Wary Is Her Love_An Urban Fantasy Action Adventure

by Judith Berens

  Alison smiled, running her hand over the sheet next to her. “I can’t believe the dragon hatched while we were gone.”

  “I know.” Izzie giggled. “You would have died if you’d seen Mara’s face when she walked in here. Seriously it looked like we threw one hell of a party.”

  “I can imagine.” Alison laughed. “But he is so sweet, and his energy is beautiful. I knew there wasn’t going to be a bad bone in his body.”

  “He’s adorable. I keep imagining him covered in feathers like a molting chicken.” She chuckled.

  “Maybe we should name him ‘Cluck.’”

  Both the girls covered their mouths, trying not to wake the others with their laughter. The other girls had just fallen asleep, and Izzie knew that if they woke Kathleen up, she would have some words to say. They waited until the laughter simmered down. Izzie sighed and turned over on her back.

  “He is so round. I feel like we should put him on a diet or something.”

  “He’ll grow out of it. I don’t think we can put a dragon on a diet.” Alison giggled again. “I can’t wait until he starts to fly. Do you think we will be able to ride him?”

  “That would be so cool,” Izzie whispered excitedly. “The wind in our faces, high above the ground, soaring through the clouds. We could make a saddle for him and become fierce dragon warriors.”

  “Do they need those on Earth?”

  Izzie chuckled. “I don’t know. Maybe? It would be very cool.”

  She sat up and looked around the room, making sure the others were asleep. The girls quietly slipped on shoes and light jackets and tiptoed out of the room. Izzie wrinkled her nose as she carefully shut the door and the two girls made their way down the hall.

  “You know we’re breaking curfew,” whispered Alison.

  “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

  When they got to the stairs they stepped around the creaking areas, remembering where the exact spots were from the year before.

  Downstairs was silent; everyone was tucked away in their beds. The girls made it outside and onto the grounds for the first night stroll of their sophomore year. Alison zipped up her jacket and took a deep breath of the country air. The nights were already starting to get a bit cold, so she was glad she had brought a jacket. The crisp air filled her lungs, bringing life back into her soul. Out of everything she’d missed about being there, these walks were number one on her list.

  Izzie felt the same way. She always felt so free when she was out there. She had time to talk about anything on her mind, feel the cool air whip around her, and just be, even if it was for just a little while. She tilted her head back as they walked across the fields and looked at the beautiful clear night sky, which was even more beautiful than the dining hall’s representation.

  A shooting star darted across the heavens, and she closed her eyes, making a wish. When she opened them she wrinkled her forehead. She wasn’t sure where she had gotten wishing on a star from, but it felt like something she’d done a thousand times.

  “I see Horace’s soul ahead,” Alison whispered.

  Izzie looked at the top of the hill. He sat on a wobbly old wooden stool, several lanterns around him and a blanket on the ground in front of him. He was polishing something that looked like a part for one of the many farm tools on the property. As the girls approached, he looked up and smiled.

  “I figured I might see you out here tonight. First stroll of the year. I have to admit that I missed this.”

  “We did too.” Alison smiled, sitting down on the blanket.

  Izzie sat next to her and looked at the horizon, the last of the fireflies sparkling in the distance. “Have you seen the dragon?”

  “This morning I did, I took him some raw eggs as a treat. And again, when I showed you girls where he was. It’s best to leave him alone at night. That’s when he goes hunting for food. Small game, mostly.”

  Izzie leaned back on her hands. “What did you do this summer?”

  “I went to Texas to visit my Aunt Estelle,” he replied. “It was fun. She had parties on the patio of her bar, and there were a lot of magical folks there. They really started flocking to the bar when Leira Berens left twenty years ago. I was glad to get back here, though. I missed the animals. How about you, Alison? What did you do?”

  “I was officially adopted by James Brownstone, and I got the chance to learn martial arts,” she recited, ticking the things off on her fingers.

  “Nice. That’s a lot,” he said, surprised. “You got a family and you’re a force to be reckoned with. And you, Izzie?”

