Beastmora- The Golden Six

by Kayley Behler

  Valeria watched the wisps intently, honing her vampiric hearing and then she heard it. She listened to the soft hissing whispers of the residue magical core of the elf, “Wow.”

  “Page four,” Florence remarked, and Valeria looked up at her mom in confusion, “Page four of my journal is about blood whispers.”

  “Oh,” Valeria replied, giving her mother a sheepish smile, “Yeah, I kinda didn’t read the books at all.”

  “You don’t say,” Florence replied sarcastically before picking up the vial and placing the cork back inside, “Captain Desdemona is waiting for the results.”

  “What is it for?” Valeria questioned as Florence wrote down a few notes on the chart.

  “Blood spattering, they haven’t found the body yet,” Florence responded, flipping the case file closed, “They will have to track the blood back to the body it came from, but that is for Team B to worry about.”

  “Then why did you examine the blood if you’re on Team A?” Valeria inquired as she followed her mother from the small lab.

  “I’m the only blood specialist in the GSI,” Florence replied simply before making her way out to the common room where Captain Desdemona leaned against the table talking idly with Will, “Captain Desdemona, your vial and your case report.”

  “Thank you, Lieutenant,” The Captain said with a smile, but Valeria noticed her mom did not return it, in fact, Florence looked at her with distaste, “This must be your daughter.”

  “Yes, this is my daughter Valeria,” Florence replied coolly, “Valeria, this is Captain Desdemona of Team B. We fought in the war together.”

  “Well I couldn’t believe it when they told me you spawned with all the stab wounds and stuff then I heard that you simply adopted a Bloodwolf,” Desdemona smirked uglily at her and Valeria watched as her mother’s eyes narrowed into a vicious glare. She herself was in shock that another wolf would use such a derogatory term. It means that the wolf is just a blood bag for vampires. It was that very term that forced Emalia to attend the Grey Academy instead of regular schools. Valeria opened her mouth to curse the wolf, but Florence spoke before she could.

  “How dare you speak of a Duchess in such a manner? Shall I remind you that you may be an Alpha but that ‘Bloodwolf’ that you speak of outranks you in every sense of the word? Speak about any of my children like that again, and I will finish what I started ninety cycles ago,” Florence said in a completely calm and even tone.

  “Well well well, look what the Destroyer dragged in,” Callan spat coming into the room with Ziana trailing in behind him, “Come to lock us in another cage Dessie.”

  “Lieutenant, that was a long time ago. You shouldn’t hold grudges, your father would be disappointed,” Desdemona snapped coming out of her stupor from Florence’s verbal lashing.

  “Don’t you dare talk about my father you bi-”

  “Callan, that’s enough,” Xander called from his office which overlooked the entire common room, “Not the time nor the place, son.”

  “Oh come off of it,” Callan scoffed going into his office and slamming the door causing the door to crack.

  “Great, now we have to replace that door again,” Xander grumbled.

  “I think it’s best that you return to your own floor….Captain,” Florence said in a calm but icy tone. Clearly, there was more to the story.

  “Before I go, Ms. Ashfury, I haven’t seen Mia around in a while, how’s she doing? I was surprised when I didn’t see her with the other GSI interns.”

  “She walked into the sun three phases ago,” Ziana replied curtly seemingly just as bothered by the entire exchange as everyone else in the room was.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. She was a good kid, would’ve made a good agent too,” Desdemona said before she turned and walked off without another word. Once the elevator was shut, Florence whipped around to stare up at Xander whose hair was on fire.

  “Why did you even let her up here?” Her mom snapped, the anger more apparent on her face than before.

  “Florence, Desdemona is a Captain. She has access to the floor. Don’t you think I’m not angry about what she said about my goddaughter, I,” Xander said before he switched from beastin to phoenixian and Valeria couldn’t follow anymore. Ziana seemed to understand just fine and was looking at them with wide eyes before turning to Valeria.

  “Did you ask your mom about the party?” Ziana whispered, leaning close so that no one would overhear.

  “No, I didn’t,” Valeria whispered back, “I haven’t gotten the chance.”

