by Tricia Barr
“Yes,” Beatrice said.
Draven nodded. “It seems fitting, doesn’t it?”
Kenzie swallowed. “Yes. Of course.” She gave Leif a small smile—the same one she’d flashed at Kol to try to let him know that she wasn’t the enemy, despite her actions.
Leif sat up, fear and hope flashing across his face. What had he been through to elicit this type of reaction? “Your hair...”
“Do you like it?” Kenzie asked, self-consciously touching the short locks.
Leif shook his head.
Kenzie swallowed hard, then turned to look at Draven and Beatrice. Draven had his arms crossed, and Beatrice looked like she wasn’t enjoying this interaction at all. Kenzie needed to get it over with.
With a deep breath, Kenzie sat on the lush purple couch beside Leif and took his hands in hers. “Just know that I’m only trying to do what’s right.”
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and began, a slight tremble in her voice. “Vampír, créatúrnal ghealaís, glachadha leissana noíche, bíodha eaglortír ansalágh. Vampír, créatúrnal ghealaís, bhithina chúpúla solaras noíche.” She’d memorized the daywalker spell, so she didn’t need the grimoire to come up with a deviation. She just hoped leaving off the final phrase would make everything temporary.
She ended the spell strong and sure, letting the magic flow slowly through her, setting every intention for it to do the job only half way. She needed Leif to show a weakness for the sun to convince Draven of her compliance, but she didn’t want to completely destroy the magic that had allowed him to walk in light for so long.
And she could almost feel that magic, the protection balling tight within Leif as her spell did its work. It was as if she’d formed a box around Gemma’s magic, locking away his daywalking ability. For now.
Kenzie opened her eyes and looked into Leif’s. He held a look of awe, one of rapt attention. Guilt swamped her, but she shook it off, slipping out of his hands.
She stood, turning to Beatrice and Draven. “It’s done.”
Draven lifted a brow. “That remains to be seen. Beatrice?” He gestured to the door.
Beatrice nodded, picking up Leif like a doll and carrying him out of the room. Leif didn’t even squeak in protest, his head lolling back.
They made quick work of the stairs, but at the room with the many stairwells, Beatrice headed toward one with caution tape in front and strode through, Draven behind her. Kenzie followed, chewing on her lip. They climbed until they stood in front of a door, bright light seeping under the bottom.
Beatrice put Leif down and nudged him forward, then looked back at Kenzie. “You’ll have to do the honors.”
Kenzie nodded, her mouth in a firm line. She marched forward and gripped the knob, then slowly turned, easing the door open a crack. Beatrice and Draven were far enough back, though Kenzie saw Beatrice take another step. Leif, however, took a step forward. The smile on his face instantly melted as his arm passed through a shaft of light, and he cried out as he fell to the floor, whimpering like a puppy.
Kenzie slammed the door shut, gagging at the sight of Leif’s charred flesh. It curled up in spots like burned paper, an angry, blistering red with black edges. And the smell, like burned hotdogs, filled her nostrils.
Kenzie gazed at the floor as she composed herself, opening her mouth to keep the stench out of her nose. She concentrated on keeping her face neutral, though all she wanted to do was descend in a fit of tears on Leif, to try to apologize, to make everything better. When she felt she was ready, she turned to Draven. “Am I in?”
Draven smiled. “Yes. Excellent. Just as soon as you make me a daywalker.”
Kenzie took a deep breath through her mouth and released it. “I’ll need two more things for my spell to work.”
Draven’s face hardened.
Kenzie plunged ahead. “The petals and roots of a moonflower picked during a full moon, and the seeds of a sunflower. I would’ve gotten them both myself before I made the journey, but I don’t have the means for the moonflower, and I’m sure you’d rather your sunflower seeds were fresh.”
“You do realize we just had a full moon.”
“I do. And if you’re lucky, someone picked a moonflower, roots and all, the other day. The internet has all kinds.”
Draven scowled. “And if not?”
Kenzie shrugged. “I guess we have to wait for the next full moon?”
