A man emerged from the fog. He looked as though he was in his forties with a friendly face and warm blue eyes. He offered her a smile. His entire demeanor seemed trustworthy, but Sophie still wasn’t certain what he—and his angrier cohort—wanted with her.
“As Will said, you don’t have much time,” he continued, stopping a few feet from her. At least he seemed to know boundaries. “I promise to get you out of here if you’ll listen to what we have to say. I promise we won’t harm you, but you probably don’t believe me. However, I’m sure you’d be able to defend yourself quite admirably if anything were to go awry.”
The sirens were only getting closer. The body was still at her feet. Even Sophie knew she really had no choice.
“Okay,” she agreed with a curt nod. “I’ll come.”
Before she knew it, the man smiled and led her through the forest and back on the main road where a town car was waiting. The sirens were growing louder. Sophie didn’t think twice before sliding into the back. She had completely forgotten the original stranger she had pushed off of her until he took a seat next to her. The older man sat up front in the passenger seat and the driver—whoever he was—started driving.
“You realize,” Sophie began, “that town cars aren’t exactly common around here. I’m sure that somebody will remember a shiny black car idling on the side of the road.”
“That might be so,” the man sitting next to her said in his deep, gravelly voice, “but it’s not you those sirens were after.” And then he smirked.
She wanted nothing more than to punch that stupid smirk off of his chiseled face.
“What?” she asked, deadpan.
“I’m afraid that what Will said is true,” the older man said, turning his body so he was facing the backseat occupants. At least he had the decency to look regretful. “You killed that man in nothing more than two seconds. Besides Will and me, I am quite certain nobody else saw you. The sirens are not for you.”
Sophie’s heart started beating at an accelerated rate. She could even hear it drumming in her ears. “You tricked me.” It was a statement, but it would seem the older man felt compelled to answer it.
“Yes,” he agreed, “but it was necessary in order for you to listen to what we’re about to tell you.” He paused, expecting Sophie to interrupt. When she remained quiet, the man continued. “My name is Ethan Curtis, and I run the Academy for Peculiars.”
Sophie made a face. “I’ve never heard of you,” she said.
“No, I’m sure you haven’t.” He smiled that warm smile and Sophie hated to admit it, but she felt her muscles start to relax. “My academy is geared toward people like you, Miss Harper. Whether you can read minds, move things with your thoughts, or transform into an animal, like Will.”
Sophie shifted her eyes over to Will, taking in his strong, hairy profile. “Animal, huh?” she asked. “How surprising.”
Will’s eyes immediately snapped to her, and she didn’t bother attempting to hide the amused grin on her face.
“Let me guess,” she continued, feigning deep thought by rubbing her chin with the length of her fingers, “lion?”
“Wolf,” he corrected.
“Although,” Ethan said quickly, “Will is technically a lion—a Leo, to be exact.”
“Oh my God,” Sophie said with a roll of her eyes, “please do not tell me you’re going to ask me my sign.”
Will had an annoyed look on his face as he glanced out the window, but Ethan laughed. Sophie couldn’t tell if it was because he actually found her statement funny or if he was just being nice. Probably the latter.
“Actually,” he said, “we already know your sign: you’re an Aries, the Ram. A fire sign. Which is exactly why Will is here. Should you choose to attend the academy, Will would be your resident hall director. Your residence hall being Ignis.”
Sophie furrowed her brow. “I don’t understand,” she said. “How do you know so much about me?”
“I make sure to keep tabs on particular people who exhibit peculiar tendencies,” Ethan explained. “It is quite common for a peculiar’s nature to show up when they’re young, and as such, there are many different reports of strange behavior to sift through. It only comes with much practice and determination, as I’m sure you are well aware, for peculiars to blend in with panpi.”
“Panpi?”
“It’s our word for people unlike us. Humans. However, I firmly believe that we—including peculiars—are all humans. So to refer to those different from us as humans would mean that we are not human and would draw a line between our species and theirs. That is the last thing I wish to do.” He shifted his shoulders so he would be more comfortable in his awkward position. “As I was saying, because of how easy it is to blend in, I have people everywhere who take that information and sort through what they believe are credible reports and those that are coincidences—a word I hate to use considering I do not believe in it. The ones they believe, they send to me. I narrow the list down even further, and those I deem as credible are visited by myself and the student’s potential RH director. We discuss the academy, the curriculum, and everything else with the student and their family.”
“And what finally inspired you to seek me out?” Sophie asked as the car slowed to a stop at a red light. Tourists riding rented bikes began to cross the street.
“It’s not every day a baby lifts up a car in order to fetch a doll, Red,” Will said from beside her. He didn’t even look at her.
“Red?” Sophie asked dryly. “I haven’t heard that one before. And it wasn’t just a doll, it was a Barbie.”
“A Barbie is still a doll,” Will pointed out, shifting in his seat and giving her an annoyed glare.
