by Tricia Barr
His eyebrows were still pulled together, but by the way he squinted, he was more studious than confused.
Until her fire turned icy blue.
As his eyes grew wide, Juliet rolled her own. She handed him the flame-shaped ice and threw herself back onto her bed.
“What...? How...? Why...?”
“Yeah, I know. This is why I haven't been to class.” His silence made her uncomfortable, so she sat back up and wrung her hands underneath the blanket.
“Okay, first I think it’s a good idea that you stay out of sight, but that’s already rubbed him the wrong way. You’re on his watch list. He probably sees you as weak and powerless, which you’re not. Clearly.”
“Wait, I’m on his watch list?”
Malachai gave Juliet a withering stare. “Let’s see. Talking back to an officer, skipping classes, physically threatening an officer...” He ticked each point off a finger, then stopped to look at her.
Juliet hung her head, but she refused to apologize for what she’d done. It wasn’t her fault the rules were stupid.
“This isn’t the same school, Juliet. Everyone and everything is being watched. I know you’re dealing with a lot, but maybe don't cut out of every class. Try to show face in a few of them, and no snapping when you do. I’ll put in a word that you're feeling... off. Hopefully that’ll get you back off the list. Or at least lower your threat level.”
It was Juliet’s turn to throw a withering glare, but her dad was so focused on planning that he didn’t notice.
“Maybe we should get back to our one-on-one sessions. I’ll suggest it. Maybe it’ll convince General Dracul that you're still getting the training you need.” He looked down at his hands, worry lacing his words.
“Sure. Since you're so buddy-buddy with him, I'm sure he’ll approve your request.” She said it like a robot, but not even a flat tone could erase the bitterness her words carried.
Malachai stood, his fists clenched. “Juliet, this is serious. I’ve told you, I have no choice. My rank calls for me to be one hundred percent. And right now?” He ran a hand over his cropped hair. “Right now your safety is my highest priority. If General Dracul finds out about this new ice thing, who knows what he’ll do. Nothing good, I imagine. Look what he did to your friend.” His voice was low as he said the last part.
“Welcome to my bubble of worry and fear. Trust me, I won’t tell a soul. Except...” She’d forgotten Nik already knew and she was afraid of Malachai’s reaction.
“Except what? Juliet Quinn, what did you do?” The use of her full name brought chills to her spine.
“Jeez, I didn't do anything. But remember that you and I haven’t been on speaking terms. I’ve been spending all my time with Nik, so... obviously he would notice.” She didn't want to upset her dad but she also didn't want to lie. Of course there was still the matter of the students who had seen her fire turn to ice at their secret meeting, but they’d all sworn not to tell. And their group—and the purpose for such a group—was the one subject she wasn’t ready to bring up with her father yet.
“Okay. That’s alright. I understand. And I'm glad you had someone who you could trust to share this with. I can’t imagine dealing with this alone.” He sighed, covering his eyes with his hands. “But I really need you to keep this hidden.” Her dad was being much more understanding than she thought he would.
“I’m glad Nik was with me, too. He also suggested that I keep a low profile. And he thought I should go to you for information. But by the looks of it, you know as much as we do. Which is nothing.” Juliet knew she was being pessimistic, but she didn’t feel like taking anything back.
“Well, you're right there. I don't have much information to give. But if my memory serves me right, I could swear I used to hear an old crazed aunt of mine ramble on about alicorns. She would always repeat ‘Quinns are birds who favor fire, but ice is the secret gift to acquire.’ She wasn't right in the mind, so none of her words were ever taken seriously. But now? It seems to be our answer. If only she was still alive...” He got a faraway look in his eyes.
“Alicorns? They're real? I thought they were a myth... though I guess I haven't really learned about them. I just don't understand.” Juliet wasn't entirely disappointed with their conversation. She was finally getting somewhere with him, but she still couldn't completely forgive him for not standing up for Oberon. But that was something she had to push aside. At least until she could get herself back under control.
