Upended Life (Artemis University Book 1)

by Erin R Flynn

  “I saw a student blackmail him to do homework or he could lose his scholarship. That is not on him, but her and her rich parents who raised her that was acceptable behavior. So to you it’s his lack of pride to agree to what’s demanded of him? I think it’s pride in the two grueling years he’s already put in to keep pushing when he would clearly want to tell her to fuck off.

  “So he tutors and does office work for the school? How is that any better than any other job to afford this place? You work as Alpha. You guys earned that money or your family did. I’m sorry, and this is no slight against Hudson, but you’re gifting him his education whereas Darby is working for it. That’s not something to be ashamed of or looked down on.”

  He studied me closely and nodded. “I will think on that. No one has ever phrased it for me that way and I find I’m agreeing with your logic.”

  “That’s why you can absolutely trust them,” Mel explained when I couldn’t hide my confusion. “They might not always be right, but they will listen and consider what people say. It’s what makes them awesome leaders and worthy of their power.” She cleared her throat and gave me a warning look. “Plus people don’t just tear into them like that.”

  “It’s refreshing,” Mrs. Vogel said, waving off the chastising.

  “We don’t know any witches with the name Vale,” Mr. Vogel muttered, glancing at his wife.

  “I didn’t say I was a witch,” I challenged, getting tired of it being an issue.

  Hudson cleared his throat. “Tamsin has decided not to declare her species after seeing how divided our collective community is, even more so at a school where cliques are expected.”

  Mrs. Vogel made an approving noise, Mr. Vogel nodding. “Well done, yes, sometimes people need a push. But I was referring to your statement you are an orphan.”

  “Oh, thank you.” I cleared my throat. “Abandoned technically so I assume I am. Headmaster Edelman tracked down a distant cousin that had an estate in trust until someone could inherit it. So that’s a bit of crazy but also helping.”

  “But a witch advisor?” Mrs. Vogel questioned.

  “More she’s powerful and given she’s behind, she’ll need specialized attention and I was willing to give it since I understand being different,” Dr. Craftsman answered for me. “But we know what she is. It’s her choice to tell or not.”

  Mrs. Vogel smirked, glancing at Mel. “And I suppose you know though.”

  Mel went pale and glanced at me with a guilty look.

  “I haven’t actually said, more let her play twenty questions so I’m sure she knows,” I hedged, wondering if the big boss dragons would know lies.

  Mrs. Vogel chuckled, waving off the worry. “I would never demand her answer. Every woman should have secrets and an air of mystery. I’m curious how your experiment will turn out. Maybe you’re on to something.”

  “Yes, I’d like to speak with you at the end of the semester if you’re available,” Mr. Vogel agreed before glancing at Mel. “Will you be teaching here then?”

  I snorted, but realized I was still missing out on something when they frowned at me. I sighed, giving Mel an annoyed look. “What else don’t I know? I’m so not feeling bad about the random telepathy and few tricks I kept from you.”

  “You have telepathy even with the human vaccines that block you?” Mrs. Vogel asked, her tone impressed.

  “Yes, but no control and nervous for large classes,” I admitted.

  She studied me closely before frowning. “Your mental shields are very impressive with no training. You’re an absolute vault. I do know how to help though. I do not have it but my sister does.” She glanced at Dr. Craftsman. “I will give you her number and she can guide you in working with Tamsin.”

  “Thank you, really, thanks,” I sighed, feeling a huge weight come off of me.

  “Of course, dear,” she said gracefully and looked back to Mel. “Melody has trained as one of our knights since she was a baby. The Rothchild clan are some of the fiercest dragons on the planet and always protect the royals or now Alpha family dragons. Artemis would be blessed to have someone of her talent teaching here.”

  “Wow, so I might not be behind in something at least,” I muttered, thrilled at the idea. “Four years of your abuse might help me.”

  “Bite your tongue,” Mel grumbled. “You loved it.”

