Chapter 24

"Arya? Are you paying attention?"

I looked up at the sound of my name to see Mrs. Sharp eyeing me with expectation and tapping her toe where she stood in front of the class.

Oh crap. I had gotten so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't been paying attention to the lecture for…who knew how long.

"Sorry, Mrs. Sharp," I managed with an apologetic grimace.

Mrs. Sharp frowned and shook her head in disapproval. "Please, do try to focus while you're in my class, Miss Walker. You, more than anyone else, need it."

The students around me snickered, making me sink down into my chair in mortification.

But really, how could I focus after everything that happened this weekend? What the hell was wrong with Tobias? He was either ignoring me, angrily making out with me, or threatening to pummel any guy who so much as looked at me. Even when I tried to forget about him and get close to someone else, he was right there, whether in my head or in my face.

Why couldn't I feel this way about Kendall? We'd shared such a magical experience in the lake yesterday. He was handsome and funny and kind, and a mermaid for fuck sake. He was exactly right for me and Tobias was everything wrong for me.

Dammit, I'm doing it again. Pay attention in class!

I sat up in my chair and trained my ears on what Mrs. Sharp was saying, assertively ignoring any more thoughts about a particular dragon douchebag.

"It's called imprinting," Mrs. Sharp explained. "When the shifter in question comes in contact with their mate for the first time, a profound pheromone response is triggered, making the shifter essentially bonded to that person for life. It's basically love at first sight, an instant and undeniable attraction like no other. They become obsessed with the need to be around that person as much as possible, to the extent that if they spend too long apart from that person, they can suffer severe health risks."

Someone must have raised their hand as I was typing notes into my tablet because Mrs. Sharp called on them. "Yes?"

"Does it only happen when you meet your perfect match?" It was Jackson, the host of the party, who asked the question. "Like, my parents have been together forever, and I don't think either of them imprinted on each other. So does that mean they're not right for each other?"

Mrs. Sharp shook her head. "No, that's not necessarily the case. The truth is, we don't know enough about what triggers imprinting to make those kind of claims. It happens so rarely that not much evidence has been gathered. We only know that it can happen in any species of shifter, and it could possibly even be random."

She seemed to fidget as she leaned against her desk, tucking her hair behind her ear as she looked down at the floor. Like she felt insecure about something, but I couldn't possibly imagine what.

Another student raised their hand, and she pointed at them.

"Is it true that Mr. Sharp, the Ursa Mastery teacher—and your husband—imprinted on you?" asked a girl I didn't know.

Mrs. Sharp's cheeks reddened instantly, and suddenly, her seeming insecurity made sense.

"Yes, he did imprint on me," she replied.

"So, shifters can imprint on humans, too, not just other shifters?" another boy asked.

"It appears that way," Mrs. Sharp replied. "Our case was the first one to be extensively studied with modern medical techniques. Since then, only a small few other couples have come forth with claims of imprinting, and only a fraction of those proved to be actual cases.

"The truth is, we don't know why someone will imprint on another person. It could be that their pheromones have a similar chemical structure or that their DNA promises the best match for optimal offspring. Or it could be completely random. We just don't know." She shrugged.

I typed all of this down. The topic was fascinating, but honestly, I hoped I never imprint on anyone. What if you fell head over heels for someone who was already in a loving relationship with someone else? Or they didn't find you attractive at all? Or they hate you for whatever reason?

From the lecture, it sounded like imprinting was one way, and I couldn't imagine anything more pitiful than physically needing to be around someone for the rest of your life that could never love you back. I had enough problems with boys at the moment.

The bell rang, and students began closing their tablets and shoving them into their bags.

"Okay, that's it for today. Your assignment for the next two weeks is a ten-page essay on a shifter couple from history that you think shared an imprint and why," Mrs. Sharp announced, inspiring a collective groan from the students, especially me. I didn't know of any famous shifter couples in history, so I had my research cut out for me.

My other classes passed in a blur as my own obsessive thoughts over Tobias and Kendall continued to plague me. I was so relieved for lunch, for the chance to get out of my head.

"What are you thinking about so hard?" Ashlyn asked as we walked back to the main building.

"Oh, uh, just how terrible I am at being a mermaid," I lied quickly. "Mastery this morning was an epic fail. I can't make water do anything—aside from splash as I flail around hopelessly in it."

That part wasn't a lie. Thanks to a particular dragon asshole, Mastery had been a futile effort, and I presumed it would be for the foreseeable future. As connected to the water as I felt when I was swimming in it, water apparently did not feel the same way about me. Unrequited feelings seemed to be the theme of the day.

We reached the main building, and Ashlyn held open the door for me. "Eh, don't beat yourself up about it too much. I'm pretty terrible at being a phoenix. I can't control the fire inside me worth a damn. At least you can transform. I still haven't been able to do that yet."

"But I can only transform as a reaction to salt water," I corrected as we walked into the Grand Hall. "I can't shift at will, either."

