by Luna Pierce
He weaves his fingers between mine and tips my chin up. Silas stares longingly into my eyes
“Jace.”
“What?” I say, a bit confused by his expression.
“My middle name.”
I don’t need to hear the words to understand for certain that it’s true. I realize without a doubt that he loves me. It’s in his actions, in everything he does to make sure I’m happy and taken care of, in his protectiveness, and selflessness when he puts aside his differences with Sydney to make sure I’m safe.
Like the shifting of an intricate lock, something opens up inside me. A shedding of skin leading the way to a new version of myself that comes into focus.
“I love you, Silas Jace Harlow.” Yeah, that has a nice ring to it.
Chapter Thirty-One
The rest of the day is spent resting and eating the delicious food Cameron prepares for us.
I request that to-die-for pasta, and he beams at being able to help.
“It sucks, you know.” Cameron stirs the veggies in the sizzling skillet.
I watch him from my spot on the counter.
“Sydney is an all-mighty witch, Silas is this badass vampire protector guy, and Deghan… don’t get me started on him. Strong and fierce and loveable. And I’m over here like ‘want some food’?”
I grin at him. “You’re as useful as anyone else. I mean, I’m pretty sure Deg would quite literally starve to death without you.”
“That’s because he has a tapeworm.” He laughs. “Not really, but damn can he put down some food.”
I can’t help but wonder where he is, and what he’s doing.
Sydney told me that werewolves typically shift for a few hours on the full moon, but sometimes up to a day. It all depends on the level of experience the shifter has, what their needs are, and how skilled a hunter they are.
Apparently, the creatures need raw, fresh meat to get them through the lunar cycles. And if they’re able to replenish their stores quickly, they can switch back to their human form sooner rather than later.
They need their exercise, too. Their animal bodies get cramped and require vast stretching and running each time they turn.
And if they don’t… they become vicious, violent beasts that will attack anything in their way. Including humans, vampires, and any other being.
My mind flashes back to that unstable light-gray wolf that threatened me and Silas.
Was it starving? In need of a workout? Or did it just want to murder us because it could?
“Something on your mind?” Cameron pokes me with the handle of a spatula.
I shake my head and force a smile “Nope.”
We didn’t tell him what happened with Deghan and the other wolf. Considering how close he and Deg are, we didn’t want to worry or stress him out when there is literally nothing he can do right now. If we told him, it would only add unnecessary anxiety and drive him mad waiting for Deghan to return.
Deghan seemed like he had things under control. So, we don’t think he’s in danger in any way. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have allowed the situation to continue without intervening.
All things concerning werewolves, that’s Deghan’s territory.
“How did the bake sale end up?” I ask Cameron.
“I can hardly believe this but, I paid Walker back for all of the supplies and still managed to have three months’ worth of bill money left. It’s a fucking miracle. That should give my idiot brother time to get his shit together, and even if he doesn’t, the headmaster told me that I could set up a regular little spot and keep selling baked goods. All he asks is that it doesn’t hinder my learning. How freaking amazing is that?” Cameron beams and pulls me into a hug. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
I squeeze him back. “All you needed was a little push. You had it in you all along.”
He kisses my forehead and goes back to the stovetop. “Deghan is always telling me how great everything I make him is… but I swear he’d eat anything. I hate that I needed it, but this weekend was a huge confidence booster and really put things into perspective for my future.”
“That’s awesome, Cam. You think it’s something you’ll consider as a career?”
Speaking of, I’ve been so focused on all the shit going on in my life that I never really considered my life outside of the supernatural world. I guess I wasn’t sure if I’d make it out of this alive, let alone get a job.
“Absolutely.” He takes a few plates from the shelf overhead. “Where’s Silas?”
I close my eyes and concentrate on him. His presence right around the corner. “He’s coming.”
“That’s so crazy that you can do that.” Cameron distributes the food.
“Trust me, it doesn’t get any less weird for me either.”
Silas glides into the room and appears at my side. He kisses my cheek. “Cameron.”
Cam holds out a dish to both of us.
“This smells amazing.” Silas breathes the plate of steaming pasta in.
“Whoa now. Was that a compliment?” Cameron brings his hand to his mouth in disbelief.
“Don’t get used to it.” Silas takes my hand and guides me off the counter and over to a small table.
We all sit down and dive into our delicious meal.
It’s sometime in the middle of the night when Deghan comes bolting into my room.
I nearly fall off my bed from the surprise. “You scared the shit out of me.”
His golden eyes are frantic. “You’re telling me. What the fuck happened? Are you okay? Is Silas…?”
“He’s fine. I’m good. Sydney and Cam, too. We’re all right. Take a breath.” I put my hand on his and press the calming energy into him.
He takes a deep breath and exhales loudly. “I kept trying to shift back but I couldn’t. It was like my body was resisting it. That’s never happened. I was stuck in wolf form. The more I tried…”
“How did you finally break free?”
Deghan averts his gaze. “I killed Bambi.”
