by S C Thomas
“It isn’t common for hybrids to exist. You see, the mother of the offspring is what the baby gets. If the mother in a shifter, the baby is a shifter. If the mother is a mage, the baby is a mage. It depends on what the mother is. Hybrids usually don’t happen.” He stared at his plate and shifted in his seat once again. “They usually don’t happen.” He muttered, but it was loud enough for her to hear.
She tilted her head, watching him curiously for a few moments, letting him gather himself once more. “Are you alright, Uncle Marcus?”
He nodded furiously, scratching at his cheek, keeping his gaze off her. “Yep. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She narrowed her eyes and pushed her nearly empty plate away from her. “I’m full.” She said, watching relief surge in his face at the change of topic.
He stood quickly, collecting her plate. “I hope you had a good dinner. We can do this again next week, yeah?”
She nodded and stood, watching him for a moment as he bustled away, leaving through a side door without another glance her way. She blinked, unsure of what had just happened. Her uncle had never acted that weird before and he got pretty odd when she brought up her mother. She craned her neck as the side door shut behind him, hesitating before stepping towards it and paused. She wanted to follow him, but it would just probably upset him if he found out and she didn’t need him mad at her. So instead, she turned on her heel and gathered her cloak, pulling it over her shoulders, and left the room, pulling the door shut behind her.
Twenty-Eight
“Emma.” Her name froze her in her steps, spoken on lips that made her heart flutter and her stomach twist painfully at the same time.
She was glued to the spot, as if her feet wanted him to catch up to her. As if her heart was talking to them.
“Emma,” he repeated as he got closer, but she kept staring ahead as he came up from behind, refusing to look at him. It was bad enough she couldn’t get herself to move, she didn’t want to fall prey in front of him as well.
Her eyes fell on the castle building looming overhead, a brisk chill swept down her spine and tendrils of air curled out of her lips as she breathed out the cold air. What was he doing out this late as well? She found her tongue had suddenly glued itself to the roof of her mouth, rendering her speechless.
“Emma, can we – can we talk?” His voice as he rounded to face her, her eyes swept up to his.
Her heart thundered in her ears as she took in the red rims that circled his eyes, showing that he had been crying. Was that why he was out there? To hide his tears. She still didn’t say anything, but a look of hope flashed across his face at the fact she was not moving away from him.
“I am sorry. For not helping. Really, I am.”
Her tongue fell to the bottom of her mouth, releasing her from its spell. “It was wrong.” She said in a croaked voice. “Have you been crying?”
He blinked rapidly, turning his face slightly to the side as if that would hide the damage already been seen. “I told you before, you’ve done things to me I can’t explain. I’ve been a mess without you. My head is a mess. I can’t think straight, and I think I failed a couple tests these last couple weeks. I don’t know, I can’t make sense of much. Emma, I’m sorry. I really am.”
Emma shook her head, crossing her arms to glare up at him, her lip wobbling. “I can’t believe you. You let her be ridiculed like that.”
He rubbed his face. “You don’t get it.” He mumbled.
“Then explain it to me, Josh. Tell me what I don’t get.” She demanded, stomping her foot.”
He cleared his throat and lowered his hand, looking tiredly down at her, the dark circles beneath his own eyes more prominent this close up. “My brother was their pride and joy. He did everything right. He excelled in everything. He failed his first set of trials and couldn’t handle the disappointment; he wasn’t used to it. So, he offed himself. Ever since then, I’ve done everything I can to not screw up. I got expelled from my last school, I couldn’t afford stepping in and getting expelled from this one as well. Especially since it would take me from you.”
She shook her head. “Your spouting crap you think I wanna hear.” She accused, but her heart tugged, whispering to her he was telling the truth.
“I’m being honest, Emma. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do? Be honest? I couldn’t risk doing something that would’ve gotten me in trouble. They already lost one kid, their golden child. I didn’t want to disappoint them again and make it worse.”
