by Emma Dean
Listening to them plan like this…Mika felt like maybe she would be able to make it through what came next with minimal scarring. They were officially her court, blessed by one of the oldest witch goddesses. Not that anyone knew what she was.
Still…when her boys worked together, she felt like maybe everything was going to work out just fine.
“Mika!”
She turned around, shocked and delighted. Mika spotted Selene running over, laughing and waving with her alumni pin on her shirt. She hugged Selene tight with a little laugh. Mika was relieved to have another ally on Morgana’s island, especially with Cassandra lurking around.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” Mika told the other witch. “Honestly I’d completely forgotten you were an alumnus.”
Selene hugged Corbin, Lucien, and Ethan before hugging Mika again. “I decided to come this year so I could see you and cheer Audrey on.”
“I’m supposed to sit with the Head Witch tonight,” Mika told her.
The other Matriarch raised both eyebrows at that. “Looks like I should go reintroduce myself to Madam Jadis then so I can sit with you. See you then?”
“Yeah, see you then.” Mika watched Selene head toward the main university building and sighed.
“Why does it feel like I should be fully armed?” Lucien asked, watching as more people started arriving and heading toward the various alumni event booths.
“Because it would be safer to,” Corbin muttered. “So, explain to me what’s happening this week?”
Ethan rolled his head from side to side, cracking his neck and releasing tension. “I’m going to go get some food. I’ll be right back. Wanna help, Lucien?”
“Sure, dude. We’ll bring you guys something.” Lucien kissed Mika’s cheek and followed after Ethan.
“He’s cranky,” Corbin commented.
“He’s a low born witch,” Mika explained, snapping her fingers. “He has every right to be cranky with the way she treated him.”
The table and chairs from Oleander’s roof appeared and she sat down, ignoring the delighted comments from various freshman. The grounds were a free for all during Homecoming, and she’d carved into the table just this morning for these insane alumni events.
“I’m surprised Cassandra is still standing,” Corbin commented.
“So am I.” Slowly but surely, Mika was regaining control. “This week is called Homecoming because that’s when all the alumni ‘come home,’” Mika explained. “There are events for them where they hang out and reconnect and ‘network’.”
Her air quotes made Corbin laugh as he sat down next to her. “But mostly they get really drunk and party all week, attending the rally and the Homecoming game. They’re the ones who throw the Samhain Ball here at Morgana for the current students. There’s going to be a Homecoming queen and her court who have their own float during the parade before the game, and their own special seats in the coliseum.”
Mika watched as Lucien and Ethan went to one of the food booths and loaded up.
“From what the newsletter says the queen starts off the dodgeball game with some performance or whatever, and then they’re presented at the ball and have to do the first dance.”
Corbin laced his fingers through hers. “Is there a king?”
She shook her head. “No king. The queen has a prince, and then there are three princesses with escorts.”
“How do they even choose who gets to be part of this university royalty?”
Something about the way Corbin asked the question reminded her of the way he’d looked when he’d knelt before her – it reminded her of the crown stashed in her room that she’d done everything to try and forget about.
“The alumni choose people, and then vote.” Mika shrugged. “Usually the queen is a senior or a junior, and the princesses are juniors or freshmen, but there are no rules requiring that.”
Lucien and Ethan came back with so much food she thought they’d never get through it all, then Audrey and Malachi ran up looking freshly showered after their practice and Mika changed her mind.
“Hey guys.” Audrey took the other chair beside Mika and gave her a hug. “Long time no see.”
“You guys ready for the game?” Mika asked, watching as Malachi helped Ethan and Lucien place all the food on the table and pass out the plates and cutlery.
“As ready as we can reasonably be,” Malachi said, grabbing two sandwiches and some chips. “The British team really is excellent.”
“Yeah, but you two have been trained by an assassin.” Corbin held out his arms like their victory would all be thanks to him.
“How are you even allowed on campus again?” Malachi asked in that dry tone.
The raven laughed and pulled out his old student I.D. “Technically I’m still a student here, didn’t you know?”
“How could I forget.”
Mika thanked Lucien for the food he put on her plate and eyed Ethan. Cassandra had really upset him. Usually it didn’t bother him so much.
“I can’t wait for the rally,” Audrey gushed as she put her chips in her sandwich. “They’re going to light a massive fire just like during Yule and we’re supposed to dance around it after the announcements like the ancient witches used to.”
“So, naked?” Corbin asked, biting into his own sandwich.
Audrey laughed and threw a chip at him, which he managed to catch of course. “No, not naked you weirdo. It is the twenty-first century after all.”
“It should be naked,” Lucien countered. “Maybe then witches wouldn’t be so weird all the time whenever they see a naked shifter.”
“Exactly,” Corbin agreed, popping Audrey’s chip into his mouth.
“What do you think, Ethan?” Mika asked, tapping her nails on the table.
“You should eat, Mika,” Ethan told her. “You burn up a ton of energy now.”
“I will if you tell me whether you think we should all dance naked under the stars again.”
His grey eyes flashed at her. Clearly, he knew what she was doing. “I’d love to watch you dance naked under the stars.”
