Chapter 3

3

The first time I’d indulged in a game of Capture the Scroll, I’d found a dead body. In a tree.

It had been a rather sickening start to a downward spiral of bad luck and finding myself in trouble. The murder and investigation following added to my stress of not only learning how to play well with others but keeping my spot in school.

Finding a murderer hadn’t been on my list of things to deal with, and the whole experience kind of soured me on the idea of playing the game ever again. Not to mention the weather never wanted to cooperate. This night was no exception.

The moment Mike and I made it back to the dorms to change our clothing, the sky opened up and an icy rain fell to drench the ground. I laced my sneakers and stared out the window as rain pelted the glass.

Great, perfect. January cold rain. Still no snow. I think in this case I would have preferred the snow.

I was starting to think a rain-soaked game of Capture the Scroll was an obligatory start to every term. Perhaps it had become a new tradition thanks to the girls in my dorm. I stood next to Nora, shivering; my sweatshirt was wrapped around me though it did nothing to block the chill. Not with the moisture seeping down through the fabric.

“Does everyone remember the rules of the game?” Persephone called out to the group.

Behind her stood three nearly identical fairy copies, all blond and skinny and perfect. Her little group of meanions had flocked to her immediately upon her return. They were drawn to her side like little lemmings. That’s where Persephone thrived. She craved the attention and got it with relative ease.

“We do,” a half-human boy called out. “Let’s get on with it.”

I’d managed to kick some serious butt during our first game, getting more than a few panties in a twist. From the moment I arrived at the academy, my bunkmate and her friends decided they didn’t like me, and nothing I did could change their opinion. Winning Capture the Scroll the first time I played it did nothing to change their minds, especially since they’d expected me to fail. They had expected a spectacular screw-up.

Not gonna happen, not with my shifter reflexes. No matter what potion I took, what glamour I used to hide behind, my body reacted from muscle memory.

Let me explain some things. Although fae and shifters hated each other, they were nearly equally matched for athleticism in some ways. The fae were very strong with their magic and could use their connection to the earth and nature to amplify their bodies magically in times of physical need. Shifters, on the other hand, felt their connection to the earth and moon deep inside their bodies and instead of manifesting it as magic power, we physically transformed. Which made me faster than the average fae and thus very unpopular with my fellow classmates.

Mike flashed me a wide grin from across the way, winking. He knew how this game was played. He also knew no matter what the circumstances, I’d do well, although he didn’t really understand the whys of it.

The rules of the game were similar to those of Capture the Flag. Players try to grab the scroll before it hits the ground, all spells allowed, anything goes. Granted, we didn’t know much at this point in our education, but some of us knew more than others.

I expected Persephone to play dirty. As usual, she didn’t disappoint.

“Go!” Persephone sent the scroll flying high with a gust of magic.

I twisted and kicked off the spongy grass to throw my body into the air. A flick of the wrist had the scroll flitting in my direction. I grabbed it before it landed, crouching and shooting Persephone a non-apologetic smile amidst the groans of my peers.

“Game point to me,” I told her with only a tiny bit of needling in my tone. Grabbing the lion by the tail, I knew, and her darkening expression confirmed it.

“Reset,” she snapped.

Again and again I took possession of the scroll. Kicking proverbial ass and a little literal ass as well. Persephone’s face grew redder and redder despite the rain and soon she didn’t bother looking at me at all.

I was going to pay for this stunt later, surely.

“You’re doing well,” Nora whispered to me as we ducked together. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

Panting, I pushed rain-slicked hair away of my face, grateful for the French braid keeping most of the auburn strands out of my eyes.

I left the scroll in play a bit longer this round so the others could have some sport. And to see how far I could push Persephone. This became less of an easy game and more a personal one, to see what she could do.

Several of the others made a pass for it and failed, sending the roll of paper flying in the opposite direction and straight toward Persephone’s waiting palm. At the last moment I launched myself over the grass and grabbed the scroll out of the air. An instant before she could put her hand on it. I watched her lips twist in a scowl.

“I’m sorry,” I said on a rush of breath. Muscles sore but warm. Limber. Loose. Prepared to fight a little dirty myself.

“Not sorry enough” came her hissed reply. Her blue eyes narrowed into tiny slits.

I’d accused Persephone of being many things, and underhanded was definitely on the list. I wanted to push her, to see if she would react, but I didn’t realize the extent she would go to in order to come out on top.

“Game set,” she called out. “Reset in five.”

Walking away from her, I felt a twist of pressure at my back, traveling in a cold wave down to my ankle, and I tripped taking my next step. With a squeal, I went down on my knees with my muscles spasming.

My foot twisted painfully.

“What the heck?” Jerking around, I noticed the unnatural set of my ankle, and moments later a dull roar began to radiate from the area, spreading out and higher. I craned my neck to glare at Persephone. “What did you do?”

Her lips were pushed out in a pout, hands on her hips. “What’s the matter, Tavi?” she asked. “Are you getting tired? You stumbled a bit there.”

“You know I didn’t.”

“Sorry. Not my problem.” She shrugged before turning away.

