Surviving Plagues (Artemis University Book 3)

by Erin R Flynn

  “The barriers. I’m still working on the glamours,” I admitted, glancing at her. “But I happen to know a really badass witch who likes me and I bet would be all about protecting younger witches and women. Though I’m sure Katrina Calloway would move heaven and earth to make it happen when she finds out I’m adding to the groves for the hobgoblins deal.”

  She threw back her head and burst out laughing. “Because fair folk have very powerful protective magic and if some lived there, they would protect any who resided at your havens.”

  “That’s the plan,” Mel admitted. “That would mean hundreds of acres for any dragon or shifter to change. A safe place without having to mate who you’re told to have that. Or allow evil to happen to you so you’re not all on your own.”

  “How is that any different than being Underground?” someone yelled, pushing back.

  I glanced around at the group. “Seriously, you guys are way too sheltered. There is a whole world out there. The options are not your parents or terrorists. If humans don’t agree with their parents, they leave home and do their own thing. That’s the option we’re going for. You can’t always because of how parents rig shit or elder bullshit or—it doesn’t matter. There’s now another option of normal.”

  “But you’ll have your own rules,” that same voice challenged, and I locked gazes with Holly. “Don’t try to act like you’re being noble here. You want power and you’re going to use your ‘misfits’ for it. That’s the same siren’s call as the Underground.”

  I still had my telepathy on and shook my head at her. “You don’t even believe that. You’re just jealous others will have this as an option and you burnt any chance with me.”

  “You need a better defense than you supposedly hearing that as my thoughts,” she snapped.

  I stormed over to her and got in her face. “I don’t answer to you, Holly. That’s the problem with you elites and thinking you’re so above others. In no sane world do I need to defend myself to you. The fact you would try and compare this to a terrorist organization because you hate me when I’m trying to save women is disgusting.”

  “Then answer her challenge,” a guy called out from the back.

  “The rules are simple,” Mel replied loudly. “No breaking the law.”

  “Speeding,” I coughed.

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine, Tamsin can speed. Whatever. We’re not the bad guys. We’re not breaking laws besides the normal ones we do as supes to protect ourselves.”

  “And this elitist shit stops,” I added. “This division stops. I’m undeclared. Mel’s a dragon. Izzy’s a witch. Who cares? That’s it. We’re not recruiting for a cause. We’re hiring some people for jobs and offering help to others. It’s a totally normal thing. Terrorists don’t open women’s shelters, even snazzy ones.”

  I bit back a smile when Mel snorted.

  “I’ll get on these properties and everything else right away. I’m sure there will be fires to put out from all the lies being spread already as we’re talking,” Claudia said before anyone else interjected.

  “Hey, just think about all the billable hours.”

  I thought she might actually strangle me before she left as Mel burst out laughing. It made me worry about the stress I was putting those I cared about under and I glanced around to the gathered group.

  “Be very careful about what you say and do next,” I warned before focusing solely on Holly. “Your actions have consequences and that includes what you’d say or lies spread.”

  She flinched. “You want to threaten me?”

  I shook my head. “That’s not a threat. Seriously, you’re way too sheltered if you think that’s a threat.” I held up my hand to stop her response. “I’m the one that has fae dogs living at her house and unlimited access to fae dust.

  “Even Professor Richardson asked me for some for his mate. Dr. Craftsman asked for his mom. That’s just here. What do you think the elites will do for it?” I smirked when she flinched again, getting in her space. “Oh yeah, and I control it. It’s mine.”

  “For now,” she snapped.

  It was my turn to burst out laughing. “Yeah, right, come try and take those dogs. They’ll eat you. They’ll eat anyone who even tries for their cozy ass doggy beds I put in the garage for them and unlimited food. I feed them and they don’t make a mess in my garages. That was as far as I got because I’m a telepath and I could see what would make it work.”

  Professor White snorted. “One only came near me because I grew up around a fae dog. That is clearly now their turf with your blessing.”

