Sticks & Stones Spell Werewolf Bones: A Why Choose Academy Romance

by Rae Stapleton

  “I’m fixin’ to get better acquainted with them,” Eleutian said with an evil smile.

  Evie watched him as he entered the office next door for a minute before turning back.

  “Demas, we found more items under Maggie’s mattress…” Evie trailed off as Demas raised his hand. She looked behind her. “Why is Headmistress Barnabus behind the carved column out there in the hall?”

  Demas surreptitiously watched Barnabus from the corner of his eye, noticing that she peeked out a couple of times from behind the large flutes of the Corinthian column. Well, now he knew what those large ears were for. Eavesdropping. And she was clearly trying to see what Evie had in her hands.

  He shifted out of the headmistress’ line of sight and put his finger to his lips.

  “Let’s look at that later. I need to interview the wolves now that Eleutian’s softened them up for me. Did the forensics team show up yet?” Demas asked.

  “That’s what took so long, Boss. We waited for them to arrive before leaving the crime scene,” Bodhi said.

  He nodded. “Evie, gather anything you might need; we’ll be heading to the New York house for now. Bodhi, go with her.” Demas walked out to avoid a clash with Evie in favor of one with Headmistress Barnabus.

  “Headmistress Barnabus, are you spying?”

  She was clearly spying, but for whom? No response.

  “Headmistress Barnabus, I can see you.”

  “What? Oh, of course not! I just walked back into the admin area a moment ago. And call me Babs.”

  “Babs, do you know what I am?”

  “Why, of course. You’re a professor from New Orleans. You were the head of that undead special task force but I believe that’s been decommissioned and you’re now running a team of professional monster hunters. Is that correct?”

  “Trackers, yes but…”

  “Oh, and isn’t Aurora Batavian your mother?”

  “Stepmother. That’s not what I asked. That’s who I am. What am I? As a vampire, surely you know.”

  “I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Professor Batavian.”

  “I’m a werewolf and I can smell your fear.”

  “Wh-wh-what?” Babs was wringing her hands while stuttering out her question, unaware of what her body language was screaming.

  “You heard me. Now, why were you spying?”

  “I’m—”

  “Do. Not. Lie. Again.” Demas noticed her shoulders drop. Okay, maybe they were getting somewhere.

  “I’m just so stressed and I didn’t want to be left out of the loop,” Babs said.

  “Babs, I can appreciate that sentiment, however, this is a murder investigation and as such my team and the Supernatural Society’s forensics team are the only ones authorized to know the facts of the case.”

  “But it’s my job to know everything that goes on in this school!”

  “Well, in that case, why don’t you start by coming back into your office and answering my questions.”

  “I can’t right now, Mr. Batavian.”

  “It’s Professor Batavian and it wasn’t a suggestion.”

  Babs finally looked up. Her eyes were huge and filled with fear, but she headed to her office like a prisoner meeting the firing squad. Demas was sure he could see sweat beading on the woman’s forehead. The chamber was stifling but he figured it had more to do with nerves than temperature.

  “What happened to my phone?” Babs asked, picking at broken bits of plastic.

  “Uh, well, there was an accident. I’ll get a replacement for you by tomorrow. Please take a seat.” Demas closed the door to the office next door, so she couldn’t see Eleutian interviewing the others.

  With a sigh, she turned down the fireplace and dropped her purse onto one of the two visitor’s chairs, choosing the other as her own seat. Obviously, she realized she wasn’t in a position of power here. Suddenly prim and proper, she pulled her sweater closed and crossed her arms. The desk’s dark wood surface was polished to a shine, and each item on it was arranged neatly. Her computer, pencil holder, and file organizer were placed just so, cleaned spotless, and free of dust. Not to mention the shiny, brass nameplate that was centered and aligned perfectly parallel to the edge of her desk. Too bad her own emotions weren’t just as tidy. Then again, who was he to judge.

  “Barbara, what can you tell me about Magnolia Howl?”

  “Not much, really. I try to keep my distance from the students.”