Fuming, I tried to get up and staggered again when my body refused to hold me upright. Nope. I couldn’t put any pressure on my foot. The muscles didn’t want to do their job, magic keeping them locked out of place. Anytime I put even the slightest bit of weight on it my ankle wanted to twist again.

Whatever spell Persephone had sent my way, she’d been waiting for the right time to use.

I sent her another furious glare which she artfully ignored before calling everyone to gather around her for the next set.

Nora worried her hands, raindrops dripping down her glasses. “Are you going to be okay, Tavi?” she asked.

“Hey, it’s no big deal. I’ll take you inside.” Then Mike was there beside me, bending to lift me and hooking one arm beneath my knees, the other at my back. Saving me. “It’s getting late anyway. We should probably head to bed soon. I’m losing interest in this game.”

Staring up at him, I forgot about the pain at his nearness as the whole of me focused on him. On the way he smelled. The way he smiled. How he managed to lift me without grunting and the focused set of his brows.

Ooh, he wasn’t happy.

“Oh, come on, Mike,” Persephone whines, her hands going to her hips yet again. Despite the weather she still managed to look beautiful. Like a pissed-off water sprite, or Angry Barbie. “You’re going to miss the rest of the game and it won’t be the same without you. I’m sure Tavi can get herself inside to the nurse’s office.”

Mike glared at her. “I’m sorry if you’re bothered, but I care more about my friends than about winning a stupid game,” he said before striding toward the building.

Score one for Mike!

I missed the rest of what Persephone had to say, although I knew it was nothing good. Looping my arm around Mike’s neck to keep steady, I relished being in his arms as he walked us out of the rain and into the shelter of the rear ballroom just off the lawn.

“Thank you,” I said the moment the door closed behind us.

At our presence, a fire burst to life in the large hearth, immediately filling the room with warmth.

He shook his head and water hit my face. “It’s no big deal. You’re hurt.”

“It’s just a little sprain, I’m sure.”

Old oil portraits in gold frames lined the right side wall of the ballroom, ranging from old headmasters to faculty to alumni who had surely helped fund the school. And in the center of it all, with a gaudy highly embellished frame, was a painting of the royal family, the King and Queen of Faerie and their only child: Michael Thornwood.

Sometimes it was hard for me to picture him as a crown prince, to reconcile the face in the portrait with the boy I knew, but I could do it. Other times, like now with him holding me, it was nearly impossible to make the two realities merge into one.

The fire roared and Mike stopped in front of it, setting me down on the warmed marble floor before leaning back. “Let’s get a look at this ankle,” he said.

“I don’t know what happened.”

He flashed me a look saying we both knew better. “I’m sure it was an accident.” He didn’t sound convinced. “But I’d like to see it anyway.”

Pushing my soggy jeans to my calf, he stripped off my dirt-stained black-and-white Converse and sock, examining the area. I was too focused on him to be embarrassed at the prune-like skin, though the thought tickled the back of my mind. Too focused on him to be embarrassed that I’d neglected my toes since my last pedicure and it showed. In short, I was too focused on him to think of anything else.

Except for the way the ankle looked. The moment I glanced down I saw the wound. Yeah, anyone with working eyes would be able to see how the cartilage bulged in unnatural places. Bruises already formed around my ankle and down the side of my foot toward my toes.

I wondered again what kind of spell Persephone had sent my way and if she wouldn’t hesitate to use it again. Had she wanted me to fail so badly she risked permanent injury?

Gah, why did I bother wondering? The answer was yes.

Mike swallowed. “It’s…not so bad.”

“Oh yeah, it’s fine, I’m sure. It’s just the size of a grapefruit,” I said with a wince as he probed the area.

When he raised his green eyes to meet mine, they were filled with concern. “You know what…I’m just throwing this out there as a suggestion, mind you, but…I could heal it for you. We don’t have to go to the nurse. A quick spell and it would be done.”

Oh, goodness.

Mike didn’t have the best track record with magic. I mean, he was good, make no mistake. Good enough to make it through to the next semester. But did I trust him to fix me?

I hadn’t been joking about him needing the extra study time. He might have been a full-blooded fae but he and structured classes didn’t mix. His magic was iffy at times. I’d seen what he did during our divination class. Or rather what he didn’t do. I couldn’t say I was any better at the divination but my lack came from the spell keeping my shifter side at bay. Quartz and I didn’t mix.

Mike didn’t have the same excuse.

Looking at his eyes, at the earnest desire to help me, I finally opened my mouth and said, “Yeah, sure.”

Yeah, sure. I instantly knew I shouldn’t have agreed so quickly. Biting my lip, I tried to tell myself it was going to be fine if he messed this up. I could always go to Nurse Julie and see if I could get her to fix the damage. It wasn’t the biggest show of confidence but my agreement seemed to light something inside of Mike.

His smile loosened, face relaxing as his fingers probed lightly along my skin.

“Thanks for trusting me with this.”

He closed his eyes, his lips slightly parted. As he spread his hands above my ankle, magic flowed from him and seeped deep into my skin. He began to chant under his breath. And I felt my muscles untwist, unwind, and I knew he’d reversed whatever it was Persephone had done to them. A low heat spread from the area as surely as though I’d held my hands in front of the fire. A comforting warmth, the sun on a mild spring day. My favorite sweater fresh out of the dryer.

