by S. L. Morgan
“How was it before?” I asked, having never been a part of a virtual reality program.
“We were placed in a unit, and the reality that was programmed for us was transporting our minds into the program as if we were there,” Lusa said. “How does it work now?”
“Well, we step into it. It’s pretty awesome. It’s like stepping into another realm. Edgewater let me and the gang try it out tonight. We stepped through a veil and were in Key West, Florida.” He smiled at me, “We were with humans who were programmed into that virtual reality. They were programmed to act like they would if we were in the human population.”
“Why are we only finding out about this now, and why is the dean wasting fairy magic on stuff like this?” Lusa asked, annoyed.
“Something about enjoying a summer vacation while testing us to see how we do in the human population. If any supe acts out and a human sees their supernatural ways, they’ll be plucked out of their summer vacation and placed into a summer learning program run by Edgewater himself.”
“That’s definitely not going to happen. I’m not going to be stuck with that dean all summer.” I studied Dominic, “How strict is this virtual reality? Can we shift?”
“Yes, but not in front of any humans. That shouldn’t be a problem, though,” he said as he crossed his arms. “We’re going to a cool private island. Humans aren’t overpopulating the place. I put in all my requests of what I wanted, and they’ll send us there in two days when it’s finalized. My main request was for minimal human interaction—for E—and I also emphasized that I wanted summer toys to mess around with.”
“If this new reality vacation is meant to test us with the humans, then how’d you manage minimal human interaction?” I asked. “I want to see what these humans are like, how they act.”
Dom sat next to me on my bed. “It’s for E,” he said with a warm smile. “I’ve got to let him be himself. He’ll go crazy if we keep locking down his owl to only shifting once a day here. He needs to be his owl and be able to be free from the lockdown of this school.”
“But how did you manage a minimal human population?” Lusa reverted back to the original question.
“Between getting my Head Master training status back and Edgewater being obsessed with mine and Jenna’s bond, I got it.”
Lusa exhaled. “Dom, you’re not helping E. He won’t be able to survive out there with humans if you let him do whatever his owl wants. You know that. His parents were killed because they were living exclusively as their owls.”
“That’s not going to happen with E,” Dom growled. “Listen, Lus, I’m sorry you don’t agree, but I will protect Ethan with my life, I promise you that. He won’t screw up. He and I have an agreement, and he’s willing to work with Vannah and me to discover how to overcome the owl that wants to always be present in him. There will be humans, but we will have minimal interaction with them unless we want more.”
“You’re having him work with a witch?” Lusa said a little too loud. “How dare you, Dom? Why would you go behind my back and get a witch involved with helping Ethan?”
“Because she’s a Woodson witch, Jenna’s best friend, and I trust her. She and E have gotten closer in friendship if you hadn’t noticed,” Dom sent the same annoyed tone back to his sister. “E is my responsibility before yours. If you can’t trust me, then I don’t know what else I have to do to prove I won’t hold him back, but I also won’t set him up to fail.”
Lusa conceded reluctantly. “I know. I just don’t understand why you do what you sometimes do.”
“Sis, you know I have our cousin’s back. You, Ethan, and Jen mean more to me than anything else in our crazy world.”
Lusa smiled widely at me. “He’s never talked like this about any of his girlfriends, you know. I’m not sure I’ll ever understand how your wolves saw each other’s true mates in a kiss.”
“It’s a fascinating subject for everyone,” Dom said, standing up. “I’m heading to bed.”
I stood with him and was swallowed up in my man’s arms. “I can’t wait for this vacation,” I said.
“Two days.” He kissed the top of my head and stepped toward the door, “Oh, Lusa?” He stopped as he grabbed the doorknob. “Make sure it’s bikinis, tightfitting dresses, and short shorts for Jenna,” he said with a laugh.
“Get out of here, you sicko!” Lusa rolled her eyes.
After Dom left, Lusa laughed. “You two are too cute, and the fact that my brother doesn’t mind breaking school rules and putting us all at risk to come see you after hours says a lot. Ah, you know what?” she bit her bottom lip. “I am going to hook you up with some clothes that will torture my brother. You’ll look so hot he’ll get busted on the first day and sent to that hardcore summer study program.” She chuckled.
“I’m not a pawn in the Rossi twins’ games, okay?” I said with a laugh. “Seriously, though, I only need comfortable clothes for whatever we do on this island.”
“I’ve got you taken care of,” she said with a daring smile.
Two days and we’re out of here, I thought with relief, ready to be away from this school and excited to experience our virtual vacation.
3
This was it, the day that would send us off to an island vacation. I’d never seen an ocean before in my life, so I had no idea what to expect. This island getaway that Dom had planned for us seemed like it was exactly what we all needed. Time to relax and not think about anything but that.
“You ready?” Lusa asked. “There are huts on the island, and my friend Eileen left earlier this morning to bring in all our outfits. So, throw on your gym shorts and a tank, and we’re out of here.”
“Eileen?” I questioned.
“Yeah, she’s one of the fairies who helps with the virtual realities.”