Her entire body felt hot, and then cold. Mika cleared her throat delicately. “I’m sure you would look better naked than me, Ethan.”
Audrey snorted into her sandwich and Corbin’s grin was downright feral.
“I’m actually more interested in seeing Malachi dance naked under the stars,” Ethan stated, challenging her. “After all, he’s the only one I haven’t seen naked yet out of everyone here.”
Her cheeks heated and Mika glared at him from across the table. Of course, his comment did exactly what he wanted it to do. Mika couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to have Ethan directing her and Malachi like he had with Lucien.
“I am pretty sure you’re lying,” Lucien said, pointing his sandwich at Ethan. “You two room together and you’ve never seen him naked?”
“The showers are in a separate part of the house and I sleep in my sweatpants,” Malachi explained mildly. “I could strip right now though if it would make you all happy.”
Mika gave up and buried her face in her hands, not able to hide her embarrassment anymore. “How about we just stick to dinner and a rally for today?”
Corbin laughed so hard it was offensive. Mika glared at him while Ethan and Lucien sniggered behind their sandwiches.
But…Ethan wasn’t upset anymore, and everyone was smiling. She supposed a little embarrassment was worth it if this is what she got out of it.
“So, when are you guys, going to like, kiss?” Lucien asked with fake innocence, taking a bite out of his sandwich.
Mika sighed and picked up her own sandwich. “I’ll kiss Malachi when you do, Lucien.”
Malachi actually laughed. “Is this a challenge I wasn’t aware of? Did you have to kiss Ethan, Lucien?”
“Yes!” Audrey yelled, nearly knocking over all the food. “I want to see this, like, right now. Make my little gay heart proud.”
“Suddenly, I feel l
eft out,” Corbin pouted.
“I just remembered I have to go pick up our dresses,” Mika interrupted before things started getting out of hand. She stood from the table, sandwich in hand. “Do whatever you guys want to do.”
All of them shouted at her as she walked away, but it was good natured, and Mika was grinning. She wanted to see them kiss too, but she would much rather it be at her own leisure.
Glancing back over her shoulder, she watched them as they chatted and ate.
Malachi must have sensed her attention because he looked up from his sandwich and gave her a small smile. It made her stomach flutter and she couldn’t deny she wanted to kiss him. She just wanted it to happen naturally.
Something large and invisible brushed against her as she made her way toward the admissions building where they accepted student orders. Mika rested her hand on the invisible hellhound’s back, the cry of a raven overhead.
No matter what happened this week, she had friends who had her back.
Even if it was just so she could kiss a boy.
28
Mika buttoned the deep navy peacoat with its silver buttons over her sweater. It was cold now, chilly with enough wind to bite. The leaves in the forest were officially orange and gold and red amongst the evergreens.
Eyeing herself in the mirror, Mika felt as though she was dressing for battle in a way. Cassandra was going to be at this rally, and she’d be expected to have to chat like neither of them knew the Head Witch had hunted down every blood witch she could find to establish her absolute rule.
Knotting the grey cashmere scarf around her neck, Mika tilted her head to make sure all the braids were still in place, a few of Corbin’s feathers woven in. At least she would be warm.
“This dress…” Audrey held it up to the light, watching as the fabric slithered, elegantly unfolding. “This one dress costs more than this year’s tuition. I can’t accept it, Mika.”
Mika leaned forward and inspected her thick black eyeliner in the mirror. The smoky look always made her blue eyes pop. “You’re officially adopted into the Marshall clan and entitled to half our business’s income. I didn’t pay for it. You did.”
Audrey glared at Mika. “That’s a fancy way to put it. I never agreed to half the income from a business I’ve no right to.”
Mika turned and glared right back, hands on her hips. “That’s not how clans work. The income is divided up equally among the living members after expenses have been paid for. The clan pays for housing, food, education, and various other sundries. If we were to hold a ball at the Marshall mansion that would come out of our income prior to the allowance. Whatever is leftover afterward is then divided up. You are the only other living member of the Marshall clan, so you get half.”
The other witch blinked. “But I haven’t even legally changed my name yet.”
Mika waved a hand in dismissal. “Doesn’t matter to the witch world. I filed your adoption into the clan with the Council which makes you a Marshall regardless of what your human birth certificate says. Everything’s official. How far you want to go next is up to you.”
Mika sighed and crossed the room to sit next to Audrey on her bed. “Do I hope you’ll help me carry on the Marshall bloodline as well as your own? Yes, but that’s up to you. Would I like to legally share my clan name with you? Of course. And I will accept anyone you want to spend the rest of your life with into our clan if that’s what you want. But you’re a Marshall now, signed and stamped. That comes with money whether you like it or not.”
Audrey ran her hand over the silver dress in reverence. “It really is beautiful. How did you manage to get my size right?”
Mika grinned and hugged Audrey tight. “We share a room and I have access to all your clothes. The silver is going to make you look like a goddess.”
“I have no one to go to the Samhain Ball with,” Audrey admitted, voice wistful. “Natalie and I are still friends, but it would be weird to go with her after everything. I haven’t had the time to really date anyone else. The Morgana Marauders are like...pro level. They don’t mess around and I’ve barely had time for my classes and homework, let alone anything else.”