  “Who found her?”

  “Um, I did.”

  “Why? What were you doing in her room? Why weren’t you keeping your distance?”

  “Wh-what? Wait, you’re confusing me.”

  “It’s a simple question. Why did you go to her room?”

  Babs smiled like a student with the correct answer. “I had a message from her father.”

  Demas stepped closer; eyes narrowed. “Why would the headmistress of the school in her hands-off approach deign to deliver a message to a student?”

  Babs leaned as far back as her chair would allow, looking like she expected a blow. Demas took a step back, hoping to relieve some of her fear. This female vampire was very frightened. But of what?

  “Alpha Howl called me directly and instructed—I mean asked —me, to tell his daughter personally that she needed to return home immediately and that a pack member would be picking her up in fifteen minutes. They live about an hour away, so I figured it must be urgent and I wanted to give her at least a few minutes to pack some things.”

  Demas motioned for her to continue, but she just stared at him. It was hard not to roll his eyes. “What happened when you reached her room?”

  “Oh, well, I knocked of course, but there was no answer. I had received an email that she took a sick day, so I tried the door, but it was locked. Since this seemed urgent, I used my master key.”

  “Do you always use your master key to enter student rooms?”

  “Of course not, I would never breach someone’s privacy unless I thought it necessary.”

  “And you keep it on your person?”

  “Always. I keep it on a small chain with a few other important keys and it’s always in my pocket.”

  “So, you unlocked her door…”

  “Y-yes. I didn’t notice anything was wrong at first. I called her name as I walked in and identified myself. It looked like she was asleep in her bed, so I approached to wake her and … and…” Tears pooled in Babs eyes.

  Demas nodded. “Did you touch anything?”

  “Aside from the doorknob, I may have touched the tulle before I realized. I screamed, that’s what drew the students, well most of them anyway.”

  Demas narrowed his eyes. “You mean there are students here that we didn’t get information from in the hallway? It looked like the whole school was standing there.”

  “I only know of one who was absent, Lennon Sidhe. You met her earlier.”

  Demas mentally cursed. “I’ll need a list of every student enrolled within the next hour. If you could personally handle that for me, Babs, I would be grateful.”

  The headmistress’ mouth opened and shut like a carp fish, she obviously wanted to protest but instead she wisely nodded.

  “We have a forensics team working the scene and they will remove Maggie’s body. I need to interview the werewolves now.” He walked to the door connecting the offices but turned back to find Babs just sitting there staring off into space. Demas cleared his throat. It seemed to stir her from the trance. He was going to have to be diligent during this investigation. He might even need to recuse himself, but he would see what his stepmother had to say first.

  Demas opened the door to an office filled with tension and testosterone. Eleutian, who looked like one really pissed-off mage, stood by the door with his arms folded and his eyes fixed on the four shaggy-haired men. Three sat sullenly on the low couch, looking reasonably subdued. The fourth was still on his feet, jaw clenched, glaring belligerently. He was younger and bulkier than the
others, with lighter—almost reddish-gold—coloring and forearms that reminded Demas of ham legs. This one would be the challenge.

  “Have you learned anything, Eleutian?”

  “Yeah, all four of ‘em could use a razor, a bath and some manners. Those three are silent types and this one, here, thinks he’s a badass. Tried to arm wrestle me.”

  “Screw you, I’m not sayin’ anythin’!” The belligerent one yelled as he met Demas’ eyes.

  Demas let loose a low growl. He needed to put this pack in its place. His snarl increased in volume at a slow, steady rate, making it all the more menacing. The three quiet ones started cowering in the corner while Eleutian’s eyes widened and his jaw went slack. Demas had never had to exude his dominance in this manner before and he was sure this behavior was surprising to his friend. Meanwhile, the belligerent were-man continued to stare until Demas was forced to transform further. He ripped off his glasses and let his eyes go. He knew they turned from blue to a bright golden color that glowed from within. Finally, the troublemaker caught a clue and dropped his gaze to his alligator leather boots. When Demas’ growl continued to increase in volume, he dropped to the floor and lay belly up whining, keeping his eyes averted. Finally, a show of submission, Demas stopped growling, but when he spoke next the strain on his vocal cords made his voice hoarse.

