Summoned

by Tricia Barr

  Myreen put a finger to his lips—those soft lips she’d tasted more times than she could count, the lips that had set her on fire with their cinnamon fervor, the lips that confessed his love for her. She stared at those lips as she spoke. “I thought I’d severed this connection when I left. I thought I’d left behind every shred of my heart that still cared for you. But when I thought Draven was going to...” She stopped, looking into his eyes. “Malkolm Dracul, you have frustrated me more times than I can count. And somehow, you still set me on fire.” She dropped her voice to a whisper, as if the moment would somehow shatter and float away if she spoke too loudly. “I love you, too.”

  Kol lifted a hand to her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. He brought his face close to hers, their breath mingling, their foreheads touching. And then softly, reverently, Kol lifted his lips to hers.

  The instant their mouths touched, it ripped open every shred of hesitation, leaving a gaping hole. Everything poured out as the searing flames of passion ignited—every ache and pain and shattered dreams. Their kisses turned to sorry’s, to I miss you’s, to I never want to lose you again’s. They kissed until their lips burned, until their breath had run out, until everything left unsaid had been laid bare.

  And then they kissed some more.

  When they finally emerged, chests heaving for breath, Kol wrapped her in an embrace that closed the gulfing distance the lack kissing had left behind. Myreen wiped the tears from her cheeks, then held onto the arms encircling her, the arms she hoped would never let her go.

  “What happened with your dad?” Myreen asked when her heart had once more found a steady rhythm.

  “He’s... different. I think I got through to him. He’s going to put the school back the way it used to be.”

  Myreen sat up and turned to look at him. “And you did that?”

  “I guess? I dunno. Without the curse... I have a feeling we’re all in for a few surprises.”

  Myreen gave Kol a hopeful smile, and he matched it, planting another soft kiss on her lips.

  “I could do this all day, you know,” Kol said, his voice husky.

  If she was drowning, she never wanted to resurface. “I could do this all day, too.”

  Chapter 44: Juliet

  Juliet was still recovering from Dracul's drills when Nik dragged her out of bed to grab breakfast. She was annoyed that he wanted her to get out of bed, but he promised it was for a good reason. He waited outside her door while she got ready, but when she opened her door, she was surprised to find the rumor mill on full-blast. Not because the rumor mill was buzzing, but what they were saying.

  Usually she tried to ignore the gossip, but what was odd was that they were all saying the same thing. For perhaps the first time since she’d been at that school.

  Nik took her hand and led her to the dining room with no explanation. Not that he had to—everyone else said it for him.

  Juliet’s stomach tied in knots, hoping they were right. Nik's silence seemed to confirm the rumors. Juliet no longer cared about sore bones and annoying drill instructors.

  She wanted to see her friends.

  Brett was already seated with Kol and Char when Nik and Juliet arrived. She kept looking around for Myreen, but she wasn’t anywhere in sight. She practically bounced through the food line, but as they approached Kol and Char, still looking so beaten and bruised from their time in captivity, all of Juliet’s enthusiasm drained. She had no idea what to say to them, so she clammed up.

  Kol took a deep drink, then leaned forward, as if exchanging some secret. “What is going on?” he asked, his stare penetrating. She could almost feel him studying the bags under her eyes, and she dropped her gaze to her plate. She didn’t want to be the one to tell him the horrible things his dad had done as director of the dome.

  Brett didn’t seem to have the same misgivings.

  “Your dad is quite the drill sergeant. The general, Lord Dracul, has turned the school into a military training zone.”

  Nik’s head snapped up, his hand tightening around Juliet’s.

  Brett shrugged. “What? He should know.”

  “What do you mean, a military training zone?” Kol asked, his brows knit, his voice holding an edge of darkness.

  Nik sighed, and Juliet wanted to hug him. “Offensive classes, increased training, mandatory sim exercises.”

  “And he’s taken away all of the fun classes,” Juliet added, finally finding her tongue. “Art, music, anything but military history and math... gone! Plus a few new winners like tactical training. Ugh.” Once she started, it all poured out.