“Why don't we put a pin in it for now. I’m going to see about getting our sessions back and I’ll try to see what I can find out about what dear old Aunt Lidia had going on in her head. Meet me for dinner and we’ll talk about this more. I have meetings to get to, but I'll stop by to speak with the general first. I might be able to buy you a few more days, but I can’t promise much. Jules, I'm sorry for disappointing you. Again. One day you’ll understand, but I don't expect that of you now. Just know that I love you. Always have, always will.”
All she could do was nod. Tears built to bursting, but she refused to the let them fall. Just as Malachai went to walk to the door, there was a knock. Juliet could’ve sworn she saw fear flash in his eyes, but it was gone before she could be sure. Malachai cleared his throat and opened the door.
“Oh, sir, hello.” Nik saluted Juliet’s dad and stepped out of the way. Malachai exited, returning the salute as he went on his way.
Nik walked in and closed the door. “You told him, didn't you? I could see it all over his face.”
“I did. And you're not going to believe what he told me.” For dramatic effect, Juliet paused. For a minute too long.
“Well?”
“Alicorns,” she said, pausing again as Nik’s eyes widened. “He told me he has some distant memory of a crazy aunt that would talk about them.”
“Whoa. I wasn’t expecting that. Not by a long shot. But it gives us something to do.”
“Like what? I never learned anything about them in any of my classes. Ugh. I just don't know.” She didn't want to sound so down, because any news was good news, but this seemed impossible.
“The reason why they don't teach about them is because they're so rare that there’s really no reason. My mom told me once that they're so uncommon that there hasn't been a known alicorn shifter for decades. Decades, Juliet.” Nik ran his hand over the back of his neck.
“Why does me maybe being an alicorn make you so nervous?” Juliet took Nik’s hand off his neck and laced her fingers through his.
“‘Cause I know who my boss is and what he’d do if he found out,” Nik said, his tone grim.
“What would he do?” She didn't really want to know but she couldn't help but ask.
“Exactly what he did to Myreen. He’ll use you until you're drained.” Nik squeezed her hand.
“Okay. Well then, we have to make sure that doesn’t happen. No one else can know. No one.” She hoped she sounded as dire as she felt. “We can trust the others in our group not to say anything, right?” She was almost certain they could, but in her current state, she needed Nik’s reassurance.
“Yeah. They wouldn’t be in the group if I didn’t think they’d be able to keep a secret.”
Juliet nodded.
“For now, let’s do some research. I'm going to leave you to search the net while I run to the library to see if there are any books on the subject. I’ll stop for snacks, too. I have a feeling we’re going to need them.”
“Sure. I’ll let my dad know about anything we find out. I’m meeting him for dinner so we can talk more.”
“Good.” Nik grabbed Juliet’s tablet from her desk. He handed it to her, kissing the top of her head. “Be right back.”
“Wait. What about your duties?” Juliet asked, her brows pulling down.
Nik grinned. “I’ve got the rest of the day off. It looks like you’re stuck with me.” And with that, he left, taking his adorable dimples with him.
The following silence reminded her that she was alone aga
in. Only this time she had a purpose. Something to wrap herself in. Something new to unravel.
She typed What is an Alicorn? into the search bar, ready to learn about this whole new world.
***
“Thanks for dinner.” Juliet cleaned her mouth with a napkin and sat back.
“Thanks for joining me. Now that our sessions are back on, maybe we could do this regularly again?” Malachai sounded hopeful, and Juliet’s nod of agreement was enough to bring a small smile to his usually-tight face.
Juliet stared at her empty plate. “So, Nik and I learned a lot, but it still feels like we’re missing something.”
“Probably are. You can’t expect to get all the answers right away. You’ll get everything you need to know in time. I think what I want you to focus on for now is gaining control over your new ice power. We know you have it, let’s see what you can do with it.”
“You're going to train me? You know how to teach fire, Dad, but ice is different. It feels different.” Juliet looked at her hands. “They think...” She paused to swallow. “They think it was an alicorn who causes some crazy epic ice age. They called it the Arctic Winter or something, and it covered the entire country.”