“I have been interested in you the moment I heard about you, Miss Harper,” Ethan said, interrupting them. “In fact, I was hoping to get to you earlier than our usual recruitment age—which is around twelve—just when sixth grade in the United States is finished. But after your parents …” He let his voice trail off, uncertain of how to finish the thought. Sophie nodded abruptly, indicating that she understood what he was trying to say. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked out her window. “Well, it was more difficult to keep track of you, and then you just vanished. When I finally heard word of your appearance here in Tahoe, I knew I had to act as quickly as possible in case I lost you again. I grabbed Will and had Jared fly us here. And now here we are.”
Sophie glanced back at Ethan. “I’m sure some parents refuse to let their kids attend this academy,” she said, maintaining eye contact with the dean. “Why is it so important that I attend your school?”
“Miss Harper, I don’t think you realize just how important you are,” Ethan said, a serious glint in his blue eyes. “I have been alive since the year twelve-hundred and twenty-one. I have only encountered two other physicals beside yourself in my lifetime, and one has long since died. You are a rare species in an already rare band of different species and that it why it is absolutely imperative that you attend the academy. You need to learn how to control your strength and learn about not only what you are, but who you are. Our curriculum focuses on subjects that teach us just that, ranging from astronomy—our position on earth and how that affects us—to history of peculiars—what we are and how we came to be. It also entails palmistry—what the unique lines on both palms actually tell us about who we are—as well as extensive training based on what type of peculiar you are. There are three different peculiar classifications: physicals, like yourself; shifters, like Will; and mentals. Mentals break down into two subcategories: animus, someone who can read minds; and physicus, someone who can move objects with their thoughts.”
Palmistry and astronomy? Sophie couldn’t quite believe it, and without fully realizing it, her eyes descended to her open palm.
“If I did decide to attend your school,” she began, not looking up, “what, exactly, do you expect of me in return?” Her eyes jumped up and locked with Ethan’s. “I’m not an idiot. I know no
thing comes for free.”
“If you do decide to attend,” Ethan said, his confidence never wavering, “the only thing you will need to provide in return is to allow me to examine you every once in a while. Like I said, physicals are rare amongst peculiars, and that means information about them and what it means to be a physical is sorely lacking. Such information I can only get from a physical, from you. You will not be required to do anything you are uncomfortable with, merely answer questions and allow me to run noninvasive tests. But, like I said, I require nothing more from you. Your tuition, your books, your food and board, and since you seem to be without a bag, your clothes—including your uniform—will be taken care of. This, I personally guarantee.”
The stare Ethan gave her was so intense she had to look away.
“It just seems too easy,” Sophie murmured more to herself than to anyone else in the car.
That, of course, did not stop them from overhearing the comment because Ethan said, “I’m afraid, Miss Harper, that it will be far from easy. Should you decide to attend, you’ll be put in Year Six, which is the year anatomy-physiology is taught, as well as astronomy. You will also have to narrow the four core classes—Astrology, Numerology, Palmistry and Tarot—down to the two you wish to specialize in for your degree. Because you’re coming in late, your free periods will be spent with Jared, who will tutor you in the basics of the core subjects. Instead of physical education, you will be with me, learning about the history of our kind. And during your study breaks, you will be training privately with Will, who will help you control your strength and learn how to use it properly.”
“Will?” Sophie all but yelped.
“Trust me, I had no say in the matter,” Will muttered. He really did have a knack for making her feel welcome.
“He’s not a physical,” Sophie pointed out.
“No, he is not,” Ethan agreed. “But he is the strongest on my staff, and he knows what he is doing. I trust him impeccably, Miss Harper, and you should too.”
The following pause was interrupted by Jared, who murmured to Ethan, “I’m turning in now.”
Ethan turned back to Sophie. “I don’t mean to rush your decision, Miss Harper, but time is rather pressing at the moment. We’ve reached the airport, you see, and our private jet is scheduled to leave in twenty minutes.”
“Uh …”
Sophie wasn’t sure what to say. But she had twenty minutes to figure it out.
2
It moved.
The book moved.
Not just moved, but came hurtling at her to the point where if Jane hadn’t ducked, there was no doubt she’d have a rather unattractive bump on her forehead. And while people would believe her if she said she ran into something—her clumsiness was nowhere near secret—she really didn’t want to have to explain. Especially when she was a terrible liar and that book was not supposed to have moved.
“Um,” a tentative voice said, “Jane?”
Shit.
She had completely forgotten Elle was in the room. Not that she wasn’t supposed to be there or anything; they were roommates, after all.
But still. Did Elle have to be so quiet now?
“Did that just happen?” Elle asked, pulling the curtains to her four-poster bed open all the way. “Did that book just fly across the room?”
How was Jane supposed to answer that exactly? Obviously it flew across the room. It just wasn’t supposed to.
Shit. Shit.
Not again.
Now Jane couldn’t brush it aside as some random occurrence that happened to have befallen her since this time there was a witness, and Elle was not the type of girl to just pretend that nothing had happened. Jane would just have to face it directly.
“Uh …” As quick as Jane normally was when it came to thinking of some reasonable explanation, this particular moment left her with nothing. “Yes. Yes, that just happened.”
Elle’s perfectly plucked thin brows furrowed together. “But how?” she asked. “I thought you were animus.”
