The Mage-Blood Test: A YA Paranormal Romance (Arumrose Academy Book 1)

by Estefania Lezameta Mino

“I won’t,” she smiled, rushing down the hallway at a run. She might still dislike Ryan, but he was her tutor and she’d always prided herself on being on time. For respect to herself and her own values, she had to go and cancel. It wasn’t easy. The tutoring sessions got reported to the Headmistress and she better have a good excuse, which hopefully would come to mind along the way.

  She just hoped Ryan wouldn’t be able to see through her…

  As she approached the tutoring spot, her heart beat faster, hoping she could fool him.

  “You’re half an hour late.” He stared at the river, not even glancing at her as she arrived.

  She coughed. “I’m sorry, I’m not…” She coughed again, hoping it was believable. “I’m not feeling well, and it took me a long time to get here.”

  The old I’m sick excuse. Why mess with a classic? Running here gave a hot, sweaty flush to her cheeks that he might mistake for a fever.

  “Oh…” He looked at her, concerned. “I can see it. Gosh, Naya, why did you come?” Was he really buying it? “You don’t look good at all.”

  Not what you wanted to hear before your first date… He didn’t have to say that!

  “Go back to your room and rest. I’ll let Mrs. Belour know you were ill and couldn’t make the tutoring session.”

  It worked!

  “Thanks, Ryan, I really—” She coughed again, lightly so as not to oversell it. “I really appreciate it.” She turned and walked back to her room, keeping the spring out of her step—but the moment she was out of range of his ability to sense her, she did a little jump. “I did it!”

  She got to her room and Amy was already gone, but she’d left a little note next to the outfit on her bed along with a pink case.

  You can do it, Nay. You deserve the best in the world! So, for tonight, I’m letting you use my most precious makeup. Yes—my third date makeup! Along with a note to help you use it. Crush it! Better yet, kiss him! Love, Amy.

  Amy had always been protective of her makeup, especially the good stuff that she hid in her little pink case. Naya had seen her occasionally open up the case, look at her supplies longingly, then place it back carefully. Expensive—and precious. Naya opened the case up carefully, feeling like she was opening a treasure chest and finding a vast array of brushes, powders and creams that confused her. Where to start?

  “How about a shower?” she said to herself, after running to the woods and back. Ryan’s comment was stuck in her mind. Yeah, she’d said she was sick, but he really didn’t need to say she looked awful. “Whatever. I’ve got over an hour. No rush…”

  As she showered, she couldn’t help but feel giddy. This was one of the most exciting moments of her life. The whole witch-vampire thing hadn’t amounted to anything, and the shock of being put in a paranormal world had faded. That was the past.

  She dried herself off then brought the makeup case into the bathroom, and smiled when she turned over the little note Amy had given her. It had simple instructions that even she could follow. For a second, she wished she had her Spells 1 teacher to do her makeup again, but her own touch was enough. She smiled at herself in the mirror. For once, she felt—well, not confident, but not anxious. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she put on her dress, then the beautiful necklace her mom had hidden in her suitcase, and finally the heels. A bun or a ponytail would have been the look of the past. Now, she wanted it loose. Since Lukas cut it a month ago, it was a little too short for a hair band, and he must have put some magic in it to make it look like it’d been freshly maintained.

  She looked at herself in the mirror and blinked, barely believing what she saw.

  “Wow.”

  She sighed heavily. No matter how good she looked, something was missing. She turned to the picture on her nightstand and looked at her parents. It had always been her dream to share a moment like this with her mom, and she was feeling guilty that with all the distractions and stress, she’d barely had time to miss them.

  Taking a deep breath, she headed out, walking carefully in her heels.

  The closer she got to the main plaza, the louder the noise was. There was a buzz in the air. People talking, laughing, enjoying themselves. It was night, with lights like stars illuminating the plaza. Mini-snack carts were in the corners, giving it a carnival atmosphere. Colored sheets lay in the grass so students could sit and watch the movie. Buttery popcorn tickled her nose and made her mouth water, and everything seemed so perfect.

