by G. Bailey
“What about this one?” asks Silas, pausing in front of one of the doors on the right.
“Sorry, taken!” comes a voice from inside, followed by a chorus of muffled agreements.
“This is why you’ve got to be on the ball, Aconite,” Shade tells him, continuing down the hall. “First come, first serve.”
“All right, all right,” Silas says, rolling his eyes. We share a brief look, and I quirk an eyebrow at him, making the big dragon shifter break out in a grin.
“You know, I wasn’t expecting them to have coed suites,” Hazel remarks thoughtfully, crossing her arms as I push open another door and peer cautiously inside. “These Americans are… progressive.”
“What do you mean by that?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder.
She winks at me. “I think you know what I mean, Brix.”
“Ladies, ladies,” Landon says, pushing between us, “there’s no need for such risque talk. You’re looking at a group of bona fide gentlemen. Isn’t that right, Hunter?”
The vampire shifter rolls his eyes. “Try telling that to Shade.”
Shade just grins at the rest of us as he comes to stand beside me in the common area. It’s surprisingly roomy, with floor to ceiling windows on one side, along with a balcony that overlooks the vast lawn, with a view of downtown in the distance. There’s a small kitchenette, along with a table and chairs and a sofa. “Is this what the high life feels like?” he asks with a mocking wonder in his voice, his gray eyes wide.
“I have to admit, it’s impressive,” observes Silas, hugging his elbows as he stops on my other side. “Why can’t we have rooms like this back home?”
“That would go against their whole vibe,” Landon responds. “Self-flagellation is kind of their thing.” Landon replies.
“Easy there,” Shade warns him. “Keep up that flagellation talk and things might just get interesting.”
Landon stares at him for a moment and then bursts out laughing, clapping him on the shoulder. The ease with which we’ve all learned to banter with one another is astounding, especially considering the tension between us when we first got to know one another. But these guys and I are tethered to one another through more than just a shared detention, and that fact has never been lost on any of them. For all our distances, we share a common thread, one that’s stronger than anyone - the Academy included - gives us credit for.
“Well,” I say, putting my hands on my hips, “I guess we’d better claim this place before someone else does.”
Hazel hangs back by the door. “Looks like you guys have found your place, then.”
I turn back to my friend and immediately feel a pang of guilt at having forgotten about her. Guiltily, I look around the room. There are only five bedrooms connecting to the suite. “Listen,” I say, clearing my throat, “maybe it would be better if we leave the guys in here. You and I can find another suite with a couple of free rooms.” Glancing back over my shoulder, I add dryly, “Maybe it’s for the best we let the boys here have some space.”
Hazel laughs good-naturedly, holding up a hand. “Oh, please, Millie. Who am I to step on any toes?”
I give her a questioning look, crossing my arms. “You guys should be able to stick together,” she elaborates. I open my mouth to protest, but she shakes her head. “It’s not just because the chemistry between you guys is off the charts,” she says, grinning, “although it is.”
I duck my head, my face flushing bright red, and steal a glance back at the guys. Silas’ expression is unreadable, while Landon and Shade exchange a look. Hunter just stares at the floor, although if I didn’t know better, I would think the slightest smidge of a blush is lighting up his deathly pallor. Hazel continues, her expression turning serious again. “Look, there are other things to consider, too. The Academy fucked with all of you guys when you were babies - those are the facts. And if—if—something happens while we’re all here for this conference…” She shakes her head. “I’m just saying, they’ve tried to pull this shit once already, with the kidnappings and experiments.” Her eyes move to Silas, who shuffles his feet. “You guys need to be able to protect each other, especially in a new place like this. It makes sense.”
“Are you sure, Hazel?” I ask, even though what she’s saying makes sense. If Silas is right, and Hawthorne has something up his sleeve for this trip… then she’s right. We need to be in each other’s corners. I made a promise to survive this while protecting the people I care about, and the best way to do that right now is to keep my friends close. As for Hazel… “This goes for you, too,” I tell her. “They know you’re our friend, too, Hazel. I don’t want you getting dragged into this, either.”
“I’ll be fine,” she begins. “I-”
The sound of a clearing throat draws all of our attention back to the door. Standing in the doorway are two of the American students. They’re both slim, with black hair and dark eyes, and it’s obvious that they’re brother and sister—maybe even twins. “I hope we aren’t interrupting something,” says the guy.
I shake my head quickly. “No, nothing. We were just trying to figure out this room situation.” Eyes widening, I hasten to add, “If you guys were already in this room, we can leave, though!”
“No, no, it’s not that,” the girl assures us, holding up a hand. “We just couldn’t help but overhear. This is the problem with the suites here—five rooms is such an odd number.” Putting a hand to her chest, she says, “My name is Ruby Murakami. This is my brother, Xander.”
“Nice to meet you,” the guy, Xander, says. “We’re in the suite across the hall. It’s just the two of us there right now, so if you want, you can come room with us.” He gives Hazel a winning smile that lights up his face. “I know it’s not right next door or anything, but if you guys all want to be close…”
In spite of the obvious problem that they must have overheard us swapping conspiracy theories about the Academy, I feel a wave of relief as I turn to Hazel. “I… Wow,” she says, blinking, a small smile of her own echoing Xander’s. “That would be fantastic, thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Ruby replies. “We’d be lying if we said we weren’t excited about having U.K. students here. You guys will be the first international shifters we’ve ever met.”
