“Cindy,” my mom snapped, irritated my focus wasn’t completely on her.
I met her gaze, shoving my questions away before taking a bite of bacon. “Thanks for breakfast, Mom.” She didn’t prepare it. I didn’t think my mom knew how to cook toast, let alone bacon, muffins, and coffee. She left everything domestic to Nancy, our housekeeper.
My mom shook her head and laughed. “Of course.” She took a sip of her coffee.
I chewed and swallowed. “I better go. I don’t want to be late for class.”
She made a face. “Always so busy.”
“But that’s good, right?” I stood, ignoring the muffin, but taking the other piece of bacon and wrapping it in a napkin.
“I suppose. I just miss you.” Mom looked sad. It was hard to see her that way.
“Miss you too, Mom,” I said, coming over to her for a hug.
Mom nodded, but didn’t lean in. “Alright. See you later,” she said, missing the cue and going to the kitchen door.
“Hey, Mom?” I walked over and hugged her. Secrets or not, she still meant the world to me.
My mom patted me lightly on the back. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” I said squeezing her. “I—I just love you.”
She sniffed. “Love you, Cindy.” My mom pulled away and patted my arm before leaving the kitchen.
I took a deep breath. If she was keeping secrets from me, they wouldn’t last long. I had a spell for that.
Another day of classes was over, and I still didn’t have answers for Heather. Nor had I decided what to do about Quilla, Mizrabel, my weird dreams, and Sera. Worries were piling up like stacked marbles. One false move and everything would come tumbling down.
Snow left word that until we figured out the situation, Heather would have her own room. I didn’t want the girl to feel ostracized though and hoped we could come to a resolution quickly. Snow also reminded me to talk to Pops about my Polonias problem, which was why I was here.
I sent a message to Sera using magic, asking her to meet me in my office in an hour. I hoped that would be enough time to talk to Pops about the situation.
Professor Pops led me into the small office he used at the academy. He closed the door, his face serious.
I sat in one of his lush leather chairs.
“How can I help you, Cindy?” He sat as well, resting his forearms on the edge of his large desk.
At once, I was nervous. “Well,” I began. Why would Pops know about Polonias? Sure, he’d been alive a long time and seemed to know everything about the supernatural, but maybe I should’ve talked to Abernathy, the dragon, instead.
Professor Pops took his reading glasses from his sweater pocket and put them on the end of his nose. He began going over some papers on his desk. The longer I sat, the worse I felt. And I wasn’t sure I had a reason. I never once saw Pops be anything but kind and beyond helpful. Sure he was a human turned Hunter, turned kind of human again…
No, that was wrong. He was and always would be a vampire. Nothing could change that fact. Plus, I didn’t think he wanted to change. I shifted in my seat.
Pops looked at me over the top of his glasses. “Cindy? You said you needed to talk to me. Was that true, or are you hiding from someone?”
I snorted and cleared my throat. “Have you heard of a land called Polonias?” I blurted.
He pulled off his glasses and set them on the desk, then clasped his hands together. “Perhaps. Where is this Polonias?” His bright eyes studied me, and I got the distinct impression he was testing me somehow.
I tucked my legs beneath me. “It’s a land. My…” Should I say fairy godmother? He might laugh, and I wasn’t in the mood to be laughed at. I decided on a different way to put her. “A woman by the name of Quilla Templeton told me about it. She said I needed to save it.”
Professor Pops leaned back, resting his hands against his stomach. “I see. And who is Quilla Templeton to you?”
Ah crap, he was going to make me say it. Out loud. “She says…” I paused, pushing some loose hair behind my ears. “She says she’s my fairy godmother.” I felt color rise to my cheeks. It was as embarrassing to say it out loud as I thought it’d be.
Pops sat up. “Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.”
“We are?” I asked, blinking several times.
“Yes, because now you’re being honest.” He picked up his glasses and put them back in his pocket. “Don’t want to lose these,” he said, once they were in place. “So, when did Quilla first appear to you?”