  “As long as they don’t eat the UPS guy,” I joked, even as I kept my gaze locked with Holly.

  “The fae dust collectors will—” Holly tried again.

  “Will what?” I challenged. “Try and get it from the property the dogs guard? Which they don’t know where it is and the dogs will eat them. No, they won’t as it’s breaking and entering. It’s mine.” I smiled evilly at her. “And I’m sharing it with Higgins Remodels and Expansions.

  “They’re going to use it in their outdoor projects. Everyone will want that. People pay boatloads just for enough for one tree and I have gobs of the stuff. What do you have, Holly? Mommy and Daddy? Think they’ll keep wanting to back you when their friends want to be friends with me because I have the fae dust?

  “And I have the friendship with Katrina Calloway now, as she’s the one working with the hobgoblins sanctuary and collective.” I nodded when she went pale. “Yeah, that’s power and it’s mine, not what you throw around of your parents. So be very careful what you do next. I could have all the friends I ever wanted with what I have.”

  “It’s a shame you weren’t nicer to the hobgoblins when you had the chance, huh, Holly?” Mel taunted. “Tell your parents if they apologize for you, we won’t blacklist them from the events we’ll be hosting. We have a lot planned so maybe it’s time to realize you don’t have as much as you think.”

  “Oh, shit, I forgot to give Claudia the stuff to buy the place for Natalie’s company,” I bitched as I pulled it out of my bag.

  “Wait, what?” Natalie exclaimed as she grabbed it from me. “What place?”

  “I thought you talked to her,” Mel admitted with a shrug.

  “No, been busy with finals,” I drawled.

  “Spit it out before Ms. Higgins has a heart attack,” Professor White chuckled.

  “Someone tried to make a move and start a business like they wanted after their booth,” I explained. “So after speaking with Mrs. Vogel and Katrina Calloway on some ideas, we decided to make it clear no one else could keep up. It won’t just be a shop with huge stock, but a country estate that will host parties and events.

  “Mrs. Vogel booked the opening event over spring break and it’s quite the guest list. I guess other colleges have cuisine masters programs and Calloway is all over getting who we’ll need to have a catering company with what we’re doing.”

  “Which of course will serve food made with fae fruit and vegetables,” Professor White threw in.

  I tapped my nose as I focused on Natalie now that her friends had grouped around her. “Calloway was talking about doing a carriage house with a swank scotch and cigar bar. She wanted just a lounge but I reminded her even with magic, smoke could still cling to everything and risk stock. She agreed and I’m fine with it. She agreed to my discounts ideas if you guys are cool with it.”

  “Like what?” Natalie whispered, sounding a bit breathy.

  I shrugged. “Humans give discounts to military and certain professions. I thought you could have like discount days or times for council guards or whoever the supe police are. I saw the guards with those elders I met all in suits. I doubt they get that in their salary. Or maybe a way to offer their old suits to guards.”

  “You’re crazy,” Natalie wheezed as she wiggled the folder at me. “I was just going to help. It was an idea. Maybe a small shop. I’m working with my family. Designing.”

  I nodded, leaning over
so she met my gaze. “Yeah, I got that. Good time to pick up clients who might want to redo a room, remodel, or renovate. But you started all of this. You’re the reason I’ll invest whatever it takes and make this happen.”

  Luckily one of her friends caught her in time when she fainted.

  I shrugged again when Mel shot me an amused look. “People react weird to good and bad news. Ever since that chick punched me for getting her captor locked up I’m always braced to jump away, not catch people.”

  “You’re special, Tams. You’re seriously special.”

  I couldn’t even argue that.

  23

  After I aced my Runes 101 final Thursday morning, I was ready to get the hell off campus and be done with Artemis for a while. Izzy was finished as well and already packing by the time I got back to our room. A big snowstorm was set to come in and hit the area that night so people weren’t messing around with getting gone.

  I couldn’t blame them. I didn’t know how normal college semesters went, but like dayumn, this one kicked my ass all over the place.