  Then she saw him.

  He was standing in the middle of the plaza, tall, with fitted jeans, a white shirt, and a faux leather jacket. When he saw her, he smiled.

  Oh hi, dimples.

  “You look really pretty.” Those dimples made her blush. “Let’s sit over there,” he said, pointing to an empty bench near a cotton candy stand.

  Think of something to say!

  “They did a great job decorating this plaza, huh?” She said it with desperation as she tried to form words, but those dimples and that cute smile made it hard to think. She sat down next to him, and even sitting, he was taller than her, making her feel small.

  What would it be like if he suddenly leaned forward and kissed her?

  Would he look into her eyes first, let the tension build, then place his lips against hers?

  Or would he be hungry, a werewolf who couldn’t hold back?

  Great job, Naya. He compliments you, and what do you do? You compliment the plaza. He’s definitely going to think you’re made for each other now.

  “Yes! I know! And this whole place just seems made for you, Nay. For real, you look incredible.”

  She gave him a shy smile back. “Thank you.”

  “Let me grab some popcorn before the movie starts. I’ll be right back.” She nodded, as sweet as she could.

  Minutes passed and more students flocked into the plaza, but Trevor stood a head taller than most of the students so he was easy to see in line. They couldn’t talk with the distance, but they signed with each other. Trevor gave an exaggerated eye roll and checked his wrist where a watch would be to signal that the line would take forever. Naya rubbed her belly and laughed, signing that she was starving.

  At first, it was cute, but after five minutes it was getting awkward. Just when Trevor was at the front of the line, she looked away from him…

  And saw Ryan staring at her.

  His face was a mask of anger, vampiric and pale, and she remembered the way he used to bully her. She turned her head away as fast as possible, trying to make herself look small, but when she glanced over at him he was striding over with purpose. If she left her spot then one of the new arrivals would snatch it up in a second and she was stuck there, just waiting for him.

  I’m screwed.

  “You look good, Naya.” Ryan’s voice was serious. His eyes flicked up and down, drinking up her figure in the slinky black dress and making her feel suddenly shy. The way he looked at her was different than Trevor did. It was more intense, more in the moment, like she was the only thing that existed. He should be pissed off, but he was complimenting her. Was he playing some game?

  “And by good, I mean healthy.”

  There it is.

  “Ryan, I don’t have time for this right now. We can discuss it another day.” She looked over at Trevor, who was being handed a big bag of popcorn, and Ryan followed her eyes.

  “Ohhh, so you’re on a date,” he said, sardonic. “I wonder what Mrs. Belour will think when she finds out you skipped a mandatory tutoring session just to go on a date with wolfie?”

  “Shut up! Don’t call Trevor that. You know werewolves don’t like that word.” Her face changed as fear gripped her. If Mrs. Belour found out she was skipping the tutoring sessions designed to keep her in school…what would she do?

  She swallowed, her mouth dry. “What’s the price of your silence?” She stood up, making eye contact, trying to appear strong. He looked down at her, and his serious face turned into a cocky smirk that she wanted to slap off his too-handsome
face.

  “Come on a date with me.”

  “What! Are you crazy?” She could feel her cheeks getting red with frustration.

  “A little. It’s up to you. A date with me, or you’re getting thrown out of school. Oh, and since you missed this lesson, the next one is an extra hour.”

  He’d pretended to change. He was the same old bully.

  “This is blackmail!” Trevor was coming back with the popcorn, and she didn’t want to deal with the drama. “Fine. But only twenty more minutes and don’t tell the Headmistress.”

  “Fifty-nine.”

  “Thirty,” she said, spitting out the words.

  “Fifty-five.”

  “Forty.”

  “Fifty—I think I smell a wolfie, you better take this offer.”

  “I hate you. Deal. Now back off.” They shook hands, and his firm grip made a shiver go down her spine—and Trevor arrived right as their hands touched.

  “Everything okay? He bothering you?” Trevor looked from Naya to Ryan, and his lips drew back. His hackles were up and his nostrils flared.

