“A ton of shifter power?” asks Knox. His smile widens. “Why do I think there’s more to this story?”
“The Void says that, when we formally become mates, we’ll have more shifter power than anyone ever before.”
“I like the sound of that.” Knox pats the space on the bed beside him. “Come over here. I want to hold you and talk about where our story goes next.”
My heart lightens. “You’re pretty amazing; you know that?”
“Yeah.” He winks. “I am.”
And it’s the wink that pushes me over the edge. I race over to the bed and slip under the covers. Knox quickly wraps me up in his arms, warmth, and love.
After all, I’m one lucky werewolf.
Chapter 38 - One Week Later
8 a.m.
I wait in the reception room of West Lake Prep. Students stream around me, heading into one of the three doors to the schools. No one really notices Knox and me as we hang out in a corner. Not that they should, really. Everything that happened at the pyramids was hidden by magic. The Colonel was the only outsider who saw, and he says we should keep everything a big secret until the fae wars are over. Which is fine with me. I’m in no rush to be known as the first fountain of magic in five millennia.
Nope, I’ve got other priorities. Like going back to school. Today is my first day back after all our adventures. I can’t wait.
Inside my soul, my wolf yips and prances with joy. “School! School! We’ll be with our mate in the Wolf’s Den.” Now that I’m officially part of the shifter school, my wolf has become a major supporter of West Lake Prep. Plus, I’m happy to report she hasn’t commented on biting a single fae today. I take that as serious progress.
Knox stands behind me, his arms encircling my waist. Elle and Alec have yet to arrive, and we’ve decided to meet up before going into our respective doors. To kill some time, I whip out my cell and send a quick text.
* * *
MyOwnBry: You up?
WaterGirl: It’s late afternoon in Norway, so yes.
MyOwnBry: Norway? Not the Red Sea?
WaterGirl: Drop it. I’m never seeing Triton again. I’m in Norway on a job. Troll trouble.
MyOwnBry: Europe. Figures they’d have troll trouble there.
WaterGirl: You’d be surprised. You’ve got a major infestation in Central New York. But those guys have kept to themselves lately, so no one calls me in. What’s up?
MyOwnBry: I’m back at school today and I was wondering…were you the one who blocked me from passing through any of the doors at West Lake Prep?
WaterGirl: Just believe in yourself, Bry.
* * *
With that, Ty switches her app status to “not available.” If I didn’t know better, I’d take that annoying non-answer as downright rude. But with Ty? This is actually her way of trying to be helpful.
That said, it’s still an annoying non-answer. Worry corkscrews up my spine. I’ve been trying to sneak into West Lake Prep again to test out the doors, but it hasn’t happened yet. Last time I tried to walk through, it was a total disaster. Now, I’m about to try it again in front of the whole student body.
Please, let me walk through the doors this time. I slip the cell into my pocket. Behind me, Knox nuzzles my ear. “How’s Ty?”
Point of fact: two weeks ago, if anyone said that I’d be texting Ty as an actual buddy of mine, I’d have said they were nutso. But Ty and I have been in pretty close contact ever since she healed Knox. Funny how things work out.
“Hey,” I say slowly. “Were you snooping?”
“You whisper the words while you type, Bry.” Which is true.
I chuckle. “I need to stop doing that.”
“Nah. It’s cute.”
“And Ty is fine. I was asking her about the doors being blocked here. She said to believe in myself. Any idea what that means?”
Knox shrugs. “It’s her version of a pep talk.” He warily eyes the door to the Wolf’s Den. “But does it mean you can walk through the door today? No idea.”
“That’s what I thought, too.”
Knox is quiet for a moment. “Did Ty go see Triton?”
“Nope.”
“She’s so stubborn.”
More students stream through the main door from the outside. I notice a familiar pair of blonde heads in the mix. My heart lightens. “Elle and Alec are here,” I say.
“Good,” says Knox. “Let’s do this.”
Elle spots us right away and waves. Trouble is, she’s surrounded by a pack of fae fans. There really is no other word for it. Now that I know my best friend is the warden of shifter magic, I get why all the other fairies are so drawn to her—Elle carries an extra level of power no one else can match, and power is attractive. My best friend tries to push her way through the crowd, but her fans just close in more tightly around her.
I cup my hand by my mouth. “Don’t worry about it, Elle.” Lifting my arm, I mime my fingers walking toward the fae door. “Go in now. We’ll talk later.”
Since I’m only a shifter these days, it’s not an option for me to pass through to Elle’s school. Even so, I don’t worry about her studying with the fae anymore. If anything, she’s safer in the Silver Galleries than anywhere else in the city.
