by Jami Klein
“And Paul too. My mom took it hard that Delia wasn’t protected.”
Aunt Angela and Uncle Paul. I filed that away to think about later. “Why did your mom send me here if she knew there was something killing witches?”
“She didn’t know that. Delia died casting a spell she had no right to be casting.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “And what exactly do you know about that?”
“Priscilla told me everything,” I said, throwing my roommate under the bus, hoping that didn’t come back to bite me in the broomstick later.
“Your roommate is in a lot of trouble. She shouldn’t be dragging you into her coven’s mess.”
“It’s kind of hard to leave me out of it. They’re always in my room,” I groused.
“You’re not going to join their coven, are you?” Grantaire made a face.
“They wouldn’t have me anyway.” This time instead of jangling fake bracelets, I stuffed my wrists under my armpits.
“Well, what she told you is classified. It would start a panic with the other students. Keep it to yourself if you know what’s good for you.”
I bit my lip and wondered if I should risk continuing this conversation. Oh, what the heck? In for a penny, in for a pound. “Are you sure the woods are safe? We’ve got mundanes coming for the Halloween party in two weeks. It seems like a recipe for disaster to bring them in to scare the pants of them and then maybe a real demon will snatch one for dinner.”
Grantaire’s face went blank and I felt a tremor of fear dart through me. Me and my big mouth.
“The demon was dispatched. There aren’t any more in the woods. The Jewel Academy is perfectly safe. If you think otherwise, Priscilla is just telling you stories to scare you and make herself look more powerful than she is. I suggest you don’t believe a word she says.”
He was hiding something about the woods and that made me worry more that Stefan was patrolling them all alone. However, if that was how the Enforcers wanted to slant the truth, it worked for me. At least, he didn’t know that I had been there. “Well, that’s certainly a relief. I was having nightmares.” I gave a weak chuckle and hoped I sounded convincing.
I think he bought it, because his face relaxed a bit.
I stared out the car window and wondered if he’d tase me if I made a run for it. Probably. As we passed a vampire blood donation center, I saw there were protestors out front. They were chanting something I couldn’t hear because the windows were up, but they were shaking signs that said, “Blood for Humans First” and “Give the Vamps the Common Stuff.”
“What’s going on there?” I asked.
“Tensions are a little high. The rare blood types are low in the blood banks.”
“I thought the vampires already traded the rare types to the hospital.”
“The hospitals don’t want to trade. They’re worried about their own inventory.”
“My dad and I used to give to the Red Cross. I never thought about donating to the vampires.” At least not until I came to the Jewel Academy.
“The vamps pay better so they’ve got more donors and it’s starting to cause problems.”
“What’s the alternative?” I asked.
“Well, you’ve got the drag them out into the sunlight and stake them crowd and then you’ve got the ones that think a vampire should hire someone for all their blood needs and leave the donation centers to the hospitals.”
“I don’t like either idea.” I rubbed my arms, fending off a chill.
“You can’t please everyone.”
“What do you think they should do?” I asked.
Grantaire pulled into the movie theater parking lot. “If the vamps are denied the blood they need to survive, they’ll just take it from unsuspecting, and most likely, unwilling humans. That sets a dangerous precedent. I’d like to see them fed with the people who are overpopulating our prisons. Let them earn their room and board with a few bags of blood every month.”
I shuddered. I didn’t have an answer but having to donate to Andrei wasn’t so bad. Of course, I went into that contract willingly. If I was forced to do it, that would be a different story.
Grantaire opened the door for me and held out his hand to help me out of the Porsche. I carefully maintained the illusion of the bracelet and put my hand in his. I didn’t sense the controlled power like Stefan had or the frigid cold of Andrei. His hand was nice and warm— human. And a piece of normalcy slid back into place in my life.
For the next two hours, I got lost in the movie. I forgot about all my questions and the danger going on at Jewel Academy. However in the ladies’ room after the movie, I checked my messages and texts. There were a few from my friends at the beginning of the month, but that had trickled out when I hadn’t responded. Nothing from my mother.
I called her cell phone. It went straight to voice mail. Frowning, I slipped it in my pocket. This was getting weird. She always had her phone on her and it was always charged. But for the past month I’ve been going straight to her voice mail as well, when I called from the Jewel Academy office.
There was a girl my age washing her hands at the sink. I had a horrid thought, but it wouldn’t leave me alone. I walked up to her and said, “Hey, my phone is dead. Can I borrow your phone to call my mom to pick me up?”
“Sure.” She wiped her hands on a paper towel and handed me her phone.
I dialed my mom’s phone number.
“Hello?” The sound of my mom’s voice flooded me with a bunch of emotions. I wanted to throw the phone against the wall and then stomp on it. I wanted to sink to my knees and sob.
Hanging up, I handed the phone back to the girl.
My mother had blocked my calls.
Dazed, I walked out of the bathroom and saw Grantaire leaning up against the wall waiting for me. “You okay?” he asked.
I should have held it together. I should have just nodded. But he sounded so concerned. Launching myself at him, I hugged him tight. Squeezing my eyes shut, I just said, “No.”