“You know wha—who she is?” I was stunned. Did, like, all supernaturals belong to a club? Were there secret handshakes? Special codes? Did Snow know about Polonias? And why was it I always seemed to be the last person to know everything?
Pops nodded slowly. “I’ve met Quilla before. Yes.”
“I swear.” I stood and began to pace, trying to control my temper. I don’t know where it came from, but like lava, it rolled out of me.
“It’s okay, Cindy. I wanted to gauge how you know about Polonias, whether you dreamed it or if Quilla actually spoke to you. Now that I know, we can get down to business.” His expression was amused, and it made me angrier.
“Seriously. Why didn’t you tell me about this place before?” I sat back down in a huff.
“Well, my dear, because it wasn’t my place to tell you. I’m surprised Quilla didn’t give you more details herself.”
I coughed. “Well, she’s sort of upset with me. Said I’m a disappointment.” I slumped back into my chair.
“Oh, I see.” He studied me for several long moments until I wanted to squirm like a disobedient child under his gaze.
“What?” I finally asked.
He leaned forward. “Polonias has some similarities to Sharra, but it’s different as well. It’s similar in that it’s connected to Earth. As you probably know, Sharra was created by the magic of a Vampire. It exists within Earth, only on a different plane.” He stacked one hand on top of the other to illustrate. “Like the layers of your skin. You can only see the top layer, but we know two more layers exist. It’s the same with Sharra.”
“And Polonias. How is it different?”
He picked up a pencil and tapped it on his desk. “Polonias was created by magic, same as the others, but it wasn’t created with Earth’s magic.”
Sick foreboding filled my stomach. “What are you saying?” I asked the question but was terrified of the answer. I didn’t even want to comprehend what he meant.
“It gets a little complicated, but Polonias is a land you can get to from Earth, but it isn’t part of Earth.”
I felt my mouth fall open. Professor Pops hurried on.
“Polonias is its own world.”
I tried to speak but sounded like a gasping fish. “Like aliens?” I finally asked.
“Aliens.” Pops snorted. Actually snorted. I closed my mouth, frustrated.
“Those who exist on Polonias are human just as we are. Or,” he shrugged. “In my case, once was. The magical creatures that dwell in Polonias are the same as the magical creatures you’ve seen here and in Sharra. They are part of the seven magics. But here’s the cool part.”
“Cool?” That wasn’t the word I’d use. Freaky. Weird. Effing terrifying. Those words were a better fit.
“The seven magics are part of Earth, but they also exist everywhere. And Polonias used the magics from—”
“Stop. Holy hell. Just stop. Please.” I rubbed the sides of my head. This was too much. I didn’t want to hear anymore. But I had one more question. “Quilla said something that leads me to believe my mom and dad aren’t really my mom and dad. Am…” I trailed off. It seemed too impossible. Saying the words felt like I would make them come true.
Pops shook his head. “That’s not a question I can answer. You should ask Quilla. Or better yet, your mom and dad. They have the answers you seek.”
I nodded. He was right. Of course, if it were an easy answer, he would’ve told me. That meant my pa
rents did have secrets. I sighed internally. There was no damn way I wanted to ask my mom now. I thought about what kind of spell I could use to get to the truth. “Alright,” I said, feeling more confused than before I came into his office.
“How are things between you and Gabe?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Fine, I guess.” Nothing like Dorian and Snow. They were so in love it was sickening, but mine and Gabe’s relationship was good enough.
Professor Pops came around and patted my shoulder. “One thing I’m certain of is that everything will work out. It always does.”
“Thanks.” Sure, things worked out, but that didn’t mean they worked out the way I wanted them to. Or the way that I thought was best.
I left Professor Pops’ office in a daze. In the hallway Heathcliff waved and said hello. I think I raised a hand in answer, but I wasn’t sure. My life suddenly didn’t feel like my own. For a moment, I thought I understood what Snow felt when she became the Seal. But no. I wasn’t like that. I didn’t need to worry.
Sharra. The academy. This was where I belonged.
