Bethany,
There are leftovers in the mini-fridge if you get hungry. Help yourself.
Love you, Dad
I was so grateful that I didn’t even care that it was cold. I opened the fridge to find a Styrofoam box containing half of a turkey club and on top of the fridge was a small bag of chips. I devoured them both and then downed a bottle of water before changing into my pajamas and going to bed.
By the time Monday evening rolled around I was so thankful for family time to be over. Dad pulled up in front of the school and then got out to get my suitcase. I climbed out of the backseat and joined him at the back of the car.
“Thanks, Dad.”
“Anytime, sweetheart. I’m sorry this weekend wasn’t more relaxing.” He smiled.
“It’s okay. I had fun.” I hugged him.
“Gonna miss you, kiddo.”
“I’ll miss you too, Dad.” I smiled, letting him go. I turned and hugged Mom. “I’ll miss you too, Mom.”
“I know. We’ll call you soon, okay?” she said patting my cheek.
“Okay. Love you, drive safe.”
“Love you too, sweetheart,” Mom said as she started to get back in the car. “Hurry up, dear, I don’t want to be on the road all night.”
“Yes, dear,” Dad replied and shook his head. “Love you, sweetie.”
“Love you too, Dad.” I waved as he climbed in and started down the Academy’s drive.
With a sigh, I headed back into the school. A slight shiver raced over me as I once again felt that odd feeling of being watched. Shaking my head, I realized I hadn’t missed that at all.
Chapter 10
Bethany
The next school day after the long break dragged on, and I was dreading my afternoon lesson with Professor Ubel, but I headed there anyway. Setting my bag down on the floor by the door, I called, “Professor Ubel?”
He didn’t answer, so I moved deeper into the room we used for our lessons. It was an empty classroom next door to his regular classroom, but they shared a door, which was normally open when I came for lessons. Right now, it was closed. Frowning, I went over to it and knocked.
“Professor?”
The door opened and staring at me was the woman he’d been with at the New Year’s Eve dance. She was wearing red again, this time a silk red blouse and tight skirt, and her hair was coiled in a neat bun on top of her head. She stared at me, a smirk on her lips.
“Um, hello, I’m looking for Professor Ubel?”
She smirked again, her red lips tight. “Professor Ubel is… tied up… at the moment. You’ll have to reschedule.” She sounded slightly British, but I didn’t really think she was. I knew she wasn’t American though.
Her maroon bloodshot eyes made me feel uncomfortable, as if she was trying to delve into my brain with her penetrating gaze. I bit my lip and mentally tried to block my thoughts just in case that was what she was doing. “Um, okay. Tell him I… um, Bethany Welch was here for our tutoring session. I’ll just… I’ll see him tomorrow.”
“Bethany Welch? The girl who ‘saved the school’?” She literally used finger quotes when she said that.
“Uh, what?” I asked, looking at her.
She smirked again and then looked me up and down. “You saved the school?” She snorted. “Please. A little thing like you? Who helped you, honey? That vampire boy you’re always hanging on?”
“Um, just tell Professor Ubel I was here, okay?” I started backing away.
Her cackling laughter followed me out of the dark classroom and into the hall.
I pulled my phone from my back pocket and hurried back to my room. I sent a text to James once I reached it.
Hey, change of plans, Ubel wasn’t able to work with me today. Want to do something? — Bethany
Hey, yeah. How about Merriwick’s again? Then we can hit the comic book store? — James
Okay, I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes, meet me in the courtyard? — Bethany
Great. — James
I tossed my bag on Helen’s old bed and went to the closet pulling out a pair of jeans, a purple sweater and my boots. Quickly changing, I ran a brush through my hair, grabbed my toothbrush and paste and headed down to the bathroom. I set them on the ledge above the sink and used the facilities, washed my hands and then brushed my teeth. When I finished, I returned to my room to drop off the toiletries and pick up my purse, keys, and phone. I set the lock and pulled the door closed behind me.
