by Jami Klein
“Shut the front door,” I whispered.
While all of this was wonderful, and a little sad, it didn’t give me any information on why he had been sent here or why he never mentioned the Jewel Academy. I saw a few things that might explain why he had been glad his childhood was over. I imagined he had been bullied or punished harshly.
I’d have to ask headmistress Magee if the Jewel Academy used corporal punishment on students or if my dad had just gotten into fights.
Maybe that would help me figure out what might have happened to him that would have made someone cover up the circumstances of his death. Stretching, I got up and walked around the table. Pulling out my phone, I saw that it was almost lunch time. I didn’t want to take a break. Not yet. I was close to something. I could feel it.
Flipping open the book of term papers, I scanned over the table of contents. There in black and white was the title to an essay regarding mind control entitled Mental Clarity – When Should One Control Another’s Thoughts: An Ethical Guide to Harnessing Mental Powers by Mark Bragg – my father. My fingers couldn’t flip to the page quick enough – my eyes absorbing every word as quickly as I could read it. How great was this?
“Boo!”
“What?” I spun around, fists flailing, but no one was there. “Very funny,” I said, not meaning it. “You can come out now. I’m not afraid of ghosts.”
I was totally afraid of ghosts, but they didn’t have to know that.
A low chuckling noise grated on my nerves as a mist turned solid. Andrei materialized in front of me– his right canine protruding slightly as he smirked in my direction.
“Hello, Lola.” He put emphasis on my name, just like the song. I rolled my eyes.
“As long as you don’t start calling me Lolita, it’s all good. But go there, and I might have to stake you.” I crossed my arms in front of me. “What are you doing up at this hour? Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?”
“Vampires don’t need as much sleep as humans.”
Good to know. “Then what are you doing here? A library is the last place I’d expect to find you.”
Andrei looked away, as if he was annoyed. “I’m working.”
“You shelve books?”
“Ten dollars a hour. Beats peeling potatoes in the kitchen.”
“I guess.” Mashed potatoes, though, did sound good. I missed my mother’s meatloaf. “Hey, how’s the meatloaf here?”
“The shifters seem to like it.”
I supposed that was a good endorsement. “What about the vampires?”
“We prefer steak, rare.”
That made sense too.
He walked closer to me and glanced at the book in my hands. “What’s that?”
“Research.”
“Is that your idea of fun? You haven’t even had a full day of classes yet and already you’re nose deep in old books. I would have pegged you for a party girl. Or at least a trouble maker.”
“I didn’t see anything else interesting going on. Seems pretty dead around here.”
Andrei laughed. “You’re funny. Anyone ever tell you that before?” he asked as he sauntered in closer.
“Yeah, I’m a laugh a minute.” I wanted to read what my father had written, but at the same time, I wanted to talk to someone.
“Have you changed your mind about the bracelets?”
“Are you going to tell me the truth about what happens after you bite me?”
Andrei’s gaze flicked to my neck briefly and then back to my face. I wondered if I could bash him over the head with the book and make a run for it. Veronica said to just call for help and someone would come. I wonder if Andrei was the help or if there were Enforcers out there as well.
“Fine,” he snapped out. “Blood donors become a little susceptible to our suggestions.”
“So after you had a pint, you could tell me to pants Stefan Harte and I would do it?”
Andrei winced. “I think you have a higher sense of self preservation than that.”
“Well, like what then? Could you make me use my powers against someone if I didn’t want to?” I crossed my arms in front of me.
“It depends on how strong you are and how strong our bond is, but yes, it’s possible.”
“No way,” I said.
“Does it even matter that I wouldn’t do that?” he said.
“But you could.”
“Just because you could do the same thing, doesn’t mean you would. Or is that why you’re wearing those bracelets in the first place.”
That stung. Mostly because he was right. “I’ve got two words for you, and they’re not Happy Birthday.”
Andrei smirked. “It’s not my birthday. It’s not even my deathday. But there is a party scheduled for next weekend, vampires only. The details are still being worked out, but I could bring a guest, if you’re interested. You should come out with me and meet the boys.”
“The Lost Boys?” I smirked back at him.
“If you want it to be. Is that what you’re into, Lola Bragg? I might even be able to sparkle, if that’s your jam.” He winked at me. I realized I’d been staring him directly in the eyes for several moments and he now stood towering just inches from my face. I blinked quickly looked back down at the book.
“Not so sure that’s my cup of tea and I’ve got a lot of reading up to do.” I didn’t want to annoy Andrei, but I didn’t trust him. And I wasn’t sure I should be going anywhere with a bunch of vampires to a place so far away from the main buildings of the academy. Still, it was tempting.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he said, still standing too close to me.
“I’m all ears.” I tilted my chin up and forced myself to meet his gaze. I was still ready to clunk him with the book and run screaming for help if I didn’t like what he had to say.
“I can arrange it for you to take that book out of here for forty-eight hours.”
“Ms. Barnes said it wasn’t allowed to be circulated.”
He flashed a smile at me that was all fang. “Not by diamonds shackled with anti-magic bracelets. But work study vampires with impeccable reputations are allowed some leeway. Besides,” Andrei shrugged. “She’s my mom.”