Chapter 10
I went into my office and closed the door. During class I asked my students to write a paragraph on what they hoped to learn this year and now I needed to get through them to gauge not only their ability to write, but also whether or not I needed to change my next lesson.
The words were a blur. I kept reading the same sentence over and over again and still didn’t know what it said. I couldn’t help it. Random thoughts popped up. My magic. It came from The Eye of Abernathy, which came from Earth. And Abernathy was a dragon of the Earth. If my sinking suspicions about where I was born were true…
“No,” I shook those thoughts away. It just didn’t make sense. After staring into space for I didn’t know how long, there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” I said, glancing at the clock. It was time for my appointment with Sera. Actually, the girl was a little late, but better late than never.
The door opened, but instead of Sera, there stood a man. His eyes were blue like summer sky right before the sun sets.
“Hello,” he said, and smiled. The man had dimples. Damn dimples. “Mind if I come in?” He inclined his head at the chair on the opposite side of my desk.
“Oh, sure.” I let out an embarrassed laugh as my skin reddened. His handsomeness was palpable, like the heat from the sun. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” He sat, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Can I get you something to drink? Wine. Chocolate milk?” Why the hell did I ask the beautiful man if he wanted chocolate milk? Lame. Not to mention I didn’t have any.
He chuckled at that and I felt more heat rise to my cheeks. “I’m good, thank you.”
“Excellent. Great.” My insides spun dizzily.
He studied me as though exploring the facets of my face. Then his eyes wandered down my shoulders and arms to my hands. It felt as though he sculpted me with his eyes, as though I were coming alive under his intense scrutiny.
“You don’t recognize me?” he asked, a slight grin on his face.
The man was yummy. I would’ve remembered seeing him before, but there was something about him. “Should I?” I rested my hands on my thighs, clawing my nails into them, trying to get a handle on myself. I was with Gabe. My amazing chayot warrior. Righter of wrongs. Champion for the humans. Too bad he’s been in a bad mood for the last year, I thought, and dug my nails in deeper.
“Perhaps not.” His eyes sparkled and my breath hitched. “How about I tell you my name?”
“Right. Yes. What’s your name and how can I help you?” I felt like an idiot, like a silly pink poodle with her tongue dangling from her mouth.
He chuckled. “My name is Leolas, but my friends call me Leo.”
I stretched out my arm across my desk. “Nice to meet you, Leolas. I’m Cindy.” He stood, taking my hand in his and kissing the knuckles. I very nearly swooned (yep, I can now say with complete honesty, I understand what the word means) as a jolt of electricity shot through me. My heart picked up speed, racing like herd of wild horses. There had to be a spell to deal with my overactive organ. Lightheaded, I fell back into my seat.
“You all right?” he asked, sitting back down.
“Sure. Of course. Now why don’t you tell me why you’re here.” I tried to regain control.
“Cinderella,” he said, and the word floated to me like a crisp breeze.
“Don’t call me that,” I said, scrutinizing him carefully.
Come to me.
The room felt stifling. I needed some air. Standing, I strode past him to the door. “I should go.” I left the room and rushed down the steps and out the front doors of the castle. The sun was setting, the font of the castle in shadow and I bent over, heaving air into my lungs.
“Cinderella,” Leo called. He was right behind me.
“Leave me alone.” I didn’t understand what was happening. If necessary, I would use force to keep him from me.
Come to me. Those words filled my mind, but I fought against them. “No,” I shouted, and took off down the steps. Then I was running, heading around the castle toward the barn and the forest beyond. I wanted to run, to hide. Anything to get away from him. Not just because he scared me, but because I didn’t want to be a part of whatever was happening.
“Cinderella,” he called again, and I saw he was right there, as though we were attached.
“Holy merde,” I said, crossing my arms. “Leave me alone, creepy stalker.” A stunning spell ran through my mind and I said the words almost as soon as I thought them. Leo sensed my magic and sidestepped it as though he could see it.
