Outcast: Spellslingers Academy of Magic (Warden of the West Book 1)

by Annabel Chase

  “Is that the night you went roaming?” Cerys asked. “When you found the…Master at Arms?” She clearly couldn’t bring herself to say his name.

  “Yes,” I replied. “We had a nice conversation.” I kept the part about my father to myself.

  “Too bad he didn’t see the real killer,” Mia said. “They must’ve gone into the museum through another entrance.”

  “There are plenty of avenues,” Robin said.

  “You guys need security cameras,” I said. “That’s what they use in the human world.”

  “Vampires wouldn’t show up on them,” Dani pointed out.

  “Speaking of vampires,” Mia said, leaning forward. “How’s yours?”

  I bristled. “He’s not mine.”

  “Sure looks like yours to me,” Dani said. “You two looked cozy as two vampire pirates in a dinghy.”

  “Vampire pirates?” I repeated. “They’re a thing?”

  “Not so much anymore,” Cerys said. “The AMF travels the Seven Seas to keep them in check.”

  “Which branch does that?” I asked.

  “Depends on the body of water,” Cerys replied. “You might like that post, given your penchant for water.”

  “Not sure I’d like that post if it meant fighting off vampire pirates,” I said. I scraped the last of the food off my plate and gulped down my lemon fizz. “I’m heading to the library now, if anyone else needs to go.”

  “I’ll go,” Dani said. “I want to watch you talk to Cato. Maybe he’ll finally give me the time of day.”

  “And I’ll look up Panas the old-fashioned way,” Robin said. “In case Cato doesn’t have the information.”

  “Don’t tell him what you’re doing, or he’ll never want to help you,” I said.

  Robin took his sweet time peeling skin from an familiar green fruit. “I don’t know that we should rely on Cato for details of great importance.”

  “We don’t know yet whether the ring is of great importance,” I said. “Whatever Cato can tell me, might help me figure it out.”

  “And what about Gray?” Robin asked. “Will he be continuing the quest?”

  “It’s hardly a quest,” I said. “I’m just trying to clear my name. You guys noticed that no one else is sitting at our table, right?”

  Everyone immediately looked down at their respective plates. I hadn’t wanted to draw attention to it when we first sat down, but my presence definitely cleared the area.

  “I, for one, like a quiet meal,” Mia said.

  “Me, too,” Cerys added. “Any help you need, Bryn. Just say the word.”

  “You’ve been helpful enough getting me acclimated,” I said. “Classes are hard enough to adjust to.”

  “I can’t even imagine,” Dani said. “I’ve been preparing for this academy my whole life. I don’t know what it would be like to be dumped in without warning.”

  “Dumped in the paranormal world, no less,” Cerys said. Her delicate features oozed sympathy. “You’ve handled it all beautifully. You know that, right?”

  “If, by beautifully, you mean getting myself pegged as a murder suspect and a thief, then, yes, I’ve done very well.” I stood and lifted my tray. “I’ll bus this, and head over now.”

  “You don’t need to bus your own tray,” Dani said. “Haven’t you been paying attention?” She took out her wand, and pointed it at the table. The trays hovered in the air and then zipped over our heads before disappearing into the kitchen. “Voila.”

  “You’re right,” I said. “I haven’t been paying close attention.” I’d been cleaning off tables for the past four years. It would be a difficult adjustment to make. “Is everyone coming to the library?”

  “I booked a kayak for an hour slot,” Mia said.

  “And I’m meeting with a study group for parapsychology,” Cerys added.

  “Robin and I will come,” Dani said. “I want to meet Cato.”

  “You just want everyone to know you,” Mia replied.

  Dani straightened her shoulders. “Nothing wrong with that. A little personal currency goes a long way. Ask anyone in my family.”

  “You don’t really want to go there, do you?” Robin asked.

  Dani’s expression clouded over, and I wondered what he meant. “No need to be a jerk, Mr. Prefect.”

  I decided to drop the subject for now. Gray’s confession was quite enough for one day.