  Nik went on, but Juliet’s mind wandered. Where was Myreen? She wanted to ask, but what Nik was telling Kol was important. Maybe Kol could even do something about it.

  “The students at the Dome are not in the military!” Kol suddenly shouted, pulling Juliet’s attention back to the conversation. “They’re just kids!”

  “Tell us about it,” Juliet said as she fought off a grin. It sounded like Kol wanted to help. After all he’d been through, she could see the fire in him—even stronger than before.

  And then general Dracul himself walked in.

  Juliet’s stomach sank. She was already on the general’s radar. And he was headed toward their table.

  But then it hit her: Kol was here. It gave her hope that she might be protected from further attacks. In fact, Kol's arrival might just make the general more open to leniency. Not even Major Peters’ presence could dissuade her that she was in the clear. For now, anyway.

  And then, Kol. Blew. Up.

  He spoke up for the students and for the Dome, and her heart soared with him. She held her breath as she waited to see what the general would do. Her mouth fell open to see how agreeable Lord Dracul was being. Was this the same man who made her do drills through the night not even forty-eight hours ago?

  But more than that, Kol’s reference to Myreen and Kenzie brought her hopes high again. Where were they? Were they at the Dome, or were they hiding out somewhere else? Juliet’s leg began to bounce, and she itched to go find them.

  And then it was over. General Dracul and his lackeys left, the general’s admissions that he’d done things wrong still ringing in Juliet’s ears. Nik and Brett began to talk excitedly, but Juliet’s gaze bounced between Kol and his father’s retreating form, trying to wrap her head around what had just happened.

  “Do you think he’ll bring back the art and music classes?” Juliet asked, hope surging hot and cold through her.

  She finished her breakfast and kissed Nik goodbye so she could go look for Myreen.

  Juliet walked around the halls at such a rapid pace that she worried she might get a violation from one of the soldiers on patrol. She didn't care, though. She stuck her head in and out of classrooms, she knocked on Myreen's door, she even threw herself into the rumor mill and asked the other students if they’d seen her. The responses made her dizzy, so she flattened her back against the wall and tried to gather her bearings. She took a few deep breaths, then steeled herself to continue her search.

  With a slower pace, Juliet walked the halls, hoping to see Myreen's face in the crowd. When she ended up back at the Dining Hall just after lunch—was the Dome really that big?—she wanted to give up. But a group of girls walked out, gushing about seeing Myreen with the mer-trio. Juliet pushed through the girls, ignoring their groans as she scanned every face there—and came up empty.

  She went back to the halls and spotted Trish and her mer-squad disappearing around a corner. A new desperation kicked in, giving her the courage to chase after them.

  “Trish, have you seen Myreen?” Juliet asked, her sore muscles complaining at being pushed again so soon. Hopefully, getting right to the point would speed up the conversation.

  “Of course. She left with Kol after we squashed our beef. Looks like you just missed her.” Trish still held a sense of superiority, but there was something about her and the way she responded that was softer, more approachable.

 
“Uh, thanks. See ya.” Juliet didn't stop to think about the difference in Trish and her goons. That would have to wait until later. Juliet still had a best friend to find.

  But as Juliet headed toward the dorms to look for Myreen, she realized she couldn’t barge in on whatever was happening with her and Kol. As much as she needed her friend, she could only imagine those two needed space more. And she wasn’t about to put a time limit on it.

  So she turned toward the library instead. It seemed like the perfect distraction, and when she spotted a map there—she was certain it was the one Nik had stolen from Dracul—it seemed luck was finally on her side. Finding Oberon was the last thing on her to-do list. It would be the perfect way to cap-off what was turning out to be a pretty incredible day.

  ***

  Hours later and ready to crawl out of her skin, Juliet folded up the map and put it back where she’d found it. Kol and Myreen had had enough time. It was her turn now—if she could actually find Myreen.