“For your sake, I hope that’s not the case. You’re lucky I’m a patient man, but my patience has limits.”
“Of course.” Kenzie nodded and prayed to the fates. Hopefully she’d have Myreen out of here before Draven found the ingredients.
“Why didn’t you tell me about this little stipulation from the beginning?”
Kenzie cleared her throat. “Between the attack and getting settled, I didn’t really have the time.”
Draven gave a noncommittal hum, but didn’t press her further. To be honest, she had hoped it wouldn’t come up, just in case she needed more time.
She cut another glance at Leif, who was curled on the floor like a child, still whimpering. It was so tempting to just break down. The only thing that kept her going was pretending that it was Draven on the floor instead of Leif.
It almost made her feel better. Almost.
Chapter 20: Juliet
Juliet stopped and leaned against the wall to calm her breathing. She tried to think of all things positive in her life. She was back together with Nik. She knew the students weren't on board with the new changes in the school. And... that was it. But it was something.
Think of the good, she repeated to herself as she slipped her headphones on. Think of the good. That would be her new mantra. She needed something to stay afloat, especially after seeing that horrible video of Kol at the hands of Draven. Juliet shuddered. Kol had only been in Draven’s custody a few days, if the rumor mill was to be trusted, and if he looked like that after only a few days, she couldn’t even imagine what Myreen was going through. And Kenzie going after her...
Think of the good. She had to get her emotions under control before she lit something on fire. Thinking about the things she couldn’t control wasn’t helping anything.
“Keep walking. Get to your next class.” A large guard with blank eyes poked Juliet’s arm.
She hadn’t even realized she’d stopped moving.
“Excuse me!” Juliet slung her hand down and brought her fire to the surface of her palms, giving the guard a menacing glare. Still, he met her with a blank stare.
“Juliet, please,” Nik said as he came beside her, his voice like a ray of sunshine peeking from a dark and cloudy sky. “Come on, come with me.”
Her fire sizzled out, but she didn't drop the stare-off with the guard. “Touch me again and I’ll burn your finger off.” She was crossing a very dangerous line, but her pent up frustration bubbled over, and in that moment, she didn't care what the repercussions were.
The guard opened his little electronic tablet and entered something, then snapped it shut. He turned to face Nik. “Control her, private.”
That. Was. It.
The mantra she’d been repeating melted away. If she didn't shift, like now, she might explode. But she couldn’t, not without going to the Defense Room and punishing herself with more work. So like an upset toddler, Juliet stomped the whole way to her room, slamming the door behind her.
She threw herself onto her bed and stuffed her face in her pillow so no one could hear her scream. Despite her theatrics, she heard the door softly open and close. She lifted herself off the bed, giving her sheets a final punch. But none of it had helped.
She needed to let her fire out, she just had to.
Juliet saw the look of worry in Nik's eyes, but she was too furious to care. With her head back, she opened both of her fists in front of her and let her power escape. As soon as it did, she felt weightless. Her hands looked like flamethrowers. She smiled, her chest swelling with pride. She felt at one with her fire again. Th
e deep red color of her flames was almost hypnotic, but ultimately, it was a distraction.
Like a waterfall, the new freeze enveloped her warm comfort, turning her insides cold. Her stomach tightened in response until her breath hitched. But the freeze didn't make her shiver or want to cover up. It felt comfortable, like her heat. It was just so... different.
And then the cold reached her hands. She tried to suck in her heat before it changed, but it was too late.
As if in slow motion, the flames straightened and stilled, no longer dancing like waves. Then, like magic, the redness morphed into a sparkling blue, starting from the bottom where her fire met her palms and ending at the tip top of her rigid flames. Juliet looked at them like they weren't real. If Nik wasn't with her, she would’ve thought she was dreaming.
“Jules,” Nik whispered and walked slowly toward her.
Juliet couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't comprehend what was happening. She blinked a few times just to reacquaint herself with her surroundings. What should I do? With her fire, she could just put it back in her body. But ice? That seemed impossible. Instead she dashed to her towel and slid the pillars of ice off her hands as gently as she could—she didn't want to clean up another mess.