“Sweet. Hopefully, she didn’t let her fairy ways drive her to pull pranks on us on this vacation.
“Dang, you really don’t trust fairies, do you?”
“To put it mildly.” I grimaced. “I grew up being targeted by their hateful sides in the school system. I don’t know any other side to them.”
“Fairies can be like that. I’m really sorry that happened to you. In my personal experience, most of them are nice, but it makes a lot more sense to me why you talk about them the way you do,” Lusa answered.
“Yeah, it’s in the past, but it’s also hard to get over when they come after you hard because you’re a shifter and a female. In the end, I just don’t trust them.”
“I get it. Dom was seeing a fairy once. He led her on a little bit too much, and let me tell you that she was relentless in making him pay for it. He sort of deserved the embarrassment that he got from her funny games, though.”
I laughed. “She taught him his lesson, eh?”
“Oh, yes,” she beamed. “To be fair, he wasn’t ever the type to play around with girls’ emotions.” I saw her eyes drift, making me think she might have had a revelation, “Dom was never really a flirt. It was more like he was searching for something in relationships, and he never found it until you.”
No thanks to our memory wipes by that fairy godmother lady. Poor Dominic, we both were seeing how these memory wipes may have been put in to help, but they definitely screwed with both of us in different ways.
“Wow,” I responded. “I’m glad this is for the better for him.”
“Me too,” she said. “Now,” she looped her arm through mine, “let’s catch up with everyone and get on our vacation. Dom and his crew are already there. Dom’s a bit of a control freak when he plans things. That’s another good reason not to worry about the fairies messing with any of us while we’re there,” she said as we left our dorm.
We met a group of people who usually followed Dom and Co. around the school. Unfortunately, red nails, Kat, and her crowd were standing in front of the metal door, squealing and stomping their feet to get this vacation started.
“As you all know,” a yellow-haired sprite started, “working with the staff
and the dean, you all must remember you are still at Immortal Academy. The updated virtual realities that you’re privileged to embark upon are also testing your ability to be amongst the humans. This is key to remaining on your vacation.” The sprite eyed everyone with her amber-colored, glittery orbs. “Now, the dean expects you all to follow the rules given at the academy, but he wants you to have fun as well. The one rule the dean is easing up on is for the shifters. You may shift into your animal forms as you please, but be warned that if you shift in front of any human we’ve created in your reality, you will be pulled immediately from your virtual vacation and sent to the summer programs. Are there any questions before you go?”
“What about the others?” I asked.
“The others?”
“Vamps, fairies, and witches?”
The sprite eyed me. “Oh, yes. The others may only use their supernatural talents if it is allowed in the human world. For example, if a vampire wishes to use the energy from a human and compel them to sleep at night—for the human’s good, not the vampire’s selfish needs—then the vampire may do so. The witches may not use magic on humans unless it helps the human out of a situation, and the human must have no understanding that magic was used. Same goes for the fairies. The most important part to remember is the rules of supernaturals living amongst humans. We will not tolerate upsetting human culture. The humans have not looked to harm us, so why would we do something to upset their natural lives?”
“You have four shifter masters on this virtual reality,” I heard Dean Edgewater’s voice chime in. “So, I expect you’ll all behave while in their company. I’m quite shocked any of you would choose to vacation with anyone directly under our professors, but that’s your decision. They, as per academy rules, may have you removed from this virtual vacation at any time.”
I glanced over at Edgewater whose teeth literally seemed to sparkle in an almost unnatural glittery white color. “Now, get on with your vacation. Enjoy yourselves. We have new students arriving for the new year soon enough, and the lot of you will be helping to introduce them to our fine school. If you follow the basic rule of not disturbing humans, you’ll all have a fantastic time. I have to say I’m thoroughly impressed with this particular vacation Master Dominic has worked on for the last month. I’m tempted to go on it with all of you.”
Oh, God, no!
Dean Edgewater laughed. Damn it, he read my thoughts. “But,” he winked at me, “I know you kids need some time away from direct supervision, and truth be told, I’d be dying to get away if I was a young supe myself.” He looked at the fairy, “I’m sure Rossi is waiting for everyone who signed up for his vacation to join him. Let’s get these kids some R&R!”
Suddenly, the door became what looked like clear plastic. On the other side was a bright sun that was high over a massive body of water. The water drew me in like a fairy bug to a light. I watched diamond sparkles glinting off the sea, rolling and moving, and it went on forever. It wasn’t the annoying glitter effect of a fairy either, it felt real, and it looked tantalizing.
“You going, Silvers?” Edgewater’s voice interrupted the trance I fell under. “I think Rossi might be a bit upset if he thought you were afraid to view an ocean for the first time.”
“I’m not afraid, I’m amazed.” I shook my head and looked up at the dean. I cleared my thoughts of everything but Dominic’s perfect face that I was more than ready to see. “It’s hard to not get caught up with how it all looks.”
“The fairies did a fantastic job replicating this island and ocean,” he said as his mysterious stare sent an unwanted shiver up my spine.
