by R L Medina
Headmaster scowled and waved his hand. “That’s none of your concern. You should return to campus.”
I glanced at the others. Why was he so eager to get rid of us and why was he acting so suspicious? The words of the council played in my mind. Someone at the school had to have helped Luna Negra and the shifters. Was it him? Was the headmaster the mole?
“We just want to know if he’s okay. Please, Headmaster.” Shiloh gave him her sincerest doe-like look.
“I appreciate your concern, but Brady is fine.”
Realizing we weren’t going to leave without some info, he rubbed his temple and sighed. “If you must know, he’s in rehab.”
My eyes widened. “Rehab?”
“Yes, and I trust your discretion about this. I’m sure as his friends, you were aware of his… habits. He’s getting the help he needs.”
We were speechless. I knew Brady dabbled in various stuff, but I didn’t think he was an addict. It always seemed more like an experiment for him. A tool to see how far he could push and rebel against the strict codes and rules. Had he actually been hiding an addiction and we hadn’t noticed?
Shiloh was the first to speak. She cleared her throat and adjusted her glasses. “With all due respect, Headmaster, are you certain a rehab is the safest place for Brady right now? With Luna Negra still out there?”
“Trust me, Brady is safer now than he’s ever been. I appreciate your concern, but it is unfounded. Now please, return to the academy. Don’t worry about Brady.”
“Well, when is he coming back?” I pressed.
Irritation flashed across his face. “When he’s ready. Now go.”
“Can we write to him or call him?” Shiloh added.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible right now. He needs to focus on getting better and that will take all of his attention. If you are truly his friends, you will let him have his space and keep this information to yourselves.”
“Yes, Headmaster.”
He glared at Javi and I.
“Yes, Sir,” we echoed.
“Rose. There’s something I need to discuss with you while you are here.” He glanced at the others. “You can wait out there.”
Javi tensed. He looked to me for confirmation. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at his protectiveness. It was sweet, but unnecessary. I’d faced the witches alone, I could handle the headmaster.
I nodded to my cousin in reassurance. He followed Shiloh out with a final glance back. The door shut behind them and I turned to face the headmaster.
His lips pursed together, and his eyes narrowed. Clearly, he wasn’t asking me to stay behind to discuss the weather.
3
“Rose,” he started.
“Yeah?”
He leaned over his desk and pinned me with a stare. “What did he tell you?”
My lip curled at his demanding tone. “Um. Who are we talking about?”
“Grayson.”
Hearing his name, made my chest tighten. “You found him?” I didn’t dare to let myself hope for good news.
He scoffed. “No, but I know you were getting intimate with him.”
I gaped at him. Intimate? What the Hell was the creeper talking about? How would he even know that?
Realizing, he was dead serious, I took a calming breath before I could answer him. “First of all, gross. That’s not creepy at all. Second of all, I don’t know what the Hell you are talking about. Grayson didn’t tell me—”
I stopped mid-sentence. The chip. He was talking about the chip. Is that the only reason they were even looking for him? Anger burned hot and bright within me.
“So, he did tell you something, didn’t he?”
I glared back at him. “He told me what the GRIMMs did to him. The chip.”
His eyes narrowed. “Is that all?”
“Is there more?”
With a grunt, he relaxed into his chair and drummed his fingers on the desk. Obviously, he wasn’t going to give me all the dirty details.
Anger simmered within me. What else had they done to Grayson? How could they think any of this was okay?
“I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that information is confidential and cannot leave this room.”
“What? Don’t want everyone to know you’re chipping students now? Using them as your guinea pigs?”
He lifted his chin. “He practically begged to be chosen.”
Heat rushed through me. “He was an orphan. He didn’t have anyone else. You took advantage of that.”
“I did nothing of the sort, and I don’t appreciate your unfounded accusations.”
“Are you the mole? The one working with Luna Negra?” The questions flew out.
He stilled, eyes narrowing in a look of pure hatred. “I’ll pretend you didn’t ask that. Need I remind you that you are here on my good graces for as long as I see fit.”
A snort escaped me. “I’m here because the council agreed to train me and use me as witch bait. You know, to catch Luna Negra? The witches you can’t seem to stop or find? Are you even looking for Grayson?”
He stared at me. His mask of calm was slowly slipping and though I knew it was childish of me, I couldn’t help but feel some satisfaction at pissing him off.
“Watch yourself, witch.” His voice lowered.
I glared back at him. “You think that’s an insult? How are you GRIMM any better? Because you have rules? Who even decided to put you in charge? Maybe if you all hadn’t spent centuries being assholes, there wouldn’t be an uprising. Maybe—”
His harsh laugh cut me off. He leaned back in his chair and templed his fingers together. “Is that what you think? I see, you got it all figured out. You stupid girl. You understand nothing. I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised. You are the daughter of a traitor, after all. And your father? I heard he was just an ordinaire. A stupid, blind, mundane human like the rest of them.”
“Don’t talk about my dad.” I could barely get the words out.
Rage simmered inside me. Red spots dotted my vision. I wanted, so badly, to knock something over. To throw a bitch fit and break all his expensive décor.