I hurried out to the courtyard and met James lounging against the stair railing. “Hi.”
“Hello, beautiful.” He kissed my cheek and put his arm around me.
We walked hand in hand into town in companionable silence, just enjoying the sounds of nature surrounding us. It was kind of relaxing. When we reached Merriwick’s, James pulled the door open for me. We stepped up to the counter and I glanced over the pastries.
“Hello dearies, welcome back. I feared that little episode a few weeks ago would keep you from visiting again, but here you are.” Merriwick smiled at us, her blonde hair flowed over her shoulders and down her back, giving her an angelic look.
For some weird reason, her gaze on me gave me that same uncomfortable feeling I’d felt when that other woman looked at me, but I shook it off. Maybe it had to do with Merriwick’s eyes being bloodshot like the other woman’s were. I smiled at her and said, “Yes, I’m sorry we didn’t get to truly enjoy our last visit.”
“Well, now, what can I get for you, my sweets?” she asked.
“Do you serve vampires?” James asked.
I looked at him curious, wondering what he meant.
“We do, dearie, we do. How about a little B negative?” Merriwick asked.
“Um, sure, that’s fine,” James agreed.
“And for you, my sweet?” Merriwick looked at me and smiled, but it left me feeling a bit cold.
“I’ll have the strawberry tart and a cup of your house blend.”
“Excellent choices, my sweets, just give me a moment.”
We moved down to the register and I looked at James again. “You okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Fine. Just need a boost.”
“Okay,” I said softly as we waited.
Merriwick returned with a mug filled with warmed blood, my hot cup of house blend and a plate with my strawberry tart. “Here you are, dearies, that will be ten eighty-five.”
James handed her the money and then we moved to a table, taking our items with us. We chose a booth against the wall this time, and we each slid into opposite sides so we faced each other. James hesitated for just a moment and then raised his mug and took a sip.
I didn’t usually watch him drink his blood, but I couldn’t take my eyes away as he licked blood from his lips. Smiling, I lifted my pastry and took a bite, savoring the sweet, delicious taste and the flakiness of the tart. “Mmm, so good,” I murmured.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ve heard Merriwick makes them all herself.”
“Well they are amazing.” I smiled and looked around at the near empty coffee shop. “It’s a shame there are so few people here.”
James nodded. “Yeah, the witches are avoiding it like the plague.”
“Not just the witches, James, the vampires are too it seems.”
“I suppose. Still, the witches are the ones who started this,” he muttered.
I frowned. “Started what?”
He blinked at me. “Not you of course, just, in general.”
“Okay, not me, but what did they start?”
“Well somebody used magic to get Leonora to shift and maul that boy. Certainly wasn’t a vampire who caused it.”
I sighed. “You don’t suspect another student, do you?” I asked softly.
“No.” James frowned into his mug. “No, of course not. More likely what you suggested the other day, but it’s just…”
I covered his hand with my own. “I know. Maybe things will blow over and everything will go back to normal.”
James gulped the last of his blood and set the mug down. “Maybe. I hope so. I don’t like the way things are right now. And it’s already been weeks without another incident.”
“I know, I don’t like the way things are going at school either.” Suddenly the tart wasn’t tasting so great. More like ash on my tongue. I set the rest of it down and drank my coffee. “Ready?”
“You going to finish that?” He pointed at the pastry.
“No, it was good, but very sweet.”
“Okay.” He picked up my plate and both our drinks, and then dumped the paper cup, plate and tart in the garbage can and set the mug he’d used in the bus bin with the other dishes. “Thanks, Merriwick!” he called as we headed out the door.
“My pleasure, dearies. Do come again.”
A cool breeze raced up my sweater and made me shiver.
“Cold?” James asked.
“A bit,” I answered with a smile.
He wrapped his arm around me and we walked down the sidewalk toward the comic book store. He quickly bundled me into the warm, inviting shop and we both went to the bins in the center of the room to browse. I’d enjoyed the last group of books James had introduced me to, so I was actually looking forward to getting the next edition of the Border Town Series.
