by Larisa Long
Xury returns her attention to Blist. “What did they do this time?”
He grimaces. “They were picking on a vampire.”
What did I say about Raks? I glance up to see Blist studying himself in the mirror. Who cares what I thought. It was all true. I have to own it.
My actual soul mate. Gorgeous Blist. Only he could pull off the eye gouging colors. He wears the black pants and usually opts for the monochromatic shirt and tie. This time he’s lime. Even with the lime and the black vest, he’s a god.
I lose myself for awhile in Blist’s dark blond hair that curls perfectly around his ears and his eyes which can be green or blue depending upon the time of day or pure golden when he’s about to shift into the most beautiful jaguar anyone’s ever seen and how his spots are the most rare of all the jaguar shifters. I shake my head at my own dizzying thoughts and remind myself to breathe.
Xury and Blist laugh at the same time.
I know I said it’s normal in my world to have several soul mates. When I said my world, I meant witches. Shifters only choose shifters, and pixies think it’s super pervy to think of anyone other than their one true soul mate. He or she must be pixie. That is resolute.
I laugh because I want to be in on the joke. They think I’m fated to be with Raks and one of the curses have made me think I have a crush on Blist. A crush? What I feel for Blist isn’t on the same radar as a crush.
And I only lied to him about the crush curse because once Blist found me drooling over him in potions class. Literally drooling. My potion did not mix well with my drool, and I ended up melting my desk.
“What if …” Xury’s lip quivers as her eyes widen. “What if the curses are hiding something? Like something in plain sight?”
I think about that a minute before Blist laughs out loud.
“Bloody unlikely.”
Xury stops suddenly and stares at Blist. “What does blood have to do with it?”
They both laugh, but I know something’s off.
“We’d better get going,” Blist says, trying to get one of his curls to stay out of his face.
Oh, how I wish I could touch him. I shake my head to scare those thoughts away. I’m so glad the cousins stopped at thirty-six curses.
There used to be nine, but Curse Number 9 states that any attempt by me to alter or otherwise de-curse myself would double the amount of curses. Of course I tried to reverse the curses four different times. Did I mention no other witch will help me? (see Curse Number 2)
When Blist finally gets his perfect hair in perfect place, I sigh again. Blist would help anyone with anything. Ever. But he’s totally unaware of his own hotness.
He’s an empath, but luckily, I set up a spell not long after I realized my feelings towards him so I was able to prevent him from reading me. I would be mortified if he knew exactly how much the curses have taken their toll on me or that the crush curse didn’t actually exist.
Xury sees my reflection in the mirror and shoves Blist. “That crush curse is really kicking in.”
I smirk. “I’m fine. I was just trying to hurry the pretty Blist along. If we’re late for curfew …
Blist looks me over. “Your books?”
I point up to the lights.
He squints his eyes. “What is that?”
“The cousins shrunk them and put them inside the lightbulb.”
Blist looks at me with wide eyes and an even wider mouth. “I will never understand why witches use their power for insignificance. They could literally change the world for the better.”
I wave my hands, and my books are back in my arms and in normal size. I also know the harm witches can do. I’m just glad none of the curses took away my powers. That’s the first thing I would have done. Then I imagine the cousins slipping into an extra large rusty grate and languishing in a moldy dungeon. This, of course, makes me trip and bite my lip.
“Curse Number 6.” Blist cringes. “You okay?”
I nod. I so want to say something but bite my lip harder to keep the words bolted down.
Blist rushes in front of us and stops at the door. He peers one way and then another very dramatically. He then looks back to us. “It’s safe, Zalia, but I’d protect you by sacrificing Xury.”
Xury rolls her eyes as she pushes past him. My breath catches when I see her touch him. She has no idea how lucky she is. She can touch him.
“Better get to the rooms,” Xury says. “Almost curfew.” She rolls her eyes. “Then it’s lights out, pleasant dreams and then get out of bed Saturday morning at 6 am for chores.”