He hugged me back and we just stayed there while the movie patrons walked out of the theater around us. Grantaire was solid and real and while I knew he wouldn’t hesitate to tase me and hand me over to the FBMI, at least he was treating me like a normal girl.
“Come on,” he said, “Let’s get back to the car.”
Nodding, I released him and would have walked on ahead, but he grabbed my hand. I clung to it like a lifeline. I would not cry. I would not cry. I lost my dad and held it together. I’d handle losing my mother the same way. Only she wasn’t dead. She chose to block me out of her life.
A little sob escaped me before I could stop it.
Grantaire helped me back into the car. I rummaged around in the glove compartment to find some tissues.
“What happened in the bathroom?”
I gave a watery chuckle. “I tried to call my mom and I found out that she blocked my number.”
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“I guess I’m not going home for Yule after all,” I whispered. Not going home for summer either. I would be a permanent resident at the Jewel Academy until I graduated. If I graduated.
“Maybe your Aunt and Uncle could come and get you,” he suggested.
I stared at him. He was earnestly trying to help. It was sweet. He knew I’d never met Delia. He had to figure out that meant I didn’t know her parents either.
“I don’t have their number,” I said lamely.
“I can get it for you.”
Wow.
“Thanks,” I said. “You’ve been really sweet. I’m sorry to have to spoil our date. I was just not expecting that.”
Reaching over, Grantaire took my hand again. “It wasn’t spoiled.”
I gripped his hand again. I wished he wasn’t an Enforcer. I wished I wasn’t a mind mage.
We held hands all the way back to Jewel Academy. I couldn’t help but flinch as the wide gates closed behind us. This was my new home.
He walked me back to the dorms.
“Want to do this again next week? Minus the mother thing?”
That surprised a laugh out of me. “Yeah, I’d like that.”
“It’s a date.” Grantaire leaned over and kissed my cheek.
Blushing, I almost tripped on my feet as we parted ways. And then I turned and ran smack into Stefan’s chest.
“Ooof,” I said, bouncing back. “You need a bell or something.”
He didn’t respond and I didn’t expect him to.
“Okay, we need to talk about this bodyguard thing.”
Raising an eyebrow, he started walking towards the path to Hellion Falls. I was excited that he was going to take me demon hunting with him, but then I saw that there were a few other people with rakes.
I saw Priscilla’s coven setting up the altar for Samhain. I was glad I went home and got my candles. Just because I was all alone, didn’t mean I couldn’t worship my traditions. Maybe Delia and my father would come and join me for a little while.
“We need to renegotiate our terms,” I said.
“What terms?” Stefan said, leading me away from the coven when he sensed the loneliness I was trying to hide.
“What do you want in exchange for protecting me?”
He gave me a funny look. “I don’t want anything.”
I sighed in exasperation. “That’s not how it works. I want information from Andrei. He gets blood.”
Stefan snorted. “I’m not Andrei.”
“You won’t let me help hunt in the forest.”
“You have enough to worry about.” Stefan handed me a rake while he moved a boulder a few feet off the path to widen it for the wagon.
I shifted from foot to foot. “I can’t pay you money yet. But I’m looking to get a job.”
“Would it make you feel better to pay me?”
I sagged in relief. “Yes.”
He shrugged.
“So how much?”
“Pay me what you think I’m worth.”
“I’m not going to have that much money,” I fretted.
He looked up at me and smiled, and that got me all flustered. “What?” I asked.
“Then pay me what you can afford, if that will stop you from obsessing about this.”
“Right.” I nodded. “I’ll let you know when I can hire you again.”
Stefan rolled his eyes at me. And we got down to work.
Chapter Eight
Monday morning, I was on a mission. Andrei’s mother was at her desk when I reported in for homeroom.
“Mrs. Barnes, I need to take a first aid course by this weekend. But the only ones available are online. And with all the witches at this school, not one of them can connect me to WiFi. You’re my only hope.”
She smiled down at me. “I can help you, but you’re not going to like the answer.”
“Story of my life,” I muttered.
“It seems that Grantaire Fines has already arranged for you to take it at FBMI headquarters in Hartford this week.”
“Grantaire did what now?” Did the Enforcers have our rooms bugged or did Tracy say something to him?
“It will be all day Wednesday and Thursday, with a test on Friday. You could be certified for the game on Saturday.”
FBMI headquarters. I blew out a sigh. There was no way I was going to walk into their offices with an illusion spell up. And I was equally sure once they saw me without the magical bracelets, they’d slap a set on me.
I shook my head. “Yeah, that’s not going to work. Thanks anyway.”
So much for joining Tracy’s coven by Yule. I was going to have to find another coven. Unfortunately, that left Serena Bleak’s and Priscilla’s. Ugh. Maybe I could be a lone witch, like Stefan was the lone lion.
“What’s going on with you and the Enforcer?” Ms. Barnes said. “Is it serious?”
“I think we’re dating. I mean I had one date. And I’m going on another. But then there’s Stefan. But that’s just been weird.”
