Winter Term

by J. J. Krzemien

  I scanned down the rest of the names, finding Brody Collins in my old place at the bottom. That wasn’t too surprising, considering how he’d put no effort in for the mid-terms. Then I glanced at the names right above the red line. I didn’t recognize any of them, but that didn’t matter. Which of them would take my place? Someone had to fill my spot. My chest clenched. This whole thing was fucked up bullshit. Which reminded me of my other task at this hour.

  I was at the library right after it opened its doors. Thankfully, someone else was at the front desk so I didn’t have to endure any suspicious looks from Regina. She had to think my behavior yesterday was odd. Or maybe not, but I didn’t want to draw her—or anyone else’s—attention.

  This time, finding the hidden latch that opened the compartment was easy. I took the two books over to a work station, setting them gingerly on the desk. My heart pounded. How long had these been hidden? Who had hid them? And why?

  I started with the big book. Turning the first few pages, I was discouraged to find them written in Latin or a similar language. I flipped ahead and came across a full page drawing similar to Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man, except this was clearly a fae with dragonfly-like wings. A few pages along, I found another drawing. This one was the progression of werewolf shifting. All five known supernatural types were recorded in the book.

  The second half had much more disturbing pictures. One showed a fae tied to a table. All around the perimeter were strange symbols. Another drawing looked like a man sucking the soul out of another man, while shadowy figures danced nearby.

  On the last page was a portrait of a beautiful sleeping man. He had long black hair, an angular face, and full lips. I ran my finger over the textured paper. The portrait’s eyes popped open.

  I gasped, jerking my hand back.

  As I watched the page, the man’s forehead knitted. “Who are you?” he asked. “Where is this book? I need this book!”

  I slammed the tome shut, then took several steps back. What the fuck? I shook my head to clear it. That couldn’t have been real. A shiver ran up my arms, and suddenly I needed to get away from that book.

  I took it back to its hiding place in the wall. That book was bad news. Instinctively, I was convinced of that. Just like the Tromara, the book was evil. I should have realized that from the start.

  I returned to the work station. With a summoning of courage, I focused my attention on the little journal. A quick flip through revealed no drawings, only the flourishing script of Marsilia Sorrentino.

  I stood in the turret, fidgeting with my phone. My brain was still reeling from reading Marsilia’s journal. I’d managed to decipher her handwriting and finished it on Saturday night. She wrote about the late eighteen hundreds and the early days of the Truce. It wasn’t a first-hand account, but written as a history. Which put her age pretty close to Isabella’s, maybe younger.

  About twenty pages in, it switched to actual diary entries from Marsilia. She’d stolen the other book from King Sebastian Anastos, translated much of it into English, and hidden both away when she’d been a teacher at Academy Obscura.

  I pushed the button for Isabella’s number. I couldn’t tell her exactly what I’d read, or mention Marsilia, without revealing that I’d discovered the books. My gut told me not to trust anyone with the information I had. The Tromara had to be desperately seeking both books—especially the Ex Codice Tromara.

  “Good evening,” Isabella said. “How have you been this week?”

  I hesitated. “Ah, fine. I actually have some questions that I thought you could answer.”

  “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

  “How much do you know about the Tromara?” I hoped my hedging didn’t sound suspicious.

  “Quite a bit. What specifically do you want to know about?” she asked.

  “How did they become immortal? None the other supernaturals are.”

  Isabella hmmed as she thought. “I don’t know if we and they are from the same genetic background. They are so different from us.”

  “How so?” I fidgeted with the hem of my sweater.

  “Well, the most obvious difference is their cannibalistic nature. They are also larger and generally more powerful than us. We may have shared ancestry, but I believe a genetic split had to have happened between our two species many millennia ago—if a connection was ever there.” She paused. “Of course these are my own theories. No one knows for sure. The Tromara do not consider themselves ato be similar to us. They believe they are far superior, and in many ways they are.”