  We made our way to the library, where Robin quickly disappeared between the stacks. He seemed to have a sixth sense as to where to look. I went straight to the horse’s—or the gryphon’s—mouth.

  “If it isn’t my new friend,” Cato exclaimed, as I maneuvered my way around the tables.

  “Hi, Cato,” I said. “This is my roommate, Dani. We’re doing a little research together, and I thought you would be an excellent resource.”

  “How can I help, Bryn?” Cato asked.

  The gryphon barely glanced in Dani’s direction. She tossed her strawberry blond waves over her shoulder, clearly miffed by the lack of attention. Maybe if I looked like a supermodel, I’d be annoyed, too.

  “Do you know anything about a ring owned by someone called Panas?” I asked.

  Cato mulled over the question. “Anything special about this ring?”

  “I’m not sure yet,” I said. “It might be connected to the sword that’s missing from museum storage.”

  “So it might be connected to the Master at Arms’ death,” Cato said.

  “Exactly,” I said.

  “Panas, you say?” Cato asked, and I nodded. “The Ring of Panas is ancient. A man named Panas was the original owner. He was said to have worn the ring in every battle as a talisman.”

  “And now the ring is said to possess the spirit of one of the fiercest warriors in the East,” Robin interrupted, hurrying over to us with a book in his hand.

  Cato gave a low growl. “I was about to say that.”

  “So I guess it’s pretty valuable,” I said, just as I suspected. “Do we know where the ring is now?”

  “My knowledge ends there, I’m afraid,” Cato said.

  “I can offer a bit more,” Robin said smugly, waving the book in the air. “The last known owner was a genie in the East called Amsu. He would wear the ring to public events to keep his enemies at bay.”

  “And where’s Amsu now?” I asked.

  “Amsu is dead,” a voice said. I whipped around to see Professor Langley. “He died of natural causes last year. I remember it distinctly because he left no heir and the entire estate was up for sale. I was able to acquire a valuable item for the academy, and a few smaller items for personal use.”

  “A genie died from natural causes?” I queried.

  “Genies are mortal, like us,” Professor Langley said. “They just happen to live very long lives.”

  “Any idea what happened to the Ring of Panas?” I asked.

  The steely-eyed professor scrutinized us before responding. “Why do you ask?”

  “Because it may be connected to Calvin Motley’s death,” I said.

  “I don’t see how,” Professor Langley snapped. “I think you’d be better off focusing on your studies than playing warden prematurely, Miss Morrow. You have quite a lot of catching up to do, particularly in my class.”

  “I would think the death of a colleague and a stolen academy artifact would be more important than my studies,” I said. I didn’t mean to give him a hard time, but he seemed to bring out the worst in me.

  He inhaled deeply. “Chancellor Tilkin seems to like you, though I’ve no idea why. That won’t be enough to save you, should you fail my class. So I suggest you adjust your focus and put your energy where it belongs.”

  “Is the ring here?” Robin asked. “Is it the item you acquired for the school?”

  “No, it was not,” the professor said. “Though I would have been happy to obtain it had it been available. To my knowledge, it was not among the genie’s effects.”

  “So it was either stolen or sold b
efore the estate sale,” I said.

  Professor Langley zeroed in on Robin. “Prefect Chambers, I expect better from you. You’re the role model for this group. It is in your best interest not to lead them astray.”

  “Yes, sir,” Robin replied, red-faced.

  The professor adjusted his cloak before continuing through the library toward the museum.

  “Stefan really doesn’t like you,” Cato said to me. “What did you do to him?”

  I reeled back. “Me? I haven’t done anything to him. I only just started attending his classes.”

  Cato clucked his tongue. “You’d better make sure you give Arcane Rites special attention. He’ll flunk you without a second thought. I’ve seen him do it before. Students come in here, sobbing in the middle of the night. He’s brutal when he wants to be.”

  “That won’t be me,” I insisted. Not the sobbing part anyway.

  “I should go back to the room and study,” Dani said, wearing a guilty expression. “I’ve been doing well in his class. I don’t want to screw up my average.”