“You won’t be going alone,” Mika murmured, resting her head on Audrey’s shoulder as they both studied the dress. “I can be your date if you like. Ethan can take Lucien, and Corbin can take Malachi.”
Audrey snorted. “I might take you up on that offer just to see them all paired up.”
“Then count on me as your date.” Mika gave her a peck on the cheek before sliding off the bed. “I’ve missed you this semester.”
Audrey smiled up at her sadly. “I know. I really wish you’d made the team, but I don’t think it would have fit into your schedule with everything else.”
“Same.” Mika pulled on her matching cashmere gloves and then slipped her hands into her pockets. “Are you ready to go? I really feel the team spirit thanks to this coat.”
Standing, Audrey refolded the silk dress and placed it carefully back in the box it came in. “You’re wearing all the right colors for the Morgana Marauders, but you should wear this too. It’ll complete your look.” Audrey pinned a silvery crest above Mika’s breast and then patted it. “It’s not the school crest, but Morgana’s.”
Mika looked down and blinked back tears. “It’s beautiful.”
“It wasn’t just me,” Audrey admitted, blushing slightly. “After the Morrigan gave Morgana the ability to affect the physical world, she went down to her castle and got it for you. She wants to remind the school who this land belongs to.”
“Doesn’t it belong to the university?” Mika asked, raising an eyebrow in question. “I’m pretty sure I would know if it actually belonged to me since I went through all my clan’s records this summer after…after the challenge.”
It was still hard to talk about out loud.
“According to Kenzie, who told Finnick who then told me one of the times I was training with him and Ash over the summer…the land is still filed as Morgana Le Fay’s with the Council. The university was here before the slaughter so, I guess they didn’t think to change that when they decided to continue the university in her name.” Audrey shrugged.
Mika’s hands were suddenly clammy. “Holy shit.”
“Yeah.” Audrey laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. “I cannot wait to see that shitshow go down.”
This land really was hers. The Morrigan hadn’t been talking out of her ass, and maybe Morgana knew too.
What the hell was she supposed to do with this information?
“You ready to face Cassandra?” Audrey asked, adjusting Mika’s coat slightly before checking to make sure her own uniform was looking sharp.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” Mika muttered. She checked her watch. “We should hurry, or someone is going to come fetch us.”
“Someone is already here,” Selene announced as she entered their dorm room. “I brought hot cider. But be careful, it’s spiked,” she warned, laughing slightly.
“How much have you had to drink?” Mika asked, taking one of the cups gladly. It was warm and spiced and sweet with a touch of whipped cream if her new sense of smell was right. “Your cheeks are pinker than normal.”
“It’s not like we have to pay for them,” Selene chuckled. “I only get to escape my family and duties of matriarch once a year. Let me enjoy this.”
Mika sipped at the cider and shared a smile with Audrey. “Are you going back for the Samhain Ball in San Francisco?” she asked as the three of them headed downstairs.
The bonfire had been erected in the main quad and it seemed everyone was planning on going to the rally as she watched other students in Oleander House laughing and chattering as they got ready as well.
When they stepped outside there were groups all over the grounds making their way towards the main quad that was surrounded by the university buildings.
From the sound of it, the British branch was going to have its own rally in the tent c
ity and Mika linked her arm through Audrey’s. This might actually still be fun despite having to keep an eye on Cassandra.
Something invisible brushed up against her and Mika could hear Armad silently coasting above them. They weren’t alone. These two and Malachi would make sure Audrey was safe while Selene and Mika were with Corbin, Lucien, and Ethan. No one would be unprotected.
Mika wouldn’t put it past the old bitch to try something this week if even a sliver of memory returned.
Just because the Morrigan undid the spell didn’t necessarily mean someone was suddenly possessed with knowledge. From the way Aine had described the sensation, something had to trigger that memory.
So, unless…unless Cassandra was somehow reminded, she would have to stumble upon it herself. There was no one else older than her that Mika knew of.
“Matriarchs! Don’t you look positively radiant,” Corbin teased, appearing out of the shadows like a ghost. “And Audrey, you look fearsome. The other team doesn’t stand a chance.”
All three of them laughed at his ridiculous flattery. “Whose good graces are you trying to get in?” Mika asked, nudging him with her shoulder as he fell into step with them. “You’re hamming it up more than usual.”
“Oh, I am purely a survivalist,” Corbin insisted, holding his hands up. “I’m fully aware all three of you could melt me into goo if you so desired.”
“Not before you slit our throats,” Selene teased, draining the rest of her cider. “I’m going to need more of those if we’re going to make it through tonight sitting next to that old hag.”
Mika spit out her cider, covering her mouth in shock. “You need to not call her that for the rest of the night or she’ll murder you too.”
“I believe Selene just complimented me,” Corbin whispered smugly to Mika. “I’m flattered she believes me sneaky enough to kill her.”
Audrey covered her mouth to hide her laugh when Mika rolled her eyes. “We’re all definitely going to get murdered tonight simply because we’re annoying.”
There was a hoarse cough from behind her that Mika would have sworn was the hellhound laughing.