My wolf laid low, which was good. I didn’t need her picking up on anything that would get me yanked into the summer school program here. If something had been dangerous about us going on the vacation, she would have been the first to bare her teeth at the man and get my butt excluded from the reality.
“Of course, you’ll be safe, why would you think it’s dangerous?” Edgewater answered my flipping thoughts again.
“I’m a shifter, sort of afraid of the water,” I lied.
“Well, nothing to worry about there. It’s like the quests you shifters go on. If you die in the reality, you’re pulled out of it and teleported back here with the rest of the staff.”
“That’s almost worse than dying,” I answered. “Summer school as opposed to being in this?”
Edgewater laughed, “Get out of here and go on the vacation, Miss Silvers.”
“Yeah.” I let out a breath. “Okay, I’m going in. Hope I won’t be seeing you until after summer.”
He nodded. “You’re in great control, and you and Dominic are sure to use those wolves to stay strong, Silvers. Now, go and enjoy being with him.”
I forced a smile to his final parting words and got the hell out of his presence right then. That was the end of me being left alone with Edgewater and forced to interact with the last person at this school I wanted to be around.
Now, what? Everyone took off like they were given their freedom, and here I was, staring at my toes and squishing them in this white, velvety sand. It was warm, and the texture was soothing. The sounds of birds, waves rolling into the shore, and the smell of salt and sand—my gosh, this was heaven. I could stand right here for however long we would be in this place and let the cool breeze and sounds soothe me to my core. I’m sure someone would find me soon enough.
4
While I was lost in the serenity of the ocean view, the natural instincts of my wolf perked up, prompting me to sense an attack coming from behind me. As soon as I went to crouch, I was in Dom’s shirtless arms. The smell of the ocean breeze didn’t compare to the fragrance of Dom’s warm skin. He smelled salty, citrusy, and absolutely delicious.
“How’s my girl?” he asked, cradling me in his arms. His usual dark shades served to complement his wet, smoothed back hair. “What do you think? Do you like it?”
“I love this,” I answered, looking out to the foaming waves as they crashed into the sandy shoreline. “The smells, the wind, and the freedom are so invigorating.”
Dom smiled and captured my lips quickly enough to keep focused on where he was taking me, and long enough for me to completely forget about our surroundings—this was a first.
“There’s one important thing for you to remember, babe.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, oh!” he teased. “In order for you to appreciate your freedom, there’s to be no thinking about school or studies while you’re here on our vacation,” he said as he lifted his chin and smiled at some girls who were acknowledging him. “You’re with Vannah in the little beach house next to mine and E’s. Your closet is filled with all your clothes, and I had the fairy mark what is what.”
Dom let my feet drop to the ground and held my hand as I continued to walk at his side. “I’ve already been out in the ocean with E. I love that he loves swimming. Most shifters hate it, but oddly enough, my cousin and I share the same joy of being in the sea.”
I laughed, “I guess I’m not as crazy as you two because I hate large bodies of water like most normal shifters do.”
Dom laughed a laugh I’d never heard from him before. It was sexy and sweet all at once.
“You think you’re a normal shifter, eh?” he arched a thick eyebrow down at me, took off his glasses, and finally gave me his beautiful brown eyes to stare into.
“Of course, I’m normal, aside from the stuff that is bonding us or whatever is going on that makes things intense between you and me.”
“Aside from that, shifters hate sweets, Jen,” he teased.
“And he insults my pie addiction? Wow.”
“Listen, I’m not judging if you’re not judging. Now, would you be an angel,” he ran his hand over my butt and leaned down to peck my cheek, “and put on a swimsuit so you can see if you like the water here, at the very least?”
We stopped in front of a beach shack. The roof was made from straw, and even though it appeared that Dom made
this by himself five minutes ago, when we walked in, I was blown away. It was light and airy, and the wood that lined the walls smelled sweet and luscious. Lights were strung throughout the ceiling, and three doors led to other places in this hut other than the area we stood in.
“This is your living room,” he said. “Although, you’ll be spending more time under the moon outside with me, so don’t get too attached to the rattan furniture.” He squeezed my hand, “Over there is a shared bathroom, but you have a personal one in your room through that door.”
“Well, I guess I’d better get changed to go swimming then?”
He nodded. “You’re gonna try it out?”
“I’m down with anything. I think I’ll love every part of this vacation.”
Dom left my side. “Then I’ll leave you to get changed. I’ll be out at the blue-cushioned lounge chairs.”
“Wait,” I stopped him from leaving this adorable beach hut. “Where’s Vannah? Ethan? Anybody.”
“Tanner and Vannah took off with those two fairies, Nick and Emma. Ethan shifted and will most likely be an owl for the rest of the trip,” he laughed. “I’m going to be working with him some on interacting with humans, though. I want him to be comfortable enough that when we graduate, it’s a smooth transition for him.”
Dom walked up to where I was now bracing myself against the door frame of my room that I hadn’t even looked in.
“Babe, what’s wrong? You’re as white as a ghost.”
“Please tell me it’s not happening again.”
“What?” he asked when my eyes met his concerned ones. “Jen, talk to me. Why would you say that?”