  “You’ve been putting it off for nights,” Ziana said, raising her eyebrows at Valeria, “What are you a fledgling? Just ask her.”

  “It’s harder than you think, okay?” Valeria muttered back and crossed her arms, “I’ll ask her tomorrow night.”

  “Whatever you say, Princess,” Ziana replied, and Valeria whirled around to tell correct her, but the conversation between Xander and Florence seemed to end with Xander turning on his heels and storming into his office, his hair was still blazing.

  “Come on, you only have a few minutes left till you have to leave,” Florence said, leading them into her and Callan’s shared office, “Callan quit seething. There isn’t much we can do now.”

  “No first she comes onto MY floor then disrespects MY mate like-”

  “Your floor?” Florence raised a perfectly manicured eyebrow at him as she took a seat at her desk.

  “Yes my floor,” He snarked back, “And-”

  “What happened ninety cycles ago?” Valeria asked interrupting the wolf again his mouth hanging open before morphing into a smirk.

  “Ninety cycles ago Florence wiped the floor with dear old Dessie,” Callan said with a giddiness Valeria had never heard in his voice.

  “No, we got into a minor altercation,” Florence replied in a dismissive tone, and there was definitely more behind that.

  “So what happened was, Dessie took a swipe at me and then Florence just ascended on her raining hellfire. She didn’t even use Blood magic, knives, or anything. Just pure ass-kickery.”

  “Callan you are over exaggerating,” Florence added petting Nebby who had jumped into her lap.

  “No, I’m really not. It was the second best moment of my entire existence,” The wolf exclaimed, a wolfish grin across his lips.

  “What was the first?” Valeria questioned in amusement. Callan looked between the three of them, and a gleam lit his eyes.

  “You really don’t wanna know, V.”

  “Why do people keep saying that to me?” She mumbled, looking down at her lap in frustration.

  “Wow,” Ziana said, shaking her head in disbelief, “you really don’t get it.”

  “No.”

  “Trust me, my dear you do not want to know,” Florence said patting Valeria’s hand gently.

  ◆◆◆

  When they returned to their dorms from dinner, Kamilah was waiting for them with Healer Paceley. Valeria exchanged worried glances with all her roommates as they were told to take a seat. By the grim looks on their faces, the news couldn’t be good.

  “Hello ladies, I hope your internships are going well,” Healer Paceley said, smiling at each of them.

  “Somethings wrong with Edith, isn’t there?” Willow whispered, grabbing onto Ji-woo who began to sniffle. The Healer exchanged a look with Kamilah before continuing.”

  “We had to induce Ms. Moreski into a coma this evening.”

  The room was engulfed in silence for a minute before Gita broke it, “Why?”

  “Ms. Moreski had another vision a few hours ago that caused her to have another seizure. With each new moon that rises, her visions get more and more violent. According to elven law, if visions become a danger to the elf, then you either erase the visions trigger or induce a coma. Since we have no idea what triggered Ms. Moreski’s clairvoyance and due to her lack of relatives the board had to make the decision of putting her into a comatose state,” Healer Paceley explained with a sympathetic expre
ssion.

  “Poor Edie,” Ji-woo sniffled wiping the tears from her cheeks.

  “Edith’s going to be okay, though, right? The coma is only temporary,” Valeria said, her gut twisting as the Healer exchanged another worried look with Kamilah.

  “We are optimistic about Ms. Moreski’s condition improving, but with how young she is and the severity of the visions thus far, we want you girls to be prepared for the worst.”

  “Don’t worry, girls. Edith will be okay,” Kamilah added smiling reassuringly at Valeria and her roommates. Kamilah’s smile only seemed to swirl more uneasiness into her stomach. Valeria wasn’t sure about anything to do with the phoenix anymore.

  “Yeah, Edith is going to be just fine,” Willow agreed, standing up, “We just have to pray to the Creator to give her strength. Edie is strong, she will get through this.”

  “Yeah, it’s going to be alright,” Valeria said, not sure if she was trying to convince everyone else or herself.