  “But they have all the same supernatural types, right? They’re vampires, witches, shifters, and all the rest…”

  “They are,” Isabella said. “That is the only reason why I think that we may have had shared ancestry long ago. But they are too different from us now. A Tromara vampire has abilities beyond those of a supernatural. Besides being stronger and faster.”

  “Like what?” I asked, trying to sound more curious than interrogating.

  Isabella sighed. “I’ve heard that their abilities don’t align with ours. Tromara vampires can cast spells. Their witches can shape shift. Rumors like that.”

  Now that was some interesting information. The Tromara vampire I’d encountered had smelled of death and blood, but I hadn’t witnessed any unusual abilities. Of course, he’d been trying to strangle me to death, so I was a bit focused on not dying. Would he really have eaten me? I shuddered.

  “Why do you think they are cannibals?” I asked.

  “I think different species survive in different ways. Theirs is a more violent nature, and with that goes their need for supernatural flesh. Again, I don’t know.”

  “So they don’t eat humans?” I wanted to clarify that point.

  “Uh no. I’ve never heard of them doing that.” Isabella cleared her throat. “Why all the questions about them? What has you so interested?”

  I was prepared for that question. “I’m still so new to all of this. I have a pretty good handle on all the other supernaturals, so I want to understand the Tromara better.”

  “I see. Well, I’m glad you’re coming to me with your questions. It’s best if you don’t ask around about them too much. You don’t need to draw any more attention to yourself. Right?” She sounded wary.

  “Okay.” I certainly didn’t want to draw the Tromara’s attention again. “What are the artifacts that you’re giving them? I mean, do they do anything?”

  Isabella was quiet for a long moment. “They’re just a couple of pieces that I didn’t even know were in the family vault until King Sebastian pointed them out. I’m not sure what they do.”

  So she could be handing over extremely powerful objects and not know it. That didn’t seem wise.

  “Caprice, I’ve been thinking.” She cleared her throat again. “I’d like you to start attending Council meetings this summer. I think it’s a good time to begin your education.”

  “Okay. Sure.” I liked how she took it for granted that I wouldn’t be Culled this year. “And thanks for answering all my questions, Grandma.”

  “Of course, sweetie. You have a good rest of your Sunday.”

  “You, too.” I hung up, mulling over the answers she’d given me. The Tromara’s secrets were well-kept, not even the Council Queen knew who they really were. What would happen if I revealed their secrets to the supernaturals?

  I had to turn my phone in before classes on Monday, which meant I had plenty of time. With the device in hand, I went back to the Obscura Room to take pictures of the books. Since I couldn’t take them out of the library, it was the next best thing.

  Later, as I was leaving the library, I dropped off the pass card at the front desk. The shift had changed and I got a fanged smile from Regina. If she was suspicious of me she gave no sign of it. She had to wonder why I’d thrown all those rare books on the floor. Or maybe she didn’t care.

  I smiled back at her, opening the tall oak door.

  Outside it was raining again. Janua
ry and February both had lots of clear skies. As soon as March hit, the rain returned with a vengeance. I pulled up the hood on my jacket and marched across the lawn toward Academy Hall. It was time to see the guys.

  The roar of the deluge filled my ears. It was the kind of rain you had to shout over to be heard. Not for the first time, I wished the Academy had sheltered walkways between the buildings.

  I was half-way across the lawn, when someone shoved me hard from behind. I lost my balance, landing on my hands and knees in the soaked, muddy grass. Scrambling to my feet, I turned around. Five pissed off werewolf girls glared back at me.

  I rolled my eyes. I hadn’t seen these bitches all term. It looked like we weren’t through with each other yet.

  Destiny, their leader, tried to stare me down. “I told you to stay away from Angel,” she shouted. “Obviously, you don’t take me seriously. I saw you two out here a few nights ago looking awfully intimate. So if words don’t work on you…” She sniffed at me. “Oh my God! He claimed you? Seriously?”

