by Erin R Flynn
“I lost track how much she cussed, seriously,” Sean muttered.
“Not the point, man,” someone replied.
I ignored them and stormed back to my bike.
“You’re not leaving until I talk to the headmaster and get permission you can,” Glen declared with a growl.
Wrong move. Absolutely the wrong move, especially with the shit I’d seen and survived.
I turned towards him and slapped my thighs before clapping my hands in front of me and letting out my power. I’d figured out on accident during a run that if I dissipated some of the energy before the clap it didn’t come out as hard.
He went flying, several other guys near him falling on their asses but he was the only real one affected.
“You ain’t the boss here, bitch!” I roared when I saw he was still conscious. “You don’t own me. Don’t fucking lecture me and tell me how things are. I don’t need your permission for shit. I ain’t your bitch, none of you my master, and no man will own me ever.”
I hopped on my bike, glad when the other guards backed off with their hands held up in surrender as I peeled out. The mood I was in, I wouldn’t care if I ran them over.
I raced off campus, immediately feeling better when I was free of there. Seriously, I needed to do this more often because I couldn’t handle all of it on me constantly without getting what helped me.
I got furious all over again when I saw I barely had any gas and I knew I’d had almost a full tank after I’d taken my bike to the house. I’d filled it on purpose on the way back to campus just in case I needed to take a short ride to clear my head.
He’d syphoned my gas so I couldn’t “take off.” I was going to beat that fucker bloody.
It was stupid too because he didn’t get it all and the gas went ridiculously far in my bike so I had fifty miles round trip with a gallon left. Fuck, I had two other vehicles on campus and now they were always having gas cans full for my bike in the back of them.
No way Mel or Craftsman objected to that. He had the SUV and she had a Pontiac Grand Prix and there were still more cars at the house.
And Glen had to know there were other vehicles I had access to on campus. So he’d done it just for a slap in the face? Some Alpha male controlling bullshit?
Fucker better get his head on straight or I would knock it off.
I sang my jogging playlist in my head in an attempt to calm down but it wasn’t working. I did notice that edgy feeling that had started yesterday was gone.
It was as if my magic knew something was coming and the pot was about to boil over. Nice to have an early warning system.
Maybe something my power assessor should have known and worked with me on. Damn, I really was going to be pissed for a while.
I turned around before I needed to just in case so I didn’t get stuck on the side of the road. Even I knew that was dangerous and I wasn’t trying to risk myself. I was reasonable.
But if they weren’t going to be with me then I would do what I felt best and only that.
There was a commotion at the security booth when I came flying up, slamming the brakes and skidding up to them. People jumped out of the way just in case but I had eyes for one person only.
I set my bike down on the ground and headed for Glen.
He didn’t expect it or assumed I wouldn’t, but I punched him clean in the jaw, smirking when he went down.
“That’s for stealing my fucking gas, you asshole. You want to talk about safety? Don’t syphon off someone’s gas so they’re not left stranded on the side of the mother fucking road!
“You’re lucky I caught it, I really would have beat your ass if you had fucked up my night. There was a deal made and I got to keep my bike here in case I felt this was all a sham or my safety was an issue.
“What if I needed to escape attack and there was a fucking boot on my bike and less than a gallon of gas in the five-gallon tank I topped up on the way back here last time? Huh? What then, Mr. Alpha Male who fucking controls it all and boss who thinks he’s got the biggest cock around? What would you have done then?”
“Fuck, magic is pouring off of you,” Mel hissed as she jogged over to me. “Tams, calm down.”
“I was trying to do that and this fucker put a boot on my ride and stole my gas!”
“I know, I get it,” she muttered, moving to block my view of Glen. “Ease down. Come on, Tams, trust me and ease down.” She sighed when I gave her a hurt look like she was siding with them. “Your head is seriously about to pop and your magic is going nuts and you don’t know how to control it yet.”
“Yeah, which was sort of the start of this,” I growled.
“I caught some of that. We’ll figure this out but I need you to chill so we can.”
“I’ve been calm and I’m—I can’t do this if it’s gonna be like this, Mel! I can’t always have everyone in my shit or the fucking leashes crazy. I can’t go fucking pee without someone asking where I’m at or—fuck! I wanted control, not a fucking cage!”
“You’re still ramping up for a fight. You need to drain it or let it out,” Craftsman told me as he moved closer.
“How? I only know a handful of things to do because no one is teaching me shit. And apparently I shatter metal if I’m pissed so, you know, that’s cool.”
“I can only think of putting it in the wards so there’s no damage done,” Headmaster Edelman admitted, wincing at the look I gave him.
“I’m not helping to add power to the place that wants to cage me.”
“I’ve got her reservoirs,” Izzy announced.
I glanced at her and then around, seeing way too many people there. “Fuck, is there a party here or all of you just stalkers? I went on a quick ride, not rob a fucking bank.”
“We were worried,” Mason said gently.
I rolled my eyes because it wasn’t just him but Lucca, Hudson, and Juan. No way Darby would get involved so at least there was that and apparently not everyone got the invite.
