by Luna Pierce
Tension fills the space immediately. I peek over my shoulder and find Silas not moving from his spot near the door. A shy, petite but strong-looking girl walks toward him. Not wanting him to bite her head off, I go over and place my hand on his shoulder, pushing my calming energy into him and pressing my lips to his cheek. “See you in a bit.”
It seems to do the trick.
His shoulders relax, and he shakes his head at me, aware of what I’ve done.
“Guess we’re finally going to get acquainted with each other, huh?” Ruby says.
“Yeah.” I force a smile while I scan the room. “I’d say so.”
“I’m not going to lie.” Her voice gets quieter. “I’m just glad I didn’t get a bloodsucker. I mean, no offense, I get that you’re dating one and all. I’d rather not be stuck with one for a whole term.”
I’m pretty sure any time anyone adds no offense, they absolutely know they’re being an asshole.
“Ruby, Willow,” Abigail interrupts. She examines the sheet attached to her clipboard. “You two will meet here first thing in the morning. Ten minutes before first period on the dot. You’ll have one hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, for now at least. Please make sure to wait for your instructor prior to entry. For the time being, I’ll be joining you. Do you have any questions?” She checks for both of our reactions. “Oh, and there will be snacks in here, but eat breakfast first.”
“Sounds good.” Ruby puts her hands in her pockets.
“We have time for each group to spend about thirty minutes today, and you two are the opening act. So, whenever you’re ready.” Abigail pauses. “I’ll be accompanying you, obviously.”
“Oh, right now?” I blurt out.
“Yes, we want to test the waters and make sure everything goes to plan. Kind of a soft start to reacquaint the students to the shadow side.” Abigail studies my face.
“That makes sense. Definitely. Yeah, I’m ready.” I glance at Ruby. “You good?”
“Yep.”
I take a deep breath, careful to keep it to myself as much as possible to not let on how nervous I am. Although I went to the shadow realm already since the incident, I was with Sydney, and there was some level of security knowing he was by my side.
Now it’s merely me, Ruby, and Abigail.
It’s moments like this that I have to remind myself that I’m an Oliver witch—strong and capable and fully able to overcome a little anxiety.
I check over my shoulder on the way to the door, scanning the crowd for my guys. An invisible string holds me to each one of them.
“Infito grantum modem,” Ruby mutters and then slips into the other realm.
Abigail follows suit, and I’m close behind.
Every time I cross over, I expect to notice some weird shift in my body, but it never happens. My gaze flicks to the same spot I always look for, the upper right-hand side where the ripples of the seam connect this territory to the next.
To demons.
Deadly, terrifying, and ruthless creatures that want nothing more than to steal my power and rip me to shreds.
I swallow. I can do this.
I’ve battled numerous demons, what’s one more time?
“The realm is stronger than it ever has been.” Abigail points toward the wall. “See how the color remains the same? That means the connection is consistent and durable. In the past, we had a slight variation, which meant it was weaker then… vulnerable and susceptible.”
Why in the hell are we risking coming here if it was so fragile?
She continues. “We weren’t aware it could be at the level it is now. The combined magic between you and Sydney is unparalleled together. Creating a stronger bond than we knew was possible.”
“Damn, Willow,” Ruby chimes in. “I have my work cut out for me then.”
Abigail chuckles. “You’re not wrong, but you two have a lot that can be learned from one another. You are a great match, and I have a feeling that things will become very interesting with your training.”
“Why does it seem you know more than you’re saying?” Ruby adds.
“Because I do,” Abigail admits. “I want you two to get familiar with each other’s magics in time, but I will say, you two have a lot of things in common that I’m sure will benefit both of you to work on together. One of your strengths might be the other’s weakness, and some are shared qualities that you both need to explore further.”
One thing is for sure, we do not share the same mindset on vampires.
I hate the fact that I’m immediately judging her for saying what she did about bloodsuckers, but I don’t see a difference between any of us. I mean, yeah, vampires drink blood, and werewolves shift, but we’re all magical beings and we all deserve to be treated with an equal level of respect.
How would she feel if someone had said the same thing about her or other werewolves?
I honestly have nothing bad to say about any of the species, except for demons. Even the bad witches are descended by demonic kind, so it’s hard to hold any ill will toward them, either. It’s not exactly their fault.
We don’t choose our family.
Which explains how Sydney was able to put aside his familial association because of what his parents did to us. It was an unforgivable act, and to abandon him the way they have and offer no explanation only solidifies the decision for him that much more.
“Today, girls, I want you two to jot down some of the things you feel confident in your abilities of, and then list some things you personally think you’re struggling with. I want to go over these tomorrow when we meet and see which things we should focus on first. There’s obviously infinite training, so developing a more personalized regimen will be best to make the most progress.”
What do I excel at? I can come up with many of my weaknesses.
Like the lack of control I have over my abilities, my pathetic hand-to-hand combat, the fact that I’m freaking incessantly cursed and receptive to demon attacks pretty much at all times. Not to mention my mental block with actually realizing any of my strengths.
