ever had a student like me before? A witch who couldn’t…cast?”
“All witches can cast. Find it and let it out.”
I sighed. “How? How do I find it?”
“Everyone is unique. You’ll find your way.” She spun away quickly, making the air billow her flowing skirt.
I was going to get eaten by cannibals because my magic teacher couldn’t teach me how to use magic. With a clenched jaw, I grabbed my bag, determined to find my inner witch.
She certainly didn’t come out in Potions class. I stood over a cold cauldron of wolfsbane and yarrow, waving my wand at it like an idiot as I recited the incantation for the sixth time.
May made her way around the room, peering into bubbling, steaming liquid. As she halted before my cauldron, she wore a frown that was reserved only for me.
“No luck?” she asked.
I shook my head.
“Go ahead and dump it out then.” She moved to the next student, still wearing that worried, pitying expression.
I took the heavy iron pot to the sink, dumping the failed potion down the drain, while mentally kicking myself for being such a failure.
Mythology was my favorite class. No wolf-bitches, no witch-bullies, and no magic.
Liam always had a smile and a softly spoken greeting when I arrived. Today he was passing back our mid-week assignment on chimeras.
He set the paper on my desk. “Good work, Caprice.”
I smiled up at him. I was getting used to the high marks in this class. If only I could do so well in all the others.
I filed the paper away in my completed assignments folder while casually watching Liam move about the room. The other students reacted to him the same way I did. Their faces brightened and relaxed. He exuded warmth, calmness, and safety. It was probably a fae thing, but I hadn’t met too many other ones. So maybe it was a Liam thing.
Today’s lecture was on the trials of Hercules. Liam’s gentle but strong voice filled the room, and I found myself lost in its cadence.
All too soon, the bell rang to end class. Reluctantly, I left to grab dinner, then give this wand another shot.
I munched on a turkey sandwich as I trudged deeper into the woods. Dawn wouldn’t come for several hours, so I had time to try to get this wand to work. Honestly, I felt like giving up. If my life weren’t on the line, I would have given up after that first day here.
The cool summer nights were quickly being replaced by cold, damp ones. I missed the sun. The light, the warmth, and clarity of daylight. My tan was already fading into a paler yellow-brown.
I finished the sandwich while gazing up at the September half-moon. The woods behind the dorms seemed to be the only places with no lamplight on campus. It felt more natural to have the trees lit up by moonlight, than the artificial brightness of electricity.
Wand at the ready, I closed my eyes, searching deep within myself for a spark of magic. It had to be there. Come on out, magic.
Several twigs snapped behind me. Opening my eyes, I spun around, only to set eyes on Aimes, MacTavish, and Bennett.
My mouth went dry. Had they followed me out here? Why?
“Sorrentino,” Aimes said, “what are you doing out here all alone?”
Bennett snorted. “Looks like she’s practicing magic.”
MacTavish grinned, but didn’t say anything.
I firmed up my grip on the wand. It was long and pointy, if I had to, I could use it as a weapon. At that thought, my pulse quickened. Seconds ticked by as the three of them stared back at me. Whatever they were here for, it couldn’t be good.
“You’re weak, Sorrentino.” Aimes drew out his clear crystal wand. “You don’t need that.” With a flick of his wrist, my wand flew from my hand. I moved to retrieve it, but Aimes said, “Stay still.”
My feet anchored to the ground. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t move them. A cold sweat chilled my neck. He was using magic on me and I had no defenses.
“The Council needs someone strong to lead them. That will never be you.” Aimes sliced his wand through the air.
My head jerked to the side. Heat and pain exploding in my cheek, like I’d been slapped. I brought my hands up to defend my face. He punched at the empty space in front of him, and I doubled over, winded.
Bennett and MacTavish joined in, using their wands to smack and punch me. Each hit sent both pain and fear coursing through me. My lip split, I tasted blood. I fell to the dirt on my hands and knees.
“Stop,” I gasped.
Three distinct strikes laid me out flat. I drew in shallow breaths of air as tears ran down my cheeks. I didn’t have to wait for the Culling. These three were going to kill me tonight. I moaned, gripping my abdomen, while trying to scoot away from their attack.
Aimes approached. He took a fistful of my hair to yank my head up. “You’re done, Sorrentino. Your families legacy is over.” He drew his other fist back before crashing it into the side of my face.
The world went black.
When I woke, the pain returned full force. I gasped at the intensity of it and immediately regretted the sharp movement. Moaning, I spit pine needles and dirt from my mouth, but I didn’t lift my head or move my body. Everything hurt so much, I couldn’t even begin to tell how damaged I was.
I must have lost consciousness again, because I woke with a jolt as sunlight lit the sky in pale greens and blues. Dawn. Sunlight. I could only see it though one eye. The other one seemed sealed shut.
The sound of someone moving through the underbrush had my heart leaping into my throat. A strangled scream escaped me.