It didn’t take us long to find what we wanted. We made our purchases and then James escorted me back to my room. I smiled. “Well, this is me.”
James chuckled and tucked my hair behind my ears. “You are so beautiful,” he murmured, “how did I get so lucky?”
I grinned. “I think that about you. How did I get so lucky?”
He pulled me close and leaned down, capturing my lips in a searing kiss that made my toes curl. We were both breathing heavy when we moved apart. He smiled and pressed another few kisses to my jaw and behind my ear, making me melt against him.
“You know how much you mean to me, right?” he whispered.
I nodded. I did know. He showed me every day. “I do.”
He sighed. “I’d better go.”
I nodded again. “I know.”
“Sweet dreams, beautiful.”
I smiled, pushed up on my toes and brushed my lips across his. “Always of you,” I murmured and then pushed my door open. “Night.”
“Goodnight, beautiful.”
He moved down the hall and I closed the door. Spinning, I pressed my back to the door and touched my lips. That had been the best kiss he’d ever given me.
I went to sleep with a smile.
Chapter 11
James
“Hello dearies, welcome back. I feared that little episode a few weeks ago would keep you from visiting again, but here you are.” Merriwick smiled at us, but something felt off from the last time we’d been here.
I frowned, not quite sure what it was I was feeling coming from whatever kind of creature Merriwick was. I knew she wasn’t Fae, though she had that look about her. I was still trying to decide when Bethany spoke.
“Yes, I’m sorry we didn’t get to truly enjoy our last visit.”
“Well, now, what can I get for you, my sweets?” Merriwick asked, her eyes focused on Bethany.
“Do you serve vampires?” I asked. I knew they did, but that little niggling feeling I was having was still bothering me.
Bethany looked at me in surprise, but I held Merriwick’s gaze.
“We do, dearie, we do. How about a little B negative?” Merriwick asked, her smile seeming just a bit more predator like than before.
I hesitated, but then decided to see what she fed me. “Um, sure, that’s fine,” James agreed.
“And for you, my sweet?” Merriwick looked over at Bethany and smiled, but again it seemed much more feral than true.
“I’ll have the strawberry tart and a cup of your house blend.”
“Excellent choices, my sweets, just give me a moment.”
We moved down to the register and Bethany asked. “You okay?”
I nodded, not wanting to worry her, but I had been feeling more and more paranoid since we’d returned from Aspen. “Yeah. Fine. Just need a boost,” I said tightly.
“Okay.” Her voice was soft, as if she didn’t quite believe me.
Merriwick returned and I could smell the fresh blood in the mug she handed me.
“Here you are, dearies, that will be ten eighty-five.”
I handed her the money and we walked over to the booths. I sat across from Bethany. I waited for her to sit too and then picked up the mug and smelled it. It didn’t smell poisoned, or off in any way. As I took a sip, my eyes flicked up to see Bethany watching me. I’d never drank blood in front of her before and I worried that she would be a little freaked out, but she seemed fine.
I concentrated on the blood and took in the essence of the life that had given it. I could tell that it was witch blood, but the person remained vague in my mind. As if somehow the ‘who’ of the blood had been removed leaving only the ambiguous feeling of witch. I felt it was older, not a young witch, and female, but that was all that I could taste. None of their memories flooded my mind.
“Mmm, so good,” Bethany murmured as she ate another bite of the pastry.
“I’m glad you like it. I’ve heard Merriwick makes them all herself,” I commented just to keep the conversation going. I was still having that feeling that something was off. The nightmares I was having, though elusive, were leaving me irritable and paranoid. I knew that, and I was doing my best to be good company for Bethany.
“Well they are amazing.” She smiled at me, completely lighting up her face. She truly was beautiful. She looked around the coffee shop and started to frown. “It’s a shame there are so few people here.”
