by Wendi Wilson
He placed a warm hand on my shoulder and squeezed it.
“Don’t worry, December. It will all work out in the end.”
Before I could respond, a loud pounding echoed around us. I flinched and folded in on myself as shivers wracked my body. The lynch mob had arrived.
“December! Let me in!”
I rushed forward at the sound of Easton’s voice. I unlocked the door and it swung open, Easton’s arms swallowing me before I could even take another breath. I heard the door close and lock again, but I couldn’t see anything through the tears pouring from my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Easton murmured into my hair. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. My dad…he pulled me away before Puck showed up. Charles found me and told me what happened. I had no idea, D.”
“It’s okay,” I choked out past the lump in my throat. “I’m okay.” I pulled away, forcing the tears back and looked into Easton’s eyes. “Are you okay? Your dad looked…stern.”
He barked out a cynical laugh at my choice of words before pulling me back against his chest.
“My dad is an asshole, but I can handle him. It’s you I’m worried about.”
“I’ll be fine,” I assured him, my words muffled against his dress shirt. “I always am.”
“Things may be a little rough for her for a while,” Cris’s voice called out from behind me. “While the students have accepted her Zephyr half, being the grandchild of Sebille is a whole other matter.”
I pulled away from Easton, turning in his arms to face my father. I gave him a reassuring smile as I wiped a stray tear from my cheek and sniffed.
“I’ll get through it,” I said. “I have you, Easton, Shaela, and Charles. I won’t be alone.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to stay here?” Easton asked, voicing the same question I’d asked earlier.
“Finn already knows everything,” Cris said. “Nothing has changed, other than everyone else knowing. I can’t see it being a problem.”
“Unless parents start pulling their children out of the school to keep them away from you,” Easton argued.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it,” Cris replied. “For now, I think one of us should be with December at all times. We can’t leave her alone until we know there will be no retaliation.”
“I can take care of myself, you know,” I said.
My argument was weak with no conviction behind it. I could take care of myself. My magic was strong enough. But I didn’t want to be alone, so I didn’t put up much of a fight when they insisted.
“Where’s Shaela now?” I asked.
“Charles said she left with Puck. I’m guessing she wanted to find out why he’s here and why he felt the need to do what he did.”
“Because he likes to cause trouble,” Cris said. “He enjoys conflict and drama.”
“Do you know him?” I asked.
“Not personally, no. But I’ve heard the stories. He’s famous, even in the Zephyr community.”
“How did he know who you are? That Sebille is your mother and December is your daughter?” Easton asked.
“That, I do not know. But I’m going to find out,” Cris swore, the deep timbre of his voice making the words sound like an oath of honor.
“We’re going to figure it out,” Easton corrected him.
“Together,” I added.
I just hoped it wouldn’t be too little, too late.
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?”
I flinched at the imperious tone of my voice, but I didn’t apologize. It was the middle of the night, and I’d been up pacing our room for hours, waiting for Shaela to show up. I’d almost made myself sick with worry.
“Sorry,” Shaela said, sounding tired. “I was with my grandfather, trying to find out what the hell is going on and why he…did what he did.”
That last part was mumbled under her breath, like she was embarrassed by his actions. She might as well have called a spade a spade—he blew up my life.
“Hey,” I said, my voice softer, “I’m sorry I jumped down your throat. I was worried. Robin has proven himself to be a wild card, and you were gone for what felt like forever.”
“He would never hurt me,” she said in a clipped tone. “He’s my grandfather.”
“Okay,” I backpedaled, holding up my palms in supplication, “sorry.”
Her body deflated, and she plopped down on her bed. She scrubbed a hand across her eyes before refocusing on me.
“No, I’m sorry. I think I’m just tired, and it’s making me bitchy. I’ve been arguing with Grandfather all night, and it’s exhausting. That man can outwit and out-talk anyone.”
“What did he say?” I asked, almost afraid to know the answer.
She sighed, a long, drawn-out sound that lasted several seconds.
“He was doing what he thought was right. The students and their parents needed to know that the heir to the Zephyr throne was in their midst, molding their young minds, influencing them unduly.”
“What? He wasn’t doing any such thing.”
Shaela shrugged, her mouth dropping open with a yawn.
“The point is, Grandfather thought it was happening, and that’s why he brought everything out into the open. I tried to tell him there had to have been a better way to do it, but he wouldn’t back down from his stance. Something about ripping off a Band-Aid, whatever that means.”
“Did he tell you how he even knew who Cris is?”
“I asked him, and he was pretty cryptic about it. He just said that he’s been out on his own for a long time, and he’s seen a few things…and that he’s old enough to see through a young Fae’s Glamour, no matter how strong they think they are.”
I puffed a breath out through my mouth before slouching back onto my own bed and laying down. It had been a long night, and with Shaela back in our room safe and sound, all the nervous energy coursed right out of me.
Throwing an arm across my eyes, I asked, “Have you talked to anyone else? How are they handling everything?”
