by Lexie Scott
“Okay,” I agreed.
His brows rose an inch. “Really?”
I nodded. “As long as you’ll keep an open mind too. I’m not sure if anyone is talking about me, but I’d like it if we can both offer each other the chance to get to know each other for ourselves.”
He studied me for a moment before grinning, making those heart-stopping dimples appear. I was becoming obsessed with them, but I couldn’t let him know that. Not yet.
“That sounds fair.” He squeezed my hand and continued down the path. It led through the trees to a bend that opened up to reveal a massive barn with a white fence stretching out on either side for as far as I could see.
“What is this?” Hannah mentioned there was a barn for the vampires and agricultural students to use, but this was so much bigger than any I’d ever seen. It was at least three stories and the width of two or three of the dorm buildings.
“This is where we raise livestock.”
“I’m not allowed to be here.” Not that I made any move to back up or leave. I was curious. Why was there a farm? What did they need livestock for? Were a lot of vampires also farmers? I’d never heard of that, but stranger things had happened.
“On the weekends, we can bring guests. We just have to make sure to sign you in. They mostly keep it off-limits so the animals aren’t disturbed too much. Our teachers want to make sure they know our scent, so they’re more relaxed around us. Too many unfamiliar people make that difficult. But I’m not going to take you in there anyway. We’re going to the back fields.”
He stopped next to the wide, black doors and wrote our names down on the clipboard hanging from a nail. “This way.”
We walked along the barn toward the fence. Theo opened the gate and waved me through before shutting it firmly behind us.
“These are normal animals, right?”
He chuckled. “As opposed to shifters?”
I stopped and covered my mouth. “Oh, no! That’s not what I meant.”
He shook his head. “Then what did you mean?”
“Like, there isn’t a chicken with an alligator tail or a horse with an eagle’s head.”
“What have you been learning?” He barked out a laugh. “No, Saige. There are just pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, horses, and llamas. They’re all completely normal.”
“That’s good.”
He pumped his elbow into my side, making me giggle. “Either you have a wild imagination or some of the others have been feeding you stories.”
“Hey, I just learned this world existed a week ago. I’m still in a state of shock. I’m not sure what could surprise me at this point, but mutated farm animals wouldn’t even come close.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine what this has been like for you.”
He was the first person to say that.
We walked through the pasture and reached another fence. Theo whistled and leaned against the chest-high wood. I waited for something to happen, but nothing appeared.
“Just wait,” he whispered close to my ear. His warm breath sent a shiver down my spine. He smelled like expensive cologne, manly and woody. I wanted to lean into him and let it wash over me.
Instead, I kept my sanity in check and watched the tree line for movement. After several long, silent minutes, two figures appeared. A silky black and a white and brown horse trotted toward us, neighing and throwing their heads up and down.
“There you guys are,” Theo called in a loving voice. “You kept us waiting.”
The beautiful animals stopped next to the fence, stretching their necks as Theo rubbed them both from shoulders to chin and back again. They were acting like puppies. I grinned, and he glanced back at me, smiling wider than I’d ever seen. It was different this time though. He wasn’t being flirty or teasing. This was pure joy.
“Come on,” he encouraged.
I scooted closer and held out my hands for the horses to sniff. I wasn’t sure if they did that, but I knew dogs liked to, and it seemed like the right thing. The black one hesitated, standing closer to Theo, but the brown and white one shoved its nose against my palm and tilted its head up like it was asking for me to give more rubs.
“Her name is Paisley, and this is Rex.” He climbed onto the fence to sit and brushed his hand over Rex.
I continued to give Paisley scratches. “I like her.”
“I think she likes you too.” He watched me, and I ducked my head to keep him from seeing how much I was blushing.
“Are they yours?” I asked without looking at him.
“No, all the animals belong to the school, but they were just colts when I got here so I’ve been around to help raise them.”
“Why are these animals here?” I finally worked up the courage to meet his eyes, but they darkened at my question. He focused back on Rex.
“For us.” He sighed. I didn’t understand so I waited, hoping he’d continue. “The vampires.”
So, they were farmers? Boy, did the movies get them wrong.
“To feed on.” He finished.
I froze, my hand resting in the middle of Paisley’s neck.
“You do know that vampires need blood to survive, right?”
I bit my lip and nodded.
“Well, part of the treaty that brought peace to the supernaturals was an agreement that vampires would no longer feed on non-supes.”
“Really?” I held his stare, trying to ignore the tension in my gut.
“Yeah, so instead we feed on animals.”
“Does it hurt them? Kill them?” I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer. It wouldn’t matter. It’s not like I could change anything about what they were doing, and I would have to accept their way of life eventually. It was about survival after all, and it was better than feeding on non-supernaturals. Right? I wasn’t sure. At least they could give their consent.
“Not at all. We never take enough to make them feel even the slightest bit sick.”
It still made me uncomfortable, but there was something else I needed to know. “Do you only drink animal blood?”
His smile wavered. “Yes.”
