by G. K. DeRosa
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired of guys I can’t figure out.” I planted my palms on his chest and pushed so he was forced to release me.
He blew out a frustrated breath and raked his hands through his hair. “You thought Drake was one of the good ones?”
“Shut up, Ryder,” I snarled. “You have no say in this. And not that it’s any of your business, but I am not hooking up with Drake.”
“You’re not?” The hint of a smile tugged at his annoyingly perfect lips.
I gulped down the last of the malta and leaned against the wall. I needed another one stat. Holding up the empty glass, I glanced up at my instructor. “You want to make yourself useful and get me another one?”
He arched a dark brow. “Ooh, I think I like this bossy Luna.” He smirked, revealing that infuriatingly cute dimple, but when I didn’t respond, the humor evaporated from his face. “Are you sure you need another drink right now?”
“Positive.”
Without responding, he zipped away in a dark blur, and I sank down to the floor. When did everything in my life get so messy? Burying my head in my hands, I focused on the soft sound of my breaths.
“What are you doing out here by yourself?”
I jerked my head up, internally groaning as a dark shadow coalesced into the form of Desmond.
Crap. “Just needed some air.” Had he seen the kiss? He would’ve been blind not to. Though I’d made it clear we were just having fun, a tiny pang of guilt assaulted my insides. “Are you leaving?”
“Yeah. I need another type of drink, if you know what I mean.”
“Sure, gotcha.”
“Text me if you want to come by later.” A mischievous grin split his lips, and a flutter of butterfly wings battered my insides.
Burying my face in my hands again, I grumbled. What was I doing? Steeling my nerves, I glanced up at the hot vampire. “Des, wait. I don’t think we should keep seeing each other.”
“Oh.” His cute smile dipped into a frown. “Because of Drake?”
I grunted, throwing my hands up. “No, not because of Drake. There’s nothing going on there.” I inhaled and toned down the snark. None of this was his fault. “I need to sort out some personal stuff, and this isn’t making it easier. I’m really sorry.”
“It’s cool, I get it. You’re kinda famous around here. I figured I’d be facing some steep competition from other guys soon enough.”
“It’s really not that, I swear.” How could I tell him I was scared by how much his darkness called to me? How could I admit I liked being bitten?
Ryder’s hulking form appeared down the hall, and a moment later he stood beside Desmond with a glass in each hand. The vampire flinched. Sometimes Ryder moved so quickly he even surprised me.
Des shot me a knowing glance and finished off his drink. “See you around, Luna.”
I gave him the best smile I could muster and lowered my gaze. Ryder’s intense glare was already making my skin prickle.
He handed me a glass and took a big gulp of his own. “Geez, how many guys are you playing, mini minx?” Anger laced his joking tone, and it only succeeded in further twisting my insides.
I dropped the beverage beside me and glared up at him. “This is your fault. All of it!”
“Me?” He crouched down beside me, and I resisted the urge to punch his perfect face as he leaned in.
Squeezing my arms across my chest, I huffed. “If the guy I really wanted wasn’t such a frustrating fool, I wouldn’t have any of these problems.”
His dark brows furrowed, and his fiery gaze dropped to my lips. “It seems to me that this guy is an ass who doesn’t deserve you.” His breath swirled with mine, the minty scent making my mouth dry.
“You’re right. He doesn’t.” I slightly turned my head to put some distance between our lips.
“He wants to,” he whispered so softly I wasn’t sure I’d heard him right. His mouth followed mine, and I was trapped in his smoldering gaze once again.
My heart pounded against my ribs, blood thrumming through my veins. It would be so easy to give in. To tip my head forward an inch. To allow myself to be lost in his heady sensations. And then what? We’d be right back to square one.
“Luna!” Cinder called out from down the hall. “Is that you?” She and Raf moved closer, and then her lips twisted into a pout when she recognized Ryder. “Oops, sorry.” She giggled. “Didn’t mean to interrupt.”
My best friend was totally drunk. Raf held her up, his strong arm around her waist. “I’m taking her back to her room, but she insisted she couldn’t leave without finding you first.”