  “Perfect. Taylor, isn’t it?”

  “Trevor…”

  “Right. You better step up your game, bro.” He looked over at Naya, and she realized her hand was still in his. She ripped it away. “In football, I mean,” he said with a sly laugh. Trevor stayed silent, his eyes narrowing.

  “I should get back to my friends. I’ll leave you guys alone.” He stepped up in front of Trevor, the two guys staring at each other, and suddenly Naya imagined them punching each other and fighting. They shook each other’s hands, each of their forearms flexing as they squeezed each other like they were trying to break each other.

  “Huh.” Ryan looked confused for a second, his eyes glazing, then he pulled his hand away. “Bye, you two. Have a nice evening,” he said, and for some reason, the tension was completely gone. Ryan sauntered away, completely relaxed.

  “Was it…”

  “Weird? Yeah,” Naya answered. “I told you he was a jerk! Now do you believe me?”

  Trevor snorted dismissively. “I think he was just jealous.”

  Her heart fluttered. “Why? Is there something he should be jealous of?” She pulled her hair back, making eye contact with him. The way he didn’t flinch when Ryan was staring him down and trying to crush his hand made her like him even more.

  “I don’t think so—I got the vibe he liked you from the first day he saw you. That’s it.”

  That wasn’t the answer she was hoping for, and he was looking away, not even making eye contact with her. What did she do wrong? Even with perfect makeup and in this slinky black dress, was she not pretty enough?

  He sat down next to her and grabbed a big handful of popcorn. With Trevor, it was always food first. I guess that was the wolfie…

  Don’t use that word.

  The werewolf in him.

  The night was just beginning, and if her attempts to flirt weren’t a success so far? Well, there was still plenty of time. The moment would arise if she did not force it.

  This can be a great night. I won’t let Ryan ruin it.

  The movie was an old romance film in black and white. Maybe it was original when it aired, but by now the class plot had been done over and over again. A young lady was betrothed to a prince for a marriage that was more business than true love, but after squabbling they realized they were the ones for each other, and right when they were about to be married, she was captured! Finally, he saved her for a happy ending, as these movies go.

  The actors were so dramatic and over-enthusiastic that it was over the top to the point that it was more of a comedy than a romance, and the entire student audience was laughing and pointing at the screen by the halfway mark.

  “Do you want to head out?”

  He said it so casually as the movie was nearing its end, but it was a proposition that could lead to a private moment between the two of them. “The movie is funny, but it’s starting to get a little…dull.”

  His voice sounded so casual it was almost bored, as if he’d done this a million times before. How many girls had he kissed? Naya’s eyes opened wide, and she stood up, feeling full of energy, and held out her hand for him. He took it, his big hand wrapping around her, and gave her a warm smile. The combination of those dimples and his hand around her made her heart pound with happiness.

  As they walked out of the main plaza, she could feel eyes burning against her. She shifted, uncomfortable, knowing that it must be Ryan. She turned and saw him standing. Every student was watching the big screen, but he had eyes on her, his face plain and emotionless.

  A few blocks away, with the Academy ahead, the lights of the plaza were distant in the background. He let go of her hand with a suddenness that shocked her, and he walked to the main courtyard.

  “Where are we going?” She was confused.

  “Let’s sit on the bleachers. The movie got dull, but that doesn’t mean I want to end the night.”

  Gulp. Alone, on a bleacher, with Mr. Tall and Dimples. Her face lit up with hope. He wasn’t just cute—she felt so safe with him. A good friend as well as a hot date. As they walked towards the bleachers that bordered the football field, he told her about his childhood. He had a grandma that loved art so much that every Sunday, they would sit in the garage at five p.m. sharp, trying to recreate one of Van Gogh’s masterpieces. The way he talked about her made her realize how much he cared about family and his grandma, whom he called “abuela.”