  “I just hung out here in Virginia with Mara. She created a magical pool for me in the backyard, so that was nice.”

  They stayed there talking about the school year, their vacations, and everything else for as long as they could. It was something all of them loved to do, and they were relieved to be back.

  When the moon was about to disappear and the sky was beginning to lighten, the girls started back to the dorms. They were quiet most of the way, Izzie enjoying the air and Alison lost in her thoughts. When they reached the edge of the field, Alison grabbed Izzie’s arm.

  “What’s wrong?” Izzie asked.

  “Nothing. I just want to tell you something.”

  “Okay, I’m all ears.”

  “I’ve really been thinking about this a lot. This summer Shay worked with me to broaden my ability to see the energies and souls around me and react faster; become more agile. The martial arts training really helped. It’s not only prepared me for whatever comes after we get out of high school, but given me confidence.”

  Alison took a deep breath and blew it out. “I’m going to relax about others knowing I’m blind. I don’t want it to be a thing anymore.”

  “I get it. It’s up to you, and I’ll back you up, no matter what you decide.”

  Alison pushed a long strand of white hair off her shoulder. “When I was growing up, my mother tried to make me as independent as she could. She didn’t want me to have to rely on others. I had no idea till last year that special sight sometimes appears in Drow, same time I found out I was a Drow. The only thing that has stopped me from telling is I don’t want people to treat me differently, but the only way to make it not a thing is to own it.”

  “Mara says that a lot.” Izzie smiled. “There’s no shame in your game, that’s for sure. You’re my best friend, and you have done amazing things. Everyone loves you and knows how strong you are. I don’t think anyone’s opinion will change because they know you’re blind. Besides, you see the world in a really cool way, and you helped save that kid last year. No one else could have done that, and it even saved Tanner. He would have been crushed if that student had died.”

  “True. I’m gonna do it.”

  Izzie smiled and reached out, taking her hand. She was about to say something but stopped, feeling in her gut something wasn’t quite right. She dropped Alison’s hand and looked around.

  “Who’s there?”

  Leaves crunched on the edge of the courtyard, and a pair of bright amber-colored eyes gleamed at her from behind the tall green bushes bordering the walkway. A large wolf with brown and white fur stepped out and blocked their path.

  Alison looked in the direction of the sound, recognized the shifter’s energy, and instinctively pulled Izzie back, putting her arm up. Izzie stood her ground, entranced by the shifter’s gaze, and pushed down on Alison’s arm.

  “Wait,” she whispered, taking a step closer. The wolf’s head was at the same height as Izzie’s face.

  Izzie recognized something in the wolf’s eyes, and she stood there transfixed, her heart beating faster inside of her chest. She could barely hear anything besides her heart beat.

  “It’s Luke,” she whispered, slowly raising her hand despite Alison’s protests. His brown fur shimmered in the light of the moon. He panted hard, staring at Izzie, and sat down, holding her gaze.

  “I know, but…” Alison could see the strength of the energy in front of h
er.

  Izzie gently touched the fur just behind his ears.

  “Izzie, what are you doing?” Alison looked in the direction of the mansion for the telltale energy of anyone else in the vicinity, but at this time of night, everyone was tucked in and fast asleep.

  Izzie didn’t look away from the large wolf. She started to smile, grateful that he was so calm.

  Izzie tilted her head to the side. “Luke… It’s okay. I’m here.”

  The wolf lowered his head and let Izzie rub the top, letting out a satisfied growl that vibrated right through Izzie’s hand.

  Izzie smiled, anxiety turning to butterflies in her stomach. “There’s a connection between us. I knew it,” she murmured softly. The wolf raised his head and looked at her. For a moment she felt like they were the only two beings in the world.

  A howl erupted in the distance, and the wolf jerked his head around and shook his large body. Izzie snatched her hand away, taking several steps back. His ears turned in the direction of the sound, and he tilted his head back, answering the call.