“All vampires?”
“All that want to stay out of prison, yes.”
Good. I didn’t have to worry about anyone trying to drink my blood. Some teenage girls might think that would be romantic, but no thank you.
“A part of the agreement that stopped non-supe blood consumption also included not drinking from any of the other supernaturals.”
“Oh.” So, we were all safe.
“Yeah, not that shifters were ever much of a temptation. They taste gross, but witches are forbidden due to the temporary powers vampires got after feeding on them. Too many accidents, so the council made sure that was included.”
“What kind of powers did they get?”
He shrugged. “I’m not sure. It’s been hundreds of years since it happened. Most of the stories are so distorted and exaggerated that we don’t really know anymore.”
“Hannah mentioned that there are other supernatural species at the school.”
“They don’t really get counted. The trolls, brownies, daemons, and demons are technically from other worlds, so the treaty doesn’t include them. The council only involves themselves in their matters when it affects one of our three.”
“So, you could drink their blood?”
He made a disgusted face. “No vampire would. Trolls taste worse than shifters, and brownies are considered so far below us that no one would want their blood in their system for fear it could weaken their own powers. Daemons don’t have blood, and the only ones here are teachers.”
“And demons?” I asked.
“I think a vampire would sooner kill them than feed from them.” He cringed. “I can’t even imagine what their blood would taste like. Tar?”
“Ew.” This conversation had taken quite the turn. I went back to stroking Paisley’s neck and back.
“Yeah, sorry. It’s not the best topic to discuss, but I guess you’
ve got to learn about it at some point.”
“Hannah and the guys said you’re also a witch.”
His hand paused, and he nodded. “That’s right.”
He wouldn’t look at me. Was he embarrassed? Ashamed? I knew there was a stigma around hybrids, and I wished I could tell him I was too. But I didn’t know him. Not well enough to trust him with my life.
“And that’s unusual for supernaturals.”
He nodded again and sucked in a deep breath before holding it and slowly relaxing. “Yeah, our generation is the first to broadcast what we are. The council wants to make it seem like it’s the first time we’ve ever existed, but I think people were just more careful to hide it. The world, at least the non-supe world, has become more progressive and accepting and a lot of supes want that too. I was the first known hybrid student at the academy, but about ten or twelve are here now. I was the guinea pig, but I think once other parents saw that I was alive and well here, they felt safe sending their kids.”
I couldn’t believe he was the first. “That must have been terrifying.”
“It was. My parents raised me to be proud of who I was, and I never knew I was different. Not until they sat me down the summer before I came here. They told me most kids’ parents were the same species, and that some people might not like that I got to have two different powers.”
“How does it work? Do you have all the same abilities as a vampire and a witch?” I was dying to know about shifters, but he couldn’t help me with that.
“My witch side makes my vampire side stronger because I have witch blood constantly in my system.”
“Oh, and when vampires feed on witches they get powers.”
“Exactly.” He smiled. “So, in a way, I’m feeding off that power, but at the same time, it’s a part of me.”
So, vampire and witch blood was more compatible? Was that why he had the abilities of both species while I only had one? It was all so confusing.
“What kind of witch are you?”
“Fire.” He raised a brow. “And you?”
“Water and Earth.”
His head shot back. “Really? You have two affinities?”
“Yeah, I heard that’s unusual.” I swallowed.
“That’s so cool. You’re kind of like me.” He seemed happy about that. If only he knew how right he was.
“Yeah, you have twice as much work too.”
He groaned. “Yeah, that part sucks.”
At least I knew someone that could relate and commiserate with me. “I don’t think I’ll ever get to where you and the others are.”
He patted Rex’s back and angled his body toward me. “You will. Hannah told me about your study group. I’ll come when I can and help you too.”
I wasn’t sure how much he could do for me since he was a fire witch, but I appreciated the gesture. “Thanks.”
Our gazes locked, and I felt something. It was like I knew him. Something about him was familiar. Comfortable. He was so easy to talk to, and I felt better now than I had all week.
“Saige!” A stern voice called from behind me, and I spun to see Niall Kelly marching across the field toward us in his all-black glory.
Chapter 21
Even from this distance, I could see the fire in his eyes and practically feel the hate emanating off of him.
I waited until he was closer before responding. “Niall? What’s going on?”
He never took his attention off me. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I’m not some dog that’s willing to chase you around.”
“What’s your problem?” Theo stepped in front of me but not blocking me entirely from Niall’s wrath.
“She is,” he ground out. “Headmaster Goldstein called me to his office this morning and reprimanded me for her teachers’ concern. They don’t think she’ll be able to reach the level to keep up with the rest of us, and somehow that’s my responsibility.”
I shook my head. “I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I,” he growled. “Apparently Mrs. Brooks’ asking me to tutor you in Water means I’m also somehow accountable for the rest of your studies.”
“But I’m also studying with Hannah, Daniel, and Malik. I just spent two hours with Mrs. Hedging this morning. I’ve been reading my textbooks and the previous years’ every night for three hours. What more can I do?”