He caught the book as it dropped out of my nerveless hands.
“Whoa! Easy on the ancient tomes or I’m going to have to rescind my offer.”
“Your Mom is Mrs. Barnes?” I grabbed their Senior yearbook.
“Ms. Barnes. She went back to her maiden name after she divorced my father. Of course, she was Countess Vanlinger back then.”
“Countess?” I squeaked out.
“I’ll be a Count someday.”
My lips twitched.
“It’s not funny.”
“It is a little bit. When you shelf books do you count them?”
“Don’t go there.”
“One book – a ha ha ha. Two!” I channeled Sesame Street’s Count.
He glared at me.
“Oh stop, you said I was funny.”
“I’m regretting saying that,” he said dryly.
“Well, you’re going to love this.” I shoved the yearbook at him. “That’s my dad that’s squeezing your mom.”
“Are you insane?” He took the book and then did a double take. “I’ve never seen this picture.”
“I don’t know anything about my father when he was here. I’m trying to find out more about him.”
“Why don’t you just ask him?”
“He’s dead.” The words didn’t get any easier and my voice trembled.
“I’m sorry.” He put a hand on my shoulder and even though it was cold, it at least was some comfort.
“Finish your deal, because I’ve got one for you,” I said.
He blew out a sigh. “I’ll check out the book in my name and give it to you, if you come to Hellion with me and my kiss.”
“You want me to kiss you?”
Coughing and laughing a bit he said, “Well, I wouldn’t say no to a kiss. But kiss is what we ca
ll a group of vampires. Witches have covens. Shifters have packs. Vampires have kisses.”
“You’re pulling my leg.” I squinted at him.
“Look it up, Lola. You’re in a library for Drac’s sake.”
“Drac? As in Dracula?”
“Who else?” he shrugged.
I had a lot to learn. “All right,” I said, straightening my shoulders. “You got a deal.”
“I’ll deliver the book to you Monday night. Meet me on the balcony and I’ll tell you when we’re going to Hellion.” He held out his hand to shake. I took it, shivering at the cold.
“My turn,” I said as he went to release my hand. I gripped it tighter. He raised his eyebrow at me. “Your mom dated my dad. She knows a lot more than she’s saying about him. She might have a journal or letters from him. Something. You find me enough information about my dad’s childhood and high school days, and I’ll be your blood donor.”
“I thought you were afraid I’d use you as a puppet.”
“I’m going to have to start trusting someone here. It might as well be you.”
Andrei shook my hand again. “Deal. But what about the bracelets?”
“I can live with them until I find another solution.” But could I?
“A pleasure doing business with you, Lola. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to work.”
He wisped away.
I put the book down and went to get lunch. This deal was probably going to come back and bite me on the neck. But I needed to find out more than what the library was giving me.
Chapter Five
Monday morning was a drag, but I had showered the night before and just grabbed a muffin for breakfast, so I had plenty of time to get to homeroom and get my schedule for the year. One hundred and five days left to go before Yule break.
I approached room 606 and walked inside. A shapely woman sat at the front of the classroom and I glanced at her name block that was on her desk – Miss Elsa Carrier. Yup, I was in the right place. I was glad that my homeroom teacher was a witch. I could use someone to talk to about witch problems. I smiled as I walked up to her, but she didn’t look up. I waited for a bit, shifting uncomfortably. The other kids stared at me. I wondered if I should just sit down. After another moment of being ignored, I took a seat in the back.
“Not there,” the teacher intoned, peering up from the book she had been writing in. From her expression, I could tell she was less than pleased by the disruption.
“Lola Bragg, you have an assigned seat. I keep a watchful eye on the troublemakers.” She nodded to the desk directly in front of her.
“Me?” I squeaked out, mortally embarrassed.
“Do you see anyone else wearing restraining bracelets.”
Please. Please let the floor swallow me up.
“Right there is your seat. Please sit down and remain quiet for the duration.”
Of course, everyone laughed.
I gulped. What the hell did I do? And why did it seem like my reputation proceeded me in ways I wasn’t so sure I liked? I took my seat, hoping homeroom didn’t last too long. Because from the looks of things, it was the last place I belonged.
***
During study hall, I was able to get a connection long enough to send an email to my mom telling her that I was settling in all right and that I was sorry for everything that happened. She wasn’t on the computer much, but I hoped she’d write back soon.
I found my locker easily enough and was decorating it between classes when I heard raised voices. I probably should have minded my own business. I was the new girl, and I was still reeling that I had to take calculus and anatomy and physiology in addition to my mage course work. I should have just stuffed my books in my locker and pretended I didn’t see the football players harassing the nerdy chick. Judging by the slight touch of their minds that the bracelet allowed me without staggering me with a flipping headache, they were wolf shifters and the girl was a witch. She didn’t have these stupid bracers blocking her magic. She could probably handle them, even if she was outnumbered. What were they going to do to her in the middle of a crowded hallway, after all?
And yet, she was scared.
And the wolves smelled it. That was like fresh blood to a baby vampire.