  Angel had said something about that. But how would she know? “That’s none of your business,” I shot back.

  “You’ve ruined my life! I won’t let this happen.” Destiny morphed into a big grey wolf. She growled, baring her teeth.

  I growled back, shifting in the blink of an eye. Seeing my dragon form, the rest of her posse morphed. We stood glaring at each other for several seconds. No way was I going to make the first move. I knew werewolves were supposed to be strong, but I had a feeling I could take them. And I didn’t really want to be responsible for hurting these girls. People were already scared of me, I didn’t need to give dragons a worse reputation.

  Destiny lunged at my chest. Instinctively, I brought up my arm to protect my face. Her sharp teeth latched onto it. I cringed in response to the expected pain—which didn’t come. She snapped her jaw along my arm, trying to find a spot to sink her teeth into with no luck. My scales were like armor—impenetrable.

  I drew back a taloned hand and swiped it across her side. She yelped, springing away. The other four were on me in a flash. They tore at my clothes. I defended myself with my claws, but nothing more.

  They couldn’t hurt me. Their frustration shone in their glowing wolf eyes. They redoubled their efforts, trying to take me down from all sides.

  “That’s enough! Break it up!” Montrell’s deep voice boomed.

  Destiny rejoined the fray, ignoring the big shapeshifter coming at us. I crouched down, covering my head with my arms. I didn’t need to be part of this and get more points taken away.

  Suddenly, all the werewolves were off me. I dropped my arms and glanced up. They were scrambling away from the largest bear I’d ever seen. It had to be fifteen feet tall and was covered in thick black fur.

  I crawled backward, trying to get some distance from the creature. It started to shimmer, transforming into a man I recognized quite well—unfortunately.

  Montrell stood over me, his gaze stern as always. After a second he reached down a hand. I stared at it, in shock.

  “Do you want help up or not?” he asked, looking irritated.

  “Uh, no. I’m fine.” I got to my feet, then shifted down. Crap. Montrell probably thought he’d just rescued me. That I was too weak to defend myself against five werewolves. This was not the impression I was trying to give him.

  “Are you hurt?” he asked, dropping his hand to his side.

  I shook my head. “No.” I glanced down at my shredded clothes. Well, this was awkward. Those crazy bitches had shredded my sweater. My jacket was in two parts on the ground. At least nothing too exciting was showing, just a bit of thigh, my stomach, and my bra. Which was clinging to my chilled, wet skin.

  “I’m going to go change now,” I said, making the situation even more uncomfortable.

  Montrell’s gaze never left my face. He didn’t move or say anything. I counted myself lucky and hurried away to my dorm. That had been…strange.

  I took a quick, hot shower to warm up. Pulling on fresh clothes, I dropping the old ones in the bathroom’s trash bin. I slipped my phone, which thankfully had survived unscathed, in my jeans pocket.

  I was tempted to complain to the dean about the wolf girls. They’d freaking attacked me! If I hadn’t shifted, or was any other type of supernatural, they could have done some serious damage. I sighed. I’d deal with them later.

  I had to continue on my mission to see the guys. I had important stuff to tell them. At the same time, my stomach hitched at the idea of revealing what I’d discovered. Could I really trust them? Completely?

  It was still pouring outside. I sprinted to Academy Hall.

  Last night was supposed to have been my night with Angel, but he’d sent a note to cancel. That didn’t surprise me at all, considering our last interaction. At least he was still on campus.

  What did surprise me was that all three of them were at Jaxon’s apartment when I arrived.

  “Hey,” I said, taking a seat on a couch next to Jaxon. “What’s going on?”

  An awkward silence filled the room. Angel’s eyes were glowing, but I didn’t think it was my fault for once. Liam gave me a half-smile, a much more distant expression than I was used to from him. Jaxon glanced between the three of us. When no one spoke, he finally did.