“Likewise, actually,” says Silas, and he begins to nod to each of us. “My name’s Silas Aconite. This here is Hunter Ash—his parents are on the Academy board. Then we have Shade Ivis, Landon Thyme…” His eyes come to rest on me. “And this is Millie Brix.”
“And my name is Hazel,” Hazel finishes. “Hazel Harris. AKA the person who owes you guys both a big favour.”
“Oh, please,” Ruby laughs, flapping a hand at her. “It’s our pleasure. Although…” She and her brother exchange a look, although the look in their eyes is one of good humour. “What’s all this about kidnappings and experiments?”
If you asked me a while ago how I would feel about the prospect of sharing a suite with four other, incredibly attractive guys—who also happen to be both my classmates and the source of my powers - I would have balked. Surprisingly, though, our first night in the dorms wasn’t nearly as awkward as I was expecting it to be. I think it helps that even though our rooms are connected, there’s still a level of privacy in each having our own bedroom. Even more surprisingly, instead of nerves or jitters at being within feet of these guys—all of whom have me feeling more confused than I’ve ever been in my life—there’s something comforting about it, a sense of oneness that I can’t put my finger on. As cliche as it sounds, being in the same living quarters as the guys feels right, somehow, like it’s meant to be, and when I’m not struggling to put labels on my feelings for each of them, I find myself put at ease by their presence. The last time—the only time—I’ve been in such close proximity to a guy was the night that I spent with Silas, which I haven’t forgotten… but having them all near is a nice feeling, at the end of the day.
Unlike at our campus, the dining hall at the American Acade
my is a separate building from the academic one. Although the breakfast spread this morning was no less impressive, although a touch more heavy. The only downside to this all is the fact that the very next day, our classes have already started back up, and that means we’ll have to wait until the first day of the conference to really experience the city. Still, you can’t win them all, I guess, and it’s still an adventure. Funny that I should be so used to the Academy already that just a change of scenery qualifies as an adventure.
Hazel and I have already parted ways with the other guys now that breakfast is over, and we’re standing in one of the upstairs hallways now, trying to make sense of a campus map that was provided to us at dinner last night. “God, this place is confusing,” she mutters.
“I think you’re holding it the wrong way,” I tell her, pointing. “That’s the Siren wing, right? So you should go up a level.”
“Really?” She frowns. “I thought that was down a level.”
“Is it…?” I furrow my brow. “Shit, I think you’re right. So then where the hell do I go? I have vampire shifting next!” I rake a hand through my hair. “I should’ve stuck with Hunter.”
“Come on, you know his sister’s going to make life difficult for you,” Hazel tells me. “Better to just give her a wide berth, I think.”
I sigh. “Maybe you’re right. So how are the Murakami twins?”
“Fantastic,” she tells me, her eyes bright. “Seriously. It’s nice to know I’m close to the rest of you guys, and as for them…” A sly grin appears on her face. “That Xander isn’t too hard on the eyes, is he?”
I raise an eyebrow. “I guess not. Are you interested?”
She just winks at me. “That would be giving it away,” she teases, and then nudges me playfully. “Well, I guess I’d better go upstairs, then. Don’t want to be late to my first class here. Do you think you can make it to yours okay?”
I shrug dismissively. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Godspeed,” she replies, giving me a mock salute before tipping me a wave and disappearing down the hall.
I’m left to try to make sense of the map on my own, and I end up surprising even myself by making it to vampire shifting class a minute before the bell rings. It’s a sea of white and golden uniforms, and I can see Amelia and Hunter on the far left side of the classroom, talking in low voices. In the back corner, I see Lyle, whose eyes drift unnervingly over to me as I enter the room. The teacher, an older woman with graying hair, holds out a hand to me as I come to a stop. “Nice to meet you,” she says. “I’m Professor Cochran. It’s free seating here, so feel free to take any of the open desks, Ms…”
“Brix,” I reply, shaking her hand. “Millie Brix.”
She raises her eyebrows. “Wow,” she says. “I think we lucked out today, everyone.”
I balk when the other students’ attention settles on me, feeling put on the spot. “Sorry,” I say, brow furrowing. “‘Lucked out’?”
Professor Cochran nods eagerly. “I’ve been teaching here for nearly forty years, and I’ve never once had the privilege of having a hybrid as a student!”
Just like that, all the air seems to go out of the room. There’s an awkward rustling amongst the other students, followed by hushed whispers as their eyes practically burn a hole in my forehead.
I grimace.
So much for flying under the radar.
Chapter 8
I clear my throat, continuing to balk under the gazes of seemingly everyone in the classroom—specifically Lyle, who is giving me a look I can’t put my finger on. “Well,” Professor Cochran says, when the silence finally becomes unbearable, “I think this is a bit new for everyone here. Hybrids are exceedingly rare, so I think we should all take this as an opportunity to expand our knowledge. Sorry to put you on the spot like that,” she adds, leaning in closer to me.