I pushed myself off the ground, and Ryder rose beside me. “Thanks for taking care of her, Raf.”
“You’re so pretty, Luna.” Cinder stroked my hair, a huge smile across her face. “I’m so glad you’re my friend. You know I love you, right?”
“I do, Cin. And I love you too.” I gave her a hug, and she nearly knocked me right over. Luckily, Raf’s iron hold kept us both from toppling to the floor. “Get some rest.”
“I’ll try.” She waggled her brows as she eyed Raf, her finger trailing over his muscled chest.
Oh man, I did not need images of my friend hooking it up with the hot nephilim to plague my dreams tonight. “Take good care of her, Raf.”
“Will do.” He carefully led my old roomie down the hall, and my heart swelled at his caring manner. They were so cute together I could barely handle it.
Ryder cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his jeans’ pockets. “You going back to the party?”
I swirled the malta around in the cup, considering. I didn’t want to face Drake again or any of his adoring fans, but leaving with Ryder would lead to another host of problems. So I chugged the rest of the drink, letting the fizzling bubbles float to my head before answering. “Yup, I’m going back to the party. It’s a day to celebrate, right?”
He nodded, and I could feel his gaze boring into the back of my head as I turned toward the common area. “Don’t be late for training tomorrow,” he called out.
I waved him off and disappeared into the crowd, despite every nerve in my body urging me to look back.
Chapter 19
It had taken weeks for my bio father to return to the academy for another visit. After the portal-opening episode, Cillian had been exhausting the extensive Darkhen library for any mention of a witch or other supernatural creature summoning a portal. He’d come up empty. It was an ability only warlocks wielded and rare even among them. It was time to turn to the big guns—a.k.a. the dark warlock himself, my father.
“You should’ve told me sooner.” Garrix’s all-consuming presence sucked the air out of Cillian’s massive office. The headmaster sat at his desk, his jaw clenched. A swell of anger flickered below the angel’s calm surface.
Ryder, on the other hand, was about a second away from exploding. His muscles rippled beneath his black shirt, quivering with intensity. He had no qualms about directing the full brunt of his anger at my father. “We’re the ones who have been here for her, not you,” he shouted. “You abandoned her as a baby, and now you want to be informed of every detail of her life? Why? Just because she’s more powerful than you imagined?”
Garrix ate up the distance to Ryder and poked a long finger into my demon instructor’s firm chest. “She’s my daughter, and you know nothing of the decisions I made for her. While I appreciate you both looking out for her, her well-being is ultimately my concern.”
“Um, I’m right here.” I threw my hands up and stomped between the two of them. “I’m an adult and can take care of myself.”
Cillian stepped in, ever the calm and levelheaded one. “We all want what’s best for you, Luna. We may differ on the approach, but everyone in here cares about you deeply.”
I could feel Ryder’s heavy gaze boring into me, but I refused to meet it. The last thing I needed was to get into it with him in front of my father and Cillian. “Great. So let’s find out more about my mys
tical warlock blood or whatever.”
Garrix glanced at the clock on the wall. “My colleague should be here shortly. He’s a very powerful sorcerer with a seat alongside mine on the Coven Council. Distinguishing bloodlines is his specialty.”
“I thought we didn’t want others knowing about Luna,” said Ryder.
“I don’t. But he’s a trusted friend, and I’m certain he’ll keep whatever we find a secret.” Garrix’s hand closed around my shoulder, and tendrils of his dark energy skimmed over my skin.
The itch flared up, and the urge to vacate my body hemorrhaged through my veins. Oh no, not now. Speaking of secrets, I still hadn’t told anyone but Drake about my skinwalking adventure.
Garrix’s brilliant cobalt eyes pierced me, and I squirmed under his touch. My insides were rebelling, longing to break free of their skeletal prison. Could he feel that?
“Luna…” His voice was barely above an ominous whisper. “Have any of your other powers surfaced since last we spoke?”