“Aw, Deg. You had to do what you had to, to get back to us.” I lay his head on my chest and pat his back.
“It wasn’t literally Bambi, but still. Uh, I hate that part of being a wolf. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a cheeseburger the same as the next guy, but I don’t exactly want to be the one butchering the thing.”
“That makes sense.” I rub circles up and down his spine. “Are you hungry now? Do you need to eat?”
He shakes his head. “No. I’m just really tired.”
I flip open the covers to invite him in. “Come on.”
A sly grin spreads on his sleepy face. “You’re the best.”
“Mmhm.”
He settles in next to me and drags me to his warm body.
I let the nerves of the day fizzle away and doze off with him.
Morning comes, and Deghan latches on to me each time I attempt to get up.
“Five more minutes,” he whines.
“It’s been five more, ten times now. We’re going to be late for class if we don’t get up.” I pry his comforting arm off me. “And I’m training with Ruby today, so I have to make sure I eat breakfast. Witch orders.”
Deghan sits straight up. “You are?”
“Yup. Shadow realm lesson. Monday, Wednesday, Friday.” I change my shirt and grab a pair of clean leggings from my dresser. “But hey, me, Syd, and Silas are going to Sydney’s house once we’re finished with school. Do you want to go with us?”
“You mean the place where his parents lured you into a trap and almost killed you?”
“That’s the one.” I kick his shoes toward him and toss him the pants and t-shirt he left lying on my floor. “Long story short, we think Sydney’s parents have something to do with my curse, so we’re going to try to find some of his family grimoires to see if we can uncover anything.”
He slides one of his shoes on then realizes he still hasn’t put on his jeans.
I giggle and hurry to the bathroom to
brush my teeth and hair. I quickly wash my face and throw on some moisturizer. Remi and Kyra would totally kill me if they saw my skincare routine.
It could be worse, I suppose.
“Probably be better for us to stick together.” Deghan leans against the doorframe of my en suite while I finish getting ready.
“That’s what I was thinking. If they do some shit, at least all of us will be there.” I flip off the light to the vanity. “Listen, I’m not thrilled about it, but it’s our best chance at figuring out how to break the curse. If I can’t find my mom, the least I can do is this.”
Deghan frowns. “The stone didn’t charge?”
I sigh. “Not only that, but I had to destroy it, too.”
Deghan’s eyebrows rise. “What the hell did I miss?”
“Oh, you mean, aside from Silas going mad, nearly committing suicide… actually, he did now that I think about it, and I brought him back from the dead, but only after I pulverized the one shot at locating my mother?” I circle the room and find the few items I need to put into my backpack. “Pasta, you missed some killer pasta.”
“Wills, I’m so sorry.” Deghan follows me out into the hallway. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
I reposition the bag on my shoulder. “Not unless you know where my mom is.”
He wraps his arm around me and brings me to his side.
It’s his sort of silent way of making me aware he’s there, that he cares. The gesture is comforting but does nothing to ease my endless nerves.
I make headway on one thing—by saving Silas—and take five billion steps back with another—pinpointing my mom’s location.
Plus, the whole looming Oliver curse that seems to have no end.
We step onto the ground floor of the building.
“Willow,” Professor Tremont calls out from across the foyer. He waves me over.
“I’ll see you in a minute, Deg.” I stand on my tiptoes to press my lips to his cheek.
I hastily make my way over to Tremont, not wanting to cut into my breakfast time any more than I already have. If I don’t manage to eat something prior to training, I’ll be in no shape to go on our adventure when school is over.
“What’s up?” I say to the professor.
He gawks upon my approach. “Your hands. The bandage, it’s gone.” A smile breaks across his face. “See, I told you you’d be good in no time.”
Right, I totally forgot about our twice-a-day healing sessions, considering he’s been a bit missing in action lately.
“Good as new.” I hold the once blistered palm out for his inspection. “Thanks, again.” For nothing. It was Silas who healed me, and part of me thinks Tremont knows it wasn’t his doing.
“That’s quite incredible.” Tremont turns it over and runs his thumb along the outside, where the most injured section was. “Nonetheless, I’m pleased with your recovery.” His gaze scans my face. “Are you?”
His question seems much more complicated than it appears on the surface.
“Definitely.” I slowly draw my hand away. “Listen, I’m a bit rushed on time.”
Tremon cuts me off. “By all means, it was good to catch up.”
I walk away, toward my friends in the dining hall, but I can’t help but feel that Tremont is watching me in some incredibly curious and devious way.
Chapter Thirty-Two
“I want you to attack me.” Ruby’s wild gaze meets mine. Something new, something dangerous shines through.
Tempting me. Taunting even.
“Go ahead,” Abigail calls out from across the shadow realm classroom.
I shift my focus to the rippling seam on the top of the wall and then back to Ruby.
“What are you waiting for?” Ruby demands.
I swing at her, and she ducks it like no big deal.
She’s different today.
Did the full moon change her in some way?
I throw another jab, followed up by an uppercut from my other hand. Both failures.