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her, relaxing a little. “I guess I’ll go find a seat, then.”
She nods. “We’ll get started in another couple minutes.”
Clutching my bookbag to my chest, I work my way to the back of the room and dropping into a desk. Hunter glances at me over his shoulder, and our eyes meet for a moment; he gives me a questioning look, and I shrug my shoulders. Could be better, could be worse. At least no one is giving me shit for my origins, the way Amelia does—although I don’t miss the stink eye she shoots me when Hunter finally turns his attention away.
I’m only just starting to get situated when Lyle comes over, taking a seat in the desk right next to me. He continues to give me that penetrating stare, made all the more unnerving by his corpse-like appearance. Finally, I can’t stand it anymore, and I turn to look at him. “Sorry, was I in your seat?” It’s a stupid question, but anything to get him to stop giving me that look.
He gives me a thin smile. “So you’re the hybrid,” he says, and my shoulders slump. If this is any indication, the rest of my time here is going to be equally coloured by my unique abilities. I can only hope it’s in a positive way, although I know better than to get too optimistic. I return his smile, nodding. “You were in my tour group yesterday,” he observes, leaning back in his chair. “I remember you. There was something about you, although I couldn’t figure out what… I sort of just had it chalked up to you being - well, gorgeous.”
I blink, startled. This just took an interesting turn. “I… thank you,” I say, feeling my face heat up a little. “I appreciate it.”
“No need to thank me,” he says. “It’s true. I mean, I have to admit, the whole hybrid thing’s a bit odd, but not a deal breaker. Call it a case study in interspecies interaction, right?” His smile turns a bit predatory, and I stiffen in my seat. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me, like I’m some kind of novelty - a snack he’s eagerly getting ready to devour.
“Well,” I reply, a little dryly, “I’m so glad I have your approval.”
“Hey, hey, I mean no disrespect,” he protests, putting his hands up. “I’m just curious, is all. I’ve heard rumours about hybrids, but I never thought I’d actually meet one.”
I open my mouth to ask what sort of rumours he’s referring to, but think better of it at the last minute. I’m already on edge from my introduction to the class, and I don’t like where this conversation is going. There’s something off-putting about this guy, and I feel exposed under his gaze. I clear my throat and return my gaze to the front of the room without responding.
“Silent treatment, eh?” Lyle sighs, shaking his head. “You girls are all the same. Offended by a bit of friendly conversation. You’d think shifters would be better at it than humans, but I guess you’d be wrong.” I set my jaw, not responding. I can’t tell if he’s intentionally trying to provoke me or just being an ass, but I can feel myself getting agitated, the magic in my stomach waking up even as I try to keep a level head. Lyle doesn’t seem to take the hint. “What, you’re just going to ignore me? Not very nice, considering I’m your RA.”
Hunter turns back around in his seat, his blue eyes darting from me to Lyle as the older student speaks. He’s gripping the back of his chair so hard that his knuckles are turning white, an uncharacteristically fierce look appearing on his face. He looks like he’s about to speak up when Professor Cochran begins to talk, silencing the class and bringing our attention back to the front of the room. Saved by the bell, so to speak.
As per usual, the class consists of theory and practice, similar to how the lessons are structured back at the home campus. Cochran takes her time lecturing us about a couple of significant events in the history of vampire shifters, and then we break into groups to practice shifting. I end up with a couple of other girls who seem to be having an easier time with it than I am, although my struggles are as much due to anxiety as to problems concentrating; I can feel Lyle’s eyes on me throughout the class, even though he’s on the other side of the room, and every time I look up he just gives me that wolfish, unsettling smile, like he’s reveling in my discomfort. It’s only
by watching Hunter that I’m able to calm myself down, although he seems as distracted by Lyle’s words as I am. He’s partnered with his sister, whose demeanor softens around him as she patiently tries to coax any sort of transformation out of him, but no dice. In spite of his best efforts, he remains thoroughly human, if pale, and the frustration on his face is evident by the time the exercise ends.
Vampire form is one of the easier ones for me - that and siren seem to have come to me most easily since I started at the Academy. Granted, I’ve managed to get into all of my forms at least once, although some of them are more a struggle than others - dragon, especially, which I haven’t been able to replicate since the one time I transformed while fighting Samantha. It doesn’t help that Lyle has me shaken up for the remainder of the class, and it’s almost a relief when the bell finally rings and we begin to file out. I hang back until most of the students have dispersed, and then make my way outside and onto the quad, hoping to get some fresh air. Not the best start here, all things considered, but at least there was no overt crisis - even if Lyle is shaping up to be a thorn in my side.
Famous last words.
Almost immediately after I step onto the grassy lawn, I find myself face-to-face with the older shifter once again. He’s leaning against one of the statues, his arms crossed over his chest, seemingly waiting for another chance to talk to me. “So, I was thinking,” he says, coming to stand in front of me, “maybe you and I should have a drink together. I know you’re not technically old enough here, but I am, so…” He shrugs, smirking. “It might loosen you up a little bit.”
I glare at him. “And why do you think I need to loosen up?”