His jaw clenched, and I worried he was going to break a molar. “I don’t know.”
Theo turned to me. “Maybe the teachers just need to see for themselves how much effort you’re putting in.”
My shoulders slumped. “How? It’s the first week. We haven’t had any exams yet. So far it’s just been lectures and a few random assignments.”
Theo turned to Niall, who finally pulled his eyes off me to look at him for the first time. “What did the headmaster say? What does he want you to do?”
Niall rolled his eyes. “He’d probably like for you to not waste your time with horses when you could be studying.”
We’d been here for less than an hour. Was I not allowed a break?
“I didn’t ask what you thought, Kelly. What did Goldstein say?” Theo crossed his arms over his wide chest.
Niall gave him a once over before turning toward me. “You have this weekend to prepare for a placement test in each class. If you don’t pass at the level where year-four students should be, then they’ll change your schedule. You’ll be put in classes better suited to your current . . .” he sneered, “state.”
Current state? Like I was less than? Not up to par?
“She has to learn three years’ worth of material in two days?” Theo gasped.
“Or accept that she needs to start from the beginning like she should have,” Niall answered him without taking his eyes off me.
“But I don’t want to move down to the year one classes.” I had friends in my current ones. I was doing all I could to progress as quickly as possible. They couldn’t seriously expect me to learn everything I needed to in a week. I was supposed to have the whole term.
“Then I suggest you leave this field and get to the library.” Niall’s disgust was clear. He didn’t want to be out here. This seemed to be beneath him.
“Let’s go.” Theo offered me his hand like he was going to join me in this marathon cram session.
“What are you planning on helping with?” Niall cocked his head.
“I might not have the same affinity, but I can help with all the other subjects and the basics of witchcraft.”
Niall made a sound between a scoff and a snort. “You’re not exactly at the top of the year, Bridges. I doubt there’s much you could help with.”
Theo cracked his knuckles. I thought he was getting ready to fight him, but as he worked his jaw, it looked more like a soothing gesture. “I’m not an idiot. I can help.”
“Fine.” Niall turned without another word and started back toward the barn. Theo and I hurried to follow him, and he took my hand about halfway across.
I smiled up at him. “You really don’t have to come. I’m sure you have better things to do with your weekend.”
The tension left him, and he squeezed my hand. “I can’t think of anything more important.”
My heart soared. I might have swooned if we weren’t in such a rush to follow Niall. He was a man on a mission, and I didn't want to make him angrier than I already had. Somehow, without even speaking to him, I’d become his enemy. It wasn’t my fault Mr. Haddon, Mrs. Brooks, and the headmaster had all told him to help me. I hadn’t asked him for anything. That didn’t matter to him.
I couldn’t blame him for hating or resenting me. If some random student showed up at my old high school with zero understanding of my world and people kept pushing them on me to help, I’d be annoyed. But I wouldn’t take it out on that innocent person. It wasn’t their fault they didn’t know, or that their family had kept the truth of who they were from them for seventeen years.
Eyes followed us as we hurried along the path to
ward the library. If people weren’t already talking about me, they would be soon.
That was why it didn’t surprise me when Hannah, Daniel, Malik, and Carter showed up ten minutes after Niall claimed a table deep in the library as far away from everyone else as possible. Not that many other students were in here. It was a warm, sunny summer day, and none of us had much homework yet.
Well, besides me.
“What are you guys doing here?” Niall deadpanned.
Hannah stood with her hands on her hips. “We’re here to help.”
The guys nodded behind her, and I couldn’t help but smile at them. My new friends showed up for me.
Theo waved his phone in the air, “I called in backup before we even left the barn.”
I smiled at him, grateful he had the foresight to let Hannah know. I wasn’t sure how much we could get through with Niall glaring at me.
“Yeah, we’re not letting Saige drop down to year one,” Daniel said.
Niall sat with his eyes closed and rested his elbows on the desk while rubbing his temples. “I don’t need your help.”
“We’ll take all the help we can get,” Theo said at the same time, and everyone chose to ignore Niall even as he lifted his head and glared at each of them like he was casting spells in his head to torture them.
“Good.” Hannah sat across from me, next to Niall, as if she was immune to his threatening gaze. “I stopped and spoke with Mrs. Sheridan. I had a feeling she was going to be the toughest to convince.”
All the guys flinched at the same time.
“Is she really that bad?” I hadn’t exactly gotten the best vibes from her, and Mrs. Hedgings did say my science teacher didn’t think I’d cut it. Still why did everyone else dislike her?
“She can be really, really . . .” Malik trailed off like he couldn’t come up with an appropriate word.
“Tough?” Hannah offered.
“Insane?” Daniel suggested.
“Sadistic,” Carter shivered.
Yikes. None of those were qualities I wanted in someone who held my future in their hands.
“All of the above,” Malik said. “She gives out punishments using her set of tarot cards.”