Jake has been probing me for details, but there is not much to tell. At least, not anything that won’t sound ridiculous.
There have been several little moments since that first one, especially as we were still learning about making connections. We would meet each other’s eyes, or our hands would linger too long on each other. There is still the occasional witty banter. But it is nothing more than that. He hasn’t asked me on a date or even tried to kiss me. For all I know it could all just be in my head.
Okay, Jinx, let’s do this. I am trying to coax him into it. I am supposed to be kind and patient with him. And Kagan had suggested we start with a small fire spell because apparently, each type of familiar is stronger in one element or another. His owl, Gary, is an air element and quite advanced, from what he had shown me over the last few weeks. Cats like Jinx are good with fire.
Okay, Jinx, I am going to do the spell now.
“Incensa!” I feel for his magic, and I know it’s there, just on the surface, but at the last minute, he turns around in a circle and sends the flames flying past the bush. “Aaargh!” I call out in frustration, tearing some of the hair out of my bun.
“Hey, I know it sucks, but reacting like that only feeds into it,” Kagan says, pointing to Jinx who is now chasing after one of the butterflies. I still don’t know how they can hang out in the snow of the mountains like this and survive, but I am sure it is another mystery of magic that has been hidden from me. Will I ever catch up?
“I know, I just don’t understand. He was so into me when I was turned.” I cover my mouth, wondering if I have said that too loudly. “Sorry.”
“You’re fine. Look, maybe that’s the key here. Maybe we need to focus on demon-related magic to draw him in since he finds that more powerful and attractive.” I give him a look of horror. Demonology is already easing me into such things, but we have been warned over and over how dangerous it can be and how we can lust after it. Though, the fear put in me is making me just as bad at that as I am with this whole familiar thing. “You have to learn sometime. It is a part of you.”
He reaches for me, but his hand lingers in the air awkwardly, hovering right over my cheek. Then, he pushes a stray hair back and drops it to his side. “Let’s be done for today. It’s supposed to be a fun day anyway.”
“That’s right. The celebration.” Today marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Magistrate. In honor of that, the school is hosting this huge ball, and one of the members is going to be here as a special guest. I still haven’t even gone shopping for a dress, and I am hoping Jake can take me into the city so that I can find something. I have plenty of allowance but have never received my code to get in and out of the gate.
“Thanks. I actually need to go into town to find a dress. I don’t have anything to wear.” I smile at him kindly and turn to walk away, but he is grabbing my arm and turning me back around.
His face looks serious, contemplative, as his brow wrinkles up all the way to the space on his forehead where his hair is brushed to the side. I have never seen him like this, and it gives me pause, a questioning look on my own face.
“I have been meaning to ask you…” he trails off as if he has thought better than to say whatever it is he wants to say. I am afraid for a horrible second that it has to do with my demon blood. That he is going to ask some completely insensitive question even after all this time that he has seemed cool with it. But then he comes at me with…”Will you come to the celebration with me?”
I hesitate, not knowing what to say. Am I ready for something like this? And do I want that with him? I am 18 and inexperienced, and though I have grown a lot, I am still the naive girl who went to a party and got tricked by a demon. He is a 22-year-old man who is almost ready to start his career. He has already been through all of this. I can’t help but feel that we would be a mismatched pair and doomed from the start.
Though, if I was truly admitting to myself what the real problem was, I am still having dreams about the demon from the party. I know they are meant to be good looking to seduce you away with them. Perfect skin, perfect jaw, perfect laugh, perfect voice. Everything I remembered was perfect, even the dancing. It’s like I am holding out for someone like him to come along, but even if they did, it would be a demon. And I would be lost.
“Kagan, before I answer, you should know that I don’t have much experience with this.”
His finger lands against my lips, and he gives a tiny smile, each side of his lips tugging up just a little. “It’s just a dance, and I like you too much to screw this up,” he says. How could I argue with that?
“Okay, see you in a few hours?”