  The sound was deafening, and Alison squeezed Izzie’s arm. “We need to go.”

  “In a moment,” Izzie answered.

  There was another howl from far away. The wolf turned back to look at Izzie before taking off at a run, disappearing into the forest as he ran toward his pack.

  Izzie stood there, lost in what had happened. She had wondered all day where Luke was, and now she knew. Alison let go of Izzie’s arm and patted her on the back, startling her. Izzie let out a deep breath and squeezed Alison’s hand.

  “Let’s get inside before the headmistress wakes up and catches us,” Alison whispered. “We’re already cleaning the dining hall without magic. I don’t want to find out what’s next on her to-do list.”

  “Right,” Izzie replied, still mesmerized by the memory of Luke as a wolf running so easily through the woods.

  They made their way back to their dorm room, Izzie opening the tall wooden door. She stopped, listening to the exchange of howls in the distance.

  There were still three hours left until they had to be downstairs, so Izzie curled up on her bed, staring out the window at the last bit of darkness. She could still see the bright amber glow of Luke’s eyes and feel the beating of her heart in her chest. She cared deeply about a shifter; a wolf. It was hard to take it in.

  6

  The morning bell rang loudly, and their breakfast plates disappeared in a flash. Emma frowned, took her last bite of watermelon, and set down her fork. The group stood up quietly; Izzie was still in a haze, Alison’s mind was on Tanner, and the rest of them not fully awake yet.

  Alison gathered her books and the others did the same before heading for class.

  “Go ahead. I’ll catch up,” said Alison. “I want to find Tanner and say hello. He came in late, and just sat at a random table and scarfed down food.”

  Izzie sighed and shook her head. “Boys! I get it. All right, see you in class.”

  Izzie, Kathleen, and Peter walked out the door, Kathleen still jabbering about a hole she’d torn in her favorite pairs of tights.

  “Hey, look!” Peter said, pointing at the bulletin board just outside the entrance to the great hall the students affectionately called “the cafeteria.” Kathleen looked up, and a huge smile came over her face.

  “Yes, yes, yes, the clubs and sports sign-ups are up. Finally! This year we can join.”

  They ran over and joined the crowd of older kids already huddled around the board. There were many different choices, and it was overwhelming for Izzie and the rest. There was band, the school play, sports of all kinds, special clubs, and the newspaper, which had about ten different departments.

  The older students were smart, using their wands to sign up from the back so they didn’t have to fight for a spot or a pen. Luke pushed through the crowd and stood in front of the Louper sign-up sheet. He had waited an entire year to be able to try out for the team, and he wasn’t going to miss his chance. As he raised his pen Henry and Wyatt elbowed their way in, knocked Luke out of the way, and signed their names first.

  They put their arms up, and everyone cheered as they headed to class. Izzie looked at Luke and smiled, shrugging. He scoffed and rolled his eyes, signing his name below theirs.

  “What is ‘Louper?’” Izzie asked.

  Luke looked at her like she was crazy. “Everyone knows what Louper is.”

  “Obviously not everyone.”

  “It’s this weird game that should really be for the nerdiest of the nerds, but it somehow turned into a jock game,” Kathleen grumbled.

  Luke ignored her, still not looking directly at Izzie. “It’s a cool sport and a virtual reality game. You get to be a different kind of magical being and use your powers to compete against others. It’s just as much a brain as a brawn game. There’re too many rules to explain the whole thing,” he said, looking over her head at the crowd of students behind her, “but trust me, it’s fun. I’ve been practicing for this chance since I was in middle school.”

  “Wow! Well, good luck.” She reached out to take his hand, but he was already pushing his way through the crowd.

  “Thanks,” Luke said over his shoulder, looking distracted as he walked away.

  “I wanted to…”

  Luke looked back and saw Izzie wrinkling her forehead, hoping for some sort of explanation for the night before, but he didn’t say a thing. He shrugged and let the crowd surge in front of him.

  Izzie gave up, disappointed. “Boys are exhausting.” She turned back to the signup sheets. “Has to be something here for me.”

