Several around me groaned. I wasn’t much happier, having been focused on everything other than a psychology quiz over the weekend.
I took the quiz, continuing to watch the door from the corner of my eye. Carter was nowhere to be seen. Something had to be wrong.
“Submit your responses,” Massaro said. “Then open your textbooks to page three-hundred-fifty-seven.”
I had a hard time focusing on the lecture. With each passing moment, the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach deepened. Carter was one of the most responsible students I knew.
What if his father had caught him spying for us? If he was in the torture room I’d found Toby in, I had no way of getting to him. My stomach twisted in knots.
Hopefully, I was overreacting. But after what I’d seen with my own eyes—Toby’s mistreatment—I wouldn’t put anything past Carter’s dad. Especially since Carter was now helping us.
“Miss Bernhardt,” Massaro boomed.
I jumped and stared at him.
“What’s the answer?” He folded his arms and his brows came together like a fuzzy unibrow.
“Pavlov’s dogs,” Soleil whispered.
I swallowed, not looking away from Massaro. “P-Pavlov’s dogs?”
“Is that a question?” he demanded.
“No.” I hated how he could drive fear into me with a simple glance.
“Correct. It’s all about classical conditioning.” He turned around and spoke about ringing bells and saliva.
Shaking, I slunk down in my chair.
“You’re welcome,” Soleil whispered.
“Thanks.” I pulled myself up and sat straight. Somehow, I managed to focus on what Massaro said through the rest of class, despite worrying about Carter.
As soon as the class ended, I texted him.
“Do you think something’s wrong?” Soleil asked.
“How couldn’t it be? His dad is a psychopath. He’s the one behind my memory loss and the one who kidnapped and tortured Toby.”
“You know, I wouldn’t say that so loud.”
I sighed. “Nobody else around here calls him Toby. Anyway, now Carter, who’s supposed to run all the super-secret Jag stuff is working to help us.”
“Maybe he’s just sick. Did you think about that? There’s a stomach virus going around.”
“He’d have told me.” I checked my phone. No new text. “Something’s wrong.”
“I’m sure he’s fine. Besides, we can’t worry about him right now. We have your curse as well as that dead body to worry about.”
“He’s my friend,” I snapped. “His life could be in danger. I can’t not worry about him.”
“Okay, let’s just make sure he’s in trouble before we jump to conclusions. Let’s head over to Moonhaven.”
“Sure. No, wait. You’re going to have to go without me. I have a ton of studying. I hope I can concentrate when Carter might be in danger.” Oh, how I wished I could do something to help him, but what? It wasn’t like I could sneak into the Jag.
“How about we compromise? Let’s head over to the Faeble. You study, and I’ll see what Tap thinks. He probably knows a guy who knows a guy. You know?”
“Okay, fine. As long as I can study.”
“This time of day? Of course.”
I drove us to the Waldensian, parked, and we ran through the woods to the Faeble. Sometimes I really wished Tap had a parking lot, even though that went completely against every reasoning he had for the hidden bar.
Inside, it was pretty quiet. Some peppy music played from the speakers and the conversation was at a dull level. I wouldn’t need a private room unless some rowdy creatures came in.
I waved to Tap and then sat at a table in the back. I made myself comfortable and spread out my stuff. With psychology fresh on my mind, I started with the latest project Massaro had thrown our way. I angled myself so I couldn’t see Soleil deep in conversation with Tap. Otherwise, I’d be too tempted to focus on them.
After about an hour, I sent Carter another text. He had to have gotten too close to some powerful information and pissed off his dad.
My stomach lurched.
“Come on over here,” Soleil called.
I needed a break, anyway, so I crammed my psychology stuff into my bag and hung it on the chair.
“Still can’t get ahold of the jaguar?” Soleil asked.
“No.” I slunk onto a barstool.
Tap gave me a sympathetic expression. “You can’t get into the club?”
I shook my head. “Not without putting my life at risk. They’re the ones who stole my memories and tortured Toby!” I clenched my fists.
“What about you?” Tap turned to Soleil.
“Nope. I’m on their naughty list, too.”
Tap rubbed his chin. “There has to be a way to find out what’s going on in there.”
“You’ve got to know someone, big guy.” Soleil leaned her chin against her palm and studied him.
“Not many are eager to go against the jaguars. They’re rich, powerful, and mostly unknown—and that’s the scariest part.”
“No ideas?” Soleil sipped her rainbow drink.
I covered my face with my hands.
“I’ll have to get back to you. You want something to drink?” Tap asked.
Something hard sounded great—so I could forget about all our problems—but I had studying to do. “Maybe something light. I have so much studying left.”
Tap spun around and mixed together liquids from various bottles into one tall, skinny glass. He brought it over, filled with an orange-red drink. “This ought to be just perfect.”
“Thanks.” I took it and downed it in one swig. It tasted like cranberries and grapefruit.
“I thought you’d sip it while studying,” Tap said. “But that works, too.”
I laughed bitterly. “I’d better get back to my studies.”
