by Erin R Flynn
“I couldn’t keep my mouth shut when I saw a man smack a woman in Walmart. It didn’t register in my head that I was seven and wouldn’t be able to really do anything. It hurt me that people just pretended they didn’t see it. It hurts my soul even according to what I’ve read, but it was only ever me that cared. Until I met Mel. But yeah, I just can’t leave it alone. It’s not right. I can’t ever accept it.”
“You sound like the fairies from warrior families we used to teach. The nobles,” Professor White told me, obviously meaning it a compliment. “Light or dark, they could not tolerate to see injustice stand. The call to do right sings to your soul, Ms. Vale. Unfortunately for you, you’re the only one left and that leaves a lot of injustice to injure your soul as well.”
I blinked at her as I let that settle in my mind and then I was blinking back tears. “I think you’re the first person to ever articulate how I really feel instead of just calling it names—some of which have been unhinged. So, I know I’m not Mason, but I get not being able to trust your own thoughts and feelings. I hope he gets the help he needs, and the bears deserve a pat on the back for doing this right. For all of us.”
I was glad when the meeting wrapped up, grateful to get the fuck out of there, and finish healing before campus loaded up with people.
Oh, silly me, I wasn’t done getting tossed around in the crazy yet.
“On the topic of your safety, Adrian has hired two private security for you that will blend in as our guards,” Edelman informed me.
Again, I just blinked at someone. “Yeah, you gotta go over that again. Today’s the first day I don’t feel like tossing my cookies every other moment and my head hit its limit working.”
“Mr. Geiger is less than thrilled with the problems you’ve had on campus,” Professor White said clearly. Right, his first name was Adrian and Edelman would know that as they were longtime acquaintances. “He hired two… Well, they’re a bit more complicated than wolves.”
“Oh, I’m sure Glen is going to love this,” I groaned, the Alpha of the wolf pack who were the school’s guards and I having a few run-ins already.
“Not his call and he’ll get over his shite,” Craftsman muttered. “I thought you were going to skin Geiger for telling your secret and giving you more babysitters.”
“I still might,” I grumbled. “However, I have a huge fucking target on me because of the elders now and yeah, I don’t want to end up with the Underground so if he has a real answer here—yay.”
“We need to discuss you using or needing that portal,” Edelman said, bringing the conversation back around. He held up his hands in surrender when I practically growled at him. “I’m not asking what you were doing, but you were clearly doing something. How can we help?”
“Right, don’t keep doing what got me caught,” I grumbled. I did a great impression of a fish, not coming up with an answer.
“She needs unlimited portal access for extenuating circumstances like Mr. Vogel has,” Professor White offered. “She’s head of her estate to others and businesses, plus now her nonprofit. We would give that exception.”
People didn’t seem thrilled with that and I cut that off as well. “Except they set the portal for me and would see where I go. Someone would have the code to the portal at the Townsend estate and that seems stupid.”
“Then we’ll help you with the faculty portal given your relationship with Melody,” she offered.
“Right, but I’m just a student and nothing suspicious here, kids. Remember last time how Campbell just invited herself because she wanted to? Think any other nosy teachers would—”
“Yes,” several people said at once.
“You can’t have a secret portal in your closet, not with the way people watch you,” Mel muttered. “So, basically you need to get home once or twice a week and do your fairy thing?”
“Something like that,” I muttered. “It could be once a week if I got some more reservoirs and those we hid. I mean, even I know how crazy it looks to have all the reservoirs I have just sitting in my room.”
“Those I can help hide in your closet,” Professor White promised. “Think of it like a magical safe that no one can feel the magic of anything inside of it. It’s how we cloak magical items.”
“Yeah, that could totally work,” I agreed. “So, I just need Mel or Craftsman to sneak me to the faculty portal once a week when no one would come looking for us? Or can I make another…” I trailed off when Craftsman shook his head.
“Oh, what can the fairy do now?” Von Thann asked with interest.
“This is why no one trusts you or likes you,” Mel drawled.
“You work here now, Ms. Rothchild, and I’m head of the school board,” he reminded her.
She rolled her neck and smirked at him. “Right, you stand there and wait until I give a fuck about that. At all. I came here to stick closer to her and so I had access to campus. She is now and will always be my first priority. You should take that to heart as I have lots of places I know of your body would never be found if you’re ever a threat to her.”
People looked at Mel like she was off her rocker to say it so bluntly like that, but I just sat there and beamed at her love for me. That was when you knew someone loved you. They didn’t even hesitate to say they’d take someone out for you and wouldn’t even ask you to help dig the grave.
I felt the same for her.
“That also means he doesn’t need to be privy for this next part,” Mel said to Edelman. “I’m warming up to Collins, but he doesn’t need to know either. Several others can head out. The loop on this needs to be smaller.”
The falcon shifter held up her hands in surrender. “I agree and I don’t need anyone trying to get information out of my head or start problems with my family. Ms. Vale, I’m glad you’re safe and wish you best. I’ll see you both around campus. Good day everyone.”