So this is how it could be.

I wasn’t sure where that thought came from, but I knew I’d remember this moment for the rest of my days. I’d remember this boy, this young man and what he’d done for me, his friendship and his kindness.

“There.”

Mike opened his eyes seconds later, the green more intense than I remembered and the energy around him crackling. Pointed ears poked out through his hair but I wasn’t focusing on his ears. Or his heritage. I was focused on those lips and how I wanted them on mine.

“Better?” His voice had dropped into heartbreak territory and I felt myself slip even further.

“Much better,” I agreed. Then cleared my throat because the syllables came out in a low growl.

He’d gotten better with his spells. Certainly much improved from the last time we’d been in classes together. I filed the information away for later. Maybe he’d been practicing over break?

“Any lingering pain?” he asked. “Can you move it like normal? Or does it still hurt?”

I could feel his magic tickling along my ankle. Oh yes, definitely like sunshine on a warm spring day, the same image I got when I looked at those eyes. Something inside of me rose and I found myself shifting closer to him, shaking my head. “No.”

That one sounded more like a whisper.

“How do you feel, Tavi?” Mike continued in an eerily similar whisper.

How did I feel? Like I was floating on a cloud and I didn’t want to come down. Oh, man. Was his face closer to mine? I couldn’t tell anymore. My body erupted in goose bumps while my insides went bonfire hot.

A few inches further and we would be touching.

A kiss…

I wanted it. Badly. More than I wanted anything else in my life. My gaze dropped to his lips and the way his tongue darted out to wet the lower one.

Someone save me now. Because I was about to do something stupid.

Mike pulled away at the last moment, as the sound of cars driving up the long, winding driveway were an unwelcome interruption. I jerked back from him as though using the extra space to make up for what I’d almost done.

“Did you hear something?” I said.

Across the lawn, I could no longer make out the sounds of the game. The others must have stopped soon after we came inside. Mike stood in a flash, holding out a hand to help me to my feet.

“That doesn’t sound right. We better go and see what’s happening,” Mike stated.

His hearing was good but mine was better. Still, in this case, he was right. We weren’t just hearing a single car, or even a couple of them. This sounded bigger, larger.

He retained hold of my hand for a second longer than he should have as the two of us walked down the hallway. I still hadn’t put on my shoe. I didn’t care. My curiosity had got the better of me, the way it must have with the rest of the students who’d been playing the game with us.

We heard them filing inside behind us, all making our way toward the academy’s front door.

A glance at the wall clock showed me it was close to midnight. What would anyone be doing driving up here at midnight?

“I wonder what’s going on,” Mike said under his breath.

I had the same thought.

We gathered in the open doorway and I recognized Nora crowding close to my back. Then every head turned as one to watch the huge silver passenger bus pulling into the circle drive and stopping with a squeal and hiss of air brakes.

A bus? This late at night? With classes starting in the morning—a few short hours—every enrolled student should have been here by now.

“What is this, the welcoming committee?” a deep male voice said from behind us. Irritable and brooking no argument. “Do I want to know why you lot aren’t in bed? Everyone stand aside. Stand aside.”

Headmaster Leaves pushed through our group, striding out onto the front stoop with a ward in place over his head to protect him from the rain. He was a relatively young man, or at least he looked young to me; the Fae aged differently than normal humans but he appeared to be approaching forty. Lean, and his expression one of hard suspicion at finding us gathered. He looked nondescript aside from the fact he had typical pointed ears and carried himself with the presence of a much more important person.

He glanced over his shoulder. “And honestly, what are so many first years doing out of bed this late? You have classes tomorrow!” His admonition rolled over us.

No one paid him any mind, our attention focused on the bus and the aura of power rolling out from it.

Who was inside?

The door swung open, another squeak of sound, and a short, squat, full-blooded Fae stepped out onto the asphalt.

“Leaves. It’s good to see you again,” the fellow stated with a slight French accent, holding out a hand for a shake.

He had platinum-colored hair a shade lighter than moonlight and eyes of a rich chocolate-brown. Black robes hid the rest of his body from view, the collar lined with fur, and his boots were made of sturdy leather to protect against the inclement weather.

“Headmaster Cote,” Leaves replied. He took the offered hand. “It’s been too long. How was your drive? Uneventful, I do hope. You seem to have made decent time.”

They continued their conversation in hushed tones. A few more adults stepped off of the bus, followed by nearly twenty guys and girls around our age. They weren’t wearing school uniforms. Then again neither were we, dressed in our casual play clothes for our game.

And covered in mud.

What a great first impression we made.

“Do you have any idea what’s going on?” I leaned in close to ask Mike.

He shook his head, gaze riveted on the new arrivals. “Not a clue.”

A dead weight dropped in my stomach. We didn’t need any more surprises.

Who were these people?

We’d better not be getting any more competition, I thought with a scowl. Our dwindling class was already tense. Only the strongest students from the Halfling Academy earned their place in Faerie, and I needed to be one of them.

My life depended on it.