“See you!” Elle nods, grins, and makes a beeline for the fae door. Her fairy fanboys and girls stay close by the entire time, including her biggest fan, Alec.
I shake my head. “That’s a gift.”
“What?” asks Knox.
“Check out how Alec follows Elle through the crowd. If LeCharme goes out of business for some reason, Alec could make a good bodyguard.”
“Yeah, that guy is full of surprises.”
Once Elle has passed through the fae door, Alec makes his way over to us. “Morning, Bry.” He then turns to Knox. “And to you, Fur Boy.”
“Morning, Preppy McLoser,” says Knox. “Elle get in all right?”
“Just fine,” answers Alec. “I better get going myself, too. You two okay on your own?”
Knox sniffs. “I’ve been walking through doors all by myself for a long time.”
Alec pinches Knox’s cheek. “My little ray of sunshine, as always.”
Knox swats Alec’s hand away. “Take off already.” Alec winks, sashays across the reception chamber, and passes through the door into the Crimson Keep.
With Elle and Alec gone, Knox links his fingers with mine. Hand in hand, Knox and I cross the main hall and step up to the open door to the Wolf’s Den. There, we pause. My heart decides that now is a great time to pound so hard, it might break free from my chest.
Knox gives my palm a gentle squeeze. “You ready for this, Bry?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
Walking in sync, we step toward the threshold. …
And then pass right through the doors to the Wolf’s Den. It’s a moment that’s all things wonderful. The true fulfillment of my lifelong dream to be a real teenager at a real high school. I could cheer, I’m so happy.
Knox wraps me in a big hug. “I’m so proud of you, Bry.”
“I’m proud of us.” I quickly slip my cell phone out of my pocket and check my messaging app. Sure enough, Ty now shows as “available to chat.”
* * *
MyOwnBry: I believed in myself and walked through.
WaterGirl: Good for you! Anything is possible when you believe in yourself.
MyOwnBry: I get that, but I still want to know … were you behind the original spell?
WaterGirl: Yeah, that was totally me. I blocked you from getting through the three doors. I’d already cast that curse on Knox to make him sick when he was around you. I figured that when you couldn’t go to the same school, then he’d really come running back to me. Not my best plan. Sorry.
MyOwnBry: Hey, we’ve moved past that. Just wondering.
WaterGirl: I’ve got some heads to bash in. Give Knox my best.
MyOwnBry: Will do.
* * *
After slipping my cell back into my pock
et, I check out the Wolf’s Den for the first time. Inside, the space is all leather chairs, oak walls, and funky modern art. About sixty wolves are hanging out and chatting, waiting for first bell. We’ll have homeroom here and then go off to classes. No sooner do we step inside than Abe and Hollywood spot us.
“My queen!” cries Abe. He rushes over with a big grin on his face. “You made it.”
“That I did.” A memory appears: Abe and Hollywood protesting when I couldn’t pass through the doors before. “Thanks for the sit-in, by the way. Knox and I appreciate the support.”
“No problem,” says Abe. “We’ve got each other’s backs.”
Hollywood saunters up as well. “Hey, guys. I can’t believe you’re both really here. We’re so excited to have you around.”
“Thanks,” says Knox. “Means a lot.” At those words, both Abe and Hollywood almost visibly swell with pride and delight. It’s amazing to be part of a larger group. I can almost see the lines of connection forming between us.
Hollywood tosses his amazing mane of golden hair. “See you at lunch?”
“Yeah,” says Knox.
After that, Abe and Hollywood take off. Knox watches them go with one of his classic thinking looks on his face. In this one, Knox tilts his head slightly and nods. “So,” says Knox at length. “What do you think?”
The words tumble from my lips before I can stop them. “I’m ready to be part of a pack.” The moment that statement leaves my mouth, I want to rewind time and take it all back.
My inner animal hops to attention. “Our mate isn’t ready to be part of a pack. You’ll scare him.”
“You’re right,” I counter in my head. “I need to do some damage control.”
“Look,” I say quickly. “I didn’t mean that—”
“Yeah, you did. And you know what?” Knox scans the room slowly. “I’m ready, too. Nothing like facing death to make you appreciate pack life. It’ll be a great adventure, yeah?”
I go up on tiptoe and press a kiss to Knox’s cheek. “Yeah.” And this time, I mean that word to the bottom of my soul. In my heart, I know another chapter of our story is about to be written, and I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
* * *
The End
The Adventure Continues in SLIPPERS AND THIEVES,
Book 3 in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum Series
SLIPPERS AND THIEVES by Christina Bauer
Discover Elle and Alec’s story with book 3 in the Magicorum Series!