Her willingness to agree helped several others… Except Von Thann. We sat there and stared at each other, making me feel like we were sitting in an anime where I could practically see his bear spirit animal behind him growling at me. I had no idea what I could have behind me as a fairy, but after several moments, Mel, Craftsman, and even Edelman came to stand behind me.
“You would flip shits if I even implied I wanted to hear about the security you have in place,” I said when everyone else was gone. “You are head of the school board at a fucking college. So what? Really, you are not a god. Enough with the bullshit. You’re not my Alpha and just another parent in this. Out.”
“Or we’ll think to make your security our business as you clearly have Tamsin. Tit for tat is always a good idea,” Mel pushed.
That did it. He pushed to his feet with a huff and stormed out, leaving Lucca to look equal parts amused we just schooled his father and annoyed he had to follow after the man. Yeah, I didn’t envy him that one.
8
A few minutes later I was introduced to Zack and Ray James, cousins who were both lone wolves. Alpha wolves that didn’t want to lead, Mel clarified, as if that was a distinction I needed to make.
Sure, the moment I knew more about shifters and their practices.
Irma was there to fuss over me, laying out several of my favorites that were still easy on my stomach. I wasn’t sure why she and Ryfon—the leader of the hobgoblins at school—were at the meeting, but I didn’t mind the support.
Ryfon seemed to understand my unasked question and answered it. “Chief felt your need of aid and raced to campus. He arrived seconds after you were found, so as much as Mr. Von Thann wants your gratitude and favors, others were coming for you.”
“And one of the pack has been circling campus since,” Irma added.
“That’s going to be a problem,” I sighed.
“Yes, which is why we are here,” Ryfon agreed. “Someone would undoubtedly catch you checking in with your fae dogs. But not us. We can whistle as well for them to listen, but you have to tell the pack officially we may speak on your behalf.”
>
“Like a daily check-in I’m fine?” I asked, thinking that was a shit job for the pack.
“Every few days updates I would think,” Irma suggested. “And knowing they will be closer than your home if you have need for one of them again. We can figure a safe spot.”
“It’s fucking snowing out and—”
“Tams, they can light themselves on fire,” Mel reminded me, her tone amused. “They’re not housebroken dogs like you’re used to growing up human. They’re what most think of and refer to as hellhounds. They can take it. We’ll find a garden shed or something they can hang out in.”
“Fine,” I sighed, knowing I was being a baby. They had sworn their lives to me if I ever needed it. Shouldn’t I care they were okay as well? I focused on the cousins, not even sure where to start with them or Geiger outing me.
“We’re like Geiger,” Zack offered as if that explained it all.
It didn’t.
“You’re not dragons,” I mumbled before taking a huge bite into my completely loaded toasted sub. Irma certainly knew how to entice me to eat even if it was made with easy stuff like I was recovering from food poisoning.
“No, our mates were fairies called back to Faerie,” Ray answered.
I closed my eyes as my stomach soured again, cursing mentally as Mel and Craftsman did out loud. I could feel the confusion from the wolves, so I explained. “Geiger never told me.”
“You thought maybe he had a lover or someone he…” Mel trailed off, shaking her head. “That poor man.”
“His partner,” Zack filled in for me. “They were together a decade. They planned to mate but not everyone in the dragon community is accepting of homosexual matings, even if to a fairy. But they were committed.”
I swallowed loudly, rubbing my head. “You understand the pressure that puts on me knowing you’re waiting for me to—”
“We’re not,” Zack promised. “We’ve waited almost twenty years and I will wait another twenty as long as there is hope and it’s done safely.”
“You give us hope,” Ray added. “But we agree the plan has to be extreme caution. Pushing you does nothing but risk the ones we love most. The women we want to mate and cannot ever move on from. We both felt the mating bond with them. They’re our mates.”
A sad smile formed on Zack’s lips. “We were still working on convincing them. I got damn close. Damn close before she was called home. That need to find her and mate is still there. I…”
“It would die and so would a part of our wolves if they were gone,” Ray told me, nodding when my eyes went wide. “Which is also why Geiger called upon us. You need hope that there will be answers worth finding instead of pain and suffering only, Tamsin. Let us help protect you while you do what only you can do. No pushing, no pressure—just two more shields dedicated to the same cause as you.”
“Did Geiger tell you where—” I started, snapping my mouth closed when Zack held up his hand to me.
“No, and we do not wish to know.”
“Well, we do—we’re dying to know,” Ray clarified. “But we’re lone wolves. Alpha lone wolves, but if we come across a more powerful Alpha, what we know can be used against us.”
“Not smart to tell them she’s a fairy then, mate,” Craftsman grumbled about Geiger even if the man wasn’t there.
“Geiger’s smarter than that,” Zack defended as he showed Craftsman a tat on the inside of his wrist. “He had us locked on a list of things.”
“Anything new and we’re vulnerable,” Ray added. “We’d need a new tat put on or updated.” He gave Craftsman a hard look. “Something as her security we recommend you get. If I couldn’t get her, her species and power advisor would be my next target.”
“You’re not wrong,” he agreed. “We’ll talk later.”