My eyes dropped to the shiny hardwood floor, my father’s penetrating gaze impossible to disregard. I could feel his power pouring into me and trying to yank the truth out.
“Luna, look at me.”
My gaze drifted up to meet his of its own accord. “Maybe.”
Now Ryder and Cillian’s eyes drilled into me too. Dammit, I should’ve told them sooner.
“What happened?” asked Ryder.
“I skinwalked. Just once though.” I clasped my fingers together, suddenly very interested in the hangnail on my thumb.
“Luna, how could you keep that from us?” Cillian’s disappointed dad-look was ten times worse than my actual father’s.
“When?” The expression of betrayal written across Ryder’s face had my chest constricted in a vice grip.
“A few weeks ago. Right after Ash…” I couldn’t finish the sentence as grief thickened my throat.
“Weeks?” Garrix’s voice went up a notch. “Skinwalking is a highly risky power, Luna. You should’ve come to me right away. It’s an ability that needs to be honed and molded.”
I shrugged, shrinking away from Ryder’s dark gaze and turned to my father. Of the pair, he seemed slightly less scary right now. “I’m sorry. There’s been a lot going on lately.”
“Whose body did you take over?” Garrix asked.
Panic swirled through my insides. What if Ryder figured out it was Ms. Mikalson? I gulped. “Another one of the students.”
“Luna!” Cillian snapped. “That sort of thing is strictly forbidden.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I didn’t even know what was happening until it did.”
“What kind of student?” asked Ryder, and I winced at his frosty tone.
I couldn’t tell him the truth. There were no other demons on campus besides him and Ms. Mikalson. Except for one other house… “A vampire.”
Ryder’s brows slammed together. Better he thought I took over Desmond’s body than figure out I’d tried to have sex with him as Ms. Mikalson.
“That can never happen again,” said Cillian.
“I understand.”
“I’ll work with her so she can learn to control the ability,” interjected Garrix. “I’ll find a way to fit it into my schedule somehow.”
“Thanks,” I muttered.
Two sharp knocks on the door sent everyone’s head spinning to the entryway.
“Come in,” said Cillian.
Darby poked his balding head through the crack. “Your guest has arrived.”
The headmaster nodded and waved him in. “Thank you, please show him in.”
The man that walked in looked exactly what I’d imagined a sorcerer would look like, complete with a shimmering deep purple flowing robe, only he stood about a foot taller. The wizened old man towered over Cillian, making him easily seven feet tall. His wild silver eyebrows matched his handlebar mustache and cascading beard. With all the hair covering his face, I was surprised not to find a single strand on his shiny bald head.
Garrix shook his hand and then ushered him to the couch. “Draven, so kind of you to come on such short notice.” He motioned at the headmaster who sat on the edge of his desk. “You’ve met Cillian, correct?”
The old man nodded.
“This is Ryder, one of the instructors here, and of course, my daughter, Luna.”
A thick knot of emotions pummeled my chest at his words. Daughter. I’d never heard him call me that, and it had me giddier than a pixie on faery wine.
“Luna.” Draven stood, assessing me, and Ryder inched closer to my side. I wrapped my arms across my chest at the sorcerer’s intimidating scrutiny. His eyes were a smoky gray, only a few shades darker than his silvery-white beard.
“Come sit, child.” He took my hand, and I folded down beside him on the leather couch. Ryder perched on the armrest beside me. I still hadn’t been able to meet his gaze, but that didn’t deter my vigilant bodyguard.
Garrix and Cillian filled in the remaining chairs, all eyes focused on me.
“May I?” Draven extended his hands palm up, and I nodded, placing my hands in his. His wrinkly fingers closed over mine, and an icy rush swept over my skin. His eyes slid shut, and he inhaled deeply. “I need you to open your mind to me. I still feel something blocking your energy.”
I followed his lead and took a few cleansing breaths. My magic had been in hiding for so long it was no wonder it preferred the dark recesses of my mind.