I shake my head.
She pretends to grab my arm and we all walk back to the dorms together and split up in the lobby. Pixies have the second floor. Shifters and vampires are underground in case they get bitey. Other species are spread between the third and fifth floors. Witchlocks take the top floor. It has the best rooms and the best views.
I remind myself that when I open my room that doubled one year as a closet for the room next door. We’re supposed to share, but since all witches hate me …
At least I get a window. I look out and sigh at the roof with chipped vent whirly things. I have no idea why they never stop twirling. I’ve been able to stare at them for hours though. They’re quite mesmerizing and relaxing.
While the other rooms have full kitchens and bathrooms and even their own living rooms with big screen TVs, I have one plug in my room. And I’m lucky to have that. I think it’s only because it used to be a closet and they wanted the witchlock to iron. I know, right? Iron? What’s that about? Don’t know what century they were living in.
Collapsing on my bed, I accidentally glimpse at the clock. 6:30. We’re supposed to be in our dorm floors by 6, but we can socialize in the common rooms until 10 as long as we do so on our species specific floors.
Since socializing is out of the question for me, I have three and a half hours to kill until curfew. I did my homework last period. I did so many runes in rune class my brain is sluggish. One of my botanical experiments went rabid and gave me the sneezes so my eyes are still a bit watery. We’re not allowed phones in the dorms so I can’t text. No computers outside the common areas so no social media.
I can hear a party in the common rooms. Music and laughter pierce me. Another glance at the clock … 6:32. “This is nice.”
My mind naturally tracks down the curses again and everything I know about them which isn’t much. The cousins have been cursing me for years, but they’ve never lasted this long. What if someone else is behind the curses? It would have to be someone very powerful. But why do they want me cursed? It’s not like I know anything … my stomach reminds me that one of the curses may have made me forget. But what? Something dangerous? Something I saw or heard or did?
Chapter 2
The alarm jolts me. I slam it off and stare at the clock. 9:48. Three hours? Didn’t know I’d even slept. I jump up and grab my supplies. The one perk of being a pariah? I don’t have to meander around witches. They automatically avoid me.
Some have thrown themselves down flights of stairs to make sure I didn’t get near enough to set them on fire. So, that’s an upside. I can literally walk in a straight line at the slowest or fastest pace, and I’ll never have to swerve, wait or anything.
As I linger in my doorway, I study the hallway to the bathroom. Thirty-two feet. How should I get there this time? I try to mix it up just to keep it interesting. I’ve leapfrogged, skipped, clung to the walls, done deep knee lunges, crawled, twirled, somersaulted. You name a way to get from point A to point B, and I’ve done it. “Cursed witch’s choice.”
I count at least thirteen witchlocks along the path. “Bowling it is.” I put my bag in my teeth and crouch down like I’m at the Olympics. “Ready? Set? Go!” I push off and speed down the path.
Witchlocks throw themselves out of the way or push their friends out of the way. Screams, cursing, broken glass, and splintered wood propel me forward. I don’t stop until I hit the bathroom, and then
I throw my arms in the air. “Zalia has just broken the new witch record, and the crowd goes wild.” I bow and slam the door shut.
By the time I open the door again, everyone is in their rooms. The lights in the hallway are dimmed, and it’s lights out throughout the academy. I toss my bag into my room and skip down the hall. I go out of my way to spell my cousins’ door with an all night random knock, and I skip right past our monitor slash keeper slash warden.
“Hey, Twandles.”
He looks in my general direction but then realizes it’s me and goes back to sudoko.
I push the elevator and hum. Loudly. I hope as shifter it pixies everyone off. In the lobby, I jump out of the elevator like I’m being chased. I don’t stop my full on run until I get to the cafeteria, push open the doors, drop and roll inside.
It’s a general cafeteria with alternating round and square tables with plenty of room between tables. That’s not to give us space. It’s because the species usually self-segregate, and the academy doesn’t want a fuss. Fusses lead to messes.