  And I had my high school classes to look forward to over my “break.” Then again, those didn’t involve bitch elite college students so it would still be more peaceful.

  I was putting the first load into Mel’s SUV when scalding pain sliced my head. It was like nothing I’d ever felt before. I didn’t hesitate, fighting through the agony and locking on the source before I launched three throwing knives I’d had strapped to my thigh at the woman.

  “Ms. Vale, what are you doing?” Professor Campbell shrieked. I didn’t even notice she’d been standing near the person.

  “Attack,” I panted as I sank to my knees. I quickly wrote the rune for ice and focused my magic on the stranger, encasing her in an ice cage. I flinched when someone grabbed me but eased down when I saw it was Professor Richardson. “She tried to incapacitate me. It hurt.” I groaned as I grabbed my head. “She tried to shred my mind whereas Craftsman’s was gentle with a hangover.”

  “Because that’s not incapacitating you,” he muttered as he helped me stand. There was already snow and slush on the ground of the parking lot and kneeling in that wouldn’t help me feel better. “She tried to strip your mental shields. It sounds like that’s what you’re describing.”

  “Knives slicing through my mind?” I checked, the pain dulling enough that I could think and speak clearer.

  “Yes, exactly that,” he confirmed.

  “Fuck, that hurt,” I grumbled as I stumbled over to Campbell and the stranger with Richardson’s help.

  Word got out fast of an attack and seconds later temporary portals shot up, Headmaster Edelman the first through one.

  “I have to heal her,” Campbell worried, as she squatted next to my ice cage. “She’s losing too much blood.”

  I nodded, focused on the woman as I flipped on my telepathy. I wanted her distracted. “Why did you attack me? Why were you trying to shred my mental shields?”

  Several people gasped but I ignored them, focused only on her as Campbell pulled out the first knife as she wrote a healing rune.

  “Can’t tell her. Can’t tell her Elder Ainsworth ordered me to find out her address to get the fae dust. Need to know her species so they can control her if she’s one of us. Her shields were too powerful. I’m the best aide getting around them. He knows that. How did she keep me out? His orders were clear they want her under them and her power theirs.”

  “Who is Elder Ainsworth?” I demanded, growling when everyone went quiet. “He ordered her—his best aide to break mental shields—to get my address so he can steal my fae dust. And to find out my species because that council wants me under them and my power theirs. Who? Which council?”

  “Ours,” Edelman whispered in horror, gesturing to himself, Campbell, and White.

  I locked gazes with him and stood tall on my own, thanking Richardson for his help. “I’m filing a formal grievance against Elder Ainsworth.”

  White and Campbell exchanged a glance now that she was done helping the aide. White cleared her throat. “You can’t. There is no grievance to file against an elder.”

  “Bullshit,” I seethed. “No one is above the law. That’s the problem here. They are not gods. Even the president is held accountable by Congress. Monarchs by their courts or other branches. You have police or whatever. The governor of a state isn’t exempt because he’s got the position.”

  I shook my head when they went to argue, pointing at the aide.

  “What would you do with her if she wasn’t an aide to an elder? There’s a law about reading the minds of students, yes? Claudia mentioned it when someone tried before. She did it to a student on campus. Question her just like you would anyone else.”

  “That’s not how—” Campbell argued.

  “How things went, I get that,” I snapped. “Time to do better than what’s been done before. Are there laws against it? Saying elders don’t have to follow the laws or are they not expected to be the shining examples of how to behave? Great, start holding them accountable for it.”

  Another temporary portal opened and Mr. Geiger came out with Claudia looking ready to do battle. He simply smiled when I gave him a confused look, saying the three words that explained it all. “Melody called us.”

  I rubbed my head and told him exactly what happened and what I wanted, giving him a challenging look. This was a worthy fight. Elders, elites, the rich, or Santa Claus couldn’t just do whatever the fuck they wanted. Someone had to call them on their shit.

  The problem was no one had the balls to do it.

  Which was why it took a woman to lead the fight. She didn’t give one fuck about the size of balls and only what was right.