She turned her head, her knees locking together, keeping her from launching herself at him. She so badly wanted him to hold her, she couldn’t understand why. She was still so angry with him, but the emotions were twirling in confliction inside of her once again, making her head spin all over once more. He thought she did things to him. She wanted to dare him to enter her mind and see how it was for her.
His hand reached forward, fingers grazing her cheek. “I just didn’t want to disappoint them anymore, Emma. You have to understand that.”
She lifted her head back, taking a slight step away and his fingers fell through the air as she broke contact with him. “Say that I believe you,” she said slowly, gathering her words slowly. “But just because I would, doesn’t mean we would be back together.”
He let his arm drop by his side, swinging there as he nodded. “I get it. I would, I understand.” He said shakily.
His eyes searched hers suddenly, eyebrows furrowed. “Are you alright Emma?”
She looked at him in confusion and nodded, her head bobbing like a bobble head. It reminded her of the one her mother had had once upon a time of a Hulu girl when she’d been growing up. She couldn’t remember if it had been on the dashboard the day the wreck had happened.
“Yep, yep, I am fine.”
“Emma – “He started but stopped when she held a hand up.
“I’m fine.”
Her response was to quick and he cocked an eyebrow. “What’s going on? Just because we aren’t together doesn’t mean I don’t care for you.” He stepped towards her, his eyes searching hers. “You can tell me, Emma. I promise, you can trust me.”
She looked up into his eyes and nodded. “I know I can.” She said softly but shook her head. “Everything’s fine.” She promised, holding her hand behind her back so he couldn’t ask for a pinky promise because that was one promise she couldn’t keep. “I’m fine.”
He opened his mouth but decided not to say whatever it was he did want to say and nodded, looking slightly hesitant to believe her, but didn’t press the subject.
She turned her face towards him, catching his eyes. “I do believe you.” Relief flashed in his eyes and his shoulders dropped as if he had suddenly been relieved of a very large weight that had taken a lot of strength to hold up. “But that doesn’t mean we are back together. That’s an excuse, Josh. I could’ve helped you; I could’ve talked to my uncle. You might have gotten detention, but I could’ve saved you from being expelled. You shouldn’t have stood back and let her be treated that way.”
He nodded, hanging his head. “I know.” He said softly.
“Just because you aren’t into the whole having shifters as friend’s thing doesn’t mean it falls on me as well. She’s my friend, Josh. That’s just how it is.”
He nodded again, fiddling with his thumbs. “I really am sorry.”
She felt her face soften. “I know, Josh.”
“Is there anyway- “
“Not right now.” She said quickly, cutting him off and shaking her head. “I can’t right now. I need to focus on my studies. I have to be ready for the trials.”
“I can help you.” He offered, a hopeful glance glazing his eyes, anything to be around her he would probably offer up.
She hesitated, but then her uncle’s words echoed in her mind and she shook her head again. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I am crazy about you, even though I am still incredibly angry with you. You aren’t the only one whose messed up about things, Josh.
You’ve done things to me as well that I just can’t explain. And I can’t be alone with you when we aren’t supposed to be together. So no, I don’t want your help. I can’t take your help. It’s for both our own goods.”
He nodded in understanding, swallowing back words that wanted to spill from his tongue. “I understand.” He said softly.
Emma stepped around him, watching as he didn’t move, only stared at the ground. Her hand reached out, brushing against his and he flashed his eyes up, catching hers. She gave a small smile, sadder than anything and turned, leaving him alone with his thoughts. As she walked away, she forced her face to stay forward. If she looked back now, she would crumble and run back to him and she couldn’t let that happen. Her hands shook, her lungs rattled as she tried to keep herself together. As she tried to keep it at a walking pace because she could feel his eyes on her back as she made her way back to the girls dormitory building.
She would be having another practice that night but for the first time since agreeing, Emma’s stomach twisted in uncertainty. As she stepped up the stairs to go to her dorm, she finally stole a glance back, but the pitch darkness curtained her ability to see Josh again.