Nik was right behind her, and as soon as her hands were free, he pulled her into a much-needed hug. She sunk into him as the lump in her throat grew, her eyes burning, and sobbed into his chest.
They stayed that way until Juliet began to hiccup from crying so much.
She pulled away and wiped her eyes. As she looked at the melting ice towers, all she could do was shrug. “I just don't understand. I had my fire under control. Why is this happening?”
Juliet stared at the floor, but Nik lifted her chin.
“I strongly believe that things like this happen only to those who are valiant enough to endure it. Don't let this set you back. These changes will only make you stronger.” He sounded like he was reading from a fortune cookie.
Juliet wanted to smile, but she wasn't there yet. Even if his words helped. “Everything is just such a mess.”
“And every mess has to get cleaned up. Right now it’s up to us to do the cleaning.”
Juliet scrunched her nose. “Okay, zen master.” She sniffled and rolled her eyes as Nik pulled her in for another hug.
“Sorry if it’s too soon, but wow, Juliet, that was just... beautiful. The way your fire turned to ice? It was like magic.”
Now she did giggle. “Isn't our whole world magical?” She nudged him in the arm and stood to get a bottle of water.
“Well, sure, but a phoenix that can turn her flames into icicles is unheard of.”
“Great, so call me Myreen 2.0.” The moment Myreen's name came out, grief crushed her all over again.
Nik shook his head. “I don't think it’s a chimera thing. It definitely feels different. But it should stay between us. Well, and maybe your dad. You should probably ask him for a recap of your lineage.”
“Why? And no, I'm not speaking to him.”
“What do you mean, why? Jules, your fire power alone made you incredibly powerful. Add ice to the mix and your power excels... by a lot.”
She hadn’t thought of it like that. “But I don't want to be more powerful. I was just getting used to my fire. I don't want this.” Her eyes brimmed with tears again, but she refused to go there.
“Let’s slow down. I know it’s going to be hard, but try not to experiment with your fire until you speak with Malachai. Your dad could be the only person that knows what’s going on.”
“If my dad wants to apologize, then I’ll talk to him. But he’s showing no remorse over kicking Oberon out.” Juliet paused, looking at the floor as she remembered her thought from their secret meeting. “What if... What if General Dracul is using his dragon abilities on my dad?”
“I wish it were that simple, but no, I don’t think so. Your dad signed up for the shifter military. That’s not something you do lightly, and you don’t oppose leadership without facing severe consequences. And with the General at the school now...” Nik gave Juliet a meaningful gaze.
Juliet sighed. Sure, the idea had occurred to her that Dracul might try to use her to keep her dad in line, but would the leader of the shifter military really be so cruelly manipulative? It seemed the answer was yes... “Fine. Maybe when I'm cooled down, I’ll see if I have time to stop by his office. I'm skipping the rest of my classes. I don't want to deal with anyone or anything else today.” Juliet kicked off her shoes and sat on her bed burying her feet under the sheets.
Nik didn’t look pleased, but he nodded, his lips pulled into a grim line. “Just be sure to stay in here. Keep your phone by you and text me if you need anything. And Jules, please, try to stay off their radar. That means no more talking back to the guards or losing your temper around the Dome. That guard took your name down, which is a reminder for them to keep a closer watch on you. So stay low. Try to stay calm. Do some yoga or make yourself some tea or something.”
“Okay, Yoda.” She laid back, grabbing her phone to scroll through her apps. “Have a great day being a slave to that monster.”
“My day is only great when I get to spend it with you.” Nik kissed her on the forehead. “I love you.”
Before he could get away, she pulled his head down so their lips could touch. “Love you, too,” she whispered.
Juliet watched him leave with so many mixed emotions running through her. But when he closed the door, she ditched her phone and covered herself with her sheets. She stayed in the darkness until her eyes drooped, then succumbed to a much-deserved nap.