  “I don’t understand this,” Campbell whispered after Geiger agreed he was in. “This doesn’t make any sense.” She let down her hair and scratched her scalp as she stared at me. “Why? You’re just one student. Why are all the elders losing their minds and doing this?”

  I raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m not the cause, Professor. I’m just the reason they’re not hiding what they’ve always been up to.” I held up a finger when she opened her mouth to argue or ask more. “I’m undeclared. To them no one is protecting me. I’m chum in the water and fair game, right?”

  “The vampire elders wouldn’t have dared allowed that ruling against you as you had your elders to turn to,” Geiger explained to her. “Tamsin doesn’t have that in their eyes.”

  I nodded. “Yes, but what you all miss is half the time you need protecting from your own damn elders. You wouldn’t even think of calling them on their shit because they’re elders. You cling to them as if they keep you safe.” I pointed to the aide. “And yet all her thoughts were of the orders the elder gave her to get me, my power, and all I have under their control for them.

  “But you give them that power by not challenging them or keeping them in check. You give them that godlike status and authority by not seeing there are other options than them. I don’t have to run to them to get help or handle this.”

  “There are no other options. Only the Underground,” she argued.

  I shook my head. “That’s fear-mongering and bullshit dictator campaigns.” I gestured to Geiger. “Here’s another option. You have your police guys. There’s also more to the world than this one.” I pulled out my phone and punched in one of the numbers I memorized but never wrote down or saved.

  “Chica, you have perfect timing,” Marisol Gonzalez greeted. “I could use your help on something. Did the information I provided to Mel work out?”

  “More than you know. I’m in your debt, girl, but I need more help. She might have another name of a bad man for you. You in?”

  “Siempre, chica. For you? Siempre. Have Mel send me what you got and I’ll handle it.”

  “Same payment?”

  “Sí, but more of them so we’ll call it even from last time too. Damn pendejos multiply like cockroaches every time I turn around. You know.”

  I sn
orted. “Oh, I know. Believe me. Otherwise you good?”

  “Sí, muy bien, muy bien. Talk soon?”

  “Yup.” I hung up and smiled at Campbell. “You just need to think outside the box to protect yourself so you’re not ever chum.”

  “And who did you just call?” Edelman questioned, glancing around quickly to let me know there were other aides or people from councils with us.

  “A human I helped get out of something bad,” I answered honestly. “She’s a computer genius and ace hacker that no one would believe was one because she’s beautiful and has breasts. A cartel tried to take over her family and make her the prize for their son. Instead, the cartel rots in prison and the family kept the territory.”

  Richardson figured out what I was getting at first, turning up his nose. “You associate with drug dealers. There are lines, Ms. Vale.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him. “The family sells pot, Professor Richardson. It’s herbal and no longer illegal in Mexico. It’s not legal, but it’s not illegal either. Who cares? They don’t allow hard stuff and they certain don’t run women or all the other shit a different cartel would do. I’m not sure drinking blood is legal but it’s not illegal, right?”

  “Touché,” he conceded after a moment. “So what is your payment?”

  I gave him an evil smile. “To play guardian angel. Their town has a rumor of a woman who comes in the night and takes care of all the bad boys who move in on the turf. I beat up the assholes who harass the local women, try to start running them, and bring in hard drugs. I leave them and the evidence in a pile in front of the police station and the bad boys go away.”

  “I got to do it last time,” Mel reminded me.

  I rolled my eyes. “You wanted to because Marisol’s brother’s hot.”

  “Yes, yes he is,” she purred, giving me a wink. “I’ll handle it this time too. You’ve got too many eyes on you just looking for something.” She shook her head and held up something for me to see. “I found this on your vehicle you let Craftsman use.”

  I narrowed my eyes and cursed when I saw it was a tracking device. “Well, that didn’t take long. Fuck. We need to do full sweeps of everything now.” I gave her a hopeful look. “Tell me there’s a rune for that or something?”