4 Waxing & Waning

by Amanda M. Lee

  “If you know all of that, you must know what happened,” I said.

  “You would think that, wouldn’t you?” Blake said. “The details, though – the details are still hazy.”

  I rolled my tongue over in my mouth, considering how much to tell him. “The sorority is full of witches who were trying to sap magic from other people.”

  “I’m aware of that,” Blake said. “If you remember, you and I talked about just that last semester.”

  “I remember.”

  “Then why are you hiding information?”

  “I’m not hiding information,” I hedged. “I just don’t want to talk about it.”

  Blake blew out a frustrated sigh. “Well, this is an information-sharing relationship now. I need you to tell me about it.”

  I made my decision quickly, deciding to go with a variation on the truth. I was testing him. I just didn’t want him to know that I was testing him. “My roommate, Laura joined with the other witches to try and sap not only magic, but life forces as well, from as many people as they could.

  “There were only a handful of actual witches in the sorority,” I continued. “They were using the other pledges to bolster their power base. Their ultimate goal, though, was me.”

  “And how did that work out?” Blake asked, his face unreadable.

  “It didn’t.”

  “So, your magic is intact?”

  I shrugged. “I’m not sure I have any magic,” I said. “Whatever ritual they had planned backfired on them.”

  “Was that before or after the werewolves showed up?”

  I knew it! He knew more than he was letting on. “After.”

  “Did the wolves have anything to do with the ritual backfiring?”

  “Maybe,” I said. “Jessica was taken out by the wolves, and that’s when the spell seemed to go all … wonky.”

  “Wonky?”

  “I don’t know a lot about spells,” I admitted. “I have no idea what went wrong.”

  Blake inhaled heavily. “What happened to your roommate?”

  “It was a madhouse afterwards,” I said. “She disappeared.”

  “She never came back to the room?”

  “No.”

  “What about her parents?” Blake pressed.

  “As far as I know, she just has a mother,” I replied. “I believe her mother collected her things after Kelsey and I moved out of the room. I’m not a hundred percent sure, though. I didn’t want to deal with it.”

  “What do you think happened to her?”

  Was he testing me? It didn’t matter. I was sticking with the lie. “I think, when things didn’t turn out her way, she decided to run. I don’t think she wanted to be associated with Jessica’s death – although I’m not entirely sure what happened with all of that. I never heard any follow up.”

  “All I can say for certain is that someone swooped in and covered up the death,” Blake said. “It was very hush-hush. I have no idea who was responsible for the cleanup but, by the time we got a chance to check out the house, it was already cleared.”

  I had an idea who covered it up. His last name was Winters, and he was a state senator. Since Aric was the one who actually killed Jessica – this was before we realized Laura was really the threat – his father probably had a whole team of cleaners waiting for his call after the fact. Senator Winters had swooped in to handle a situation for us once before. There was no way I was going to tell Professor Blake that.

  “That’s weird,” I said. “Everything was a mess when I left.”

  “And why did you leave?”

  “Because my roommate tried to kill me,” I replied smoothly. “Wouldn’t you leave under the same circumstances?”

  Blake pursed his lips. “I guess. The question is, do you think Laura will return? Can we be sure that Laura isn’t behind the death of the girl on campus last night?”

  This was another test. “I guess it’s possible,” I said. “I have no idea why she would try to make it look like she was bitten, though. Or how.”

  “She was bitten?” Either Blake was a fantastic actor, or he didn’t know what I was talking about. This was just more evidence that, while the Academy thought they knew all and saw all, they were mostly working in the dark.

  “That’s what it looked like to me,” I said, pretending to be helpful. “She had two puncture marks on her neck. Mark saw them. Why didn’t he tell you?”

  “Perhaps he was in shock,” Blake said. “Finding a dead body is cause for alarm for some people. It’s happened to you more than once. It’s probably not as … jarring for you.”

  Okay, now he was just being an ass. “It’s still fairly jarring,” I said.

  “Of course.”

  I was starting to get impatient. “What are you going to do about the new death?”

  “We’re going to investigate,” Blake said. “There’s not a lot else we can do.”

  I could think of a few things. “And how are you going to investigate?”

  “Well, that’s entirely up to you,” Blake said.

  “Me?”

  “Are you finally ready to join us?”

  I shifted in my chair. I had come to his office for this very reason. It was time to make a decision and, even though I thought I already had, I was still unsure when the time came to utter the words. “I’ll join,” I said. “I do have a few stipulations.”

  Blake was used to being in charge. My request threw him for a loop. “You have stipulations?”

  “You’re the one recruiting me, remember?”

  “And what would these stipulations be?”

  “I’m not taking orders,” I said. “I’ll go through training, and I will … go out on some of your little missions if I think they’re worthwhile. I am not an informant. I am not a spy. I want this place to be safer, but I’m not willing to be some little … mole … to get you what you want.”

  “And do you think what I want is so bad?” Blake asked.

  I shrugged. “I guess we’ll find out.”

  “And what if I don’t agree to your stipulations?”