I allow my gaze to trail Ruby. What could she be good at?
She’s fairly small. She seemed nice, up until she pissed me off with the vampire remark. What could she possibly bring to the table other than shit-talking people behind their back?
I’m being petty and I really should get the hell over it. But having such a fierce connection to Silas and knowing what a wonderful person he is, it hurts me that someone would treat him badly strictly based on what he is, not who he is.
He is a bit prickly on the exterior, though, so maybe her opinions are based on poor assumptions. Maybe if she got to know him a bit better, she wouldn’t think the way she does. Not that I really care to let anyone understand Silas the way I do. And who’s to say it would ever matter anyway? Some people are so close-minded that nothing anyone says or does could change their rationale.
“Go ahead and grab a provided notebook from over there.” Abigail motions to a table by the door. “You can take that back with you but bring it with you to each session.”
Wasn’t Silas the one who had Ruby check my room for intruders not too long ago? Why would she do that for him if she hated his kind?
Chapter Fourteen
“Do you think you should tell the headmaster what’s going on with you?” I study Silas’s tense face.
“No.”
“Why?”
“It’s none of his business.” His jaw is tense, more so than usual.
“And you don’t see an issue training with the wolf girl?”
“Her name is Piper.”
So, he’s on a first-name basis with this female?
“Yeah, her,” I confirm.
“There won’t be any problems. I’m capable of controlling myself. I shouldn’t have even told you.” He walks across my room and leans against the wall. He’s grumpy as hell, and boy is he bad at hiding it.
Or maybe I’m good at recognizing this isn’t truly him.
“Is this you talking, or the stone?”
He rolls his eyes and sighs, confirming my suspicions. Silas is usually cranky, but not quite like this. “I’ll see you later.”
“Silas,” I call out, but it’s no use, he’s already gone.
I rummage through my backpack and find the notebook from the shadow realm. I have about an hour until dinner and need to get started on my assignments for the week.
My hand throbs, reminding me of how slow of a process this healing is. Shouldn’t it be better by now?
I flip open the page and put pen to paper.
Strengths: I jot down.
Destroying the shadow realm? Does that count? Although, it was totally by accident.
I’m pretty good at improvising and working with whatever comes my way. Most of my magic comes to me at random and is never usually planned.
Which is probably a weakness. I need to work on control and how to harness it when I need it.
I guess my actual strength could be noted here, considering how powerful my magic is at times. I did partner with Sydney to do that repair in a fraction of the time it was supposed to take.
Apparently, I have a thing with nature, but I have little idea of how to truly tap into that either. Sometimes I’m really good at knowing things, too. Like the times I’ve asked myself something myself and I’ve been guided to wherever it may be.
Does that mean I have locating abilities?
Other than that, though, I kind of suck at being a witch.
A knock sounds on the door.
I perk up, hoping that it’s Silas coming back to apologize for being a brat earlier, but it’s not his energy that greets me.
“Hey, Will,” Cam says from the other side.
“What’s up?” I motion for him to come in.
“I thought we could study until it’s time to eat. I already feel so behind, and it’s only been a day.” He waves the statistics book and then tosses it on the bed, plopping down next to it.
“Of course.” I close the pad I was writing in and shove it aside. “Did you bring your calculator?”
He leans over and reaches into his back pocket, bringing out a massive device with a bunch of buttons. “Yep.”
“Good.” I smile.
I study his face, looking for the man I saw a few days ago who got angry. He’s been replaced by the normal, caring, and adorable Cameron.
I’ve been meaning to get him alone and bring up what happened, but other than this very instance, I haven’t totally had the chance.
What better time than the present?
I swallow. “Can we talk…”
His eyes narrow. “Yeah?”
“…About what happened with you and Silas when I got hurt?”
“What about it?” Cameron turns to face me fully.
“You kinda reacted in a way I’ve never seen from you. Is everything okay?” I run my hand along his arm.
He looks to the floor and doesn’t speak, so I continue.
“You’re a wonderful listener, Cam. You always have been. But maybe it’s your turn to do the talking.”
His gaze slowly makes its way to meet mine. “It’s my brother. He got arrested again. He was on his last strike with the paper factory, so now he’s out a job. And without any money coming in, we’re probably going to lose the house. We’ve used up all of our favors with the bank, and it won’t be long. It’s either that or I use what I have saved for school to pay the mortgage. It’s a lot to handle, and I let it get the best of me. I’m sorry. Silas really does piss us all off, but I shouldn’t have responded the way that I did.”
Jesus, they’re going to lose their house? I had no idea things were that bad for him. If anything, I’m mind-blown at how well he can keep his shit together despite his life falling apart. I could take a lesson or two from him in humility.
There has to be something that can be done, though, right?
Cam can’t become homeless, and he shouldn’t have to give up going to college to pay for his brother’s mistakes.
Life is really fucking unfair at times.
Cameron, of all people, does not deserve this. He’s good and pure and one of the nicest, most grateful humans on the planet.
