Chapter One
Bechora
The glitter caked to my skin was making me itch as I crept through my sleepy apartment toward my bedroom. I wanted nothing more than to scrub my body clean and then collapse into bed after working a long shift at Sinful Seduction. My feet ached from the pink platform stilettos currently dangling from my fingertips, and my shoulders screamed from a night full of pole work. The fresh-linen scent of my bedroom was a welcome relief from the cigar-smoke-filled strip club, and I was nearly tempted to forgo cleanliness for a few extra moments of comfort in my bed.
Dropping the small duffle bag that held my stage clothes from my shoulder and the stilettos from my hand, I moved toward my small, rickety dresser instead. Not bothering to turn on my lamp, I pulled open the top drawer, riffling through it in the dark to find a pair of sleep shorts and a tank top. My movements caused something to slide roughly across the top of the dresser, and my free hand hurried to jerk the chain of the standing lamp beside it.
“What on Earth?” I murmured, catching sight of the thick envelope with my name scrawled across the front in calligraphy.
My brows furrowed, and I freed my other hand from the open drawer, sliding my index finger beneath the sealed flap. Inside was what appeared to be an invitation printed on thick, black cardstock, the fanciful lettering penned in a bold red. A crest containing the letters B and T wrapped in thorns adorned the top, and I couldn’t help wondering where it could have comefrom.
Bechora Knight
We are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations and welcome to Blackthorne Academy for Supernaturals. Only those identified as holding immense potential are admitted to our prestigious halls. As you have been identified as a late admission, your elective courses have been preselected for you. Should you find issue with these selections, you will be able to discuss scheduling changes with your Head of House after orientation.
Additionally, transportation has been arranged on your behalf to ensure you arrive on time. You will receive further details during orientation.
Frowning, I set the strange invitation back on my dresser and grabbed my intended pajamas from the top drawer, before padding barefoot down the hallway to shower. My mind worked over the card as I scrubbed myself clean, and by the time I was wrapped in a towel, I’d come to the only logical conclusion. My roommate, Geordie, was the only one who could have left something like that for me, and he’d thrown theme parties in our small apartment before.
Geordie had always been enamored with the fantastical and magical. It was something that made him a target growing up on the streets, and in some strange way, what drew me to him. I’d already been on my own for nearly a year when I found him being cornered by some of the other teens from the runaway shelter. Geordie had been small for our age. At sixteen, he looked no older than twelve, and his obsession with some magic card game made him stick out as one of the weak. Something about seeing five kids, ranging from fourteen to seventeen, surrounding the terrified boy enraged me. The result was three of the five in the shelter’s infirmary, and my being banned for assault. Geordie and I had been together ever since, eventually managing to afford our rundown apartment.
Climbing into bed, I set my phone alarm so that I could be awake when he got home from his first job, before drifting offto sleep with memories of our years together on the street.
The shrill sound of my phone alarm caused me to bolt upright in my bed. The blackout curtains on my window meant the only light was coming from my cell like a beacon, which I promptly reached over to shut off. The muffled sounds of Geordie’s footsteps reminded me why I’d set the alarm to begin with, and I tossed my blanket away with a groan.
Rubbing the grit and sleep from my eyes, I followed the sounds to our small kitchen. Geordie was humming an oddly familiar song to himself as he flitted between the fridge and the stove. I took a moment to look him over. He seemed slimmer than the last time I’d had a good look at him, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I should worry.
“Hey, B!” Geordie called over his shoulder. “I didn’t think you’d be up before I left.”
He moved to our small coffee pot and clicked it on before moving back to the stove.
“I wanted to talk to you,” I shrugged. “Between my hours at the club and all the doubles you’ve been pulling lately, I haven’t seen you in weeks. I only know you’re alive because I wake up every evening to food, and the coffee pot ready for me to turn on.”
“Someone has to make sure you’re fed and caffeinated, B.” He chuckled, as the scent of bacon started filling the small space. “You’re always taking care of me; this is the least I can do for you.”
“You don’t have to take care of me, Geordie,” I said, momentarily forgetting why I’d gotten up early to speak with him.
Geordie took a deep breath and turned from the stove to face me. “That’s what family does, Bechora. You taught me that.”
“Geordie….”
“Bechora,” he replied flatly, narrowing his eyes at me. Puffing out a breath, I held my hands up in defeat, causing him to smile. “So, what did you get up early to discuss? I know it’s not just because you missed me.”
“Oh,” I replied, moving around him to grab my favorite cup from the cabinet and pour myself coffee. “I saw your party invitation.”
“Party invitation?”
“Yeah, I know you love throwing those theme parties, but I’m not really sure I’m up to hanging out with your friends. I don’t really fit in with that crowd, so I was thinking maybe I’d pick up an extra shift at Sin and let you do your thing.”
“B,” Geordie drawled, pulling the pan of bacon from the burner. “What party invitation?”
I shot him a confused look over the rim of my cup as I took a sip of my coffee. “The Blackthorne Academy thing. You left it on my dresser.”
“I’m not having a party, B,” Geordie replied, cocking his head slightly to the side.
“Are you serious right now? Why would you leave an invitation on my dresser and then lie to me about the party when I say I don’t want to come?” I demanded. Whatever Geordie was up to, I hadn’t had enough sleep for it.
Geordie raised his hands in front of him. “I swear, B, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not planning any parties. I’m pulling doubles for at least the next month so I can get tickets to a con.”