  “Then I’m leaving,” I said. “I won’t look back.”

  A nerve ticked in Blake’s jaw. “So, if I’m understanding you correctly, you’re saying that you want to retain control of your destiny,” Blake said. “You want to join, but you want your own set of rules?”

  I smiled, and this time it wasn’t forced. “That’s absolutely what I want.”

  “And why would I agree to this?”

  “Because you think you know something about me,” I said. “You think I’m something special, and you’re just dying to find out if you’re right. Part of me is genuinely curious about that, too. I’m not curious enough to cede my control. I’ll never be that curious. So, if that’s what you’re waiting for, I’ll be long gone from this college before you ever have the chance to find out.”

  I had him. Blake knew it. He just wasn’t quite ready to admit it. “You’re willing to work for us, but not share information?”

  “No, I’ll share information,” I said. Not all of the information he wanted, but I would certainly share what I thought was pertinent. “I will not act as some little rodent squealer, though. I will not be the rat in the maze feeding you information about all of the supernaturals on this campus.”

  “You mean that you want to protect some of your more special friends,” Blake countered.

  “If that’s the way you see it? Fine.”

  “And it doesn’t bother you that you’re protecting monsters?” Blake tried one more tactic.

  I got to my feet. “Maybe I’m not sure just who the monsters are,” I said. “I’m here to find out. If that doesn’t work for you, then I’ll be on my way.”

  My hand was halfway to the doorknob before he spoke again. “Fine. I agree to your terms.”

  I let the smile wash over my face entirely before tamping it down and swiveling so I could look him in the face over my shoulder. “I’ll meet you at the Academy
tomorrow afternoon to start my training.”

  October

  Eight

  If the first month of training at the Academy was any indication, the theme from the Rocky movies should have been playing in the background any time I was in the room.

  Professor Blake had either wisely (or stupidly) opted to keep me out of a classroom setting. He said he didn’t want me to focus on academics, which he didn’t think would be my strong suit. Yeah, he seemed to think that wasn’t a putdown either. He’s not bright when it comes to the human condition.

  Instead, he had me learning fighting techniques with his “warriors.” He called them warriors, but they were more akin to testosterone-filled morons if you asked me (which he hadn’t bothered to do). They couldn’t have passed a class – even if it involved coloring books and crayons. Which made me wonder: What exactly does Blake think of my mental prowess?

  My first days of training weren’t exactly inspiring. I’m not big on working out, and my time spent at the Academy was all about working out. Those first few nights, when I returned to the house on Franklin Street, I could barely lift my arms.

  Mornings were worse, the night giving refuge to fatigue and aches. I spent the whole first week walking around in a pain-filled haze.

  Things got easier after that.

  The fighting techniques they were trying to impart on me were easy. I watched the instructor go through the motions once – sometimes twice – and then I could mimic them to perfection. While they looked fancy and fun, I wasn’t sure how practical they would be in an actual fight. I kept my reservations to myself – which was getting harder and harder to do. Much like Kelsey, I’m bossy when I want to be. And, it seems, I always want to be.

  By late September, I realized my pants were loose, and my body was more lean muscle than soft curves. I kind of liked it – even if the work associated with maintaining my new physique was often irksome and tiring.

  I’d thought Blake would try and send me out on missions right away. Either he was biding his time, or he really was trying to give me an edge before feeding me to the wolves (so to speak). I wasn’t sure which one had more basis in truth. The more time I spent around Blake, the more conflicted I was concerning his attention. He acted earnest, like he was a good guy caught in a bad situation. There was something else there. I just couldn’t figure out what. Until I did, I kept my mouth shut and pretended to be following the program to the letter. I wasn’t sure what else I could do.

  It was early October when Blake approached me with my first mission.

  “You want me to be a peeping tom?” I wasn’t thrilled with the mission, to say the least.

  “You have such a charming way of looking at things,” Blake said. “I can’t tell you how much joy I take from our conversations.”

  “Right back at you,” I shot back, not bothering to keep the snotty tone from my voice. Hey, I was still me.

  “The Alpha Chis are having a meeting of their pack this evening,” Blake said. “While they don’t appear to be an immediate threat, they’ve had their paws in a number of unsavory scenarios on this campus over the past few years. I just want to be kept abreast of their plans and situations.”

  “I don’t want to go to the Alpha Chi house,” I said.

  “Would you like to elaborate on the reason why?”

  “Not really.”

  “I think it’s because she used to date two of them,” Mark supplied. I had no idea when he’d entered the training room, but his sudden appearance – and insistence on spreading around my personal business – set my teeth on edge.

  “You dated two of them?” Blake asked.

  “What can I say? I have horrible taste in men.”

  “That’s why you should’ve dated me,” Mark teased. He was trying to be cute, but annoyance was the only thing he was drumming up in me.

  “Which two were you involved with?” Blake asked.

  “Don’t you already know?”

  “What do you mean?” Blake asked.

  “Well, you like to think you know everything,” I challenged. “I would think you already know who I dated.”