If anything were to happen to him in all of this, she wasn’t sure what she would do. She would never forgive herself if it was because her, he was the middle and got hurt. Her eyes drifted to the woods, another pant shooting through her. Could she actually keep up with this if it meant people like Josh, who was just trying to survive in this world, could get hurt?
Twenty-Nine
To say her nerves were on edge was an understatement for sure. She was a mess and had no one to talk it out with. Kelyn still refused to face her head on. She only existed to the girl when they were at practices, but now they were about to put it all into action. And Emma was about to really learn who she was. If this didn’t pan out as she hoped it would, she was just going to leave and never look back. She didn’t need the embarrassment that came along with the failure of the trials.
As she ate breakfast that morning, or really played with her food, she watched as Kelyn laughed with her friends, bouncing excitedly in her seat for what the day held. She caught Josh a couple times staring at her, he didn’t exactly try to hide it and only looked away when his friends captured his attention once again. They were no doubt discussing what the day was to bring as well.
Classes were canceled, no surprise there. Everyone was gearing up for the trials, whether they were in them or not. Being part of them, Emma had heads turning towards her, questions thrown at her way. Despite her magic growing stronger, she was still accused of making things explode and people blast off. She was honestly scared herself. What if she choked and the only thing she could do yet again, was make something explode?
That would be her luck of course. To make the maze explode and people blast off. It would seriously just be her luck.
Giving up on eating, Emma shoved her tray away and stood, leaving the dining hall, ignoring the snickering that followed in her wake. Her mind had suddenly gone blank, she couldn’t remember anything at all. Her hands grew clammy in sweat and she took in a deep breath. She glanced around wildly, in search of anyone that could help her, but only saw the retreating back of a familiar mean girl she despised. She exhaled in a rough breath, having forgotten she had even been holding it and blinked rapidly. There was no way in hell she was going to ask Sherice Camden for help. She would only be made fun of, laughed at for her stupidity. She would just have to figure it out on her own.
As pounding feet entered her ears, Emma stepped back to allow a group of boisterous teens to file past, chattering about the trials that afternoon. Her eyes caught Josh in the midst - it was his group of friends passing by. She opened her mouth to call out for him, but then shut it again, dropping her gaze as they passed.
“Hey, gonna set anything on fire today, Charmwood?” A voice called out, followed by laughter.
“Shut up Tony.” Josh snapped, slapping his friend upside the head. “Leave her alone.”
“Ouch, get a grip Lover Boy.” Their voices faded as they rounded a corner.
Emma licked her lips, biting her bottom one and chewed on it nervously. She could feel the blush creeping up her neck at Josh standing up for her, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. No. She had to stay focused, she had to remember what she was supposed to be doing - the magic she had to do. Oh heavens, she couldn’t remember how to do magic! With a groan, she pushed through the front doors and took off running towards her uncle’s building.
The afternoon arrived much quicker than anticipated. It was bad enough the day had already arrived as it was. But now the exact time too? Could time go any faster? She looked wildly around, her heart leaping into her stomach at the mere thought of time actually speeding up. There was probably a spell for that, one she didn’t yet know, but she really hoped that no one would actually do it to her. As her eyes landed on Sherice and Drake, both smug looking in their stances to ready themselves, she felt her stomach knot up in on itself.
If there was anyone to mess her with during this thing, it was definitely them. She turned her head, catching sight of Josh was who staring straight ahead at the maze they stood in front of. Her knees felt weak as she stared at him but quickly pulled herself back to reality. Her eyes turned to hedges that were now taller than she was. They hadn’t been like that before. She wanted to melt into the ground, her throat felt tight as her chest twisted in difficulty to breathe.
Her mind was wiped clean again as she stared at the entrance they were meant to take. She couldn’t remember anything at all - again! Her eyes scanned the bleacher behind them nervously, trying desperately to find her uncle, but he was nowhere in sight. She was alone in this now. Even if her and Kelyn had been talking, she couldn’t help Emma. She was on the other side, the part for Shifters. She wouldn’t be able to help her either way.