  “You couldn’t screw up if you tried,” Cato said. “I’ve seen you in here, cracking open the books when your peers were attending parties and festivals.”

  Dani’s cheeks burned crimson. “I need to prove myself.”

  “To whom?” Cato queried.

  “To everyone,” she replied. “As soon as anyone hears my name, I can feel the weight of their judgment.”

  “Dani?” Cato asked. “What’s wrong with your name?”

  “I’m Danielle Montrose Degraff,” she replied, raising her chin a fraction.

  Cato’s beady eyes widened. “I see.”

  I blinked. “I don’t see. What does that mean?”

  Dani heaved a sigh. “I didn’t really want you to know. You’re basically the only student here who can’t judge me. You’re oblivious.”

  I sank into the nearest chair. “Enlighten me.”

  Dani shot Robin a helpless look. I could tell she didn’t want to tell her story. I knew the feeling.

  “Her grandmother,” Robin said. “Helena Caldecott Degraff. She led a troubled life.”

  “Troubled is putting it mildly,” Cato said. “She was a magic addict. Nearly exhausted the family fortune, and caused major problems for other family members, who tried to keep her addiction a secret at the expense of their jobs.” Cato eyed Dani with newfound respect. “If I had realized you were a Degraff, I would’ve paid attention to you much sooner. My apologies.”

  That explained Dani’s tendency toward overachievement. She really did feel that she had something to prove. I understood her desire. I never knew my father, but I still wanted to differentiate myself from him. Prove that I was better than him.

  Dani smoothed her perfect hair. “You have no idea what it was like at home. I couldn’t wait to come to Spellslingers, even knowing what the family’s reputation would be here.”

  “Your grandmother was a talented witch,” Cato said. “I remember her.”

  “The magic became too much for her,” Dani said. “The whole family suffered as a result.”

  “I’m sorry, Dani,” I said. “I had no idea.”

  She lowered her gaze. “It isn’t something I like to talk about.”

  I knew the feeling all too well.

  Robin placed a comforting hand on Dani’s shoulder. “We should return to the residence hall, so you can prepare for classes.”

  “What about the ring?” I asked. “I have to go back to the Obscura and find out where it ended up.”

  “You’ll do no such thing,” Robin objected hotly.

  Okay, maybe I wouldn’t, but I bet Gray would. “Robin, could I borrow that solo bicycle?”

  He eyed me warily. “Why? Where do you plan to go?”

  “Not to the Obscura, I swear,” I said. “I’m suddenly in the mood for a milkshake and fries.”

  “You just ate,” Dani said.

  “I need comfort food,” I said. “It’s a human world thing.”

  “Comfort food consists of foods like pizza, meatloaf, and macaroni and cheese,” Cato spouted.

  “See?” I said, pointing to the gryphon’s head. “He knows.”

  “Fine, take the bicycle, but do be careful,” Robin said. “Bring your wand.”

  “I still don’t have my wand.”

  He groaned. “Fine, take the bicycle.” He stalked off in the direction of the main building.

  “Where are you going?” I called.

  “To put an end to this evil that’s permeated our walls called bureaucracy,” he yelled back.

  Whatever that meant, it sounded good to me.

  14

  I parked the bicycle in front of the Stake-n-Shake and hurried inside before a waiter could offer me a bottle of sparkling blood. The moment I breezed through the door, I realized it was a mistake to come alone. The place was chock full of vampires. How safe could I be? Because uptight Robin had felt comfortable coming here, it hadn’t occurred to me to exercise caution.

  I began threading my way through tables toward the back staircase when I saw him, and my breathing hitched. He was huddled in a booth by himself, absently tapping the base of a milkshake glass. I ground to a halt. His broad shoulders tensed as he became alert, seeming to sensing my presence.

  Our eyes locked.

  “Morrow,” he said gruffly. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to see you. I have information.” I slid into the cushioned seat across from him.

  “I thought we were done.” Gray slid his blood red milkshake closer to him, as though I might pinch it from him.