I followed her gaze and nodded, my thoughts darkening. “Yeah, the witches are avoiding it like the plague.”
“Not just the witches, James, the vampires are too it seems.”
I sighed, knowing she was right. The vampires were too. “I suppose. Still, the witches are the ones who started this,” I said under my breath, half hoping she wouldn’t hear it. I didn’t really want to explain what I was feeling.
Her frown deepened and her gaze met mine. “Started what?”
I blinked at her, half afraid she’d taken my comment to mean her. “Not you of course, just, in general,” I tried to deny what I was thinking.
“Okay, not me, but what did they start?”
I sighed. I didn’t want to tell her what had been on my mind, but she did ask and I knew she could handle it. Besides, I was fairly certain which ever witch had cast the spell on Leonora was working with the Shadow Society and if it was them, Bethany would need to know because she was the one in the most danger. “Well somebody used magic to get Leonora to shift and maul that boy. Certainly wasn’t a vampire who caused it.”
She sighed and I had a feeling she knew what I was leading up to. “You don’t suspect another student, do you?”
I shook my head. “No.” I looked down into my mug and frowned. Did I? Could it be another student? Victoria had been working with them last year, so it wasn’t impossible, but this didn’t feel like something that a current student could be capable of doing. This kind of magic was powerful. I looked back up at her and continued, “No, of course not. More likely what you suggested the other day, but it’s just—”
She covered my hand with her soft one, stopping me from continuing. “I know. Maybe things will blow over and everything will go back to normal.”
I drank down the remainder of the blood, avoiding the thoughts in my head. “Maybe. I hope so. I don’t like the way things are right now. And it’s already been weeks without another incident,” I said as I set the mug down.
“I know. I don’t like how things are going at school either.”
I watched her take a bite of the pastry and then set the rest on the plate as she drank her coffee. She didn’t seem to be enjoying it as much as she had before, and I felt that was my fault for bringing up my worries. I decided to work harder to make her happy
and forget about all of this.
“Ready?”
I smiled and pointed to her pastry. “You going to finish that?”
She hesitated for a moment but said, “No, it was good, but very sweet.”
“Okay.” I stood up and gathered our things and took them to the trash area to dispose of them. I took her hand and called, “Thanks, Merriwick!”
“My pleasure, dearies. Do come again.”
As we left the coffee shop, I felt an odd blast of magic. It didn’t feel quite right and I noticed Bethany shiver.
“Cold?” I asked, feeling concerned that the magic had somehow affected her.
“A bit.” She smiled up at me.
My heart melted and I wrapped an arm around her. We headed toward the comic book store and I hurried her into the building to get her warmer. We looked over the older stock and classics and then she chose another Border Town comic. I was happy to see that she’d liked them enough to continue with the series.
Once we paid for our comics, I carried them and held her hand as we walked back to the Academy. I didn’t want to end the evening, but I really needed to try and get some sleep. The nightmares, though I didn’t remember much of them, were keeping me from getting any real rest. I wanted to try and get some decent sleep.
When we reached Bethany’s room, she said, “Well, this is me.”
I laughed, giving her a smile as I tucked a strand of her soft dark hair behind her ear. “You are so beautiful,” I murmured, my heart full of wonder over her, “how did I get so lucky?”
Her warm brown eyes seemed to brighten as she smiled up at me. “I think that about you. How did I get so lucky?”
The girl simply melted my heart. I knew she was the only one for me and I wanted to show her that, even if I couldn’t speak those words to her, so I pulled her close and pressed my lips to hers. I could feel the heat of her flow through me and warm me more than I’d ever thought possible. As soon as I was able, I broke the kiss and found we were both breathing heavily. I smiled and then glided my lips over her jaw to up behind her ear and she melted into me. I could feel her pulse in her neck heighten and I had to fight the urge to taste her. Breathing deeply, I moved back a hair’s breadth and said, “You know how much you mean to me, right?”
A Witch’s Immunity: Supernatural Academy - Book 3 Page 6