“I was.” Jane tried to block out Elle’s rushing thoughts. Normally, this was rather easy for Jane to tune her out, but her own thoughts were already convoluted with worry which meant Elle’s thoughts had an easier time of breaking through the barriers Jane had put up. “I am,” she amended.
Elle teased her bottom lip with the edge of her teeth. “What happened?”
The jig is up, Cabot, Jane thought to herself before slowly opening her eyes.
“I was writing my Numerology essay,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t sound as shaky as it felt, “and I couldn’t find my textbook. I could have sworn I had it on the bed with me. Before I could even get up to look on the desk, it came at me.”
There was a tense moment of silence where neither girl spoke. Then, “Is that even possible?” Elle looked at Jane with bright blue eyes. “Can somebody read thoughts and move objects with their mind? Be an animus and a physicus?”
Jane shrugged. Her heart was racing, and her body was tense. She didn’t want Elle to know how shaken she truly felt.
“I, uh, don’t know,” she replied.
“Did Depogare mention anything during training?” Elle asked. “Or Jarvis, during history?”
“No,” she snapped and then winced at the abruptness of her voice. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap, Elle.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Elle murmured with obvious sincerity. She looked at her hands in her lap. There was another pregnant pause before she asked in an uncharacteristically shy voice, “What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know,” Jane said while groaning, throwing her hands on her face and lying back on her bed, a few inches from her textbook.
All she wanted was to be normal—as normal as a peculiar could be, anyway. She had revealed her true nature at a young age. While it made it difficult to keep friends—Jane seemed to have no problem making them—her parents were always supportive of her and even encouraged her to attend the Academy for Peculiars after both Ethan and Will came to recruit her.
It might have taken nearly eighteen years, but Jane finally had friends and a place where she felt like she truly belonged. In fact, last year she had struck up a friendship with Brielle, a fellow animus and Numerology student who happened to be from the Aqua dorm—technically residence hall, but everyone referred to them as dorms—the bitter rival of Jane’s own dorm, Ignis.
Now there was a good possibility that that was ruined. Jane already stood out in panpi society, she didn’t think she’d stand out amongst her fellow peculiars. She definitely didn’t want to.
“You should go to the dean,” Elle said, her voice firm. “Ethan has been around since the twelve hundreds and he’s an animus. If anyone would know what’s going on with you, it’d be him.”
Jane sighed. Somewhere deep down, she had a feeling she’d eventually have to talk to Ethan about this, especially considering this wasn’t the first time something like this happened. She managed to avoid it the past four years, but two days into her sixth year and she couldn’t keep hiding it anymore. At least it was only Elle who knew. She had no idea what would have happened if she moved something during class.
“I know,” she said, defeated. A small ache started to pinch her mind. “I’ll make an appointment with him once I finish this essay.” She shifted her eyes so they rested on Elle. “You have to promise you won’t tell anybody, Elle. Especially not your brother. I know he’s an Aqua and is already supposed to hate everything Ignis, but everyone knows he goes above and beyond to be an entitled asshole—no offense, of course.”
Jane watched as Elle winced at the mention of her twin brother. Andrew was definitely a sore spot for her.
Elle smoothed her wince out with a quick flip of her long, curly blonde hair over her shoulder. “Come on, Jane,” she said. “We’ve been friends since Year One and I barely even talk to my brother, even when we go home during vacation. You know I won’t tell anyone, but if it’ll make you feel better—and i
f you really do make that appointment—I promise not to tell anyone.”
Jane smiled but it did nothing to relieve her tension. “Thank you.” She sat back up, intent on finishing her essay. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need to write about the fact that my birth month is a Master Number and how that affects me as a person.”
She grabbed the text that ousted her secret and paused. As with her other experiences moving objects with her mind, her first physical contact with said object shocked her like static electricity. Slowly it faded and Jane pushed it to the back of her mind. She told herself she wouldn’t worry about it right now, not until her upcoming appointment.
While Jane continued to write her essay, Elle excused herself to grab some snacks from the Dining Hall, even though lunch ended an hour ago. It took another half an hour before Jane finally finished it. She never felt more accomplished than when she typed the last period in a rather extensive essay, one that happened to not be due for another two days. Her Sunday was now completely void of any academic requirements—save for a quick Astrology reading—which she would take full advantage of by sleeping in. At that moment, Elle threw open the door, stepped inside, and slammed it shut behind her. Jane jumped at the unexpected noise, and Elle softly muttered an apology.
“Okay, what happened?” Jane asked, setting aside her book and laptop in order to give Elle her full attention. “You’re acting all dramatic and you never do that unless you’re having boy problems or family problems.” She narrowed her eyes. “Did your mother write you again politely requesting you not come home for Thanksgiving?”
Elle’s parents—and Andrew, to some extent—treated her like the black sheep of the family on account of her being born July 26 instead of July 19 when she was due, automatically guaranteeing herself in Ignis rather than Aqua. This meant that she was the one member of her entire family—generations of family—to be in Ignis rather than Aqua. For the most part, she had gotten used to her family’s shame; although, it might have been difficult had Elle never met Jane in Year One and Jane’s parents didn’t treat her like their second child.
Stranger Series Box Set Page 2