“What about Andrei?” she said with a small smile.
“Oh, things are the same with him. You know how he is.”
“I do indeed.”
We exchanged smiles.
“I’m glad you’re starting to get comfortable here.”
“It’s not like a have a lot of choices.”
“That is true,” she said. “But you can make your own choices you know.”
“I’m beginning to see that.” I sighed. “I don’t suppose you have any work study positions open? Maybe in the stacks, reshelving books or in the restricted section?” I hoped I sounded casual, but Ms. Barnes gave me a stony glare over her glasses.
“We’ve discussed the restricted section. I’ll expand on my previous answer. Stay away from it or you will be banned from the library. Are we clear?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
She seemed mollified by my response, because she leaned back and flipped through a few pages on her planner. “I can give you fourteen hours a week at ten dollars an hour. How does that sound?”
It sounded like a hundred and forty dollars a week. That would pay Stefan a decent salary, with still some left over to buy popcorn and soda and maybe let me treat Grantaire to a movie—assuming he wanted to keep seeing me after I turned down his first aid class.
“Two hours every day, you tell me which two.”
“When can I start?”
“No time like the present.”
“My classes get out today at 3:30.”
“Then I’ll see you at four. Your first paycheck will be next Saturday. You’ll be paid for the prior week.”
“Great.” At least something was going my way. “Thanks.”
“If you change your mind about the FBMI training, let me know. They offer it several times a month.”
“I won’t change my mind,” I said. “But I appreciate you checking for me. If something comes up that’s more local, keep me in mind.”
“Will do,” she said.
I could feel her eyes on me as I trudged toward the dragon-like elevator. I barely even noticed its antics today. When it spit me out into my research area that I set up for my homeroom period, I pulled down a few first aid books to take with me when I left for classes. I could still study for the quiz and maybe find a way to get into the nearest town to take the online certification. Maybe I could ask Mr. Urso, my guidance counselor, if he would take me someplace with WiFi.
I sat down, but couldn’t concentrate on anything. Before I realized what I was doing I was walking toward the pearl of wisdom. As I stood in front of it, not close enough to activate the guardian, I glared at it. If I could have some answers, maybe something would go right in my life. But I couldn’t risk being banned from the library and making Ms. Barnes mad at me.
Studying the runes set in the floor around the pedestal area made my eyes cross. That was some serious protective magic. There was no way I’d survive a battle with the guardian. I didn’t even know how to fight. I could ask Stefan to help, but what if he got hurt? Or worse? I would not use my mind magic on Ms. Barnes to get the password—if that would even work on her. I was stuck. Maybe I could run in, ask a question and dodge the guardian until I got an answer? No one would have to know. I’d have to have an alibi though, just in case the Enforcers investigated it. Maybe Andrei would cover for me if I extended our blood contract.
A vampire coalesced next to me. It wasn’t Andrei and I tensed. This vampire was taller, older and smelled like cedar. Did they make coffins out of cedar?
“You’re not supposed to be here,” he said, his voice deep and rich.
He looked tough, strong and someone I should definitely not mess with.
“Tell me about it,” I said with a long-suffering sigh.
He cocked his head at me. “What answers are you looking for? Which boy is going to ask you to the homecoming dance?”
“That is a good question.” I refused to be baited into an argument. I was just
standing near the restrictive section. There weren’t any rules a
gainst standing near it.
“No.” He regarded me with a prenatural stillness that sent a warning shiver up my spine. “You have more serious issues on your mind.”
“Nothing gets passed you. I’m Lola, by the way.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I glared at him. “Who are you?”
“Emile. I work here.”
“In the restricted section? How did you get that job?”
“Just lucky, I guess,” he said in an equally long-suffering voice.
“I’ll swap. I’m shelving books this afternoon.”
He looked me up and down with an amused smile. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
“Of course not, that’s why it’s a restricted area. You could show me the ropes. I’ll do your job while you take it easy filing freshman papers and yearbooks.”
Emile snorted. “No thanks. But if you’re interested in becoming my apprentice, that could be arranged.”
“Apprentice librarian?”
“Why not? Did you have another career path in mind?”
I actually did not, but a librarian hadn’t even crossed my mind.
“Of course, I would need a down payment.”
“I don’t get paid until next Saturday,” I said. So much for popcorn and movies.
“I don’t want your money.”
“Well, what else do you want? I already offered to work for you while you lounged around… oh… You want blood.”
Emile smirked at me.
“I can’t. I’m in an arrangement with another vampire.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll sip from you a little each day.”
I made a face. “Thanks, no.”
Grabbing my arm, he yanked me to him. “I’m not asking.” He bared his teeth and whipped his head down to my neck.
“Stop!” I hit him with the full force of my power.
He instantly froze.
“Let me go.”
He did, but he growled at me. I blinked in surprise. Unlike everyone else I had done this to, Emile was fully aware that I had cast a spell on him and was manipulating him.
“I didn’t want to do this,” I said, my voice shaking. “This is your own fault.”