  “I did, but we’re going to have a conversation about all those bets you won I paid on. Even if you thought I knew you were a dragon I clearly didn’t know you were legendary knight ninja dragon.”

  She narrowed her eyes at me. “Fine, half though, as I also taught you better than to take people at face value. You didn’t take the initiative to push me harder for answers.”

  “That was just being a good friend, Mel,” I said gently. “The storm cloud that would form over you when I mentioned your family or past was rather large.”

  “That’s fair,” she sighed, getting back to the subject again. “For now I’m here to help this one acclimate and handle what I can for her. She’s going to need it being thrown into our world this way, powerful, and around elites.”

  “Well, if you’ve deemed her worthy of being adopted by you, clearly she is of the highest caliber,” Mrs. Vogel accepted. “That’s your choice but I will not hide from your parents where you are.”

  “No, I would never ask that,” she agreed. “By all means. Maybe it is time to let the past be the past.” She shot me a look to say it might be something I adopted as well.

  Yeah, easier said than done.

  14

  “So you’re going to the house?” Dr. Craftsman asked before glancing at Mel. “Tamsin was unsure you’d want to be listed officially as family and her contact but now I understand why.”

  “Idiot,” Mel chastised me. “Yes, list me. The cat’s out anyways so make it clear to whomever that they will have a Rothchild eat them if any harm comes to her and I will be speaking with this Von Thann to make that clear.”

  “Oh, I’m sure that was handled last night at the ball,” Dr. Craftsman drawled. He did a double take and realized Darby was there still, giving him a questioning look.

  “There wasn’t really a gracious way to exit the conversation,” Darby admitted, focused on me. “I saw you go down and I wanted to make sure I’ll still be your tutor.”

  “Aww, you do woves me best, you prickly pear,” I cooed. “Yeah, I already started what you assigned.”

  “Good.” He looked me over and then glanced at Dr. Craftsman. “I would like to see her load a reservoir if possible. Most won’t share that as they hide their reservoirs.”

  “You can be in the cool kids club,” I promised him. “I’m assuming a reservoir isn’t something I can get on Amazon?”

  “No, and I have one you can use for now but you’ll have to order your own with those power surges. They’re rather expensive.” Dr. Craftsman shrugged to say I could handle it.

  “Well, you need to eat and Hudson was just walking us to our vehicle after breakfast,” Mrs. Vogel said. “It was lovely to meet you, dear.” She went over and hugged Mel. “You will make sure I have your new number and not fall off the planet again.”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” she agreed, hugging her back.

  We finished with the goodbyes and I could feel Hudson’s eyes on me as we headed for food. The name suited him.

  Apparently they didn’t immediately leave, but talked to at least one person first. Headmaster Edelman came by our table where we were eating and I quickly introduced them.

  “It was made clear to me I would be remiss in not hiring you immediately as an instructor, especially with our performance the past few years in intercollegiate competitions,” he said to Mel. “I don’t actually have an open position for you to fill. However, I’m not an idiot and the fact anyone from the Rothchild clan would consider such a position I will jump at.”

  “I didn’t actually say I would,” Mel cut in. “My priority is Tamsin and I believe you understand why.”

&n
bsp; “Agreed, and a faculty position would give you the reason to be here regularly without suspicion. There has been a push for more options and help with training as we can’t just assume tutors can help with that. If you’re willing, I’d like to have you work with students three days a week after classes. Not a training club, per se, but extra, optional training.”

  She gave a slow nod. “Wednesday, Thursday, Friday? That way I have Monday and Tuesday to handle anything Tams needs and always available if she needs to go to the house on weekends or whatever.”

  “That’s fine,” he agreed.

  “Any chance you’ll let me room with her?”

  “None at all,” he chuckled. “That would raise every flag something was amiss. The faculty dorm isn’t far and would give Ms. Vale another place to stay if there is ever a problem.”

  “Smart,” Mel praised.