  “What is your name?”

  “Remy Rousseau.”

  “Do you attend this school? And what about those three?” Demas flippantly gestured to the corner.

  “I don’t. The twins, Will and Bill, don’t either. The smaller one, Jimmy, does.”

  Eleutian glanced to the twins, “Let me get this straight, you’re both named William?”

  They nodded but continued to look at the wall.

  Demas just arched his brow at Remy.

  “That family have a strange tradition. They started namin’ all the males William starting with their great-grandfather. This is first time they had twins. We were sent by the alpha to pick up his daughter and Jimmy.”

  “What was so important?”

  “Don’t know.”

  Demas bent down to get in Remy’s face, but Remy kept his eyes on the floor. “How do you do that? You’re not even in our pack.”

  Demas smirked. He knew Alpha Howl and his top five lieutenants were most likely the only ones this boy had feared up until now.

  “None of your business. Now, what was so important? I won’t ask again.”

  “All’s I know is there was supposed to be a special pack meetin’ and he wanted everyone to attend. Now what about Maggie?”

  “Miss Howl is dead.”

  In shocked reaction, Remy looked up for a second before realizing his mistake and whined to prevent Demas pulling rank. The three in the corner started to howl instinctively but quickly quieted down.

  “Didn’t you know? I saw you in the hall.”

  “No, we knew something was wrong but not that she’s dead. Oh God!” Remy’s eyes bounced everywhere around the room but never hit upon Demas.

  Demas cleaned his glasses with the bottom of his shirt and slid them back on his face. He looked at Eleutian who had straightened from his slouch against the office desk.

  “Eleutian, add their names and contact info to your list and then they can leave. I’m calling headquarters.”

  8

  Midnight Witch

  I stalked out at a fast clip. What was up with Demas? He was acting like Bodhi with his control issues. I stopped. Screw them both if they thought I would put up with it. I started walking again, I was sure Bodhi would catch up any moment. I’d just entered the wing to the dorm staircase, when I went tumbling to the ground. What. The. Hell. Then I heard the giggling. Seriously?

  “Walk much, Hellangeline?”

  I rolled over to see that royal bitch Lennon Sidhe in one of her trademark barely there dresses. Today it was an ethereal material with a feminine cherry print. The dress was covered in romantic ruffles, lace-up details and adjustable drawstrings at the skirt that made it so short I could pretty much see her tonsils from the ground.

  “Oh, have they moved you back to the remedial class, Lennon?”

  “Of course not. What makes you ask such a stupid question?”

  I blew out a breath as I gathered my backpack. Looking up, I batted my eyelashes at her, then stood. “Well, you continue to have trouble remembering names. I certainly wouldn’t want you to be stressed out in classes above your ability.”

  Lennon hauled back with an open hand and on her forward swing Bodhi stepped between us. Due to our height differences, her slap landed ineffectually on his arm, although he grunted. I watched her face through my lashes with a half-smile on my face. In my head, however, I was grimacing because Lennon was a beauty and tall, nothing like me. I knew I was pleasant to look at, but Lennon was in another league all together. Her hair was almost like a rainbow. The hue changed based on the day and lighting, but it was always soft and looked like it was painted in watercolor. She looked positively angelic. Too bad she didn’t have a temperament to match.

  “Oh, excuse me. I was just joking around with…”

  “Evie, who is this?”

  “Bodhi, this is Lennon Sidhe. Lennon, this is Bodhi. One of the trackers here to investigate Maggie’s death.”

  Lennon sidled up to Bodhi and leaned her breasts on his arm. “Oh, but why would we need trackers. Aren’t trackers for catching monsters? That poor unfortunate girl committed suicide, didn’t she?” She leaned closer, her face just inches from his. Jesus, was she going to stick her tongue down his throat next?