"And that, my friend, is why we're the perfect match." Ashlyn winked.

"The fish out of water and the featherless fire girl," I summarized.

We both laughed and got in line for the buffet station.

After we got our food, I scanned the tables for a pair of empty seats. I caught sight of Kendall waving us over to his table, which was occupied by a few of his mer friends.

I gave a half-smile in reply. While I appreciated his invitation, the last thing I wanted right now was to interact with a bunch of mermaids who hated my guts.

Ashlyn, on the other hand, didn't share the same dilemma, and eagerly went to his table. I reluctantly followed, having no other choice.

"Hi, ladies," Kendall greeted as we sat down.

Lenore and Helena took one look at me and stood up, Lenore slapping Trevor's shoulder for him to follow.

"I'm still eating," he said through a mouthful, shrugging her off.

Lenore narrowed her eyes at him for a moment, a "traitor" accusation in her glare. Then she and Helena walked away.

Trevor gave me a curt nod and continued to eat his food. I was grateful that at least one of Kendall's friends didn't hate me, or at least not enough to interrupt his meal.

"Sorry," Kendall said. "They'll come around. Just give them time."

I nodded and sighed, then picked up my fork to start into my food. When I looked up, I saw Tobias enter the dining hall with Niko and Brett, and my stupid heart skipped a beat. I cursed inwardly. Why couldn't Kendall have that same affect on me?

I watched as he got into the buffet line and cocked my head at how everyone who had been ahead of him silently stepped aside to let him go in front of them.

It wasn't the same thing as the way the mermaids at this table had just treated me. Those students weren't moving away from him out of disgust but out of respect. Though Tobias seemed irritated by their action, he went ahead anyway and got his food.

"What the hell was that about?" I couldn't help but ask, still watching him. I looked at Kendall and Ashlyn. "Tobias, I mean. Why does everyone treat him like he's…"

"A prince?" Kendall finished with a sneer.

My attention to Tobias apparently hadn't been lost on him, and a twinge of guilt twisted my insides.

I shrugged, feigning innocence. "Yeah. You said he was descended from dragon royalty, but why does that matter? He's not heir to some throne, is he?"

Kendall snorted a sarcastic laugh. "No, thank god. The Dracul family lost their throne centuries ago."

That name rang a bell. "Dracul? Why does that name sound familiar?"

Ashlyn snickered behind a bite of pizza. "Okay, even I know who Dracula was."

"Dracula?" I blurted a little too loudly, then markedly lowered my voice to continue. "Tobias is related to Dracula? Dracula was a dragon? I thought he was a vampire."

Ashlyn laughed again and shook her head. "Nope, that was a rumor started by the vampires. Vlad Dracul was a dragon king, and his family fought off vampires for decades before he took the throne. That whole thing about mounting bodies on spikes? Those were all vampires. Impaling is one of the best ways to kill vampires, as long as you get them in the heart."

"Wow, I would have never imagined Dracula was a dragon," I mused, picking at the crust of my tuna salad sandwich.

"You know the word Dracul means dragon, right?" Trevor asked in a snide tone. "It's not like it's that big of a stretch."

Kendall hissed at Trevor—a warning to be nice, I assumed. Trevor rolled his eyes but nodded his acceptance. Apparently, just because he didn't leave, didn't mean he disliked me any less than the others did.

I tried to let his negativity roll off me. "Okay, so if Dracula was a shifter, why did the vampires start a rumor that he was one of them?"

"He waged a war against them," Kendall answered. "It wasn't public, though, that his enemies were vampires. Back then, humans were very superstitious, and I guess he wanted to protect his people from the truth about vampires; otherwise, they'd freak out. So, the vampires used that against him. They started the rumor that he was a vampire so his own people would turn on him, and it worked. That respect for him turned into fear, and his campaigns on vampire-infested lands failed. His family had to flee and lost all respect of the humans they swore to protect."

"But even after they lost their crown, his family continued to fight for shifters," Ashlyn said, her features animated as she explained. "And not just dragons, but every kind of shifter. That's why, to this day, they're still respected above all others. Tobias's father is the general of the shifter military, ranked even above my dad. If he wanted to declare himself some kind of king of the shifters, I doubt there'd be anyone who would put up much of a fight."

It was Trevor's turn to snort. "I would follow no royalty but my own." He slapped Kendall on the back.

I furrowed my brow at that, a question mark on my face as I looked at Kendall.

"Didn't you know, Arya? Kendall is a mer prince," Trevor said. "Oh, of course, you wouldn't know. You've got stars in your eyes for that dragon."

"Trevor, that's enough," Kendall cautioned with a note of authority, and Trevor's posture stiffened.

"Sorry," Trevor said, all traces of disdain gone from his voice. "I just meant that my allegiance is to your royalty if I ever had to choose."