Xury slowly rises to her feet from behind the cereal counter. “Scared me.”
The others come out of hiding and go to their specific tables. Shifters in the round tables along the edges. Vampires in the square tables in the center. Pixies sit wherever they can watch Xury. The few witchlock loners are off to the weird oblong tables along the side where they are comforted by their laptops and books. All faeries hover above us.
I see that every seat is filled, and the cafeteria can hold around two hundred and fifty. “Full house tonight.”
Xury nods.
“Everyone ready? Where’s Blist?”
One of the shifters points to the door as Blist saunters in and nods at me. I wait until he sits down.
I say a few spells filling the shifter tables with their raw meat platters. I provide the vampires their blood type specific specialties. For the pixies, fruit flavored sugar water.
Sure the Academy provides food for every group, but they offer the vampires watered down synthetic blood which keeps them weak and irritable. They use artificial sweeteners for the pixies and usually gristly meat for the shifters.
Why? Because they can. For allowing the cousins to run amok … for going out of their way to put down everyone else … they can fae themselves.
I snap my fingers, and the walls look like the ocean. I wave my hands to provide lights in every color that hover above us which makes it look like we’re overlooking the ocean on a fancy yacht deck.
The vampires raise their glasses to me as do the pixies. The shifters raise something raw, and I nod quickly. Blist always sits with his back to me so I can’t see him eat. He’s very weird about that.
I wave my hand. In front of me, a huge bowl of every type of cereal is being mixed by the huge spoon that magically appears.
Xury sips her drink. “Yum. I love this flavor.”
“Watermelon and cherry. I know.” I take a huge spoonful of cereal and can barely fit the spoon in my mouth.
“So, how’d you do it this time?”
“Bathroom? Ready, set, dash. Witchlock bowling.”
“Casualties?”
I nod. “Screams, broken glass, split wood, some of the more unusual cursings dusted off for rare occasions.”
She slaps her hand on the table. “I wish I could see that.”
I sigh. “Wouldn’t that be nice. Imagine being able to room with someone who doesn’t pray for my demise. And not in a closet.”
“Who’s in a closet?” Blist sits down beside me and waves at the shifters who begin to leave.
“You shifters even chew?”
“We tried it once.” He shrugs. “Overrated.”
Xury narrows her eyes and studies me. “You’re kidding, right? Your room’s got to be huge. You’re on the top floor. They’re the only ones who’ve been completely remodeled.”
I nod quickly and return to my cereal.
Xury slams her palm on the table. “Describe your room.”
“Wow, sugar water dials up the crazy.”
“It’s fruit flavored sugar water, thank you.” She rolls her eyes like I’ve greatly offended her. “It’s very top shelf. Conjured by my best friend.” She winks. “Blist, get her to describe her room.”
“Thank you for the meal, Zalia.”
I nod.
A few pixies leave, and Xury waves to them. “I’ll be right there.”
“Already?”
“Sorry.” Xury makes a pouty face. “We have a huge project due, but first we have to watch a movie.”
“Have to?” I don’t remember the last movie I saw so I don’t bother to ask what she’s watching.
She jumps up. “You have a TV in your room, right?”
I crunch my cereal louder and pretend I don’t hear her. “See you Monday.”
She trades looks with Blist who nods, and just like that all the pixies leave when Xury does.
Why does my favorite part of the day always whir by?
One of the vampires makes some ear piercing sound, and they all rise at the same time. They bow to me and are gone in an instant leaving only the two lone witchlocks, Blist and me.
I look up, but the faeries are all draped over the lights snoring away.
A few shifters return and yelp at Blist.
“It’s Friday night. Don’t you get your jaguar on?”
He laughs. “Only because of the extra energy from the Zalia meal.”
I wince. “Sounds like I’m on the menu.”
His eyes twinkle a bit or maybe it was my imagination or one of the faeries shifted positions over the light above him.