“Thanks, Izzy,” I muttered, wanting to put the magic in there so I could let it out into Faerie now that I knew how. I’d worked with Craftsman on that so I could empty his reservoir and give it back. I grabbed the first from her and tried to slowly let out the magic but it rushed me, needing a place to go. I gasped and squatted down so I didn’t fall.
“Next.”
“You need both? How?” Mel worried.
“If you figure it out, let me know,” I grumbled, switching the reservoirs with Izzy. “I just know how almost full feels now. I can’t keep going until they’re full or that hurts. Really hurts.”
“Sort of like getting sent flying by a power clap,” Glen grumbled.
“Boo fucking hoo,” I growled and let out the rest of my snowballing magic. Now it was time to see if anyone was going to wind me up again.
I hoped not.
3
“And I want my gas back, dude,” I told him after thanking Izzy and giving her the reservoir.
“Yes, of course, and there was an honest disconnect on several matters,” Edelman said, clearing his throat as I met his gaze. “This has been an above average busy semester with you and the issue of Ms. Ward and several other complications. So while I see yours and Geiger’s point, it was accidental and oversight, not an attempt to control you.”
“Glad to hear it.” I went to stand and almost went right back down, Mel catching me before I did. “Wow, that was rough.”
“You haven’t eaten enough,” she grumbled. “You did the vending machine hermit routine and now missed dinner.”
I nodded I heard her but focused on the headmaster. “So what was the disconnect with Glen acting like my warden and risking my safety?”
“I watched back the tape and you swore thirty-two times in that tirade,” Sean cut in, trying to tone back the tension.
I gave him a look to shut it. “I know my potty mouth. That wasn’t even close to my highest count in one pissed off rant.”
“It impressed some of us,�
� Mason teased me.
I sighed, not happy so many were around for this as I’d tried hard to have Geiger and Edelman handle it privately. I gave Edelman a look that I wanted answers, which I knew I shouldn’t but I was at my limit.
“I mentioned to Glen you had a bit too much fun when you were in New York and didn’t clarify. He thought I meant you got drunk when you were with a teacher. Also the mistake with you not being informed on signing out and thought you had to be dragged back.”
“That’s some hefty assuming and not listening as other guards knew,” I grumbled.
“Agreed, which is why I’m not bitching at the hit or sending me flying,” Glen muttered. “I will say you aren’t the only one or potential problem.”
I shot him a look. “Take me off that list altogether and I won’t pop you again.” I focused back on Edelman. “You broke your deal with me. I’m not agreeing anymore. There’s no reason I can’t drive twenty minutes down the road to clear my head and turn back. I said I needed that and for someone to get a bike but it didn’t happen.”
“I’ll get a bike,” Mel promised.
I sighed. “You hate driving that fast. I’m just going down the road, Mel. You guys keep boxing me in and I’m going ditch you all. I need everyone to take a few steps back and not so far up my arse. Someone work with me on how to use my magic and make sure I’m ready for anything you would handle for me instead of keeping me in a bouncy house!”
“Yes, fine, take your drive, but going anywhere you should be escorted. Please,” he said, his voice begging. He sighed in relief when I nodded. “On the other matter, yes, Dr. Craftsman will be your power assessor as I cannot keep up with what you need as I thought I could.”
I nodded, remembering that power issue and glancing at Glen. “You’re also cleaning up that boot I shattered. That will absolutely pop a tire and I’m not finding a broom or paying for it.”
“Fine,” he sighed, looking like he’d gotten raked over the coals.
Good, he should have been.
“She should also get some extra portal passes for all the crazy,” Mason chimed in.
My eyes went wide as I looked at Edelman, the man wincing before I opened my mouth. “That’s a thing? You said emergencies only and here students get passes for the portals? See, this is why I’m having some serious trouble trusting you guys!”
He held up his hands in surrender. “Not all freshmen get them and not for the first month unless they can prove they can call a portal in an emergency.”
“But I’m escorted everywhere,” I argued.
“You’re right,” he agreed. “And the one you would take is faculty now and a Rothchild. That was always the goal with hiring her plus the huge benefit she is to Artemis. So again, it’s a disconnect and I apologize. If you agree to a suitable escort I’ll give you six passes for the semester instead of the normal three.”
“Plus tonight as she needs a night out,” Mel added.
I nodded my agreement, crossing my arms over my chest. “You promised me magic and everything I never dreamed of and basically caged me here, mistakes or not. I got to go to New York because I needed the reservoirs and a few books on telepathy.” That part was a fib but it would have been really smart to have thought of that. “I’ve done everything you asked and I’m getting punished only.
“And a professor accusing me of cheating because I’m not bombing his class because I’m busting my arse to keep up. My whole weekends are tutoring and it never stops or is fun. Fine, I just got the conduit and now I can practice runes but I want some fun. You cannot tell me there are unicorns and not let me see them.”
“Okay, Pouty McPouty, I’ll figure out how to get you to see the unicorns,” Mel teased me. “You’re wiped and crashing.”
I sighed, feeling like I was whining but didn’t care. “I was just going to hit up the popcorn machine and do some extra reading. That was my exciting night.”