I’d been holed up in Cris’s office, then Easton brought me straight to my room. We hadn’t passed anyone along the way, and he’d wanted to take me to his room instead, but I’d insisted I needed to wait for Shaela. Alone. He’d put up an argument, considering he and my father had practically decreed that I shouldn’t be left alone.
But I’d insisted I’d be fine in my own room, and he’d grudgingly left me there. But not until I swore I wouldn’t open the door for anyone besides Shae and that I’d not leave until he met me there in the morning. I’d accused him of being overbearing and misogynistic, and he’d placed a hand over his heart and told me nothing would stop him from trying to protect the ones he loved.
Then I caved because, honestly, my knees went a little weak and my heart melted at the sincere look in his eyes. And the worried blue of his aura. He wasn’t trying to order me around or control me. He was trying to ensure my safety so that we could both rest easy.
Plus, I didn’t really want to venture out on my own. Not without knowing what waited for me out there.
“Pretty much as you’d expected,” Shaela said, answering my question. “Some students are freaking out. Some are angry. Some are leaving.”
“Leaving?” I shouted, sitting up so quickly my head was spinning.
“Yes. A lot of students called their parents to tell them what happened. Some of the more intolerant Fae are pulling their kids out until Cris is gone. They won’t have their children subjected to the brainwashing of a Zephyr.” She paused for a moment, her eyes meeting mine. “Their words, not mine,” she clarified.
Our conversation trailed off after that as the events of the evening played over and over in my head. I was a little upset that Shaela was excusing her grandfather’s actions, explaining them away—he thought he was doing the right thing, so what? It was okay?
It would never be okay.
But I refused to make her choose between him and me. She was my best friend, the first person to
get to know the real me and accept me, flaws and all. She never stopped believing in me, so I would continue to believe in her.
Even if we disagreed on the honesty and intentions of one Robin Goodman.
CHAPTER 7
“I’ve been called to a meeting of the Sylph council.”
I looked at my father, eyes wide as they followed a trickle of sweat down his temple. He was nervous, and that made me nervous. The council had been known to be harsh in its decrees. Robin Goodman was living proof of that.
And this situation was potentially worse than what Robin had done to get himself ousted. The school was in an uproar, students withdrawing in alarming numbers. The Sylph community would not accept a Zephyr in their midst, no matter his intentions.
Oberon Academy was more than a school. It was a training ground for the Sylphid army. That army would eventually take on the Zephyrs with the goal of giving the Earth back to the humans. The school’s students would fill its ranks. If they all left…
“I’m coming with you,” I stated, my words filled with resolve.
“December, you can’t,” he said. “Students are not allowed to attend the meetings. Besides, if they plan on spewing hatred and venom, I don’t want you anywhere near it.”
“But—”
“No,” he cut me off, his tone heavy and commanding. Then, in a softer voice, he added, “Please, December, just listen to me. I can’t have you there. If they turn their attention to you and hurt you in any way, physically or emotionally, I will lose my temper. Doing so in their presence would be detrimental to me. They could have me executed.”
He was right. And he didn’t even mention what would happen if I lost my temper.
“Okay,” I acquiesced. “I’ll wait here for you.”
“Thank you,” he said, his lips turning up just enough to show a shadow of his dimples.
He took a step toward me then stuttered to a stop, lifting his arms before dropping them back to his sides. It seemed like he wanted to hug me, but was uncertain if it was appropriate. Or if I’d be receptive to the gesture. Even though we’d hugged before, our father-daughter relationship was still new.
I moved forward, slipping my arms around his waist as I laid my head against his chest. His arms wrapped around me, tightening to an almost unbearable degree before loosening slightly. His cheek rested against the top of my head for a brief moment before he leaned back, prompting me to meet his eyes.
“I’m going to be okay,” he vowed. “I promise. Everything is going to be okay.”
I wanted to argue, to tell him he had no idea what the council was thinking or what the outcome of the meeting would be. But I kept my mouth shut. We were having a bonding moment, and the last thing I wanted to do was to ruin it.
With one last smile and a tightening of the arms, he released me and took a step back. He smoothed a hand across his hair, which was its natural black instead of the reddish-blond his Glamour had made it appear. His eyes were still blue, though, which was probably a wise decision. His true eye color would be more off-putting than anything else.
And he needed all the help he could get.
“I’m here to escort you to the council meeting.”
I spun around at the sound of Easton’s voice. Relief filled me as my mind processed his words.
“You’re going? I thought students weren’t allowed.”
“They’re not,” he clarified as he stepped further into Cris’s office and gave me a quick hug. “But I am the future king. Grandfather has me attend some of the meetings so I can learn the ins and outs. One day, I’ll lead the meetings as he does.”
I nodded in understanding and with a quick peck against my lips, he turned to head out into the hall. Cris planted a hand on my shoulder and squeezed, giving me a reassuring smile before he, too, left the room. I was all alone with only my rampant thoughts and fears for company.
I curled up on the couch in front of the fireplace to wait.
AN HOUR LATER, the door swung open and Cris stalked in, Easton hot on his heels.
“What?” I demanded, jumping to my feet. “What happened?”