Panic rose, twisting inside of her stomach. She wanted to vomit so badly. A bell chimed once, the signal to enter and one by one, the students entered into the maze. Slightly hesitant, Emma moved forward and stepped over the threshold of the maze. A creaking turned her head and she saw the entrance be swallowed up, closing her off from being able to escape. She was trapped now and the only way to get out was to get through the maze itself.
Turning back to move forward, she stopped at her pathway blocked. She was really closed in now as a wall had appeared. It was as high as the maze walls, but it was tall enough to block her way out. She turned around and found the entrance still closed off and spun back, staring at the wall in disdain. Her head tilted back, looking up at the clear blue sky, not a single cloud in sight. She looked wildly around, trying to find some way to get through but found nothing. The ties and knots of the maze were so tightly together, there was not even the smallest of holes to penetrate. Panicking once more, she stepped forward and gripped some vines, hauling herself up onto the hedge. She pulled herself up, climbing to the top and threw her legs over, pushing her legs over and dropped to the ground. Her stomach flipped as she fell through the air and a jolt of pain shot up her legs when she landed. She shook it off and pushed forward, realizing that probably wasn’t the best way to handle the situation but with it done and over with now, there was nothing she could do about it.
Rounding a few corners with nothing in her way, Emma began to become suspicious. There was no way it was supposed to be this calm. She couldn’t hear anything but her feet scraping against the ground and her rough breathing as she maneuvered over the rough terrain. She also wasn’t paying much attention to anything except trying to go forward and get out of here. The place was really starting to creep her out and she just wanted to get out.
Rustling made her jump and she turned in time to see Sherice emerge followed by Drake. Their faces lit up at the sight of her, grinning widely. She spun on her heels and took off, reaching out to bat away any stray brambles or vines that were reaching out towards her. Pounding feet told her she was being followed. She turned anoth
er corner, slipping into a small clearing and pressed against the wall, closing her eyes.
The feet paused at getting next to the turn she had taken, hard breathing following.
“Where did she go?” Sherice demanded.
“I dunno, she just disappeared.” Drake huffed, gasping for breath.
“You idiot, she can’t just disappear! Find her!” Sherice screeched and the two took off again.
Emma exhaled roughly, her chest rattling, and she rubbed at it, peeking around the corner to make sure the area was clear and once satisfied, darted out and retreated the way she had come down, her walks brisk and fast as she did so. After a few minutes of silence only filled with labored breathing from her, she turned another corner and came to a halt. A gaggle of boys stood in front of her, leering at her, thrilled to have her alone.
Their eyes were milky white, grins lopsided. Her heart stammered, skipping beats. Emma stumbled back, taken aback by the sight before her. They staggered forward, laughing but their mouths weren’t moving. She could hear them though; in her mind they were laughing. She wasn’t sure how, but she knew it was from them.
She curled her fists, trying to stand straight, but her insides twisted in fear.
You’ll never make it. You’ll never be good enough. Their whispers called through her mind and made her want to melt into the ground, but she had to hold strong. She glared at them, wiping her mind clean as she thought of only one spell, trying hard to focus solely on it. She glared at them, reciting the words in her mind as she lifted her hand, twisting her wrist to slice at the air. Only one screamed in pain and fell to the ground, writhing around. Her face drained of color - the spell had been meant to hit them all, not just one. And it had barely done damage. It rendered it helpless for a moment, but it wasn’t enough for a good while. Emma stumbled back again, stopping when she saw the other two absorbed with looking at their fallen brother or friend or whatever in confusion. She took her chance and barreled forward, shoving between the two standing and sprinted as fast as she could. Their whispering voices quickly disappeared and when she looked over her shoulders, they were gone. Either that or she had gotten far enough to not be able to see them anymore.