She turned me around so I was facing her. “There’s a portal in Pasadena right by the best burgers in the country and a few blocks away is an ice cream shop that uses cronuts for their ice cream sandwiches. You love burgers.”
“I do love burgers,” I agreed. “Cheesy fries?”
“Of course, and Izzy can come.”
“Sold.”
Edelman cleared his throat to get the attention back on him. “For the record, Geiger wouldn’t tell me if you were able to figure out your telepathy or not. He said until we finagled this situation to your satisfaction that none of us were getting one more detail about you.”
I beamed at him. “That man really likes me and not because I’m billable hours.” I snapped my fingers. “Right, school breaks. There better not be plans to keep me here. No way. I’m flying the coop.”
Edelman sighed and I saw the shocked faces of the other students that he would try to keep me on campus. He must have too because he winced as there was no justifiable reason.
“Yes, of course you can leave. Ms. Rothchild won’t let harm come to you and probably plans to have hellhounds roaming your property.”
“One, I want to know if those are real. Two, I’m pretty dang lethal myself and pack quite a punch.” I gestured over to Glen, who I knocked down twice and the man was built like a fucking tank.
“Yes, hellhounds are real but they’re more demon fae dogs and another conversation for another time,” Craftsman cut in. “Can you please answer the question so I can start working on the plan now that I’m taking over?”
“Yeah, I got it on lock,” I sighed, shaking my head when Edelman smiled. “Not from your way. Not even close.”
“It just clicked for her,” Izzy agreed. “Something made it click.”
“You,” I confessed, shrugging when she shot me a confused look. “You were talking about having to help me again and doing another shit show of people bitching it was taking too long or acting like I was prancing around for judgment to amuse themselves.
“You get dragged into enough of my crap getting stuck rooming with me and I didn’t want to keep doing it to you. My magic sort of popped and it turned off.”
“How did you turn it back on?” Craftsman asked, frowning.
I shrugged. “I turned off the machine. I flipped the switch and my telepathy came back on. All I have to do is visualize the on/off switch for it and flip it. I’ve had it off since I pulled up.” I frowned and looked at the reservoirs. “That might be why it made me feel light-headed.”
“Maybe but probably lack of food. We’ll resolve that now.”
I gave a half-hearted salute and went over to my bike, gently picking my baby back up. I glanced at Izzy. “You mind grabbing my wallet and we can meet at the… Where are the portals we can use?”
“The student union,” Mel answered, shaking her head when I shot her a surprised look. “Seriously, what is anyone teaching you?”
“She didn’t go through the regular orientation, just a quick tour by Darby so she didn’t get lost,” Izzy explained. “Next time we need a breather from studying, we’ll take a walk and I’ll gladly play tour guide.” She smiled at me. “I want a burger.”
“Rock on.” The drama solved, I parked my bike in the faculty lot and headed for the student union, texting Mr. Geiger that it was all resolved.
“What are you plotting?” Mel asked as I walked up to them, seeing I was looking at Google Maps.
“What would you think of having a really white Christmas?” I asked her, showing her the map. “I was checking out the assets of the estate and I have a house south of Bismarck, North Dakota.”
“Really? Nowhere cooler?”
“I thought maybe we could check out the house in Spain over summer,” I admitted.
“Invite me!” Izzy blurted. “I want to go Spain.”
I shrugged. “Sure. We’re not backpacking through it but cleaning out a house and following the will and wishes of my distant cousin.”
“Yes, but we could do some sightseeing around the area and get a fabulous tan,”
she teased me.
“I could be talked into Spain and a lot of snow for winter,” Mel agreed, giving me a wink.
We headed into the building and once again had a whole group. I sighed, shaking my head. I guess if you were important enough you just assumed you were always included.
Stalkers.
The portal was set and we went through, Mel leading the way since she knew the area well enough. We only had a block to walk before we came to a diner that looked like it knew it was the shit and didn’t worry about looking like a diner instead of all flashy and snazzy.
Cool.
“Hi, it’s the four of us,” I greeted the woman who met us with menus, gesturing to Mel, Izzy, Craftsman, and me. “The rest invited themselves and can sit wherever.”
“Thanks,” Lucca drawled.
I shrugged. It wasn’t my fault that Juan, Hudson, Lucca, and Mason just tagged along. Now I couldn’t relax like I could if it was just my group and I had needed that.
We were seated at a booth and the moment I looked over the menu I was happy again… And my stomach growled loudly.
It didn’t take us long to figure out what we wanted but the server looked at me like I was crazy when I ordered three burgers—two with fries—and a drink. She assumed I was ordering for the table but I wasn’t and the others got their own burger combos as well.
No way I was the weirdest she’d ever seen at least.
I smiled as Izzy and Mel talked, at ease and relaxed. It hit me why and suddenly I was flooded with gratitude and hope. I turned my face into Craftsman’s shoulder to hide when my eyes itched.
“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” he murmured as he moved his arm around me. “Food’s coming. Don’t pass out on me now.”
I shook my head that wasn’t it but I couldn’t form words right then.
“Everything’s quiet in her mind,” Mel muttered gently. “She’s never had that before and only her thoughts when in public. It’s no longer a struggle she’s been burdened with for years.”