He grunted. “Get out of my office and out of my house.” He waved me away in dismissal.
I stood, still seething, at his haughty look. His chin high and lip curled in disgust at me. My hands balled into fists. Instead of hurling myself at him or releasing the verbal vitriol I longed to, I turned on my heel instead and stormed out.
“What’s wrong? What happened?” Javi was at my side in an instant.
“Nothing. Let’s go.” I stomped away before he could press me further.
My insides curled as I replayed my conversation with the headmaster. His words rang in my ears. You understand nothing. There was a lot I didn’t understand, but I did know that the GRIMMs were not as innocent as they liked to claim they were. Whatever happened in the past had led to where we were now—a world on the brink of supernatural war and me and my friends were going to be caught in the crossfire.
After returning Tyler’s boat, we made our way to the Beach Shack for dinner just as it was beginning to get crowded. Apparently, a lot of students had been able to secure passes to leave campus. How could the school think that a good idea? Weren’t they worried about Luna Negra being on the loose?
I glanced around at the crowded restaurant, trying not to think about the memories the place held. Grayson’s face flashed in my mind and pain speared me. After my conversation with the headmaster, I was filed with doubts. Were the GRIMM even actively looking for him or had they written him off as a casualty?
No. They wouldn’t do that. Not when they’d spent who knew how much money turning him into their freaking prized weapon.
“Rose?” Javi’s voice snapped me back to the present.
I turned to find him and Shiloh waiting for me to follow. Pushing away the heavy emotions, I trailed after them to one of our favorite booths in the back.
“I don’t think I can eat anything right now.”
Shiloh
glanced back at me. “You can get something to take back to the dorms for later.”
Eyes followed us as we walked through. I braced myself for their sneers and muttered insults. The rude stares and cruel words I could handle. I’d never come to GRIMM Academy willingly and I definitely didn’t expect to become Miss Popular there. But I did feel guilty for bringing Javi’s reputation down with mine.
He’d fallen from popularity quickly when everyone learned the truth and though he didn’t say anything, he had to be taken aback at the hostile reception he now received from his so-called friends.
The smell of fried fish and fries wafted to us as servers hustled back and forth. We sat down in the booth and I opened a menu to browse. I’d been there several times since I’d been brought to Malibu and the academy, but I couldn’t remember all the dishes Gloria made.
“I thought you said you weren’t hungry,” Javi teased.
I glanced at him over the menu. “I changed my mind.”
Shiloh opened the outer pocket of her backpack and pulled out a black, velvet bag. Javi sucked in a breath, making me jump.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” I asked him.
Shiloh frowned at him and looked to me. “Don’t make a scene.”
Javi’s eyes went wide. “You had those in there this whole time? Why didn’t the fairy sense them?”
Shiloh gave him a flat look. “I shielded them of course. I’m not stupid, Javi.”
The tips of his ears reddened. “I know. I didn’t say you were. I just… why didn’t you tell me you were lugging those things around? I think I have a right to know if my girlfriend is practicing forbidden magic.”
My mouth dropped open. I looked at Shiloh. A flush spread across her face as she met my eyes and then Javi’s. “It’s for a good purpose.”
“You can’t do that here, Shy.” His voice lowered as he looked around.
“This is a safer location than at the academy. The professors would have caught me right away. Here, everyone is too busy to notice.”
I followed her gaze at the crowded restaurant. Everyone was lost in their own conversations and had forgotten about us.
Javi ran his fingers through his hair. “Let’s hope so.”
“Why would some rocks be forbidden? What do they do?” I asked.
“Shh! Lower your voice.” Javi gave me an exasperated look.
Shiloh spread them out on the table in a line, leaving space between each. They looked like ordinary rocks. They weren’t even the same size, shape, or color.
She met my stare. “They’re seeing stones. Do you remember learning about them in class?”
A scoff escaped me. “I think I might have missed that class when I was kidnapped by Luna Negra.”
I could vaguely recall something about stones that could help you read the future though I wasn’t sure how any of it worked.
“Shy,” Javi warned.
She folded her hands together and looked to him. “If I had another choice, you know I would take it, Javi. This is the only way.”
He groaned and shook his head. “How did you even get these?’
Her cheeks flushed. “It’s not important.”
Javi’s eyebrows pinched together. “Shiloh.”
“I borrowed them from Cassiano’s office.”
Her words startled me. Even Javi looked impressed. How in the Hell had she managed that?
“What is he doing with them and how did you even know he had them?” Javi leaned forward, drilling Shiloh with questions.
I watched for her reaction. I’d never been to his office and I was his mentee. How had Shiloh been there before me?
“I heard he was conducting a spell and I…”
“Stole them,” Javi finished for her.
She flushed. “Borrowed. I’m going to give them back.”
He shook his head at her. “He’s going to notice they’ve been used.”
Her chin lifted. “So? It’s not like he can report it. Not when it’s illegal for him to even possess them in the first place.”
Illegal? Stodgy, old Cassiano was hoarding illegal magical goods?
Javi chuckled. “Brains and beauty. I like it.”
Shiloh set the last stone down and averted her gaze, face reddening.