  No. Not if, when. She would find Myreen, even if it meant breaking into Dracul's office to use the speaker system.

  Juliet headed straight to Myreen's room with a determined stride. She knocked three times, then silently counted to five. She was about to knock once more when the door opened.

  “Myreen,” Juliet whispered.

  “J.” Myreen’s lips curled into a grin.

  They fell into each other's arms and tears exploded. Juliet didn't even care that they were out in the open, or that they were loud, and she certainly didn't care that this would likely be recounted in the rumor mill.

  Myreen pulled away first, grabbing Juliet’s hand to lead her inside. “I’m so happy to see you.” She closed the door, but didn't let go of Juliet's hand.

  “I’m happy to see you, too. I missed you so much.”

  “You have no idea... but you look... terrible.” Myreen gave a nervous laugh, but there was concern in her blue eyes.

  “Gee, thanks. I could say the same to you.” Juliet playfully nudged Myreen's arm.

  “Yeah, well I’m sure you pretty much know what I went through. But why do you look like an ursa who missed hibernation? Has Nik been keeping you up?” Myreen giggled and wiggled her eyebrows as she wiped away her tears.

  “Um, no. Actually, the general thought the Dome was his new military camp. I got on his radar. You know—the norm?” Juliet shrugged, trying to downplay her experience over the last few weeks. It wasn’t anything compared to the horrible things Myreen must have gone through with Draven.

  “I feel like so much has happened since I last saw you.” Myreen looked down at her hands, and Juliet felt her own tears trying to resurface.

  “I know. Are you... okay?” Juliet asked. Myreen had been through so much at the hands of Draven. Hopefully she understood what Juliet was trying to ask.

  “That’s a hard question to answer.” Myreen hesitated, and Juliet wasn’t sure if she was going to continue. “I'm okay because I'm back here. With you guys. But some things just stick with you...” Myreen's tears began to flow again.

  Juliet pulled her in for another hug. “I’m so sorry you went through that. I hate that it happened and I wish I could take it back for you.” Juliet’s tears mixed with Myreen’s, as if their hearts hurt in sync.

  “But you can’t go back and change things, and neither can I.” Myreen sniffled, once more trying to dry her face. “But I think we’ll be okay. If we stick together, we’ll be okay.”

  “And now that I have your permission, I'm never leaving your side.” Juliet couldn't take anymore of their somber mood.

  The girls laughed as they dried their eyes.

  They laid on Myreen's bed and stared at the ceiling, enjoying a comfortable silence for a while. Then Myreen turned onto her side to face Juliet, and Juliet followed suit, bring flushed face to flushed face, blotchy eyes to blotchy eyes.

  “So, what do I have to look forward to at the new Dome?” Myreen asked, her voice low.

  Juliet rolled her eyes and snorted. “You really don't want to know. But I feel obliged to prepare you. All of the fun classes are gone. The common rooms aren't for hanging out anymore. If you step foot in the defense room, you'll have an entire set of drills to do—including a trip to the sim room. And the general's favorite form of punishment is a very special list of drills. They’re brutal, trust me.”

  “This is so wrong. What would Oberon think?”

  “If he were dead, he’d be rolling over in his grave,” Juliet said with a snicker, then sobered. “Do you think with Kol back, the general will be different? You should’ve seen the way Kol stood up to his dad. And how apologetic Lord Dracul was. Maybe he could be persuaded to put things back the way they were.” Juliet's hope seeped through her words.

  “I don't know. I hope so, but J, is that really what you want? Lord Dracul staying, I mean.”

  Juliet slowly shook her head. The Dome would never be the same without Oberon as director. And that reminded Juliet of what she’d found.

  Juliet abruptly sat up. “You're right. Before I came here, I was in the library.”

  “Surprise, surprise,” Myreen said, rolling her eyes.

  Juliet gave her another playful nudge. “Whatever. Anyway... Nik left a map in there that he took from Dracul's office and it had some pretty classified information on it. Information about Oberon.”