Malachai paused too. “I don’t doubt it feels different, but it’s all the same in the end. We just have to find the control. You've done it with your fire. I have complete faith that you can do the same with your ice.”
He leaned forward, willing her to meet his eyes. “You will not set off another Arctic Winter.”
Juliet wanted to believe him, but the look in his eyes told her that he’d at least heard of that epic freeze, so it was possible things could get out of control. And the way she was feeling lately made that fear all too real.
He placed a hand on hers. “It’ll be okay. Who knows? Ice could be cool.”
She rolled her eyes at the pun, but said, “My ice. So weird.” With a deep breath, Juliet stood and paced the space in front of him. “Alicorns had so many amazing gifts, like purification and healing. How am I to be sure that ice is the only one I have? I’m pretty sure I read they have super speed, too, but maybe that’s just a myth.”
She hadn't wanted Nik to see how overwhelmed she was, so it was all coming out now, in front of her dad. “And why me? If it’s a family thing, then why did it skip everyone else? Am I going to grow another pair of wings? A horn?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. Everything’s going to be okay. No, you're not going to grow any new limbs. And you shouldn't be gaining any more powers because you're not a chimera. You simply inherited a gift from an ancestor. We just have to figure out which ancestor you got this ice ability from. Or maybe we don't. But we have to accept and embrace it, Juliet. Do you really want to freeze the Dome the way you lit it up when you were out of sync with your emotions? Oberon isn't here anymore. A lot more is at stake.” Malachai was as serious as he was going to get.
“And who participated in that? You did. I wish Oberon was still here.” She thought she was done playing the blame game, but obviously not.
“I'm learning that was a mistake. But before we can go down that road, let’s focus on you. Can we do that?”
“Okay. Sorry, I... It’s just so much.”
“When is it not? The way you handle it shows the true warrior within. Now let’s show them what being a Quinn is all about.” Malachai clapped his hands, encouraging Juliet to lift her mood.
She stood and lifted her hand for a high five. Malachai grinned as he slapped her hand. With her dad and her boyfriend behind her, maybe she could be the warrior they saw in her.
Chapter 25: Myreen
Myreen rounded what had to be the millionth corner, blindly roaming the citadel as she gathered her thoughts. It was cold, past the floors the humans occupied, but she didn’t mind. It helped snap her thoughts into focus, and kept her from dwelling on anything for too long.
Her heart bled for Leif. She’d had no idea he was helping Oberon all this time. Helping her. And now he was being punished for it. Just another person who was suffering because of their allegiance to her. And look at what she was doing with their sacrifices—living with the enemy, sitting across from him at the dinner table every night like it was nothing.
And if Leif, one of Draven’s own, was being punished so severely, she couldn’t bear to think what Draven had in store for Kol. She hadn’t been to see Kol since he’d been captured, poisoned by jealousy over that dragon girl who clung to him so tightly. At first, she told herself that the shifters would come for him. He was General Dracul’s son, and she knew first-hand how ruthless that man was when it came to getting what he wanted; she had to believe he wanted his son safely returned to him.
Days had passed, though, and no one had come to anyone’s rescue. And Kenzie couldn’t possibly get everyone out by herself, either. As much as Myreen claimed to hate Kol for toying with her heart, she couldn’t stand by and let him suffer any longer. The purpose of this seemingly-endless walk had been to build up the courage to approach Draven, as her father, and appeal for Kol’s release. If he cared for her as much as he claimed to, and if she pulled his strings right, maybe he’d be lenient. She didn’t really believe that, but she had to try.
Finally, she turned around and headed for the stairs that would take her down to Draven’s office. There was no elevator in this particular tower—the only elevator in the complex was put in place for Ty, leading to the Elite towers which contained his and her bedrooms—but she didn’t at all mind the extra time to prepare what she was going to say.