“She’s over here!” Liam’s voice boomed through the woods. The next moment his warm hands brushed the hair from my face. “Caprice, can you hear me?”
A gurgling noise came through my parted, swollen lips.
“Caprice!” Jaxon leaned over me. I peered up at him through my one good eye. His forehead was knotted, and his grey eyes stormed with rage.
Behind him, a giant black wolf appeared. It let out a low, threatening growl, and my breath caught.
“Angel, you’re scaring her. Back off,” Jaxon said. “We need to get her to the hospital. Give her to me, I’ll teleport us.”
Liam shook his head. “I think that might be too much for her. I’ll fly her.”
Jaxon opened his mouth to argue, then snapped it shut. “Go. We’ll meet you there.” He approached Angel, and they disappeared in a puff of purple smoke.
Carefully, Liam lifted me into his arms. Behind him, I caught a glimpse of reddish-gold wings that matched the color of his hair. Then we were flying through the trees. I wrapped my arms around his neck, biting back a whimper.
When we landed outside the Dean’s Hall, Jaxon, and Angel now in human form, were waiting for us.
“Take her to room two.” Jaxon matched pace with Liam as he carried me inside. Two nurses and a doctor were in the room already, preparing to treat my injuries.
Liam set me on the bed. “Hang in there.”
The medical staff shooed everyone else out. With a wand swish, and a mutter from a nurse, I fell into a deep sleep.
The only light in the small room came from the bedside lamp. It wasn’t the same hospital room I’d arrived in. This one was furnished to aid in recovery. Several books and a glass of water rested next to the bed. A warm, fuzzy blanket lay across me.
I did a quick mental scan of my body. Both of my eyes opened. My head hurt. I could move my limbs, but a dull ache accompanied the movement.
A nurse came in, he was short and broad-shouldered. “You’re awake. Good. How are you feeling?”
“I’ve been worse. And better.” I shifted to sit up, slowly.
“Take is easy. You’ll be in here for a couple of days at least.” His smile was warm. “There’s only so much magic can do, the rest is up to the body. Drink this, it will help.”
What I thought was water, turned out to be a pain-relieving potion. It tasted chalky and sweet.
“Do you want something to eat?”
I nodded.
The nurse placed a couple more pillows behind me, then left.
I eased back into the soft down fluff. My mind immediately filled with traumatic memories of Aimes, MacTavish, and Bennett. They were ruthless monsters. My chest tightened. If I told anyone that the three of them did this to me, what would those boys do next? Kill me?
At a couple of new schools, I’d been roughed up a bit before, but nothing like last night. Those witches wanted me out of the way, out of their world. Isabella had warned me about that. And I had no idea what I was going to do about it. Obviously, laying low and ignoring them was not working. They hated my very existence.
The door opened. Instead of the nurse, Jaxon, Liam, and Angel came in. Liam set the tray of food on the nightstand, then sat on the edge of the bed.
Jaxon took a seat on the other side of me, while Angel leaned against the far wall with his hands in his pockets. The three of them gazing at me made my face flush. I remembered how they found me, and my skin heated even more.
“You’re looking better, sweetie,” Jaxon said, squeezing my hand. The fierceness of his gaze didn’t m
atch his words. I knew he was really here to interrogate me about what happened. But I couldn’t be mad at him in that moment. If these three hadn’t found me… Well, I didn’t want to think about it.
Liam took my other hand, startling me. “Can you tell us what happened? Who did this to you?”
Ah, the good cop and bad cop were switching roles today. Though I could never see Liam as a bad cop. He was too sincere.
“I can’t,” I said. Jaxon’s hand clamped down on mine. I knew he wanted to argue, to force me to tell him what happened. For some reason he didn’t.
“We really need to know.” Liam’s thumb stroked my wrist. His voice and his caress sent a soothing sensation through my body.
“I can’t tell you.” I glanced down at my lap. “They’ll kill me if I do.”
“They?” Jaxon lifted a brow.
I’d said too much. I pressed my lips together, avoiding their gazes.
“We will protect you.” Jaxon shifted closer. “They won’t hurt you again.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You can’t protect me. No one can!”
He drew back at my anger.
“What are you going to do? Follow me around all night? Escort me to every class? You can’t be with me every minute. And they’ll find a way to hurt me.”
Liam gave Jaxon a look, like he wasn’t being helpful by pressing me on this.
Jaxon sighed, but didn’t say any more.
“Caprice.” Angel approached the end of the bed. “We will find them. With or without your help. And they will pay for what they’ve done to you.” His eyes had turned that yellow-gold again.
I swallowed hard. A battle of wills with these three was making my head spin. I wanted to give in and tell them. Angel’s words held an absolute promise of revenge. I didn’t doubt Jaxon’s or Liam’s dedication to that cause either. But, I couldn’t go through another beating like that. I couldn’t deal with it emotionally, not to mention physically.
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