ANGELBOUND By Christina bauer
A snarky, kick-ass paranormal romance with more than a million copies sold!
DIMENSION DRIFT By Christina Bauer
"Fans of A Wrinkle in Time can't miss Dimension Drift!" - Christina Trevaskis, The Book Matchmaker
BEHOLDER By Christina Bauer
“Better than Game Of Thrones!” - Lucy, Goodreads
If You Enjoyed This Book…
…Please consider leaving a review, even if it’s just a line or two. Every bit truly helps, especially for those of us who don’t write by the numbers, if you know what I mean. Plus I have it on good authority that every time you review an indie author, somewhere an angel gets a mocha latte. For reals.
And angels need their caffeine, too.
Acknowledgments
Gulp.
Double gulp.
I’m taking the plunge and have decided to become an author full time.
Yipes!
Did I mention that I’m freaking out? Well, I am.
Here’s the story on my full time fears. On the next few pages, you’ll see the somewhat insane list of books that have been lurking in my brain and can now get OUT OF MY FUCKING HEAD over the next few years. I’m told it’s too aggressive and might overwhelm you, my dear readership.
Eep.
Still, I can’t help it. Stories churn around my soul. If don’t release them in time, I worry they’ll evaporate into the ethos. Besides, my internal reality is really fractured. It helps to share it with others who go: wow, that’s kind of cool!
So there you have it. Thanks in advance for your support and understanding, because I’ll definitely do something stupid as I make this journey. But no matter what turns this path may take, I’d like to commence by showing my appreciation to the team of crazies who’ve helped make this all possible.
First, there is the amazing team at Inscribe Digital. They believed in me and my vision from the start. Thank you, Kelly Peterson, Ana Szaky, Katy Beehler, and Allison Davis. You’re marvels!!!
Next, there’s the wonderful team at Monster House Books. Arely Zimmermann, where would I be without you? I shiver to even think about. Plus, I’m incredibly proud to see you grow as a businesswoman and editor.
And I can never forget you, my dear readers and bloggers. You guys are the best, end of story. Thank you for every high five, sweet idea, and suggested change. Mwah!
Most importantly, my deepest appreciation goes out to my husband and son. Your patience and support mean everything. I love you both with all my heart and soul.
Collected Works
Angelbound Origins
About a quasi (part demon and part human) girl who loves kicking butt in Purgatory's Arena
.5 Duty Bound – a prequel from Prince Lincoln
1. Angelbound
1.5 Lincoln – Angelbound as told by Lincoln
2. Scala
3. Acca
4. Thrax
5. The Dark Lands
6. The Brutal Time (Fall 2019)
7. Armageddon (already here, long story!)
* * *
Angelbound Offspring
The next generation takes on Heaven, Hell, and everything in between
1. Maxon
2. Portia
3. Zinnia (Summer 2019)
4. Kaps (Summer 2020)
5. Huntress (Summer 2021)
* * *
Angelbound Worlds
Inside stories about your fav characters
1. Xavier (Spring 2020)
2. Cissy (Spring 2021)
* * *
Beholder
Where a medieval farm girl discovers necromancy and true love
1. Cursed
2. Concealed
3. Cherished
4. Crowned
5. Cradled
* * *
Fairy Tales of the Magicorum
Modern fairy tales with sass, action, and romance
1. Wolves and Roses
1.5 Moonlight and Midtown
2. Shifters and Glyphs
3. Slippers and Thieves (Fall 2019)
4. Bandits and Ballgowns (Fall 2020)
* * *
Dimension Drift
Dystopian adventures with science, snark, and hot aliens
Prequels
1. Scythe
2. Umbra
Novels
1. Alien Minds (Spring 2019)
2. ECHO Academy (Spring 2020)
3. Drift Warrior (Spring 2021)
* * *
Publisher's Note: Christina Bauer is a non-linear thinker who came up with ARMAGEDDON and then went back and wrote some earlier books. This is why you'll see ARMAGEDDON (Book 7) and the Offspring series available before THE BRUTAL TIME (Book 6). We've told her to stop this practice, but she keeps giving us lewd hand gestures in response. Apologies in advance for any inconvenience.
About Christina Bauer
Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too. Christina lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
* * *
Stalk Christina on Social Media – She Loves It!
* * *
Blog: http://monsterhousebooks.com/blog/category/christina
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nbsp; * * *
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorBauer/
* * *
Twitter: @CB_Bauer
* * *
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_cb_bauer/
* * *
Web site: www.bauersbooks.com
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