  Just then the sea of students parted and Scarlett walked through, strutting her stuff. Her purple hair was pulled back into two low ponytails, and she wore striped socks that came above her knees. Her Mary Janes had three-inch heels, and her dark green skirt was hiked up almost too high.

  She stopped halfway through the crowd and whipped out her wand, signing her name on the list for the school production of The Wizard of Oz. She looked at her at her sidekick, Claire, and curled her bright red lip.

  “The library gnomes are going to play the munchkins. It’ll be hilarious. I’m sure I’ll be picked for Dorothy.”

  Alison raised an eyebrow as she walked past Scarlet and found Izzie staring at the board. “What is everyone doing?”

  “The signups are out for the different clubs and events for the entire year. There’s the school play, the talent show, the Young Entrepreneurs Club, Louper, ROTC, and a hundred other things. Is there anything you are interested in?”

  Alison thought for a moment. “Actually, yeah. Put me down on the Talent Show.”

  Emma’s surprised look matched Izzie’s. “Oh, okay. I mean, sure.”

  “Why do you sound surprised?” Alison laughed.

  “I’m not. Well, yeah, I am, but it’s cool, I’m excited to see you perform your...talent.” Izzie laughed as she put Alison’s name down on the list.

  Peter stood next to David, one of the older students, who was staring at the different lists. David was smart, but popular at the same time. He was known for always wearing his flat-billed baseball cap and having shaggy hair. Everyone saw him as a slacker and underestimated his magical ability—just the way he liked it.

  But he had more than one talent to his name. He wrote his name down for lighting crew for the school play. “You should join us. I’ve heard about what you’ve been doing in spells class with your science hacks.” He handed the pen to Peter, who smiled and wrote his name underneath.

  David pointed at him with a wink and walked off as Peter also put his name down for the school newspaper.

  “A scholar and a storyteller. You’re gonna make us all look bad.” Ethan slapped him on the back, grinning. “You should write a column about all of your magical Frankenstein tech failures. It would be hilarious.”

  “Hardy har. How about I do an expose on your next April Fool’s joke? There’s a lot going on in this school.”

  “Like
the toombie,” said Ethan, nodding at Tanner on the far side of the crowd.

  “Leave him alone. He got used. The real story is who used him. No one seems to know.”

  “You’re gonna save the world, Peter…maybe. I have better things to do.”

  “Like get yourself in trouble just to make people laugh?”

  “You do get me!”

  Izzie held the end of the pen in her mouth and stared at the tryouts for the Wizard of Oz. She had thought about acting for as long as she could remember; even had a memory of putting on shows when she was little to whom she assumed were the other kids in the orphanage. This was her chance, but she knew she was going to piss some people off. She shrugged and wrote her name on the audition list, capped the pen and turned around.

  Claire glared, looking her up and down. The crowd grew quiet, waiting to see what would happen next. But, after a few very awkward moments, Claire shrugged and laughed.

  “Well, someone has to play the witch.”

  Kathleen whispered under breath, “You already have that one down.”

  The others snickered as Claire whipped around, rolled her eyes, and flipped one of her braids. Alison put her hand in the air and Kathleen gave her a high five. Izzie just laughed, hooked her arm in Alison’s, and sighed.

  “Come on, let’s get to class before we get mowed down by the Hollywood glam squad.”

  “Those heels would hurt.” Kathleen grimaced.

  Ethan and Emma stood at the board and stared at the same paper. David walked back to put his name under the Entrepreneurs Club. This was the perfect place for Ethan. It was where magic mixed with technology to come up with new inventions to change the world, or in Ethan’s case, make someone a whole lot of money. Peter was in it for the creativity, and because Emma was interested. Emma wanted to help the world, but Ethan—all he could see were dollar signs.

  He was second in line, too busy joking around with Peter to notice who was in front of him. When she turned around and he realized it was Grace, he froze. She noticed his demeanor and giggled, handing him the pen.