  “I’ve been called that before,” he teased. “We were discussing forming a women’s lacrosse team as others of our colleges have. We would need a coach for spring. Something to keep in mind.”

  “Wait, you actually have a job,” I cut in, giving Mel a concerned look. “One you love, right? You don’t have to completely uproot your life for me, Mel.”

  She leaned forward and tapped my nose. “I love you, kid. And yes, I was having fun with that job, but I could do it in my still wide open schedule to help our friends. I don’t have to be there to do it.” She gave me a look she’d say more later.

  “If it’s what you want, of course I want you here.”

  “Good, then I’ll let the guards know that if Ms. Vale is with you, that’s a proper escort.”

  “Babysitter,” I coughed, amusing both of them.

  “Tams caught me up there are some items that she will be graciously donating to the university and she already donated a lot for the scholarship students. I hope someone is listing them, which she needs for tax purposes. I assume she can list that as a donation to the university as well?”

  “She can,” he agreed.

  “Is there a blast list I can use on her behalf if we bring over more? I rented a truck.”

  “You did?” I asked.

  “Yup, we’re spending this weekend getting as much off your plate as we can. The guy left you a novel and you will undoubtedly feel horrible if you don’t handle that first when you’ve taken items you need and used his money for school.”

  I couldn’t even deny it. That so hit the nail on the head it wasn’t even funny.

  The headmaster nodded. “If you meet me at my office after you eat we’ll get the paperwork handled for your employment and get that set up along with your university email.”

  “Great, thanks.”

  “Not even going to talk salary with him?” I asked after he left.

  She rolled her eyes at me. “You’re rich. I make money off my gig even if you won’t take any for helping us all set it up.”

  I shrugged. “Apparently it was a good move as karma gave me a huge inheritance.”

  “I made sure to load up on boxes and packing materials when I got the truck.”

  “When the fuck did you get up?”

  “I didn’t sleep,” she admitted, waving off my worry. “I was upset I didn’t come sooner. I know how big of a deal this is for you. I can crash while you drive or apparently I’m here now.”

  “Are you really okay with that?”

  She gave me a sad smile. “Yeah, I am. This was what I was raised for, Tams. My clan are protectors. There’s no one I would rather help out.” She shrugged. “What I’ve been doing was a fun sabbatical sort of, but I’ve missed being… More? I was meant for more and so are you. This might be a good balance for me to get back to this world. I promise I want to.”

  I nodded. She was an adult and if she wanted this, I would absolutely support it. I would support Mel doing just about anything.

  My mind spun round and round as I tried to settle with the turn of events. I saw Natalie as we were walking out and wanted to smack myself.

  “Can you guys change underwear?” I blurted, shocking her and her friends.

  Mel burst out laughing.

  I waved her off and rolled my eyes. “I realized I was going to donate undergarments to like Goodwill but you did all that other stuff and I was wondering if…” I wasn’t really sure how to finish that thought.

  She nodded, biting back a laugh. “Yeah, we can refresh to new as long as something is in good shape. It’s too much work to do it for like laundry but for free clothes, yeah, some of us can do that for the scholarship students. Not all at once though. Just donate whatever you’re willing to and we’ll figure it out, I promise.”

  “Thanks for helping. Did someone get that list for her of the donations?” Mel asked.

  “Yeah, I have it in my room.” She told Mel the number and said she’d be around today getting settled.

  Right, settled. Crap.

  I about burst out laughing when there were piles of boxes stacked at our room, Izzy frantically dragging them all in.

  She shot me a relieved look. “The guards said there were so many deliveries and packages from everyone ordering that they made the poor scholarship students come pick up and drop off with carts instead of texting people they had packages.”

  “I didn’t bring my phone,” I groaned. “I figured I’d get a notification from Amazon when shit arrived.”

  “Well, you guys have fun with this, I’m going to go see the headmaster,” Mel told us, giving me a serious look. “Hang at the room. There are too many visitors here. No going off alone until they close ranks to normal security.”