***
"I can't believe you are shopping for a dress at Ypsilon. My step-sister would kill to be here right now," Jake comments from outside the dressing room. We have managed to come into Salt Lake to an elite shopping destination for occasion dresses known as Ypsilon. I have not heard of it, but when I asked around, or rather had Jake ask, this was the trendiest place on everyone’s minds. It turned out you had to have an appointment booked, but my parents left me with a sizeable chunk of money plus my allowance, so it was enough to buy that spot without trouble.
"I can’t believe I am going to this thing with a teacher," I shoot back at him, squeezing into the dress I want so badly to pull off.
"Teacher’s assistant, Riley," Jake reminds me, and I scoff as I fumble with the buttons at the back of the top. It’s one of those two piece dresses that has come back into style in the last year or so after making it big in the late 90s. This one is a deep, blood red with lace on the top half and a silky, mermaid tail bottom that hugs tightly at my hips before flaring out so there will be room to move my legs and dance.
"What do you think?" I ask as I come out in it. I know he is a guy, and I have already apologized to him for the shopping that will bore him out of his mind today but offered to pay for his tux for him, which he is stoked about. He is just my only friend, and you just don’t go shop for a dress like this alone.
"Wow, I think that’s the one. If I wasn’t your best friend, I’d go for it."
"Jake!" I squeal, blushing with embarrassment.
"I am teasing, but you do look amazing, Riley."
"Thanks."
I leave the dress on and have the cashier cut the tags and ring it up that way. We are both headed to the salon to get our hair done and my nails and makeup, and I don’t want to ruin it all by trying to get this thing on over it again.
"Don’t you need shoes?" Jake asks, just before I pay. I nod and run to the back and grab the first pair of size 8 ballet flats I can find and put them on the counter. I was not going to try and dance and look good wobbling around in heels all night.
The next two hours were a blur as we rushed to get ready and be back in time to meet Kagan at the dance.
I find myself standing outside the open doors to the ballroom, something I didn’t know we had until the celebration was announced. "Breathe," I whisper to myself, taking Jake’s arm for support. I don’t care what it looks like, I know there is no way I am stepping foot in that room without him.
So, we walk in together, and almost immediately, I spot him. He is in all black, even his shirt and tie, and his hair is pulled back, slicked back at the top with gel. He looks stunning, and I begin to wonder why I ever hesitated with him in the first place. He doesn’t have to have blue eyes and a demonically charming laugh to win me over.
“You kids have fun,” Jake says as he passes me off, then leans down where only I can hear, “and I will see you afterwards to get all the details.”
I hold back a laugh as he walks away and then turn to my date.
Wow, I am on a date.
“You look great,” he says, not holding back his broad smile as he takes my hand.
I let him. “You too, you know.” I swear there is a twinkle in his eye, and it makes me feel good knowing that I am making him happy right now.
He leads me to the crowd that is gath
ering in front of the stage where we will hear a speech from whichever member of the Magistrate they have decided to send to us. I doubt it’s Reyes, and I don’t want it to be, anyway. The idea of him probing makes me feel uncomfortable. He might report back to my uncle that I was seen with an older boy, or he might ask me how my classes are going, and I would have to lie. He is not the kind of person I want to lie to.
“Who do you think it will be?” I ask Kagan, and he shrugs.
“I don’t know, but I know it isn’t my father.”
“Oh, that’s right, I heard somewhere your father is one of them. Should I be worried?” I ask. I am only half joking. I don’t know if he would like the idea of his son coming to this with a Blood Witch of all things. I mean, I am supposed to not exist. I should be laying low and not going out with the son of one of the members of the Magistrate.
“No; he has bigger problems than a first year hunter student; no offense.”
“None taken. What’s his name?”
“Julien.”
Hmm…so one of the ones that was not there during my hearing.
I don’t say anything else as the headmaster, a rarely seen figurehead here at the school, climbs on stage to announce our special guest.