She bounces on her toes and slaps at my shoulders lightly. Just enough to irritate the fuck out of me. She clearly knows what she’s doing.
This time I swat at her with my leg, but somehow, she sees it coming and dodges it.
How is it possible she can anticipate every one of my moves?
“You’re thinking too much,” she tells me. “I can see what you’re going to do before you do it. Your eyes, about a millisecond prior to whatever you’re going to do, they give you away.” She taps my arms again. “Why don’t you try evading my attacks? Defense is equally important as offense.”
I look over to Abigail.
She nods. “Go easy on her, Rubes.”
Ruby stops doing her stupid little bouncing back and forth and plants her feet. She follows me whichever direction I move until finally, she punches me right in the shoulder.
It’s not hard, but enough to continue to piss me off.
“You good?” she asks.
“Go again.” I clench my jaw. My heart pumps harder, and my anger level rises.
She slams into my other arm and a cocky grin forms on her face.
Why is she so hell-bent on making a fool of me?
Instead of waiting for her to make a move, I advance and let my body take the lead. Screw thinking things through and calculating my next attempt.
I throw my arm forward, my fist flying at her and grazing her biceps.
Holy shit, I actually hit her. Barely. But it still counts.
“Better,” she confirms and then flings another blow my way.
I narrowly avoid it but end up getting hit from her follow-up punch, right in the abdomen.
Her eyes meet mine, and something familiar unsettles in my core.
Is it possible? It couldn’t be.
Ruby is my friend. There’s no way she would…
But it’s still feasible that she was the wolf that attacked us last night.
This thought sends a spike of fear and rage through me. I shove my fist toward her, landing it and missing the next blow. My feet stumble, and it takes me an extra second to regain composure.
We go at it this way for at least ten minutes, back and forth, one blow followed by another. One of us landing a punch, the other missing, then vice a versa.
“You’re weak,” Ruby tells me. “What are you going to do if something attacks you?”
Does she not realize that I’ve battled numerous demons and won? She acts like I’m completely helpless.
“Something bigger, stronger, more lethal than you.” Ruby throws another jab my way.
I block it and pull my fist back and slam it into her face. Harder than I have all this time.
It’s not until she’s thrown back a few feet that I identify the pink flowing from my hand.
Shit. I used magic.
Abigail runs forward and reaches Ruby’s side. “Rube, are you all right?” She turns toward me. “Totally uncalled for, Willow. You know better than that.”
Ruby holds out her hand and shakes her head. “I’m fine. Really. Don’t make it a bigger deal than it needs to be.”
Abigail lifts Ruby under her arms to help her stand.
“You need to be careful who you mess with.” Ruby wipes at her bloody lip. “You’re going to get yourself into trouble one day, and there won’t be anyone there to bail you out.”
I can’t determine whether her words are a threat or a friendly warning.
Abigail calls our session early for the day and instructs us to go get cleaned up for the rest of our classes.
The moment she dismisses us, I say the words and send myself back to the normal realm.
“You did what?” Deghan asks with his jaw damn near hanging open.
“She clocked her right in the mouth.” Cameron hands me a blueberry muffin.
“I bet she was pissed.” Deghan shakes his head. “You have to be careful with that one, she’s a little firecracker.”
Is that his way of admitting it was her who attack
ed us?
I’ve been too afraid to find out, considering Deghan knows for sure who it was, so I’ve kept the nagging question to myself.
Cameron still isn’t aware of the trouble we ran into in the forest either. The less unnecessary stress we put on him the better. He doesn’t need to know every little detail.
We told him about Silas, and having to destroy the stone, but the wolfy bits we left out.
“Is everyone ready?” Sydney glimpses at each of us.
I lean against Silas and nod my approval to Syd.
“It’s going to be a bit cramped.” Sydney unlocks his car. “But I think we’ll drive most of it and then go the rest on foot. I don’t want to go up the main drive, so we’re going to take a little side access that I used when I lived over there. Except this time, we won’t go all the way. I’ll hide the car in the brush, and we can walk to my house. It won’t be far.”
“And you’re totally good with me going? I’m not going to get in the way?” Cameron asks.
I grab his hand and weave my fingers through. “I’m glad you’re coming with us.”
“Same.” Deghan winks at him.
Silas lets out a grunt that resembles something of support.
We cram into the small vehicle and buckle up.
Cameron shotgun, and me between Silas and Deghan in the back.
“Can we listen to some tunes?” Deghan takes a sandwich from the backpack between his legs. He holds it toward me. “Want a bite?”
I can’t help but smile. “No, Deg, I’m good.”
He shrugs and dives in.
Cameron fiddles with the radio until something resembling music comes into focus.
I slowly scoot toward Silas. “How are you doing?”
“Fine.” He glances down at me but then goes back to stare out the front window.
“Syd mentioned that the Reperio stone often had irreversible effects. Even once the rock is destroyed. Are you still experiencing anything?”
He doesn’t seem to budge. “No.”