  “Last time I checked, the dating habits of college girls weren’t high on my list of things to worry about,” Blake replied.

  “Even at Covenant College?”

  “Ever,” Blake said. “Girls of a certain age, girls your age, are fickle beasts.”

  He wasn’t wrong.

  “I hear that,” Mark agreed. “I can never figure out what they want.”

  “So, again, who have you spread your special attributes for?” Blake asked.

  I frowned. “You’re a pig.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way,” Blake said hurriedly. “That came out wrong.”

  I wasn’t so sure. “It doesn’t matter,” I said. “I just don’t want to be put in close proximity with any of the Alpha Chis. I’m trying to avoid them.”

  Blake shifted his attention to Mark. “Can you enlighten me?”

  “I don’t know the name of her first boyfriend,” Mark said. “I can’t remember. He’s a no one, though. She was with Aric Winters for almost a year.”

  Blake frowned. “Aric Winters? Really?”

  I shrugged. “He’s got a great smile. What can I say?”

  “And why didn’t you find happily ever after together?”

  I shot Mark a quelling look. “He was bad in bed.”

  Blake rolled his eyes. “I’m guessing it had something to do with the incident at the sorority house. Since you don’t appear to want to divulge the specifics of your breakup, I won’t force you.”

  “Great.”

  “If you don’t want to go to the Alpha Chi house, I’ll send someone else.”

  Well, that was just too easy. “Who are you going to send?”

  “Mark.”

  I furrowed my brow. “You’re going to send Mark alone?”

  “Do you have a problem with that?”

  “What is he going to do if they find him?”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “What’s his excuse going to be when they find him?”

  “What makes you think they’ll find him?” Blake asked.

  “Well, they’re wolves,” I said. “They smell things. The odds are in their favor.”

  “I’m willing to take the risk,” Blake said, glancing at Mark for confirmation.

  “I’m fine,” Mark said. “I’ve spied on them before.”

  “You have?” Something about that statement rang false.

  “I have.”

  I sighed, curiosity getting the better of me. “I’ll go with him.”

  “DON’T YOU think we should be closer?”

  Nights were falling earlier these days, so it was dark by 7 p.m. When I forced Mark to hide in the bushes on the far side of the Alpha Chi house, he’d balked.

  “We can’t get any closer,” I whispered. “They’ll either see or hear us.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “Just … shut up and trust me. You’re such a pain.”

  “Why are you mad at me?” Mark asked. “What did I do?”

  “I don’t appreciate you telling Blake about my personal life,” I said. “It’s annoying. It’s actually beyond annoying.”

  “I’m sorry,” Mark said, shrugging. “I didn’t realize it was a secret.”

  “Did you tell Blake about Paris?”

  Mark shifted uncomfortably. “Why would I?”

  He knew why. Paris was a witch. Mark was a good guy but … with all that had happened … . I tried to push the worry out of my mind. “We can’t get any closer. Just trust me on that.”

  “We’re not going to be able to hear them from out here,” Mark complained.

  “They have two houses,” I said, pointing for emphasis. “Do you even know which one they’re having the meeting in?”

  “Well, no … .”

  “Then how do you even know what building to be next to?”

  “I don’t.�
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  “Well, then, just shut up.”

  “You’re really crabby,” Mark grumbled.

  “I’m not crabby.”

  “You’re crabby,” Mark said. “I think it’s because you miss your little wolf friend.”

  “I think I’m crabby because you won’t shut up,” I countered.

  Mark rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

  “We’re not trying to hear what’s going on in the house anyway,” I said.

  “We’re not? But Blake said … .”

  “We’re waiting for them to leave, and then we’re going to eavesdrop on what they say,” I said. “We’re going to get more information from disgruntled wolves than trying to listen to a meeting.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “Girls eavesdrop on each other a lot,” I said. “You learn a few things in high school. Granted, very few of those things are helpful, but the art of eavesdropping is one that might come in handy from time to time.”

  “I guess I’ll take your word for it.”

  “That would be great.”

  We were silent for a minute, a state that Mark obviously found uncomfortable. “So, how are things with Paris?”

  I sighed. “She’s fine.”

  “Is she seeing someone?”

  “No.”

  “Is … .”

  I slapped my hand over his mouth. “Shh.”

  Mark looked like he was going to argue, but the sound of the door opening at the far house caught our attention. I removed my hand, crouching lower so I could listen. I recognized the two figures exiting the house – my heart flopping painfully at the sight of both of them.

  “I don’t understand,” Will said. “Why did you want to talk to me away from everyone?”

  “I know what you’ve been up to,” Aric said, his tone grim. I wasn’t close enough to see his face, but I could imagine the look of disdain flitting across it. I’d seen it a time or two – sometimes directed at me.

  “I haven’t been up to anything,” Will argued.

  “Don’t,” Aric said, his voice tired and harsh. “Just don’t. I won’t stand for it.”

  “I don’t even know why you still care,” Will challenged. “You’re out of her world now. She’s not your responsibility.”