  “Mel, come on—”

  “Please? Trust me?”

  I sighed, nodding I would behave. It was rare she played that card or pushed me to do anything. I got it. I was used to humans but now I was a wittle fish learning the waters again.

  “Good, I’ll also swing by the guard station and introduce myself officially. Maybe I’ll see if there’s anything they’d want too.” She shrugged when I frowned. “Always be good to the guards, Tams. That’s the one thing I learned early from the Vogels. People should always be good to the guards or they deserve to fend for themselves.”

  “Fair enough,” I accepted.

  “You know the Vogels?” Izzy asked, glancing between us.

  “I’ll catch her up,” I promised, waving Mel off to go handle what she needed to.

  Needless to say, Izzy flipped out when I told her who Mel was and my conversation with the Vogels. It made me realize something, ducking in the bathroom to collect myself when I did.

  I’d slept with a prince. Holy. Fuck. That made him calling me his “princess” even hotter, but fine, he wasn’t a prince anymore but… Yeah, wow.

  I also realized I shouldn’t tell Mel about it. There might be some weird rule or put her in a position to have conflicting loyalty. Probably not but I didn’t want to even risk it.

  I made sure to take my pills so I didn’t mess anything up but once we had it all inside, I realized I was going to break Mel’s rule. I glanced at the campus map and when Izzy was in her closet I raced for the door.

  “Be right back!” I called out and headed out. I was down the hall before she even reached the door. I found the campus clinic fairly easily and went to check in. “Hi, I need to speak with Dr. Salzman.”

  She frowned at me. “All patients see one of the nurses or healers first before we bug the docs.”

  “Um, he told me to,” I muttered. “I’m Tamsin Vale, the unknown? He wanted me to report about the meds he gave me.”

  “Oh, right, he told us that. Sorry, hon, everyone blows bluster with us to get right to the docs like we’re all useless.”

  “Well, I’ll make sure to smack them for you,” I teased her, not upset at all. I completely understood.

  She chuckled and called him, telling me he was finishing up in his office and would be with me in a few moments. I took a seat in the waiting area, letting out a slow breath as I played with my phone and wa
ited.

  “Ms. Vale, what can I do for you?” Dr. Salzman greeted as he walked up to me.

  “Um, can we talk privately?” I asked, glancing around.

  “Of course, of course.” He waved me to follow him, leading me to his office, according to the sign next to the door. “Please, have a seat.”

  “Thanks.” I sat down and frowned when he flipped the switch of a machine. “What’s that?”

  “A noise canceler. I have a spell on my office but just in case I keep one around for situations like yours.”

  I nodded, thinking that was a brilliant idea. “Where did you get it?”

  He smiled, clearly getting what I was after. He quickly wrote it down on a note for me, handing it over.

  “Now, what happened with the meds?”

  I told him and he nodded along, looking interested.

  “Impressive, truly. You’re going to be very powerful if you’re reacting like that already.”

  “That’s what Dr. Craftsman said and he was going to get me a reservoir but I saw Mr. Von Thann last night.” I liked him better when the doc instantly frowned at the name. “Yeah, and it made me realize I should be more careful. I heard some girls talking about coming to the clinic for supe birth control? How does that work? No STDs?”

  “Ahhh, I might need your blood for that,” he admitted. “The birth control potions are species specific and we don’t carry one for fairies. But it’s a simple potion that lasts three months.

  “And no, we don’t have STDs. Viruses burn fast in our bodies as well so if you do catch a flu it will be a shortened version. Colds are different but normally not bad.”

  “Yeah, I’m okay with giving blood. It would be nice to feel better protected. Just in case.”

  That was true and a reason I wanted it. The other reason had gorgeous eyes and wanted to have sex with me again.

  The doc didn’t need to know that part.

  He went to get a blood drawing kit and then took a few vials, giving me a look when he reached for a fourth. “There is something else I’d like to look into if you’re willing?”

  “Am I going to like it? Is it only for you?”