After a few never-ending minutes, his eyes opened, his unruly brows twisted like two angry caterpillars. “There is a darkness that clings to her aura which is typically not found in the wicca.” He turned to my father and ran his scrutinizing gaze from the top of his blonde head to his fancy designer shoes. The fact that he’d shown up in his true form today meant he truly did trust this sorcerer. Not many people got to see Garrix’s real face. “Your auras share a similar essence, which is to be expected since she is your blood. However, the demon traits I’m sensing are very strong for a woman of warlock descent.”
“So what does that mean?” I couldn’t hold my tongue any longer.
“I’d like a sample of your blood, if you’d allow it?”
My gaze flickered to my father’s. He nodded, his lips pressed in a thin line.
“Okay.”
Ryder shot up before I’d gotten the whole word out. “Are you sure this is necessary?” His eyes bounced from Cillian to Garrix.
“We have to know what she is, nephew.” Cillian’s lips pursed and deep lines crisscrossed his forehead. “I’ve poured over every single book in the library and have had my angel brothers scouring the divine texts as well. There’s no mention of a non-warlock ever opening a portal.”
“And my gut tells me she is in fact a warlock,” muttered the old sorcerer. “Everything I’ve read on her leads me to that impossible conclusion. The blood will only serve as confirmation.”
“But how is that possible if I’m a girl? You all said warlocks were only men.”
“And so they have been for all of recorded time.” He took my hand and spun it around so my palm faced upward. The faint scar from the binding ceremony still puckered the skin. “You, my dear, could be the very first of your kind.” He procured a small pin and a clear vial from the folds of his plum robe. Then taking my index finger, he pricked the tip and a tiny crimson dot broke through the skin. Pressing my finger to the vial, the tiny globule dropped into the glass.
Draven placed the tube on the coffee table and began digging through the endless folds of his robe. “Now, where is that little… ah yes, here!” A shimmery black fluid coated the sides of a small ampule, which he proceeded to add to the vial of my blood. The liquids hissed and sparked on contact, and the old sorcerer’s smoky gray eyes widened. Once the initial sizzle died down, he picked up the clear vessel and muttered a few words.
The black liquid swirled inside, tiny glimmering sparkles more brilliant than a starlit night. He pointed his finger at the concoction, and a flare of
blue light shot from his fingertip. It danced with the liquid, mingling and twirling until it began to dissipate and formed a thick smoke.
The sorcerer lifted the tube to his nose and inhaled the dark vapor. The smoky tendrils curled into his nostrils and mouth until pure black eclipsed his eyeballs. His head lolled back, and his lips contorted into a pained grimace.
I gasped, and Ryder’s hand closed around mine. “It’s okay,” he whispered.
After a few intense moments, Draven coughed and the black vapor spewed from his mouth and dissipated into the air. Garrix snapped his fingers, and a glass of water appeared which he handed to his friend.
Draven gulped down the water and let out a loud burp. “Excuse me,” he said, his fist thumping his chest.
“And?” Garrix loomed in front of him, his light brows knitted.
“Definitely warlock.” The old man turned to me, his lips upturned. “I never thought I’d see the day in my nearly two-hundred years, my dear. It’s true what they say, you never stop learning.”
“How is that possible?” Ryder leaned across me to get a better look at the sorcerer.
“Truly, I have no idea. Magic and genetics are a queer thing.”
“So what does this mean for me?” I asked, still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I really was a half-warlock. The only female ever.
“I suppose we’ll know more as your powers continue to develop, but I’d imagine they’d advance much like any other warlock.”
Garrix turned his penetrating gaze to his friend. “Draven, as discussed earlier, this is to be kept in the strictest of confidences.”
He nodded. “I will keep my word as promised, but this is a monumental discovery, old friend. We cannot keep this from the Coven Council forever.” Draven’s gaze dipped to Ryder’s hand entwined with mine. “Luna may only be the first. If and when she has children, it’s possible she could be the beginning of a whole line of female warlocks. It’s not something that we’ll be able to keep hidden for long.”
A rush of heat burned my cheeks, and I released Ryder’s hand. “Well, it’s a good thing I don’t plan on having kids anytime soon,” I muttered.