And that was that. Mel and Craftsman were thrilled for the backup after reading their resumes. Edelman was happy with two such guards not on his budget but would act like they were. Ryfon and Irma were happy with more protection for me.
And I just felt caged.
“We’re good at blending,” Zack promised, probably sensing what I was feeling somehow. “And it’s not forever, Tamsin. We’ll honestly give you more freedom than checking in with the school guards or taking them with as we’re your security. It’s just an adjustment and then it won’t be a big deal.”
“We both have bikes and love any excuse to drive like demons,” Ray offered, and several people snorted, knowing that would help win me over.
It did. Dammit.
We headed over to the hobgoblins residence and Chief was there waiting for me. He actually acted more like a puppy than a scary fae dog when he saw me, whimpering and licking my face as I gave him love. I chuckled and comforted him while we talked mind to mind. He wasn’t thrilled with the idea of answering to two wolves, but I promised they wouldn’t be the boss of the pack.
“His lines are clear,” I explained to the others when we were done. “You can call them for aid if I need it or inform them if you can detect them so they need to back off as that would risk me. Otherwise, he’s Alpha of my pack. Ryfon and Irma can give more specialized instructions if needed as Chief knows them better and they have served me longer.”
Irma waved me off when I gave her an apologetic look for the wording. That was how fae dogs saw the relationship with fair folk and fairies. Everyone was fine with that and both wolves even let Chief read them.
After that I was completely wiped, and it was time to get back to the dorm. Campus would be flooding with people tomorrow and I still wasn’t at my best.
“I know you guys have millions of questions or lots to discuss but I need tonight,” I said to Craftsman, Mel, Izzy, and Darby, who had been waiting in the room for us.
“Yeah, we can talk in the morning,” Mel agreed. “We just don’t want you at breakfast or meals. Hang here and let everyone get the first ramp up of gossip out before you brave the crazy.”
“Fine by me,” I agreed. We had four days until classes Monday and that gave people a chance to get a lot of it out of their system.
They were still talking when I put in my ear buds and lay on my bed with my semester packet I hadn’t even had a chance to look over yet. My schedule wasn’t all that different second semester. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only had two real changes.
Intro to Supernaturals II
8-9:45
Professor White
Physical Training III
10-12
Instructor Rothchild
Lunch
12:15-1:15
History of Shifters
1:30-3
Professor Campbell
Tuesdays and Thursdays were other classes. There was really only one main one that worried me; the rest were just the next class of what I’d already been learning.
Runes 102
8-9:30
Dr. Craftsman
English 102 – Fiction Becoming Magical Reality
9:45-10:45
Professor Nelson
Mental Shielding 101
11-12
Professor Koch
Lunch
12:15-1:15
Geometry 102
1:30-3
Professor Richardson
I was actually really excited about English 102—way more than I probably should have been, but this whole world was still new to me. Mental Shielding 101 was the one I was worried about, but when I’d admitted that, Mel and Craftsman had laughed at me, saying I’d get placed or passed out of it in no time.
Yeah, great, but I still kinda wanted to know what to expect.
Everyone else seemed more worried about Geometry 102 and I had a feeling that had to do with hiding what I was to others. I’d spoken with Geiger on that and after how many spies we’d found—from the elders and Underground—he agreed that was leverage to do something about the situation.
He had a meeting on the books with Edelman and Richardson to figure out an exception where my tests would be
at different times… With fewer eyes. People might give me shit but—fine, they totally would—but after what happened with Mason it was also understandable.
Fuck, just thinking about Mason hurt my heart. I tucked away my paperwork and curled under my covers. I didn’t realize anyone was still there or I was crying until Mel slid in behind me and hugged me tightly. I glanced around and checked Darby was gone before finally saying what had been hurting me so much.
“Did I do this to Mason like I did Darby? Is this my fault again?” I knew Mel was the right person to ask as she wouldn’t bullshit me or placate me, taking several moments to seriously consider it.
“No, Tams, this was all him,” she whispered. “I can’t see someone like Von Thann not instantly pointing the finger at you or spinning it around as leverage to use against you if there was any chance he could. You thought Mason was off—I did too, but quirky and maybe a bit over the top. We didn’t know how much and even people without mental problems lose their shit in fights for power. This isn’t on you.”
“I thought he was my friend,” I choked out, enjoying the time I spent with Mason as a bear even if he was messed up as a person. I’d really thought he’d just never met a woman like me, and it tripped him up too much.
“We’ll be okay,” Mel promised, sounding so sure and confident that it helped me.
I fell asleep a bit later and even if it was fitful, it was sleep I desperately needed.
Irma was there with a boatload of food and Izzy announced that she’d already hit the bookstore for us. I thanked them, truly touched they cared and were being so good to me.
Which of course our suitemates, Mary and Claire, had to ruin by pretending we were friends or something when they arrived and wanting the scoop. I gave them the look they deserved and threw up a barrier on the door to our room from the bathroom once Izzy shoved them back through it.
Other actual friends stopped by to check on me. Natalie and the whole group showed up with lunch from Irma and coddled me. They didn’t ask and it was clear they knew the deets so Mel probably filled them in.