“Are you going to keep up with your classes after the quarter ends?” He tilted his head.
“Toby wants me to.”
“What do you want?”
I shrugged. “I guess it depends on how all this plays out. From the sounds of it, if I don’t shift soon, I might not be able to do much of anything.”
Tap and Soleil both grimaced. Then Tap’s eyes widened and he turned to Soleil. “Why don’t you drink her essence?”
“Again?” I asked.
“You have all your memories restored, right?” Tap asked. “The love’s kiss spell worked, didn’t it?”
I nodded and glanced between the two of them. “You think she might figure out something about where Carter is? Using my memories?”
“It’s possible,” Tap said. “That’s all I’m saying. What do you have to lose?”
“My essence. Do I have an endless supply of that stuff?”
“It rebuilds after a while,” Soleil said. “You’re fine.”
I wasn’t so sure. “I’m not going to run out if you keep doing that, am I?”
“You—”
“It’s not going to shorten my lifespan is it?”
“I’m telling you—”
“How do you know the essence rebuilds? What if it doesn’t?”
She shook her head. “If you don’t want me to try to help with Carter, I won’t.”
I frowned. “It’s not like I know anything about essence. They don’t exactly teach it at school.”
“They do in Valhalla.” She arched a brow.
“Really?”
“Yes. I assure you, it continues growing and replenishing itself. I’m hardly the only way it diminishes.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“It dwindles after a really bad scare or an injury, for example. Many things can do it. Then it starts rebuilding. It’s very flexible—as it should be since its entire purpose is to keep people going. People say the body can do miraculous things. What do you think helps it to keep going?”
“Essence,” I said.
She nodded. “It’s most versatile, b
ut I won’t take any more if you don’t want me to.” She finished her drink. “I hope Carter’s okay.”
I knew what she was doing, but I couldn’t say no. “Okay. Let’s do this. See if there’s anything in there about my ability to shift. Maybe there’s something I haven’t put together about the mole.”
Soleil rubbed her hands together. “Let me have a look-see.”
I closed my eyes, beginning to feel like a pro at the whole essence-drinking thing. It had been done to me enough times by now. My body relaxed, and my mind did, as well. Time seemed to stand still as my essence left my body.
“You should stop,” Tap said in the distance.
Soleil continued.
My body was so relaxed, it nearly went limp.
“Soleil!” Tap called.
A scuffle sounded somewhere.
Her wings caused a breeze to blow my hair, my essence returned to me, and I fell back. My eyes flew open and I caught myself by grabbing onto the bar.
“What was that?” I asked.
“That’s what I want to know.” Tap now stood on our side of the bar, glaring at Soleil.
She leaned against the bar, her eyes dazed.
“What happened, Soleil?” I asked.
“That… it was…” She blinked a few times and turned her attention toward me. “You’re not going to believe what I saw.”
Chapter 16
Toby
I closed my office door and leaned against it, exhausted. My last student appointment for the day had just ended. It had been a brutal afternoon—one appointment after another. Each person more confused than the last about something on the upcoming exam. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought some of them hadn’t paid a bit of attention all session.
Part of me wanted to recline in my chair and sleep, but there was too much to do. I needed to find out if Victoria had spoken with Carter or if Gessilyn had figured anything out about either Victoria’s new mark or the cursed body still on my property.
We really needed to get rid of that thing. What if the police were looking for it? I hadn’t heard about any missing persons, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any, and people already had some crazy rumors going around about Moonhaven.
I yawned and ignored my aching muscles. It was funny how mental exhaustion was almost worse than physical exertion. Confused college students put more strain on me than fighting enormous, powerful supernatural creatures. I laughed at the thought.
My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast. I wanted to see Victoria, but she was probably bogged down with her own studies. I didn’t want to pull her away from them. I’d just eat at home with the pack. Then I’d call her later if she didn’t call me first. I didn’t want to be the one responsible for her not getting her studies done.
Bleary-eyed, I collected my things and headed out of my office. Roger and some of the other math professors were gathered together.
I nodded toward them and headed for the stairs.
“Hey, Foley,” Roger called.
“Yeah?” I stopped and turned toward the group.
“Great game on Friday. Still on for this week, right?”
My exhaustion squeezed me. I smiled. “Of course. Can’t wait.”
Fred elbowed an electrical engineering professor. “Foley’s an animal.”
“Funny.” I shook my head. “Have a good night, guys.”
“You, too,” they all said.
My stomach growled again as I made my way outside into the dark night. I was sure glad that Brick enjoyed cooking. He’d been making my meals for so long—most of the time Victoria had been dead.
When I opened the front door of the mansion, an array of delicious scents greeted me—pot roast, spiced vegetables, creamy sauces, fresh bread, and some type of chicken. My mouth watered.
I threw my bag into my office and hurried into the kitchen. The table was full. Not a seat remained open for me. My entire pack was there along with Gessilyn and her family. I hadn’t even noticed no one had been gathered around the makeshift grave.
Everyone greeted me.
Brick got up. “Sit down, sir.”