“Have fun.” I hope he doesn’t expect me to say anything else because I don’t think my voice would work.
I watch him join the shifters. He glances back at me, and I manage to throw him a very fake smile before tears fall down my face. I hate Fridays. We’re supposed to do species specific bonding Saturday and Sunday which means I’m totally alone until I can see Blist and Xury on Monday.
I glance around to make sure everyone is gone, except for the witchlocks who won’t notice me. I send a wake up spell to the faeries who all open their eyes, stretch, wave at me and fly away. I flinch my hands, and everything is cleaned and returned to normal. “As if I was never here.”
Before I know it, I’ve made it all the way back to my room taking the slowest route witchly possible. I crawl into bed, close my eyes and pray I can sleep through all of Saturday and Sunday. Sleep without worrying about the curses.
In my dreams I see the familiar sights. A battle, blood, death. The King stands in front of me and looks at me. I don’t know why, but he looks afraid. The King’s eyes widen as his hand goes over his mouth. “What are you?”
Chapter 3
I wake up to the alarm. I don’t even want to open my eyes, but I peek out. Monday morning. I did it. I breath a sigh of relief. I made it through another weekend. After a trip to the bathroom which I slow danced my way towards, I am ready to meet Xury and Blist in the lobby.
Blist motions to Xury when he sees me. I practically lunge to them.
“What did you do on the weekend?” Is the first thing out of her mouth.
I shrug.
“What?”
I take her in. “Why so bossy?”
“Show us your room,” Blist says.
I step back. “It’s Monday. Classes?”
Xury shakes her head. “They’ve been cancelled until the afternoon.”
“Why?”
She shrugs. “Your room, please.”
I glance around. “Too many witchlocks. If they catch you …”
Xury looks around. “You’re right. So describe it please.”
“Versailles,” I swoon. “Gold chandeliers. Minions awaiting my every whim. Fresh fruit platters are generously replenished at least once an hour. The overflow I beg them to donate to the shelters for wayward pixies to make into their favorite flavors.” I make a point at pretending to dab at my eye
s. “I am a saint.”
Blist chuckles.
Xury rolls her eyes. “Describe it or no more Friday nights.”
I sit down slowly. My expression drains as my fears rise. For the past four years, Friday nights help me get through the weekend. They help me get through the entire week. They are the only thing that keeps me sane. Without Friday nights, I … I don’t even know what would become of me. I might as well not exist. I wouldn’t have the strength to continue to fight. There’d be nothing to fight for.
“I’m sorry,” Xury looks quickly at Blist. “I didn’t mean it. I was just trying to bluff.”
Blist shakes his head. “Pixies can’t bluff.”
“I’m sorry.” Xury jumps up and down. “Please forgive me, Z.”
I nod and try for a smile. “Forgiven.” I’m not mad at her. It’s not her fault she and Blist are the only ones in my entire world who I can count on. I hope they don’t miss out on doing things in order to hang out with me.
We step outside, and Xury’s eyes squint as she takes in the sun. “It’s summer. Why can’t we be at the beach?” She pleads to me. “Please?”
“You know how long the beach takes.” I think about it. Why can’t we be at the beach? “Can you two risk two weeks from class?” I know I can.
“Most of my teachers are pixies,” Xury nods enthusiastically. “We take care of our own.”
“Aw. The infamous and least understood pixie mafia.”
“Ha.” She scrunches her face up. “What about you, Blist?”
I snort. Totally an accident.
“What’s that for?” Blist asks.
I glance at them. “You two could get away with anything.”
“Not true. You sure they can spare you?” I know Blist didn’t mean anything by his question. If it were me, it would be dripping in snark, but every part of Blist is genuine. I cringe at myself.
“Half of the classes are witchlocks so no one even sees me. The others only barely acknowledge my existence.” I wave my hands around. I have to live it everyday. Don’t want to waste time talking about it. “Ready?”
Blist rubs his hands together. “Ready.”
I snap my fingers, and the three of us are on the beach.