  “Montrell was just here.” His voice held concern. “He said those werewolf girls were tearing on you, but that you weren’t hurt.” Jaxon’s gaze swept over my body, sending a pleasant tingle through me. “You look fine.”

  Why the hell would Montrell tell them about that?

  I shook off my uneasiness. “They tore up my clothes, that’s all. I shifted and my scales protect me.”

  “That’s not possible,” Angel said. “Werewolf teeth and jaw muscles are strong enough to bite through metal.”

  I shrugged. “Well, I’m fine.”

  Liam leaned forward. “You’re not surprised by this. Do you have something you’d like to tell us? Have you discovered more of your dragon-shifter abilities?”

  I had so much to tell them. The problem was, I didn’t know if I should. I gazed at each of them in turn. I trusted these guys. We’d been through a lot together. We might all be bound as mates one day. But, what I had to tell them was dangerous. Treason was only part of the danger. Hope was the other part.

  “Caprice?” Jaxon eyed me. “What’s going on?”

  “She doesn’t trust us,” Liam said. “At least not with this.”

  Angel’s jaw worked.

  “I do trust you. It’s just—”

  “How about a magical pact?” Jaxon asked, searching my face. “Would that help?”

  “A what?”

  “A magical pact. It’s a magical binding that makes it so that we can’t betray each other.” He glanced at the other two. “We did one when we were teenagers with the three of us. How about we do another one?”

  Liam and Angel nodded.

  “Okay,” I said. “So if we do this, then none of us can tell our secrets?”

  “Tell secrets, break promises, backstab, any of that stuff.” Jaxon reached over and took my hand. “It’s a lifetime pact.”

  “How does it work?”

  Jaxon rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. “Well, we’ll have to stay up until dawn.”

  19

  Jaxon

  We’d had plenty of time to prepare for the ritual. Each of us managing to get a little sleep so that we could all still get to our classes later Monday evening.

  Between Academy Hall and the wall that surrounded the school, there was a small circular clearing. It was the perfect place to perform the magical pact. If the weather would cooperate then we’d be all set.

  I stood in the circle between Liam and Angel, facing Caprice in the early dawn grey. It was a damned good thing none of us were vampires.

  Rain drizzled down, but under a thinner cloud layer than the past few days. I hoped the sun would at least peek through a little, just enough to charge my wand. Raising the p
iece of carnelian toward the east, I waited.

  Bringing Caprice into our pact warmed my heart. I wanted all of her in every way. Having her trust was another way to bring her in closer. Obviously, whatever she was hesitating to tell was important. I couldn’t wait to find out.

  The sun cleared the trees, finding a gap in the clouds as I’d hoped. I threw a capturing spell eastward and my wand warmed with the sun’s energy. This kind of pact required outside, universal energy rather than that of a person’s.

  “Join your left hands,” I said, reaching into the circle. Once everyone was in, I pushed the sun’s energy from my wand to envelope our hands. A warm, golden sphere slowly spun in the center of the circle and we began the chant we’d rehearsed earlier.

  “I promise to safe-keep our secrets. To harm none of us with the power of our knowledge. To never betray us with word or action. So shall it be from this dawn to our last dawn.”

  The sphere tore apart, a section swirling up each of our arms and into our chests. The warmth spread through my torso. It had been a long time since I’d made this kind of promise. I was thrilled to do it again with Caprice. I held on to her fingers, drawing her across the circle to me for a gentle kiss.

  “Let’s get inside where it’s dry,” I said, wrapping my arm around Caprice’s shoulders as we walked.

  Liam and Angel strode side-by-side behind us. They’d dropped her hand as soon as the ritual concluded. Actually, neither of them had touched Caprice affectionately since she sought us out earlier. What was up with that? I knew her and Angel were having some trouble, but Liam always had his hands on her.

  I leaned down, inhaling that exotic floral scent of her hair. “Are you doing okay?”

  “Yeah.” She turned her worried expression up at me. “I’ll be better after I’ve told you everything.”