"Wait, you're a mer prince?" I asked Kendall. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Kendall shrugged like he didn't care but couldn't keep the proud smile from leaking through. "It's just not something I flaunt, that's all. And… I guess I wanted you to like me for me, not for my status."

I smiled. Was he for real? Not only was he a hot guy who liked me and didn't hide his interest in me, but now, I found out he was a prince!

"Well, mission accomplished," I said, making him smile in a way that somehow made him look even more gorgeous.

"I understand that you mer just recently joined the rest of us shifters," Ashlyn said to Trevor, "but why are you all so against dragons? I mean, the Draculs fight for everyone, mermaids included. The least you could do is show a little respect."

"And what would you know about any of it?" Trevor retorted. "Either of you. You both only found out about shifters, like, yesterday. You weren't born into the world the rest of us know. So why don't you keep your opinions to yourself?"

"What's your problem, dude?" Ashlyn snapped, clearly getting her feathers ruffled. "It's not my fault nor Arya's that we weren't raised in this world. We're both doing the best we can to catch up. But at least I know to respect those who made this life possible—who made this school possible. If it weren't for the Draculs, you mermaids wouldn't have had such welcoming shelter to come to on the surface."

"For your information, little bird, it was mermaids who funded this school," Trevor said, looking as though he was enjoying riling her up. "If it weren't for my people, none of you other shifters would have a shelter at all. You'd all be running scared as the vampires and hunters exterminate the lot of you."

Ashlyn's eyes were beginning to glow a threatening blue. If I didn't do something to stop this argument now, we'd all be in danger of her unwieldy fire. Although I didn't think I'd feel too bad if Trevor got a little singed.

"How about we all just agree that we owe a lot to everyone who came before us and just be grateful for this school?" I suggested in the most neutral tone I could manage.

"Very well said, Arya," Kendall said. "Trevor, why don't you take a walk? We'll catch up later."

Trevor frowned, but he clearly had too much respect for Kendall to argue any further. Without another word, he backed out of his chair and walked away.

Ashlyn was still breathing heavily as she watched Trevor exit the dining hall. "No disrespect to your people, Kendall, but some of your friends are real dicks."

Kendall sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

Before he could say anything to ease her frustration, Ashlyn stood up. "I think I'm gonna take a walk, too, before I explode all over you guys." Then she stomped away.

And Kendall and I were left at the table alone. A tense silence settled between us.

"I really am sorry about my friends." He pursed his lips, looking conflicted. "Nothing would make me happier than to see them embrace you as I have. Not that I have anything against other shifters, but mermaids might be more willing to give you a chance if you took a break from Ashlyn. I know she's your friend, but she's pretty unpopular with everyone. Not just mermaids. Even the phoenixes keep their distance from her."

My jaw fell open, any burgeoning respect that had been growing for Kendall squashed beneath the boot of his statement.

"You're seriously trying to tell me to stay away from the only person at this school who has never judged me? She's my only friend, Kendall."

"Look, maybe I said that wrong," he said, shaking his head and holding up his hands. "I didn't mean don't be friends with her. I just meant you should branch out, is all. She's just not the easiest person to get along with. If other students see you hanging out with more agreeable people, they'll change their mind about you. Let them see you with the right people. The right person."

"Maybe mermaids are taught to pick and choose their friends based on status, but I'm not that kind of person," I snapped, my anger spiking. "I'm not going to snub someone just because they're unpopular. And if that's the kind of person you are, then you shouldn't be spending so much time with me."

I stood up and grabbed my tray, ready to run after Ashlyn.

Kendall grabbed my arm. "Please, don't be mad at me. I really am just looking out for you. Man, how did this conversation go so wrong? I was actually hoping you and I could…go out some time. Like, on a...date."

Was he really asking me out after he just insulted my only friend, and me by association? He sure had the arrogance of a prince.

"What do you even like about me?" I demanded. "You're a prince, and I'm an outcast. You could probably have any mermaid you want. What makes me so special?"

"I already told you," he said, an endearing vulnerability in his sky blue eyes. "You're different."

"And yet, you're telling me to be like everyone else." I pulled my arm out of his grasp. "I can't have this conversation right now. I need to go check on Ashlyn."

He stood up and followed me as I left the dining hall. "Arya, wait."

I stomped to a halt and turned around.

"Would you just think about it?" he asked. "Us, I mean. I know my words came out wrong back there, but I really think you and I could be good together. Just one date."

I looked at him for a long moment as we stood outside the arch of the dining hall. I was so done with boy drama. First I let Tobias play yo-yo with my feelings, and now Kendall was proving to be just as much of an arrogant, speciesist jerk as the other mers.

I had let myself get caught up in their weird game of tug-of-war because I didn't want to face the loss of my mom. But I couldn't bandaid those feelings with boys, especially when that would just lead to a deeper wound.

"You know what, Kendall? Bite me."

I spun on my heel and ran off in search of my only actual friend in this fucked up place.