“I don’t want to take your seat.”
“We’re about to have some dessert, I need to prepare the sauce to drizzle over it.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am. Are you okay?”
“Just tired. Can’t wait for these finals to be over.” I grabbed a plate and silverware and took his seat.
“When are finals?” Dillon asked.
I groaned. “Please, I just want to eat my dinner and forget about them for a while.” I filled my plate and then glanced toward the witches. “How are you all doing?”
“I think we may have cracked the curse,” Gessilyn said.
“Oh?” I bit into the pot roast. It melted in my mouth. “Tell me everything.”
“It appears to be from Central America,” Frida said.
“That’s where the jaguars originated.”
She nodded. “I recognized part of the magic from some time I spent there, dating this guy who…” She glanced at her father. “Never mind. The point is, the curse is definitely from that region.”
“What guy?” Johan asked. “When did you go there?”
Frida jumped up from the chair. “You need help with that, Brick? I’ve got you covered.” She ran over to the stove.
Johan shook his head. “My children and their secret rune travels.”
“I know all about that,” Dillon muttered.
Gessilyn’s face turned beet red.
Killian arched a brow. “Did I miss something?”
Dillon muttered something under his breath.
“We moved the rune,” Gessilyn said.
Jet laughed. “I wish I could’ve seen that!”
“Really?” Dillon asked. “You want to see my—?”
“Gross!” Jet shoved Dillon. “No, I’d have loved to have seen her pop out of the mirror while you were in the middle of your business.”
Killian’s eyes widened as he looked at Gessilyn. “You arrived while he was going to the bathroom?”
“One time. And I’m never putting another rune in a bathroom again.” Her face turned even redder. “Ever.”
Killian burst out laughing. “That’s hilarious.”
“I’m never going to hear the end of this.” Gessilyn shook her head.
I laughed, glad to enjoy a little comic relief, brief as it probably would be.
Brick pulled out a crumbled pie from the oven. Frida stirred something in a pot, and together they drizzled it over the dessert.
I filled my plate again. “Did you learn anything else about the body’s curse?”
“It seems to be working with another spell,” Nora said. “That’s what made it so hard for us to figure out in the first place—it relies heavily on something else—probably the mole.”
“What?”
“That’s our next question. We need to speak with that jaguar friend of Victoria’s.”
“Yes, we do,” I agreed. “He seems to be the key to all our questions. Has anyone spoken with Victoria? I’ve been bogged down with work all day.”
Brick turned around. “She and Soleil are at the Faeble, talking with Tap. Sounds like they might be coming here later.”
“At least I know she’s safe.”
“Soleil has hardly left her side.” Brick beamed.
Despite all the stress, I smiled, happy for my friend. All the years he’d spent at my side, he’d been as lonely as me. Now we both had love—I just needed to find a way to for my love to shift before something went terribly wrong.
Frida placed pieces of the pie on dessert plates and Brick passed them out. I quickly finished my food and then ate the delicious treat with everyone. Frida gave everyone some sweet wine to go with the pie.
By the time I finished, I felt like a new man. My aches, pains, and exhaustion were gone. Once again, I felt like I could take on the world. I
just needed to hear from Victoria first.
“What are we going to do with the body now?” Jet asked.
“Eventually, we’ll burn it,” Keran said.
“Not yet?” Jet asked.
Gessilyn gave me a tired smile. “Killian and I are going to stay here. I feel like we’re finally getting close.”
Killian nodded. “And I keep thinking the body and the new mark are somehow related.”
“It’s the jaguars.” I frowned.
“Yes, but it’s the magic we have to figure out,” Killian said. “We need to find out what that young jaguar knows.”
“Or what he can find out,” Nora said. “Johan and I are going to stay here until we have answers, also.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” I said. “If you ever need anything…”
“Just keep feeding us like this,” Eldon said, “and I’ll give you any help I can.”
Everyone laughed.
Johan rose and stretched. “I’m going to get some shut-eye.” He turned to me. “Wake me when Victoria gets here. I want to see if the mark interacts with the magic at all.”
“Will do.”
The witches all made their way upstairs. The pack helped with kitchen cleanup and then we all went our separate ways throughout the large home. I went to my office, full and ready to fall asleep—but not before I spoke with Victoria. Or graded my enormous stack of papers.
I slunk into my chair and pulled out my phone. No missed texts or calls. Hopefully that meant she was busy studying and not that anything was wrong. It was too bad we were both so busy preparing for finals that she couldn’t come over. What I wouldn’t give to have her crawl into my lap and watch the fire in the fireplace together.
I went to our earlier texting conversation and sent her a quick text to let her know I was thinking about her.
Toby: I <3 u
Victoria: I luv & miss u
Toby: Any chance of coming over 2nite?
Victoria: I wish. Lunch tomorrow?
Toby: It’s a date
Victoria: Does that mean I can kiss u?
Toby: Ha. I wish.
Victoria: Me 2
Toby: News on DB. Sure u can’t come over?
Victoria: News on jags, but no I can’t
Toby: What’d u find?
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