“I’m sorry you’re going through this, Cam, I really am. Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask, despite knowing there’s not much I can do to help. I barely have enough money to cover what little expenses I do have.
“Not unless you have a shit ton of cash lying around you aren’t using.” He offers a weak smile. “Keep being you. And no feeling sorry for me. I’m a big boy. I’ll be okay. I always figure it out. I just haven’t thought of the solution for this one yet.”
“You’re admirable, you know that, right?” I shake my head. “There are so many layers of you that not everyone sees. Not even me. But yet you’re always so happy and giving.”
Cam shrugs. “What good does being pissed off all the time do ya?”
“Are you referring to Silas?”
“No, I mean, yeah, but he’s misunderstood. I get it. He’s had a hard life. Sometimes that shit is harder to hide than we think. I have no idea what he’s gone through, but he’s old as hell, right? He’s probably lost a lot of people and dealt with his fair share. I’d hate to put my pain and suffering on anyone else. So, if I can be the reason someone smiles instead of feels worse about their life, I’d rather choose that. We don’t decide how people, or the world treats us, but we can control how we react. I want to be part of the solution, not the problem. Does that make sense?”
Cameron is a saint, that’s all there is to it. This world doesn’t deserve his benevolence.
The next morning, I stand in front of the mirror and mentally prepare myself for the day.
First, I have training with Ruby and Abigail, and this evening, I’m signed up to go dress shopping with the girls. Don’t get me wrong, both things could be a lot of fun, but they could be absolutely horrible, too.
Having that weird interaction with Ruby has thrown me a curveball. I thought she was friendly and accepting of the different supernaturals, but in reality, she’s not. What’s the difference between me and Silas? Does that mean she doesn’t care for witches either?
It’s my luck to get stuck with someone I don’t click with. Why couldn’t I have been paired with Silas or Deghan?
Sydney and I, magically, get along very well, but considering we’re both witches, we never would have been put together.
I wonder how all the guys are going to fare with their partners. Deghan got a vampire named Ezra, who’s damn near his height. She’s long and lanky with sleek jet-black hair and a piercing glare.
Sydney was placed with a vampire, too—a guy named Hopper. He seems totally laid-back, not serious like Silas and Ezra. With his shaggy hair and chillness, he must be the hippie of vampires. Sydney doesn’t seem to hate Hopper the way he does Silas, but regardless, he’s not thrilled with his assignment.
And then there’s Silas and Piper. The dainty werewolf who is as cute as a button.
Silas has a temperament to be withdrawn toward everyone, so I can’t tell if he has an issue with werewolves the same as he does with witches, or, well, the Sydney kind. He’s different with me than with anyone else, so it’s hard to recognize for sure who he likes and dislikes.
I can only hope that whatever the stone is doing to him doesn’t affect his training and cause any issues, let alone put anyone in danger.
“Blueberry,” Sydney says while holding out a muffin. “Cameron made them for you. Deghan said they’re really good. I had an apple one, because, well… you know.”
“Thanks, Syd. Shame your glitch is something so delicious.” I take it and peel back the paper, biting the side. It’s no surprise that it tastes of heaven. Cameron really is a masterful chef.
Which brings up a potentially good idea.
“Would you pay money for that?” I ask Sydney.
“The muffins?”
I nod. “Ye
ah, would you buy them?”
“In a heartbeat. I’m not sure how he does it, but everything he makes is delicious. It’s like his magical power is being able to cook and bake.” Sydney brings his cup of coffee to his lips and takes a sip. “Why?”
“I thought of something. I’ll have to get him on board, but it might help a problem he has.” I’m positive Deghan will help me get this going, too.
It’s not much, but it’s honest work, and maybe if things go the way I hope they will, Cameron won’t have to spend his tuition money to keep his home.
Chapter Fifteen
I suck in a breath, then let the words roll off my tongue. “Infito grantum modem.” Crossing over the threshold, I note the way the air is slightly stagnant on this side of the plane. My gaze focuses on that spot in the corner, checking the seal on the room.
Will this ever get any less fucking weird?
It’s all fun and games until a demon penetrates the barrier, lures someone you care about into a trap, and tries to kill you and your friends.
No big deal.
And that doesn’t even mention the whole ‘me thinking I killed Silas’ thing.
Watching his body fall lifelessly to the floor because of something I did is not something I’ll ever be able to fully get past. The entire experience was traumatizing, and going back to the very place where it happened is a definite challenge.
“Willow, would you care to take out your notebook and we can go over what you and Ruby came up with?” Abigail snaps me back to reality.
How long was I zoning out there?
I turn to the written-on page and hand it to Abigail.
She glances over mine and then Ruby’s.
“Mmhm,” she purrs. “Well, I think both of you have a lot more going for you than what you’ve been able to put on paper, but this is a start. Willow, it appears Ruby will be able to help you with your combat skills, and in return, Ruby, Willow can help you work on having patience with your studies.”