“I’ve been removed from my position,” Cris gritted out, pacing across the floor. “Despite the fact that I’ve done nothing but teach to the best of my ability, preparing the students for a war against my own kind.”
“They’re making you leave?” I asked, fear racing through me as I clutched a fist against my chest.
“No,” Easton interjected. “Grandfather would not agree to make him leave you.”
Hope unfurled inside me, my eyes fling from Easton’s face to Cris’s, silently begging him to confirm the words. His mouth turned up as he nodded, the anger draining out of him as he pulled me into a hug. It held none of his earlier uncertainty, his arms strong and sure.
“I would never leave you, December,” he assured me. “I just found you, and wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”
I pulled back, tears stinging my eyes, and gave him a confused look. “Wild horses?”
He chuckled, saying “It’s an old saying. Don’t you know what a horse is?”
I shrugged. “I’ve read about them in stories and seen pictures, but I’ve never heard that expression before. I like it.”
He squeezed me before pushing me back to an arm’s length. He studied my face for a few seconds then let his hands drop to his sides.
“Finn said I could stay here and continue our one-on-one training. I just have to steer clear of the other students. I can’t let them see me.”
“So, you’re like a prisoner? Hidden away from their tender sensibilities?” I spat, feeling very defensive on his behalf.
“It’s okay,” he said in soothing tones. “I expected worse. And all that matters is that I get to stay here with my feisty, talented, beautiful daughter.”
A smile broke out across my face against my will, his praise filling me with warmth. And I was glad he wasn’t being forced out. I had no idea what I’d do if that was the case. I just wished the council wouldn’t treat him like the enemy. He obviously didn’t fall in with the Zephyr queen’s plans.
“Wait,” I said, a thought occurring to me, “If you’re no longer teaching us, who’s taking over your class?”
My father’s eyes darted away from me, so I looked to Easton, whose cheeks were ruddy with color.
“What is it?” I asked, my eyes chasing back and forth between them. “Why are you guys acting like that?”
“It’s Puck,” Easton said. “Professor Goodman is our new sociology teacher.”
“What?” I shouted, anger and disbelief warring inside me. “What do you mean Puck is our new teacher? Wasn’t he ousted from the council? Why do they suddenly trust him to teach students?”
“Puck can be very persuasive,” Cris said with a scrunched expression.
“Do you think he used his gift against the council and made them…I don’t know, care for him? So they would agree to whatever he suggested?”
I looked from Cris to Easton, whose aura was a swirl of orange and maroon. He was annoyed and resentful, not appearing at all enamored with Shaela’s grandfather. Despite feeling relieved that Puck didn’t use his magic, I was confused. How did Puck get them to accept him? To install him as a teacher?
“I didn’t feel any magic,” Cris said.
“Glamour and other magical abilities are blocked in the council room,” Easton said. “Ancient wards have protected the space since its construction. Even if Puck wanted to use his abilities and was powerful enough to affect the feelings of the council, his emotional nudging wouldn’t hold up in that room.”
“So the council, with no persuasive magic, decided he was a better choice than my dad?”
Easton shrugged. “I’m afraid so.”
I deflated, exhaustion draining my energy. There was no point in being upset. It wasn’t going to change anything. At least my dad had permission to stay at the academy, with me.
“Okay, let’s look at the positives,” I s
aid. “Dad gets to stay here and continue training me, rather than being banished—or worse. Puck is here where we can keep an eye on him. We need to figure out what his motives are and why he decided to come in and blow my life apart.”
“You need to tread lightly with Shaela,” Easton said. “I know she’s your best friend, but he’s her family. You have to be careful what you say to her about him.”
My first instinct was to argue. Shaela was my best friend, and I was up to me to knock some sense into her, even if I had to yell and scream to do it. But then I remembered my own situation and the indignation drained out of me.
“I understand,” I agreed.
I really did. Cris was a Zephyr and the son of Sebille, yet if someone were to insult him or question his motives, I would jump to his defense. No matter what. I was sure Shaela felt at least a little of that familial loyalty toward her grandfather, even though she’d just met him. I had to remain sensitive of her feelings, no matter my own.
It was going to be tricky, but I would find a way to figure out what Puck was up to without pissing off my best friend. I just had to be smarter than him.
And if I gave him enough rope, he just might hang himself.
CHAPTER 8
“Hey,” I whispered, turning in my seat. “With everything that happened, I completely forgot to ask you about your conversation with your dad. How did that go?”
We sat in our third period classroom, waiting for our new sociology teacher to make an appearance. He was late…and so was Shaela. I’d barely gotten two words in that morning before she muttered something about having an appointment and scurried out the door.
Easton shook his head in answer to my question. Then he scooted up and leaned over his desk, bringing his face close to mine.
“It was stupid, really,” he muttered in a low voice. “He said he’d heard I was dating a girl with human blood and he wanted to berate me, in private, for sinking so low.”
His look turned apologetic with those words, but I shook my head.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be taking anything that man says to heart,” I said, then immediately regretted my surly tone.