“Okay, you start first.”
“What else is hidden in the death seal?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“Conversation ends. Thank you for your time, detective.” I take another sip of my hot chocolate, irritated that it’s growing colder. I concentrate slightly and a shield pops around it, insulating it from the cold. The steam pools inside it and I narrow my gaze, trying to let the steam through.
“What are you doing?”
I ignore Cutter’s question and turn to Grayson. If he’s not intimidated by this guy, I won’t be either. “How do I keep it warm and still let the steam escape?”
“That’s a good question. I’m not as good with aural shields as Rendall. Maybe we can ask him when he wakes up.”
“Good idea.” I put my finger on his cup and seal it, as well, leaving the rim and above open for steam to escape. And to drink as well, of course.
“Now you’re just showing off.” He smirks and takes a long slow drink.
My hands tremble slightly and clench them tighter around the mug. Okay, maybe I was showing off, and maybe I was already at my magic limit. But everything felt so much easier now.
Rendall collapsed during the rebound. Would he be okay? “Do you think they can remove the spell on him?”
“That I can answer,” Cutter interrupts. “He’s currently undergoing surgery now with a plastic surgeon that specializes in stuff like this.”
“That’s good.” There’s no telling what else she made him do. Poor Rendall.
“Do you know where your father is?”
I grip the mug in my hands and meet Cutter’s gaze. “Why are you looking for him?”
“We have reason to believe that your father is a descendant of a rogue family of spellcasters who were sentenced to banishment for the theft and misuse of valuable spellcraft artifacts.”
I sigh and nod slowly. “When did this family turn rogue?”
“They were punished a hundred years ago. There’s no telling how long they were criminals before that.”
“How many were caught and punished?”
“All but one.”
“Then your information is wrong. My dad isn’t the descendent, he is the rogue that got away.”
“What do you mean?”
“Talk to Courtney. Daddy dearest convinced her, who is apparently my half-sister, that he was part of the original family sealed and punished all those years ago. According to her, there are now over a thousand descendants all over this world.”
Grayson squeezes my shoulder and I shoot him a grateful look. “A hundred years is a long time to find willing women.”
My gratefulness shatters in an instant. “I keep hoping you’ll be a better person,” I mutter.
“That would be boring.”
“Is what she says true?”
Grayson nods. “Yep. Do a DNA test, you’ll be able to figure out if they’re really sisters.”
My smile dies and the chill around me digs its claws into my heart. “She said my dad killed Lacey. And many others. I can’t confirm it, but he was supposed to meet me Christmas Eve for a job.”
“Grayson told us. He disappeared and there’s no trace of him.”
I glance at Grayson, irritated that he shared so much information with him. He shrugs. “He’s my uncle. I was supposed to protect you.”
“Your uncle? The uncle you were telling me about? The one who got you the huge cell phone?”
He grins. “Yeah.”
I eye Cutter. “He’s really your nephew?”
“Yes. And he really dropped the ball as your protection detail.”
“Well, you sent a kid to fight against an ancient monster. What did you expect?”
“I’m not a kid.”
His irritation is over exaggerated, and the detective is even laughing slightly. I’m thankful for the distraction, but there’s a gaping hole in my life. My heart. Everything. Why did he kill Lacey instead of me? What was the seal for?
What really happened that night?
Was that why Dad wanted to make Lacey pass on? So she wouldn’t tell me? Then why didn’t she react in anger when she saw him again?
Too many questions. And no way to get a hold of Dad.
“What happens next?”
“We try to figure out what happened with that spell you cast.”
I hold out my hands and realize the aura around me is fading. Did that spell unlock something or create something new?
“Why don’t we save the rest of the questions until after Christmas? You guys can come with me to see the family. They all miss him.”
I clear my throat. “No thanks. I’d rather stay here.”
“Me too.” Grayson gives me a side hug, pulling me close to his warmth. “We have deep-fried turkey and pecan pie waiting for us.”
“The headmistress won’t be able to return until tomorrow, after the new moon. Until then, we’ll leave a protection escort by your side. If your dad tries to contact you, let us know immediately.”
“No problem.”
He stands and I jump up with him. “Wait.”
“What is it?”
“Do I stay in school or what?”