  Myreen sat up, too, a spark in her eyes. “What did you find? Can I see it?”

  “Of course you can see it. We’ll have to go to the library, because it’s there, but I don’t think Nik has had the chance to retrieve it yet. I should warn you, finding Oberon is not going to be easy—it took me hours just to get the coordinates—but I think we can find him with this new information.” Juliet was cautiously proud of her discovery—they still needed a plan.

  “Ha. Nothing is ever easy, it seems. Especially when it comes to shifters. But we can do this. Together.” Myreen’s confident smile was contagious.

  “You're right.” Juliet nodded, then stood.

  “Okay, let’s go see this map. We’ll need the guys, and Kenzie, too.” Myreen stood and slipped on her shoes, throwing her hair into a bun.

  “Kenzie’s here, too?” Juliet asked. Apparently she was the new girl everyone was talking about.

  “Yup. But maybe let’s just you and I go for now. I still haven’t gotten my fill of Juliet, yet.” Myreen gave Juliet a quick wink.

  Juliet followed Myreen out, giving her another quick hug. “It’s so good to have you back.”

  Chapter 45: Leif

  Gadgets were everywhere. On the metal desk Leif stood next to, several of the devices glowed, illuminating a thin layer of dust. Whoever used this as an office hadn’t been here for some time.

  At random, one of the cylindrical devices began flashing a red light. An accompanying alarm sounded, and it sounded like a chirping bird. A chirping bird being tortured, that is.

  Only tolerating a few seconds of it, Leif reached over and slammed a sturdy fist down on it, smashing it as thin as a CD. Only this particular CD would never make another sound.

  Without even looking, Leif could feel a set of eyes on him from the doorway. Looking over his shoulder, he found that it wasn’t one of his guards, but the shifter military general. Malkolm’s father. Eduard Dracul.

  The general’s eyes stared at the smashed device, and his mouth formed an amused grin.

  “I see you care for Mr. Suzuki’s contraptions about as much as I do,” he said.

  Leif didn’t reply, but kept his eyes glued to the dragon shifter. Upon being brought to the shifter school—a place he’d actually never seen before—he’d been thrown into this room with two guards posted just outside. He’d gone from one prison to another. But this prison he was at least a little grateful for. It kept out those shifters who might see him as an enemy, despite all he’d been through to help the Dome.

  The general stepped in and walked over to the desk, picking up the flattened device, giving it a studious look. He the
n brought his gaze back to Leif.

  “I’ve been doing some digging,” he said. “Your name is Leif Villers, a vampire who also happens to be a shifter sympathizer. But what I can’t seem to understand is why? I’ve been fighting vampires my whole life. What makes you so different than the rest of your kind?”

  Leif chuckled, his eyes going distant for a moment as he recollected his past—his hand in the destruction of The Island which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of shifters. The same event that caused Gemma’s voice to disappear like a cloud in the wind.

  “Pardon the pun, but I guess you could say that I still have a heart,” Leif replied, his eyes refocusing on the general. “Believe me, I tried to live like them. I didn’t belong. I never belonged.”

  The general’s eyes narrowed. “And you think you belong here, among shifters?”

  Leif shrugged. “What I think is that I don’t belong anywhere. I have only ever fit in one place, and that was a long time ago. And your ancestor put an end to that particular place.”

  The general cocked his head to the side and studied him. “I’m afraid I’m not entirely sure to who and what you’re referring.”

  “I’ll help you out. I’m talking about Aline Dracul and the first shifter school—the Frost Boarding House in Vancouver, Washington.”

  The general scoffed. “If my knowledge of history is accurate, it wasn’t Aline’s fault that the school was destroyed, but an army of vampires.”

  Leif set his jaw, forcing back the retort he wanted to throw. This was Aline’s descendant, not Aline herself. Controlling himself, he said, “I was there, over one hundred years ago. Like a pebble being dropped into a puddle, I witnessed the ripples of her actions.”