Javi opened his mouth to say something, but I held up a hand. “Enough with the flirting. These rocks,” I looked from him to Shiloh, “can they help us find Grayson and Brady?”
Before she could respond, Javi scooped them up so fast and deposited them back into the black bag.
“What are you—”
I turned to see Gloria approaching our table. Her eyes skittered over us, snagging on the black bag as Javi shoved it behind his back.
Idiota. Like that wasn’t suspicious at all.
Gloria sauntered up and smiled at me. “You guys look like you could use some good food.”
I returned the smile but let Javi and Shiloh answer for me. They ordered a giant platter of fried shrimp and French fries to share.
Nodding in response to their order, the witch turned to me. “Rose, you sure you’re okay? I heard about the kidnapping. How did you get away from the witches?” Concern swam in her eyes.
A shiver ran up my spine at the reminder. It wasn’t something I wanted to relive.
“The GRIMM. We launched a search and seizure.” Javi came to my rescue.
I shot him a grateful smile.
“Well, I’m so glad to hear that and see you all in one piece. I can’t imagine the horror you went through.”
Silence followed. Heat spread across my skin. Was the whole restaurant listening to us now?
Gloria glanced at my ring. “I see you got a new conduit. Fancy too.”
I looked down to the dark metal “Yeah. I’m untraceable now.”
Her eyebrow arched. “That’s wise. And how are you sleeping? I know you had trouble with nightmares before. I can’t imagine they’ve gone away after everything you’ve been through. Should I make up some of my sleeping tea? It will keep all the bad memories away.”
I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’m fine.”
There was no way I was missing my chance to see Grayson in my dreams again. Though the last time I’d had her special tea, it hadn’t stopped the nightmares, but I didn’t want to insult her. She was just trying to help.
She bit her bottom lip and stared at me as if she were about to argue. Instead, she tossed her thick hair back and met each of our eyes.
“What were you guys discussing before I came up?”
Javi shot me a look. “Just GRIMM stuff.”
Gloria glanced from him to me, and I flushed at my cousin’s abruptness. Swinging my leg forward, I kicked him under the table, making him jump. He scowled at me.
I scowled back. Why was he being so pissy? Did he not trust Gloria? She was a witch, but if the GRIMM didn’t trust her, they wouldn’t have let her set up shop by the school, right?
“Well, I don’t want to overstep and I’m sure your agents have everything handled. But I can help if you want it.” She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “If there’s anything you need… I can help you.”
Javi squirmed in his seat. I hoped he felt bad for acting as if she was a suspect. Gloria had never been anything but helpful to us, and it wasn’t right to judge her for what the Luna Negra had done. She wasn’t like those witches.
“Like with a locator spell? We’ve tried that.” Shiloh sighed and took a sip of her water.
My eyes bulged. When the Hell had the water arrived? Magic?
Gloria smiled at her. “But did you try it with a witch? I’m an expert at location spells.”
Javi laid a hand on top of Shiloh’s and stared up at the older woman. “Shiloh is excellent with Spellwork too. If she couldn’t get it to work, I don’t see how you could. No offense, Gloria.”
The witch shrugged a shoulder. “I’m sure she is, but I do have something she doesn’t.”
My ears perked up at this tidbit. Javi’s brow
furrowed in suspicion, but Shiloh looked curious.
“Like what?” she asked her.
“It’s not something I can talk about here. But come to my house.”
Shiloh and Javi exchanged a look I couldn’t quite read. Gloria handed me a napkin with a strange mark on it.
“It’s a setting sun. My coven symbol. It will show you the way.”
I blinked in surprise as I took it. Had she been walking around with it to give to us, or did I miss her conjuring it up right in front of us?
“I thought you didn’t have a coven.” I blurted the question.
She shrugged. “Technically there’s not enough of us to be an official coven. Not that many witches in Malibu. Most witches prefer LA”
“Thanks, Gloria, but we’re not really supposed to be leaving campus. Especially right now with Luna Negra on the loose,” Javi interrupted.
“If you change your mind then. I only want to help.”
“Thank you. We do appreciate it.” Shiloh smiled at her.
I nodded in agreement.
We watched her walk away and disappear into the kitchen.
Javi whipped to Shiloh. “Do you think she saw them?”
“I don’t think she’s going to say anything about it, Javi. And I know you aren’t going to like this, but I think we should take her up on her offer.”
I nodded in agreement. “She could help us.”
He groaned and threw his face into his hands. “I knew you guys were going to say that.”
Pulling his hands away, he studied us. “Do you have any idea how much trouble we will be in if we do this? There has to be another way.”
Shiloh shook her head. “Tell me, then. I’m all ears.”
“I was hoping you would have a better plan.”
She bit her lip. “I wish I did.”
He wrapped an arm around her and pulled her closer. Seeing the hopelessness in my friend’s eyes cut me like a knife. Before I’d come, she’d been a star student, training to be a GRIMM. Now my troubles had become everybody’s troubles and the weight of it was crushing them.
Guilt prickled me. This was my fault.
“You guys don’t have to come. I can do this. On my own.”
They gaped at me. I could tell right away that they weren’t going to accept that. I kicked myself. It would have been better to say nothing and just found a way to sneak off later.