  “Thanks to my abuela, I love art. It opened my eyes to a new world, with a new perspective. That’s not the only thing I have to thank her for. She came to the US to study here, at Arumrose. She was the first Latina shifter in this building. It was tough leaving Peru, but she knew it would be better for her descendants.” He pointed to himself. “And it was. She’s a wise old lady, and she taught me all I needed to be a good…”

  “Werewolf,” finished Naya.

  He laughed. “No. More than that. How to be a good person. It’s true what the teachers say, you know? We have to be in sync with our true self to let our powers blossom.”

  Naya was sitting on a bleacher with Trevor, but her thoughts turned to Ryan. Maybe everything people were telling her was real. Maybe she needed to be more conscious of who she was, inside. Sure, the tutoring lessons with Elizabeth and Ryan were working on the technical aspects of the paranormal, but they weren’t letting her feel her true essence to be the best vampire or witch she could be.

  She sighed, nodding to herself, and Trevor noticed that new relief. He wrapped his big arms around her, and she felt safe and secure in the werewolf’s arms. She felt his support filling her with confidence that she too could finally unleash her powers and stop feeling like an outcast at the school.

  “I’m sorry. I know this is still complicated for you. That’s why I wanted to get away from everyone, you know. I wanted to tell you it’s going to be okay. You’ll get there, Nay. I know it.”

  She leaned back from him, and his big eyes stared down at her.

  “Do you think so?” It all felt like a dream. Alone, on the bleachers, with the guy who saved her on the first day. The guy who had always supported her. Her heart fluttered.

  “Yes. Of course. And since I don’t want you to worry anymore…” He smiled, holding her hands right. “I want to ask you something really important.”

  This could be it.

  The perfect ending.

  A love like her parents, that started from a protective place, with him always taking care of her.

  He bit his lip, and suddenly he looked a little nervous, the tall, confident werewolf getting vulnerable. “I…I want to ask someone out, but I’m not sure how. I’m worried…I’m worried that person might take it the wrong way.”

  She swallowed. “Oh, go for it…I’m sure that person will feel the same way as you,” she said, trying to use a flirty tone like she’d heard Amy use before, keeping her hands clutched around his, enjoying the feeling of being
so close together with him.

  He smiled back. “You’re right, Naya.”

  She leaned forward, time slowing, the night sky beautiful with twinkling stars, readying for her first kiss.

  “Do you want to…” Her eyes were wide, looking into his. “Help me ask out Tommy?”

  “What!” Her body froze. She pulled back, blinking, utterly confused.

  “Tommy. Tommy Griffin. He’s in my shifters class—another werewolf. I think I told you guys about him?”

  She got flashbacks of Trevor mentioning him a few times at lunch, although she never paid that much attention to him. Whenever he talked about Tommy, he got a cute smile, and those dimples distracted her.

  “Oh…yeah, right.” She let go of his hands. “It’s just…” She stopped. “I didn’t know you liked him.”

  “Didn’t you? Oh! I thought…” Suddenly, he blinked. “Oh my God. You knew I was gay, right?”

  Naya laughed. “No,” she said, and gave him a touch on his shoulder. “But thinking back, I should have.” They both laughed. She sighed, the tension completely gone, and tried to shift her expectations. “Anyways, how can I help you land that hottie?”

  Everything changed. She had been so focused on something she thought she wanted, but it wasn’t for her. She let go of the fantasies, the dreams, the what-ifs. They still had an amazing night, and she wasn’t going to ruin that with the idea of a silly crush. He still had the cutest dimples in the world, and for the rest of her life, Trevor would be her first crush.

  Relief flooded her. There would be no more worries. No more boy troubles. Just her and her classes. It would be easier to focus on classes if she wasn’t thinking about things like a first kiss.

  They spent the next hours in the cool night air, talking about how cute Tommy was and all the things Trevor could do to get his interest. After a while, they started talking about their dreams and goals, and then they started to discuss the guys of Arumrose. Trevor had always thought he’d want a fellow jock, but he learned that his type was the nerdy kind. The night might have turned from something she thought was romantic to a friendly night out, but it was still an intimate moment and she had never felt closer to her friend before.