Kagan slips his hand out of mine but then wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me close. A strange warmth envelopes me like I have just used a spell, and it makes it hard to listen to the words the headmaster is speaking to us.
“It has been a century now since the Magistrate has formed for our safety and to work together as a magical community so that we may all benefit. We are honored here at Paranormal Hunter Academy to welcome one of their very own, a most prestigious member, Adriel.”
So, another one I have never seen. This will be fun.
“The angel,” Kagan leans over to tell me, making me even more curious. My eyes are now glued to the stage to catch a glimpse of him.
Angels have not been part of this world since they cursed it in a way – protecting humans from demons but also making them enemy number one as well. But the Magistrate is required to always have one member that is an angel for checks and balances so they do not become corrupt, especially now that there is a vampire as a part of them. Not that Reyes could ever do anything that would harm the people. He is too dedicated.
My bones chill inside of me as I watch the angel, Adriel, walk on stage. He is wearing a white tux with a gold tie, his hair a wild mess of golden blonde waves let loose around his face. He is perfectly kempt and yet has a wild look about him as he takes a seat on stage, a throne of sorts that has been erected just for him so he may preside over the celebration.
His shoulders are broad, but he is not intimidatingly large, and as his eyes scan the crowd, I have to hold in a gasp. They are a beautiful blue like I have never seen here on Earth. Well, other than one instance I would rather forget. They look like the color of the Heavens if I could even imagine such a thing.
His voice booms as he addresses the crowd about why he is here and thanks them, but I can’t make out a specific word as his eyes seem to land right on me. His cold gaze makes me shiver from across the room.
Is it hatred, curiosity, or attraction?
I don’t know, but I shift uncomfortably, wondering if anyone else notices how he doesn’t look away from me the whole time.
Chapter 9
“I'm sorry, I am good at so many things, but dancing is clearly not one of them.“ I giggle at Kagan as he swings me wildly around the dance floor with absolutely no rhythm. He's right about the fact that he can't dance, but it is a lot of fun anyway, which is what I came here to do. I am also pleasantly surprised that he has been on his best behavior for the past hour or so, just dancing and having fun with me rather than being flirty or trying to make some kind of witty comment.
I'll never admit it to him, but I do hope that this is temporary. Some witty banter every once in a while keeps things interesting.
Jake comes up to us with some glasses of punch, and we follow him to the side of the crowd to take them from him and drink them. Jake has been with us off and on most of the night, and I hope we're doing a good job and not making him feel like he is a third wheel. He's my best friend, and I wouldn't want to do that at all. “How about a spin around the dance floor after we're done with these?“ I ask Jake.
“Is that okay with you?“ Jake asks Kagan as if he is going to refuse or something. Kagan likes me, but he does not strike me as the territorial type, and even if he is, I still wouldn't accept the answer no. It should be obvious that Jake is no threat and that he is not going anywhere in my life, for that matter.
“Of course, Kagan says with a smile, “maybe you'll be a better dancer than me.“ And we all laugh at that because it is probably the truth.
This entire time I have avoided looking up at the stage at all where Adriel still sits on his makeshift throne. And yet, I swear I can still feel his eyes on me. I haven't mentioned it to anyone yet, and Kagan didn't seem to notice that he's been staring me down that entire speech. I'm so curious though to find out when the world he was looking at me like that. Though, it could be as simple as the fact that I'm a Blood Witch, which I should have thought of it before. I mean, he is an angel, so he could probably smell me all the way from up there or feel my magic, however it works with being as like him. It could simply be that he hates me for what I am.
I certainly hope that he is not going to revoke my enrollment or anything, but there is a part of me that feels something else in his gaze. I can't quite put my finger on it.
Once I drink my punch, Jake leads me out onto the dance floor to a slow song, no less. Though, this is probably best danced with Jae so that he doesn't step on my poor toes. As much as Kagan it's hot and flattering, he has absolutely no moves. There's nothing there at all.
