Corviticus University

by J. E. Cluney

  “Well, I’m Gina, and this is Henry, how about we head out back and discuss everything. Your resume said you’ve worked as a barista before, and done some waitstaff work?” Gina confirmed as she indicated for me to head behind the counter.

  Oliver released my shoulders, and I shot them a delighted look before letting Gina lead me out the back.

  “Yes, I’ve been a barista for almost two years, I did waitressing too,” I said as we headed down the short hall and into the office on the left.

  “Toilets are right across,” Gina indicated at the door opposite the office with a male and female sticker on it.

  “So, you’ve just moved here to study right? Veterinary science, right?” Gina checked as she closed the door behind us.

  “Yes, that’s right. I’m actually living with Lucas, Oliver, and Skip. Well, Marcus as well,” I added quickly.

  Gina’s smile faltered for the briefest moment, but I caught it.

  “Sit, that must be interesting, living with those four, although, I guess you only just moved in really,” Gina said as she walked around the desk and sunk into the red executive office chair on the other side.

  I sat down in the small black office chair, resting my worn handbag on my lap.

  “Yes, it’s been interesting, but they’re all quite lovely,” I said. Well, mostly. Marcus was an odd one to decipher.

  “They are, they’ve been good boys most of their lives, Oliver has had some trouble, which I’m sure you’re aware of,” Gina pursed her lips as she tried to gauge how much I knew about my housemates.

  “His curse, yes,” I nodded.

  “Yes, well, that’ll pass when he reaches a certain age from what I understand. So, have you found out what days you’re free?” Gina moved onto business as she shuffled some paperwork around on the desk and picked up a pen.

  “Friday is my day off, and then the weekend. My schedule is only a temporary one for now, the introductory classes are this week which will determine my true schedule, but Friday will remain my free day,” I explained.

  “I understand, how about we don’t start you until Saturday then? Give you your Friday off to get used to everything, and then get you started Saturday? We can do half shifts, we have another girl who works some days a week, and I’m sure she can do half shifts if you’d rather have some time off over the weekend to study?” Gina’s hazel eyes landed on me as she held her pen poised over a form.

  “I’m happy to do a full day either Saturday or Sunday, but maybe a half shift on the other day?” I suggested.

  Gina nodded and scribbled it down.

  “Friday’s we’d love to have you from nine in the morning till three in the arvo, would that suit?” she asked, not taking her eyes off the paper.

  “Yep, sounds great,” I said, refraining from fiddling with my handbag strap.

  “Okay, so, we’ll get you in for the same hours Saturday then, and do a half shift on Sunday. And once you find out your true schedule, maybe we can get you in for some morning or evening shifts? We stay open until seven at night each day, we found it draws more customers who want a professionally made coffee later on in the evening,” Gina grinned as she focused back on me. “Now, I’ll need your tax file number and bank details for pay, and I’ve got a shirt made up for you. You said you were a size twelve, correct?”

  “Yes, that’s right,” I nodded firmly, and Gina stood up to move over to the filing cabinet to the side of the room. She pulled the plastic bag off the top and handed it to me.

  “There’s two shirts in there, and an apron. I’ll give you my phone number too, and have you got your bank details and tax file number on you now?” she asked as I took the offered bag.

  “I do.” I reached into my purse, grateful I’d had the sense to write it all down.

  “Great!” Gina grinned, her short hair bouncing around her face as she bobbed her head. I handed her the piece of paper and her eyes crinkled as she smiled. It was obvious her hair was dyed to be such a perfect bleached blonde. And the soft wrinkles in her face that were visible from this close position proved she was older than I’d initially thought. She’d have to be if she’d known the guys since they were kids.

  “Well, I think that’ll do us for today, it was very lovely to meet you, Allison,” Gina said as she held out her hand.

  I shook it as she grinned widely at me.

  “Now, let’s go see what those trouble-makers are up to?” she winked.

  I knew I was going to like her already.

  “So, how’s Marcus doing?” Henry asked as he handed Oliver a milkshake.