  “I decided I could use the help, after all,” I said. “If you’re still willing.”

  “I went back to the Obscura to ask about the ring,” Gray admitted.

  My spirits lifted. “Really?” I didn’t know why that fact elated me, but it did.

  “Don’t get too excited. She didn’t know much. Just that it was somewhere in the region.”

  That was disappointing. “Do you know anything about a dentist for vampires?" I asked.

  “A dentist? I feel like I should be insulted," Gray replied.

  “Don’t be. He's an elf named Jonas. He’s apparently made a killing treating vampires’ dental needs. I thought maybe you would've heard of him."

  “Sure, I’ve heard of him. Never had an appointment with him, though."

  I cocked my head. "Would you object to making one now?"

  "You want to question him?" Gray queried. He lifted the glass to his lips and drank.

  “Yes, without really questioning him, if you know what I mean,” I said. “You need a straw. I don't care what that's made out of, milkshakes are made to be sucked up with a straw."

  Gray tapped one of his fangs. “A hazard of our nature. We poke holes in straws pretty quickly."

  "I smell a goldmine if somebody invents a fang-proof straw," I said. Too bad I had no interest in inventions.

  "I'll make the appointment," he said. He pulled out his phone and began to tap the screen.

  "You will?" For some reason, I hadn’t expected it to be that easy to persuade him.

  "I told you that I’d help you," he said. "That's as good as a blood oath where I'm concerned." He paused, as though anticipating a reaction. “You don’t seem very fazed by blood, considering you’re surrounded by gallons of it right now.”

  I shrugged. “It isn’t mine. Besides, my mother was a doctor.”

  “In Terrene?”

  “Yes.”

  “Was she a paranormal?” he asked.

  My throat tightened. I’d hoped to avoid this line of inquiry because I didn’t want to lie to Gray. Something about him inspired honesty. Maybe it was the fangs. “No, she was human.”

  “Your father must be pretty powerful then,” he mused. “Why didn’t he bring you here sooner? He should’ve realized early on this is where you belong.”

  “He died,” I said simply. “I never knew him.”

  Gray flinche
d. “I’m sorry. And your mother?”

  “Also dead.”

  He downed the rest of his milkshake. “And now you’re at the academy, trying to fit in for the first time, and, instead, you’re fighting for your freedom.”

  “Something like that.”

  I watched as Gray made the call to the dentist's office. He said it was a dental emergency, and even threw in a moan of pain for good measure. He clicked off the phone and winked at me.

  “What time?" I asked.

  “One hour," Gray replied. "Plenty of time for you to order something." He slid a menu across the table.

  I studied the contents, noting the multiple references to raw and blood. “Clearly, I’m not the intended customer."

  “There are plenty of virgin drinks,” he said. "I can vouch for the Chocolate and Burstberry Delight. It’s delightful, just like the name suggests.”

  “That does sound good," I said. "I'm not sure it was the best idea for you to suck down a milkshake right before you visit the dentist."

  He peered at me. "You do remember that I don't actually have a dental issue, right?"

  I leaned back against the booth. "I know. Still, you always want to make a good impression on the dentist." My mother had always been big on dental hygiene.

  He smirked. "You’re an odd duck. Has anyone ever told you that?"

  "You don't become an outcast by being normal," I said.

  Gray lifted his glass in solidarity. "Cheers to that."

  The dentist's office was tucked away in a nondescript one-story building, not far from the academy. On the way, I took the opportunity to tell Gray about the other lead I’d overheard—the dwarf named Kilond.

  He ran a hand through his thick blond hair, a gesture that made my pulse quicken. “Elves and dwarfs, huh?” he queried.

  “What about them?”

  He shrugged. “Not exactly the dangerous type of paranormals.”

  “I thought all paranormals had the potential to be dangerous,” I shot back.

  “Against the Master at Arms at Spellslingers?” he queried. “Doutbful.” He pushed open the door to the office, and a receptionist greeted us from behind a transparent barrier. It wasn't like the Plexiglas windows in human world offices—more like an invisible force field.