“Your magic is impressive.” As he spoke, he stepped closer. “Though it’s still new. I can tell that much,” he added, his eyes glittering mischievously.
“I—I…” Magic wasn’t something I threw around. Just about everyone but Snow was uncomfortable with it, including my parents. My aunt didn’t mind, but I didn’t see her much. “Thanks,” I finally got out.
Leo was so close the tips of our shoes touched. Behind me, I heard the rustle of woodland creatures, out of sight, but nearby. My heart raced erratically. I was torn between running, lighting his hair on fire with a spell, and seeing just what the hell he would do next. I could see his magic, almost like a light shining around him.
“Who are you?” I finally asked. Then thought it was a stupid question. He already said he was Leo.
He lifted his hand and a circle of buttery colored magic flickered at his fingers. My breath sucked in.
“You shouldn’t—”
“Shhhhh,” he breathed, and the orb grew until I could see within.
There was a castle, flags flying from each point. Beautiful landscape surrounded it, and it was encircled by water. As the sphere grew, I stepped back so I wouldn’t touch it. Leo brought it between us. Six moons shone in various colors, gently lighting the land, including cottages, cities, and farmland, mountains, valleys, and large bodies of water. When it finally stopped growing the orb was the size of a beach ball. Around the edges were gray mists, some darker than others. “What’s that?” I asked, pointing at the darkness.
“The Sickness,” Leo said, his voice quiet, almost reverent.
“What kind of sickness?” Without him telling me I knew the world was Polonias.
“She’s dying.” He looked at me, his beautiful eyes sad. “Polonias needs your help, Cinderella.”
“No.” I stepped back, bumping against a tree. “Did Quilla send you?”
He shook his head. “I shouldn’t be here, but I’ve come on behalf of the land of Polonias to ask you, respectfully, for your help.”
Even though I knew the land was Polonias, hearing him say the word aloud racked my body with shockwaves. “I can’t.” Uncontrollable terror caused my knees to quake. I carefully stepped around the tree, trying to get farther away from him. “Please leave me alone.”
Leo’s face fell and the magical sphere vanished. “I�
��ll never stop trying.” His words were intense, and I knew without a doubt I’d see him again. At the conviction that radiated from him I almost wavered. Almost. But I shook my head.
“Go away,” I said, pushing past him, heading back to the castle.
Leo took my arm and I glanced back at him. His posture was proud, his chin lifted. “I will. For now.” He vanished as though he were an apparition and I clutched at my throat.
He wasn’t gone for good. The thought rocked me with terrified excitement. “Merde,” I whispered. I needed Gabe.
Using magic, I created a portal right into my bedroom and quickly texted Gabe. It was a Tuesday night. My mom had her charity meetings and my dad was still away on business, so I had the house to myself. Gabe wouldn’t come into Sharra, but I had no problem entering the human realm. There were talks by the governments of the world about creating a way to alert certain agencies when magic was used. Gabe and the chayot were part of the team since it was the chayots’ job to keep humans safe. It was the whole reason they existed. I knew Gabe felt the need to help them on a cellular level which was why I knew part of him resisted giving himself fully to me. I was a witch, therefore, I was the enemy, to an extent.
Chapter 11
Gabe texted back that he would be over soon, saying we needed to talk, but I wasn’t in the mood for talking. He showed up at my window ten minutes after I was in my pajamas. I wore silk shorts and a matching spaghetti strap tank. With giddy anticipation, I let him in.
“Hey,” he said softly. He smelled of cool night air, moonbeams, and angelic magic as well as something I couldn’t quite gauge. What could be the matter?
“Hi.” I closed the window and turned, studying him as he wandered the room, picking up the photo of us right after high school graduation, before setting it back down. Gabe was hot. His dark hair short and his emerald green eyes seemed even brighter than usual. He always had a tan and his body was sculpted and sleek. I craved him. And I wanted him to make me forget all my worries for a little while.
Deadly Witch: Cinderella Reimagined with Witches and Angels (Seven Magics Academy Book 4) Page 5