  I rounded the counter as Gina joined her husband, and was surprised when Lucas offered me a milkshake.

  “Vanilla malt?” he said questioningly, and I gave him a grateful smile.

  “Actually, it’s my favorite,” I said with a frown. Had he known? No, he looked genuinely pleased at himself for getting it right as he turned back to Henry.

  Maybe he just got lucky.

  “Yeah, he’s good, studying too now,” Oliver said as he slurped his milkshake. Skip had taken up a position at the closest booth, perched on the edge facing the counter as he drank his own milkshake.

  Even Lucas was sipping his own.

  “That’s good to hear, I’m glad he’s getting himself out there again,” Henry sighed with a soft smile.

  “So, you’re starting uni this year too?” Gina asked as her eyes settled on Oliver. I took the chance to join Skip at the booth, sitting down across from him.

  “Yep, I’ll be doing Veterinary Science with Ally,” Oliver beamed.

  “Great! You’ll be wonderful at it,” Gina smiled happily as she clasped her hands together.

  “I hear yer sister is still studying, what was it again?” Henry frowned as he glanced to his wife for assistance.

  “Beauty,” Oliver said, although I could hear the pitch in his voice. I didn’t even know he had a sister.

  Not that he’d told me anything about his family.

  “Right, that’s right. I thought it was more of a Tafe course, but I guess Corviticus offers shorter qualifications too,” Henry shrugged.

  “She should’ve finished it by now, she’s been studying it for two years already, it’s not that long of a course,” Gina frowned.

  “She puts her social life first and her studies on hold,” Oliver stated, his voice flat.

  “Right,” Gina murmured, chewing her lip as she sensed the subject was bothering Oliver. “So, you going to show Ally around tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, well, I’ll try, I’m only starting too, so y’know,” he shrugged sheepishly.

  “Well, if you’re both studying Veterinary Science, then you’ll probably have a few classes together,” she smiled warmly.

  “That’s the plan, we’ll try to organize our schedules to match , as I’d like Ally’s help if I have some… issues,” his smile faltered.

  “Of course,” Gina bobbed her head.

  “Well, we best let you guys go,” Henry said as the doorbell chimed when some new customers walked in.

  “You have a good day,” Oliver waved as he turned away with his milkshake in hand.

  “See you Saturday, Allison!” Gina gave me a brief wave before plastering on her bright smile to welcome the new patrons.

  I nodded and waved back before following the others outside to the cruiser. I was glad Lucas had thought to get takeaway milkshakes.

  “All right, so you’ve got your uniform, you’ve seen the tiny main street of Maple Grove, now let’s get you into Maleny, the proper town of the area,” Skip chuckled as he climbed into his beast of a vehicle.

  “Maple Grove will get there,” Lucas sighed as he held the door open for me. “M’lady,” he bowed his head to me.

  “I’m no lady,” I scoffed, drawing a snort of laughter from him as I climbed into the passenger seat.

  “Well, we’ll give you a tour of Maleny, then we’ll stop in at the bakery,” Skip grinned as he started up the engine. The cruiser sputter
ed and grumbled as it struggled to life.

  “Why the bakery?” I asked, but I had a feeling I knew the answer already.

  “Some bee sting for our little Bee Sting,” Skip winked as he turned to look over his shoulder to reverse.

  “Right,” I chuckled.

  “It’s so good,” Oliver moaned. “I swear it’s the first time I’ve ever heard of it as a slice.”

  “Yeah, the baker there thought it’d go over well,” Lucas remarked as he slurped his milkshake. Skip was the only one who had completely downed his before leaving the cafe.

  I sighed as I looked out the window, content despite the rather hot and muggy weather. My new bosses seemed nice, my housemates were sweet and lovely, and tomorrow, I’d start my studies.

  Life was finally looking up.

  10

  “Okay, you were right, this is just as good as the bee sting cakes, maybe better,” I mumbled through my third bite of my bee sting slice as we sat at one of the small tables outside the bakery. The sweet buttery cream filled my mouth, and the honey coated almonds topping it were the perfect mix with the pastry on the top and bottom. Not too sweet, but delicious nonetheless. We had a perfect view of the bustling main street, and I’d discovered there were a quite a few op shops here. Four to be exact. Quite a handful for the rather small town.