  “Can we go and see her?” Willow asked once again being the advocate for the group.

  “Not tonight but soon, I’ll let Kamilah know when she’s in a more stable state to receive visitors,” Healer Paceley answered, “Now if you have any other questions or concerns, my door and Healer Anai’s is always open.”

  “I’ll walk you back,” Kamilah said, and they all sat in silence as the two made their way out of the room.

  “Wait,” Ziana mumbled, stopping them before the door opened.

  “Yes, Ms. Ashfury.”

  “What was Edith’s last vision about?” Ziana asked, finally looking up from the floor, the intensity of her gaze silencing everyone in the room.

  “She said that the king was on fire,” Healer Paceley replied, a look of surprise on her face before she left the dorm. Kamilah gave them an encouraging smile before she exited the room as well.

  “Your best friend is in a coma, and the first thing you ask is about the thing that’s killing her?” Gita scoffed once they were alone and Ziana turned to glare at her.

  “Since when do you care about Edith?” Ziana quipped back.

  “I don’t, but she is my roommate, and I still care if she gets killed,” Gita growled, at this point, they had moved into each other’s spaces, and Valeria thought it was incredibly stupid for them to start fighting but when did it ever stop them.

  “Mind your own business,” Ziana snapped the temperature in the room beginning to rise, and Valeria reached forward to grab onto her partner’s arm.

  “Ziana calm down, Gita is just as upset about Edith as you are,” The phoenix shrugged her off and took a menacing step towards the wolf.

  “Stay out of this Princess, I am sick and tired of hearing this wolf’s bullshit all the time. You strut around here like you’re above all of this because your parents were gangsters but guess what? You’re not. You are just another orphan like the rest of us. You are nothing,” Ziana snarled the tips of her hair lighting up with flames. Valeria could do nothing but gape at her partner. She turned to Gita to try and stop the inevitable fight.

  “Gita she’s just angry, she doesn’t-” Valeria was cut off by the wolf lunging at Ziana. From the corner of her eye, she saw Willow running from the room, and Valeria prayed to the Creator that the sorcerer was going to get help. The vampire moved to try and get between the two beasts but was thrown back in the bed by Gita. Valeria prayed that the wolf hadn’t broken one of her ribs when she felt it. The humming. There was a humming in her veins that flowed through her entire body. She had found her current. Before she could get excited about it though, Kamilah burst into the room with Willow on her heels.

  “Ziana, Gita, stop it right now,” The phoenix shouted before using her flames to pull them apart. Ziana stumbled back into Valeria in surprise as the fire absorbed into her skin, she was a phoenix, so the fire couldn’t hurt her, but Gita was a wolf. Gita howled in pain as she pulled her hand to her chest.

  “Gita,” Ji-woo shouted, coming to stand by her roommate, “Are you okay? Kamilah, what in the deep blue was that?”

  “I-I, I am so sorry Gita,” Kamilah stuttered out making a move towards Gita who flinched away, “I just reacted and didn’t think about you getting burned. I am so sorry.”

  “Let’s get you to the infirmary,” Ji-woo said surprising taking the lead in the situation. Valeria just sat there in complete and utter shock as she watched her RA’s shoulders slump. In the weeks that she’s known Kamilah, she has seen two sides of her but which one is the real Kamilah? Is it the kind RA who always takes care of the students in her care or is the one who takes journals and gives them to strangers in sketchy hallways? Valeria wasn’t sure.

  ◆◆◆

  Valeria was giddy as she told her mother about finding her current, and Florence shared her enthusiasm. They had spent the first hour of the night, talking about how it happened and what it felt like.

  “Gita is alright, though?” Her mother asked when she was done with the story.

  “Yeah, Healer Paceley attended to the burn quick enough, but it’s still going to scar.”

  “Your roommate is very fortunate,” Florence said, taking a sip from her blood bottle.

  “When did you find yours?” Valeria questioned, still focusing on the current, she felt it all the time now, and it was like the world shifted into place. As odd as it seemed, Valeria felt more comfortable in herself despite all the craziness going on around her.