“Okay, what is going on in that brain of yours?“ Jake asks me, pulling me out of my thoughts. I didn't even realize I had been obviously distracted until this moment. I shake my head, but he pushes me with one look, and I know that I'm not going to hold back.
“It's Adriel. I don't know if I'm going crazy, but it seemed like he was staring me down the entire time he was talking up there. And I swear he's looking at me now. I haven't looked, but I can just feel it, and I don't know what it is. Is it because of what we are? Can he sense it?“
Jake dances us into a position where he can see Adriel up on the stage. I feel hot and nervous as my back is on full display as we get closer. What if he can like incinerate me just by looking at me? “Well, he is looking at you, but I don't think it's necessarily because of what you are. I mean, he can probably sense it, but he would be sensing me too, Riley. He doesn't seem to be looking at me quite like that. He looks more like he wants something, like he wants to know something or is curious.“ Jake shrugs like it is no big deal even though it is. My heart thumps wildly the closer we get to the stage, and I am glad it as Jake moves me around so that we start moving away from it.
The song ends, and I'm about to go back to my date when Madame Michelle approaches us, tapping me on the shoulder. “I'm sorry to bother you, can we talk for just a moment?” The bright smile of hers is still plastered on her face as always, and Jake gives me a strange look as I go off to see what she wants. I would be lying if I said I wasn't incredibly nervous, especially after what transpired with Adriel. Maybe I actually am in some kind of trouble.
“Is everything okay, Professor?“ I ask her as we pull away from the crowd.
“Yes, yes, everything is fine. It's just that... Adriel has expressed interest in meeting you after the dance is over. He wants you to meet him in the headmaster's office in about an hour. If that's okay? He specifically said to come alone.“ The way she says it sends a chill through my body, and I visibly shiver.
“Do you know what he wants?“ I ask, though I doubt he shared anything, even with a professor.
“No, he didn't tell me why, but it is an honor to be before a member of the Magistrate like this, especially on
a night like tonight. I'm sure it's something to do with your father or something.“ And there it was, the mention of my father yet again. The illusion of anonymity was nice while it lasted, not hearing too much about Samuel Graywood because I was a bit of a pariah. Has my status as Kagan’s date made a difference, or is it something else entirely?
“Okay, I will be sure to be there. Thank you for telling me.“ Michelle nods and slinks away as I turn back to Jake and the dance floor, floating back into his arms in a daze. For some reason, I don't trust myself telling Kagan what's going on, and I need to work through this with someone.
“So, what was that all about?“ Jake wonders out loud once the music picks up again. But I make no move to go back to Kagan. I don't want him to see that I am flustered.
“She says that Adriel has requested an audience with me after the dance in the headmaster's office. He asked that I don't bring anyone with me. She thinks it has to do with my father or something, but I'm not certain.”
“First a teacher, and now an angel. How did I get so lucky to be friends with you?“ Jake teases, and I slap him hard on the shoulder.
“Now, I know that you're crazy. There is no way in Heaven, in Hell, or on Earth that an angel wants anything romantic to do with me, even if I wasn't a Blood Witch.“
“You keep telling yourself that.“
I try to spend the next hour not thinking at all about what's going to happen in the headmaster's office. We rejoin Kagan and spend the next several minutes talking and laughing, and I don't mention anything about the meeting with Adriel and neither does Jake. He must sense that I feel strange about it. Or maybe he's thinking like I am that Kagan would insist on going with me, and I don't think that that will fly. An angel is going to get what he wants even if he has to hurt somebody to get it. I don't need to have Kagan mixed up in that. I am already ruining his reputation by being his date to this dance when he is the son of a member of the Magistrate.
When it's time, I fake being tired, maybe taking it a little bit too far with the yawning, and I have Kagan walk me back to my room. But Jake is waiting for me soon after to walk me to the headmaster's office. He wanted to at least come as far as the hallway.
Blood Witch (Paranormal Hunter Academy Book 1) Page 6