I looked around to see if anyone else was going to step in, but no one seemed to notice. Was this the normal behavior around here? If so, it sucked.
“Where is it, Janine?” the biggest bad wolf said.
“I don’t have it yet,” the girl replied, trying to move so she wasn’t trapped against the lockers. But the wolves formed up into a semi-circle and blocked her from view.
I didn’t like that.
But what the hell was I going to do? If I had decided to become a blood donor last night, I could have just put it in the wolves’ minds that Janine gave them whatever they were looking for.
“We told you there would be repercussions if you couldn’t deliver. Last chance.”
Slamming my locker, I walked over there. The big guy looked over his shoulder at me and dismissed me with a sniff.
“Hey, I’m new here and I was wondering if you guys knew where the gym was?” I couldn’t care less, but I hoped if we congregated in the hallway long enough a teacher – maybe even Headmistress Magee would take notice.
“Down that way,” one of the smaller wolves said, pointing to the left.
“Who do you guys play football with anyway?” I asked. “It’s a little unfair to the mundanes, isn’t it?”
Another smaller wolf said, “We don’t waste our time with humans. We play other wolf packs across the state.”
“That’s a long day,” I said, moving in closer. "Traveling a few hours after school. Do you take a bus or is there like a magic portal in between the schools?" That would be pretty cool.
Finally, the big dude turned to face me. Looking up into his eyes, I got a crick in my neck. “You need to mind your own business and get to class,” he said.
“Are you a hall monitor?” I said, pretending to be overjoyed. Wrapping my arm around his, I gave a tug. It was like trying to move a surly wall. “I’m so glad I found you. We’re all going to be late to class. Can you show me the way to Hallway six?”
He was about to shove me away, but as long as I was touching him I had a slight advantage to using my mind magic. It was painful and weak as shit, but these guys didn’t strike me as mental giants.
“We should go to class,” I said, infusing my voice with persuasion. Gold sparks blocked my vision and pain like an icicle through my eye hit me with the force of a truck.
“You’re bleeding,” one of the wolves said.
It sounded like it came from far away. I couldn’t see.
“It’s a good thing the vamps are asleep,” the big guy grumbled and shook me off.
Staggering until I found the lockers, I leaned against them until my vision cleared.
“We should get to class,” the big wolf said. I felt him looming over me.
“But what about her?” one of the smaller wolves said.
“We should get to class,” he repeated and then I heard them walk away.
I was trying not to panic. I was blind. I couldn’t see and my head hurt so bad I thought I was going to be sick or pass out.
After a few moments, I slid to the ground and hugged my knees.
“The unkindness won’t forget this,” the girl, Janine, said.
Unkindness? I had been very kind, at least I thought so. I should have minded my own business. Or at least kept out of it until I learned more. Now, I made an enemy and I didn’t even know why.
And then I was alone in the hallway. I didn’t hear anyone come up to me, so I freaked when Magee cupped my elbow and hauled me to my feet. “Foolish child.”
“Don’t eat me,” I shrieked.
“Hush,” she said, and half dragged me down a few corridors and propelled me into a room and closed the door. Inside, it was completely quiet and cooler by fifteen degrees.
&n
bsp; “Sit.” She pushed me into a chair. I heard her fussing around the room. “Take this and drink.” Magee handed me a pill and a glass. “It will help with the headache.”
I didn’t even hesitate. If she wanted to drug me, I was all right with it as long as this pain went away. The pill was enormous, but the water was cool and refreshing.
“Wipe your face,” she said, handing me a heated wet cloth. “Your nose is bleeding.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, scrubbing at my face.
“You should be. You did something very stupid.”
“What did I do?” I wasn’t going to admit to anything. I had learned my lesson on that.
“Lola,” she sighed. “The bracelets are blocking your magic so you can’t use it. If you try to use your magic, you will get hurt. This time, it’s a nosebleed and a migraine. Next time, it could be an aneurysm.”
I tried to control a shudder, but couldn’t. I wanted to curl up in a ball and hide until the pain went away.
“None of this is fair,” I said. “I don’t like bullies. I can’t protect myself.”
“If you keep on trying to influence people with your magic, you are going to end up neutered and then you really won’t be able to protect yourself.”
“That girl needed my help.”
“What girl?”
I was torn. I didn’t want to be a snitch, certainly when I didn’t know what I was snitching about. And the last thing I needed was to get a reputation for running to the Headmistress every time I saw something go wrong. I wanted to tell her the wolves hassling the Janine chick. But I didn't want to make enemies of the wolves. I was starting to get my vision back around the edges. We were in an office, most likely where Headmistress Magee spent her daylight hours. It was in a dark room without windows and very little light. Yet, she had been out in the hallway to retrieve me.
“What did you see?” I asked, not wanting to give Magee anything to get me in deeper trouble than I already was.
“I saw you on the ground dealing with the backlash from using mind control magic.”
“I was trying to defuse a situation,” I said.
“What situation?”
Sighing, I rubbed my temples. “I don’t know. I thought it was a bunch of kids ganging up on another, but maybe I was wrong.”