  “I was taught blood magic from an extremely young age, Valeria. You cannot compare it to your own situation,” Florence responded, tucking one of Valeria’s hairs behind her pointed ear, “War loomed over my childhood.”

  “You’re avoiding the question,” Valeria prodded.

  “I was forty cycles old when I discovered my current,” Florence, and Valeria gasped, “But I have a...unique mind.”

  “How did you find it?”

  “I discovered it while I was in a great deal of pain,” Florence said with an air of nonchalance, and Valeria gave her a questioning look, hoping she would explain further, “But that is a story for another time.”

  “Why is it always a story for another time?” Valeria complained, and her mother just smiled at her.

  “Because then you have things to look forward too,” Florence replied before gracefully getting to her feet, “Would you like to try a technique now that you’ve found your current?”

  “Definitely,” Valeria said with a grin, moving quickly to her feet, “Can I try the manifestation of blood weapons?”

  “Why don’t you try something small for now?” Florence questioned with a smile at Valeria’s enthusiasm and grabbed the bottle of blood, she had been drinking before pouring a small amount into Valeria’s hand, “I want you to make the blood move.”

  “How do I do that?” Valeria questioned, looking down at the crimson liquid.

  “Make the blood move to your currents, guide it to the flow and will it to follow it,” Florence instructed before pouring some blood into her own hand and making the blood hover in the air, taking the shape of a flower before it floated back into the bottle, “Now you try.”

  Valeria followed the path of her current all the way through her core and concentrated on the blood in her palm, willing it to join the rush. To Valeria’s surprise, it started to move in her palm and Valeria willed it to move upwards which it did. The blood floated suspended in the air, and she marveled at it.

  “Well done,” Florence said, watching her with pride in her eyes, “Now try to return it to the bottle. Extend your current to the bottle, and the blood will follow.”

  Valeria followed her mother’s instructions, and the blood did just as her mother said it would. She felt herself, her current extend outwards and her magic carrying the blood until it was dropped into the bottle, “I did it!”

  “Well done,” Florence praised with a smile, placing the cap on the bottle and setting it down just as Valeria wobbled on her feet. Her mother caught her around the waist and eased her to the floor
, “Easy there. I told you it was strenuous.”

  “I didn’t think that little trick would make me pass out,” Valeria murmured as she rubbed her head.

  “It is intense magic, but you’ll gain endurance the more you practice,” Florence reassured, handing her the bottle of blood, “Drink. It’ll help you get on your feet faster.”

  “Thank you,” Valeria said, taking the bottle and taking heavy sips and she could feel herself strengthening again.

  “Before you ask, we are done for today,” Florence interjected with a smile, patting Valeria’s knee before moving to her feet. Then Valeria realized this would be the perfect time to ask her mom about the party.

  “Mother,” Valeria said, standing up from her spot on the training mat.

  “Daughter,” Florence replied a smirk playing on her lips, and Valeria snorted before asking her question.

  “Do you think I could go to the anniversary party with you and Dad this cycle?”

  “Why do you want to go?” Florence asked, giving Valeria her full attention.

  “Honestly, I just need a break from my roommates, and I miss you guys,” She mumbled not exactly lying. Valeria did miss her parents and her siblings. She missed being with her family.

  “Miss us?” Florence snorted, “You see me every day, my dear.”

  “Yeah but it’s not the same when the six of us aren’t together,” Valeria argued, hoping her mother wouldn’t dig deeper for the real reason she wanted to go.

  “Demetri is still at the Dragon Core, and Henrik is much too young to attend this party.”

  “I know, but I want to apologize to Emalia for upsetting her the other day.”

  Her mom let out an amused laugh, “Okay, but don’t think I’m not suspicious of your motives for wanting to come to the party.”

  “What?”

  “Oh please Valeria, last time I asked you to attend this party, you said, and I quote ‘I would rather drink demon blood than go to that stupid party.’”

  “Mom, I never said that.”

  “Dear, I remember everything,” Florence said putting a hand on Valeria’s cheek, “Now let’s get you and Ziana to your carriage, it’s very un-duchess like to be late for things.”