  Lucas had informed me it had grown to a very big tourist town, and the airbnbs were huge here.

  But the locals were still a friendly, cheery bunch, and the tourist visits were good for business.

  I leaned back in my purple plastic chair as Oliver polished off his piece.

  “You should try the crepes next time from Maleny Alley,” Skip said as he eyed some women striding past. Their short skirts were no help at all, and Lucas scoffed at Skip’s obviousness as he checked them out.

  I wouldn’t deny it, they were hot.

  “Yeah, but the Greek stall is pretty epic,” Oliver shot back.

  That was what we’d gotten for lunch. Maleny had this small area up past the IGA where a wide alleyway had been converted to a food area, with stalls lining both sides and a row of tables down the center. There was a stage at the end with live music, a guitarist had played us some acoustic blues while I’d devoured a haloumi wrap at Lucas’s urging. Oliver got a lamb one, while Skip went with chicken. Lucas had the haloumi as well, and they were amazing. I was just grateful Lucas was taking it upon himself to shout me today. I had some money, but it was going to have to get me through the week until I started my new job.

  “They had indian there too, and a pie specialty stall, not to mention those doughnuts,” I said as I ate the final bite of my slice.

  God, that sweet, creamy goodness was perfection.

  “Mmmm, those doughnuts are reeeaaally good,” Oliver practically moaned.

  “Oi, Skippy, do you mind? We have a lady with us,” Lucas growled as he slapped the table in front of Skip.

  “You know I hate it when I get called that,” Skip groaned as he focused back on us, rather than the blonde catwalk model that had just pranced past.

  What I wouldn’t do to have a bust like that or legs that perfect. Uh-oh, there was my self-conscious side creeping up again.

  “So, anything else I should see here?” I asked as I glanced across the road at the IGA. It was entertaining to watch the drivers struggle with the parks in this street. It was poorly designed, and it was obvious it had been a much smaller town and was struggling with a population growth.

  “Not really,” Skip sighed.

  “Does anyone police this? Look at that guy, he just cut in front of him to park straight on into that park. They’re reverse angle parks only, right?” I shook my head in utter disbelief.

  “They get parking inspectors in here relatively often, but not often enough,” Lucas said as he followed my gaze to the impatient older gentleman who cut in front of the incoming traffic to park head first on the opposite side of the road.

  “This main street is chaotic for parking. You’re best off parking behind the IGA and walking,” Oliver stated.

  “Crazy,” I muttered as someone honked their horn impatiently as a woman struggled to park. For some reason she didn’t get that it was an angle park, not straight.

  “Did you want to do any shopping or anything while we’re here?” Lucas asked, drawing my attention away from the drivers.

  “Nah, I’m a bit tight on cash, but thanks,” I gave him a warm smile.

  “Oh, hi!” Oliver chuckled as a border collie prodded him in the leg gently with its nose.

  “Dogs have a fascination with shifters, especially true shifters,” Lucas said softly as he leaned forward.

  “Jack, leave him alone,” an older gentleman scolded as he jogged up to us. The border collie was not the first dog I’d seen in the main street off-leash.

  “Oh, it’s fine,” Oliver waved the gentleman off as he bent over to ruffle the dog’s black and white fur. “Jack’s a nice name,” he cooed.

  Jack turned his head to me, lolling his tongue out, and I melted at the sight of his one blue eye and one brown eye gazing at me expectantly.

  I broke, reaching out to pat him since his owner didn’t seem to mind.

  “He loves his attention, but he must really like you guys to have just come up to you like that,” the older man said. He was a slim man, and his skin was weathered from many years in the sun working the land. I could picture him and Jack working sheep or cattle in the blazing sun.

  But my mind couldn’t focus right now.

  Because uneasiness had washed over me as soon as I’d touched Jack.

  “How old is he?” I asked, noting that he didn’t seem to have any grey around his face.