Cutter glances at Grayson and then back to me. “Has anything really changed in the case? We have a suspect in custody who admits to having a co-conspirator. And he’s still at large. Even if it’s a breakthrough in the case, you’re still in danger. Staying here as Lacey may be your best choice for survival. Especially if you’re facing a rogue family.” He pats my shoulder, more like an uncle than a detective at the moment. “Learn how to defend yourself. It’s our way. And now, you’re definitely one of us. Everything you need to fight back can be found here.”
Cutter lets me go and walks away, rounding up a few suits as he goes.
“He’s really your uncle?”
Grayson hovers behind me. “Yeah. Don’t see the family resemblance?”
I turn to look him over, from the top of his messy hair and bandaged face down to his build. You can see it in the angles of his jaw and cheekbones. The arrogant tilt to his head.
“But—”
“What is it? We don’t look alike?”
“It’s not that. I mean, doesn’t he turn into a real-life…” I trail off, remembering his irritation from before.
“What?” He leans close.
“Furry?” I ask in a near whisper.
Grayson’s eyes widen and a laugh tears through him, doubling him over.
“Shh.” I try to stop him from making a scene but everyone is staring in our direction.
Tears are running down his cheeks and he holds his stomach. “Oh God.” He laughs again. “I’m dying.” More laughter.
My lips twinge with him, but I push him away from the cemetery and toward the cafeteria.
“Oh, man. Did you ask him that to his face?”
“Yes.”
“Ahh.” He stares up at the sky and lets out a long breath. A chuckle rumbles through him. “No wonder he didn’t want to come see you.”
“It’s still his job.”
“Yeah, but he’s still got his pride.” Grayson laughs again and I roll my eyes.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a furry,” I begin.
His laughter booms louder and I sigh, giving up.
“In the 1960’s, my Great Uncle Terry decided to give up his life as the heir to our family and start a trend where he could walk around partially shifted all the time.”
“You’re kidding.”
His laughter gets louder. “And—” he chokes out between wheezes, “guess who got dragged along with him? His son.”
No. Laughter bubbles up inside me and soon we’re hanging onto each other and gasping for air.
“Who knew you’d accidentally stumble onto my uncle’s dark history.”
The laughter dies inside me slowly and I realize I’m resting my forehead against his chest. “Yeah, it looks like we all have that.”
Smoke surround
s me and the mugs are placed on the ground. What a cool power. His arms come around me. “Yeah. There’s a lot of that around here.”
The laughter devolved into tears.
“Cry it out.”
His warmth wraps around me as I grip his shirt in my fists. He holds me as my world crumbles around me.
“Do you think she was telling the truth about Lacey casting that spell on you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe you should ask her later.”
“Do you miss her?”
“Every day.” His voice cracks and the hug tightens around me.
That’s right. Lacey was never coming back. Even if her ghost is here, she was murdered because of me. Dad betrayed and abandoned us. People who helped me were injured and nearly killed because of a crazy half-sister I didn’t even know I had.
“I have nothing left.”
“You have me.” His heart thunders against my ear as he holds me close. “You’ll get through this. I promise. And I’ll be right there to help you.”
For hours, or maybe minutes, he comforts me. And then the snow gets heavier and the world gets darker. The sunset slips beyond the Academy ground, a bright orange globe reflected in the still lake. We finally make our way inside for my first, and definitely not my last, Christmas dinner at Nightborne Academy.
What’s the truth about my father’s involvement? I still don’t know who killed my sister or why. What secrets hide behind the stone circle? Will I be able to pull off Lacey’s identity and stay in the Academy? Will I get my answers or will my luck run out?
See you soon for Book 2 (February 2020)!
About the Authors
Jessica Morris
Jessica loves to read as much as she loves to tell stories. She’s the alter-ego of a USA Today Bestselling Romance author and an avid lover of isekai (portal fantasy/sci fi to another world) and academy fiction. To read more about her and check out her titles, go to her page at IndieOutlawBooks.com/Jessica-Morris.
Jesse Wells
Jesse is an avid reader and writer of dark fantasy, paranormal thrillers, and urban fantasy. This is Jesse’s first jump into the Academy genre and couldn’t be happier with the adventure. To find out more about Jesse’s other works, go to IndieOutlawBooks.com/Jesse-Wells
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