  Bodhi shook her loose from his arm and stepped back. “Did you know Maggie?”

  “Was that her name? I knew it rhymed with shaggy.” Lennon smirked as she stepped forward, undeterred.

  I interjected. “Lennon has trouble with names.”

  She glared and this time I smirked. “Where were you, Lennon? The team was taking names and contact information in the hallway before releasing everyone to their rooms. For that matter, where’s your posse?”

  “We were there. I saw the tall gorgeous one with blue eyes. Are all of those boys as good looking as that one and you, Bodhi?” Lennon asked while she batted her eyelashes at him.

  This was ridiculous. Bodhi wrapped an arm around me and took my backpack. He slung it on his opposite shoulder, forcing Lennon back.

  “Evie, you ready to pack? I think Demas will be finished soon.”

  Lennon’s head whipped around so she could stare daggers at me. “Excuse me, but why would you be concerned with her?”

  “I’m sorry, Ms. Sidhe, I don’t believe that’s your business,” Bodhi said.

  “I’ll have you know my step-father is on the Supernatural Council.”

  “So?”

  Lennon growled and stomped off.

  “What was that?”

  I snorted. “She and her posse of three others terrorize this school and most of the students. We call them the Fake Clique—actually we have many names for them—but they go by the Fate Clique. She’s Fae.”

  “Yeah, I know. I could feel her expelling her sexual energy at me.”

  I smiled. “Yeah, about that. How did you resist? I’ve never seen anyone rebuff her like that.”

  Bodhi shrugged. “I don’t know. The Fae have no effect on me for some reason. It drives them mad.”

  “I bet. You know, she pretended she didn’t know Maggie, but she and her friends made her life miserable. They were always calling her Shaggy Maggie. She was sensitive about that part of the whole werewolf thing. They used to leave hairballs all over her desk and chair and all the kids would laugh. We should make sure Eleutian has their information because I don’t remember seeing them.”

  “You were preoccupied, so she may have told the truth.”

  “Are you sure you’re not under her spell? She didn’t mention Eleutian when she was extolling your virtues? That, right there, tells me she wasn’t there. She probably saw Demas somewhere else.” />
  Bodhi nodded and smiled. “You were paying attention. I like it.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Should we check on forensics?”

  “You pack while I check with them.” He returned my backpack.

  I grimaced but started down the hall. I couldn’t stop myself and looked past the crime scene tape in Maggie’s doorway on my way past. They’d removed her body already which was a relief. Then I remembered I’d have to return to class Monday without my friend and the hurt ping-ponged inside my stomach like an arcade game.

  I entered my room and stared, not sure that I ever wanted to return here. I definitely wanted to keep learning, and it was only three more months before I could move in with the boys full-time. I needed to quit thinking of myself and focus on finding Maggie’s killer. She would expect no less from me. First things first, I grabbed the duffel from my closet and stuffed several t-shirts, a couple pairs of jeans, and a pair of boots inside. Added underthings. I still had the evidence bags with the items that had been under Maggie’s mattress, and was thankful that Lennon didn’t notice them sticking out of my backpack when she tripped me. I stepped out in the hall with my duffel and backpack over my shoulder and locked my door.

  I stood at the threshold of Maggie’s room and watched while Bodhi discussed things with the society’s coroner, the last remaining member of the forensics crew, for a bit before my eyes roamed around the room. That’s when I noticed the velvet drapes were closed around the window seat. I waited until the coroner left the room and motioned to Bodhi, pointing at the window seat.

  “Did forensics close the drapes?”

  “That’s odd, I don’t know why they would leave them like that instead of securing them again,” Bodhi said.

  He walked over to inspect the area and I followed. Bodhi yanked them open.

  9

  Professor Werewolf

  D emas walked back inside the headmistress’ office. It appeared empty. He took a moment and perused the private collection of occult books on magic and arcane science that graced her large built-in bookshelves. Being a scholarly man himself, Demas appreciated her choice of reading material. The woman clearly considered it her duty to keep up to date on all aspects of her supernatural charges.