  “Turned eight recently,” the man said, resting his hands on his hips as he shook his head at his dog, who was reveling in the attention from Oliver and I.

  “When was his last vet visit?” I asked, glancing at Oliver who was frowning too. He said he could sense issues in animals too, and I think he’d sensed it now. Not immediately, but maybe his ability worked differently to mine.

  “A few months back, why’s that?” his owner asked, and I could sense the sudden defensiveness in his voice.

  Damn.

  “He’s got some slight muscle tremors. We’re studying to be vet students,” Oliver jumped in.

  Skip was leaning forward now in his seat, his hands clasped together as he glanced between Oliver, I, and the owner.

  “Muscle tremors? You sure?” the owner’s voice instantly changed to uncertainty as he knelt down. He looked to be in his sixties, and the worry evident in his eyes for his loyal friend made me purse my lips.

  “I think you should take him to the vet,” I said, running my hand along Jack’s sides as I tried to understand what the issue was. When I’d sensed cancer in my colleagues Labrador, I’d sensed growths, deadly growths inside him. But with Jack, I sensed something painful, something attacking his organs, his kidneys.

  “Ask them to check for poisoning,” I said, suddenly understanding the sensation I was receiving.

  “Jesus, are you sure?” his owner murmured as he patted Jack on the head.

  Jack looked completely at ease, but I could feel his elevated levels, his tension and unease. I could sense it all.

  “Yes, you’d best make sure he gets checked soon too if possible,” I said with a firm nod.

  “Oh, of course, we’ll head over right now! Thank you,” the man stood up quickly, giving a sharp whistle as he turned away.

  Jack shot after him, and he jogged alongside his worried owner, who was walking briskly with jarred movements.

  “What was that about?” Skip asked once the man was out of earshot.

  “Ally can sense illnesses in animals, hers seems to be stronger than mine. How’d you know it was poisoning?” Oliver frowned.

  “I don’t know, I just got a feeling,” I said softly, hating how all three of them were solely focused on me now, scrutinizing me.

  “I’ve never
heard of such an ability in the fae before, only true shifters, and not even they can distinguish exactly what it is,” Lucas remarked as he cocked his head, chewing his lip as he stared at me, as if the answer would reveal itself.

  “Does it work on people too?” Skip asked.

  “I don’t know, I don’t even know what it is, just that I’ve felt it in animals. It started with a colleague’s Labrador, then a cat at my last rental. I decided to go into Veterinary Science to put it to good use and to help animals,” I said, shifting uneasily under their heavy gazes.

  “Interesting,” Lucas murmured, those green eyes flashing with intrigue and curiosity.

  “I hope his dog’s okay, I mean, something is wrong with him, but hopefully they can fix it,” Oliver said sadly as he looked off in the direction they’d headed. “We should’ve gotten his name so we could’ve checked in with him.”

  “Well, we know the dog’s name? Maybe we could call the vet’s later and ask?” Skip suggested.

  “It’d be confidential, they wouldn’t be able to tell us,” Lucas waved the idea off.

  He had drawn quite a few gazes in his lavish suit, so I could safely assume he wasn’t masking his appearance with magic.

  “I can’t wait until I get taught how to sense others like me, other supes,” I murmured as I rolled my eyes over my companions. They looked like a trio of regular guys hanging out, well, except for the eccentric one who looked like he’d stepped out of the seventies.

  I’d never have known any better.

  “They’ll teach you in your magic classes, but most supes already know how to from a young age. But since your powers were masked with magic, using a pendant, then you wouldn’t have had full access to your powers. I could show you, if you’d like?” Lucas offered.

  “What? Right here?” I frowned as I glanced around at the people drifting past, conversing and laughing.

  “Yes, don’t worry, it won’t reveal your magic or anything,” Lucas assured me.

  “It’s pretty easy once you learn it, you’ll start doing it automatically,” Oliver said with a boyish grin.

  “There’s a few supes here in Maleny, they come over from Maple Grove, but there are some who reside here too,” Skip added.