As her feet landed on the ground floor and warmth started to unfreeze her nose and fingers, her heart skittered nervously in her chest. The door to his office was in sight. She froze for an instant as she stared across the Grand Hall at it, until a shoulder nudged hers and shook her out of her stupor.
“Sorry,” said an all too familiar voice—the best voice in the world.
“Kenzie?” Myreen asked, turning around to see her newly redheaded friend passing her by.
“Oh, Myreen,” Kenzie stammered, looking a bit dazed. “Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention. H– how are you holding up?”
Though Kenzie’s face was a mask, Myreen could see a struggle blazing in her hazel eyes.
“Fine, but... are you alright?”
Kenzie laughed, and only Myreen could hear the fake note in her laughter. “Me? Of course! Never better.” Kenzie’s eyes darted to something behind Myreen, and she turned, remembering the guards trailing her. She’d almost forgotten they were there. Myreen looked back at Kenzie, giving her an apologetic smile.
Kenzie shook her head and smiled. “Walk with me to my room and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Myreen’s concern was instantly sparked, and she decided her big talk with dear old dad would have to wait. Kenzie took her arm and they walked together through the human quarters to Kenzie’s room. The guards waited in the hall, while Kenzie and Myreen went in, Kenzie quietly bolting the door behind them.
“Aonrúgh,” Kenzie said softly, putting her hands flat together in front of her then spreading them out. Myreen watched in bewilderment. Kenzie smirked. “A privacy spell. Now no one outside this room can hear us, not even vamps.”
Sometimes Myreen forgot Kenzie was a selkie, so it was still a shock to her any time her best friend used magic. “Okay, spill. What’s really going on?”
The brave face Kenzie had been wearing faded away, replaced by a look of sickly white disgust. “I’ve done something terrible,” she all but croaked. “Leif... Draven made me strip away his daywalker abilities to prove my loyalty. I tried to make it temporary, but... Then he put Leif in the Sunroom and made me open the ceiling.” Tears welled in Kenzie’s eyes, and she clutched her abdomen like she might vomit.
“Oh, Kenzie...” Myreen pulled Kenzie in for a hug, unsure of what else to say. Should she mention that she’d spoken to Leif? Probably not. Leif had said Kenzie wasn’t to be trusted. He’d lost faith in her. Even Myreen didn’t exactly under
stand what Kenzie was doing. It was because of her that Kol and Char got captured in the first place, but Myreen wasn’t about to bring that up now, not when Kenzie was one strong wind away from falling to pieces. Myreen knew Kenzie was doing what she thought was right. Still, Myreen could live a thousand years and the image of Leif’s charred flesh would never fade.
“I came here to rescue him, and instead I’ve—” she bit her bottom lip and rolled her eyes upward to keep her tears from falling. “I don’t know what I’m doing, Myreen. I don’t have much time left. Draven has the ingredients for the daywalker spell. And on top of that, my big initiation is tonight, and I’m going to be assigned to Adam, of all the baby bloodsuckers in the world.”
“Adam, the guy you had a thing with?” Myreen asked. “I thought he was just an Initiate.”
“Well, he’s earned his big bite, apparently.” She threw her hands in the air. “Now I get to be his plaything.” Myreen didn’t miss how Kenzie’s cheeks reddened. “Sorry I’m dumping this all on you. I just thought I was staging a rescue. Now I feel like I’m becoming a monster.”
Myreen hated that Kenzie had gotten herself into this. Kenzie needed to get out of here. Her, Leif, Kol and Char all did.
“I was actually on my way to talk to Draven about letting Kol and Char go,” Myreen intimated. “Maybe I can appeal for Leif, too.”
Kenzie snorted. “Yeah, good luck with that.”
“I’m his daughter,” Myreen declared with more conviction than she felt. “Maybe he’ll listen to me.”
“And maybe he’ll throw you in a cell right next to Kol!” Kenzie snapped. Then her brows pinched and her lips puckered. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that. I’m just freaking out. I don’t want to see you get yourself on the bad side of the most dangerous vampire in the world.”