But even sleeping, she couldn’t escape from the mean old dragon ruining her school, as he filled each dream with nightmares.
Chapter 21: Oberon
“We’re wasting time,” Oberon growled. He and Ren were walking down a street that lined the Bow River. Its rushing waters reminded him of the Missouri River. There were even small islands within, and Oberon couldn’t help but think about La Framboise Island and the old shifter school he’d attended as a boy.
“We’re searching for your kin,” Ren said, bundled up in winter gear from the top of his head down to his thick, warm boots. “Explain to me how that is a waste of time?”
Oberon stooped to the ground and picked up a small rock, his gloveless hands feeling its cold, rough surface. Narrowing his eyes at the ice chunks floating in the currents of the river, he targeted one and launched the stone. The rock missed its target and thoinked into the water, sending a splash into the air.
Nearby, he noticed a teenage girl standing against the fence that blocked off the way to the river. She was wearing a white beanie, underneath which flowed long, blonde locks. She had a scarf that matched her hat, and was wearing a thick, light-pink parka. She wasn’t looking at the river, but down at her hands, deep in thought. He’d seen plenty of students with similar expressions—hopeless expressions. He was immediately reminded of Myreen.
Wrenching his thoughts away, he answered Ren’s question. “Searching for gryphons is a wild goose chase,” Oberon said. Throwing his kitsune friend a look, he found a smile crawling on Ren’s face. “Why the mischievous grin?”
“Oh come on, you can’t really expect me not to play off a line like that,” Ren replied. “Not with the commonality between geese and gryphons—”
“The commonality between geese and gryphons ends with beaks and wings.” Oberon wagged a dangerous finger between them.
“Don’t forget the feathers and how easily ruffled they get,” Ren added.
Oberon set his jaw. “I’m not in the mood, Ren.”
“Of course you’re not,” his friend replied. “Which is precisely why I crack a joke here and there—to help get you in the mood. Seriously, Oberon. You’ve always been a grump, but ever since you found Myreen Fairchild, it’s like your irritableness has been set to turbo. I’m afraid you’re turning into an old man.”
If the past few months had done anything to Oberon, they’d mad
e him feel older. The icy river drew his attention again. Distantly, he said, “We’ve been searching for Delphine’s gryphons for four days now. We’ve been out to Mount Joffre twice. We’ve walked the streets here in Calgary. There’s been no sign of them. Not even the shadow of a scent of my kin.”
He could feel Ren’s eyes on him, could sense his humored expression deflating.
“I think Delphine really is trying to keep us preoccupied,” Oberon mumbled.
“Or maybe her vision was wrong,” Ren offered.
Oberon shook his head. “She’s never been wrong before. I have no reason to believe she’d have a false vision now.”
Another splash sounded, and Oberon looked toward the fence where the girl had been standing. She wasn’t there anymore. And that splash had sounded bigger than a mere stone.
Movement among the ice in the Bow River caught Oberon’s eye, and he saw the girl’s pink coat arms flailing in the river.
“She fell in,” Oberon said, a jolt of panic striking through his body.
“What?” Ren asked.
Oberon didn’t answer, but hopped over the fence and ran down the rocky shore, determining how best to rescue the girl. He could shift into his gryphon form, then easily scoop her out of the water with his strong claws. But he’d be seen in broad daylight by humans. To most of them, he was nothing short of a myth. It would be dangerous. But seeing the girl’s head go underwater threw out all thought of self-preservation.
Oberon unzipped his coat and stepped out of his boots, pulling his pants off as quickly as he could. In no time, he was down to his smart clothing, and was already shifting. The momentary cold disappeared as his thick gryphon body formed and his brown feathers sprouted.
Strength flowed through his wings as he flapped them, lifting off the ground and moving forward with the flow of the river.
Swooping down, he managed to catch the girl’s only visible gloved hand right as she was about to go under again. Pulling her wet body out of the freezing cold depths, he hugged her against his belly. She coughed and sputtered, but at least she was alive.