I’d only read about fae phasing through air. Evidently, all fae had control of each element, but the element they were strongest in was their main element. Phasing was an air element power, and I hadn’t known Thorn could do it.
I blinked a few times as my eyes adjusted to the afternoon light, and I turned my head toward Thorn. “You justphasedme to the academy... in my pajamas. I didn’t know you could phase.”
The whiplash from being in the arctic weather at night, arguing with Grayson to a warmer climate mid-afternoon, standing in front of Fate Hollow Academy, had my head reeling.
“I can phase because I’ve been trained in all elements. I’m strongest in ice, but I can manage phasing when I need to. As for your pajamas…” His gaze dropped down the length of me, and his cheeks tinged a pale pink. “I’m sorry.” He snapped his fingers.
Blue threads appeared out of the air around me. I let out a small gasp and lifted my arms. Tiny sparks accompanied the thread and stitched a halter dress over my clothing that hung down to my knees.
It was easily the prettiest clothing I’d ever worn. Swishing my hips, the dress flowed around. It felt like magic against my bare legs, and I couldn’t wait to take off the pajamas underneath.
Glancing back up at him, I couldn’t even try to fight off the smile. “What’s this made of?”
“It's a plant-based thread.” He smirked.
“You’re forgiven.”
“It looks good on you.” He tilted his head and smirked. “I love seeing the color of the Ice Kingdom on you.”
“Um, Thorn…” Heat rushed up the back of my neck. “About the village…”
His heavy hand landed on my shoulder as he shook his head. “We don’t have to talk about it. Let’s focus on moving forward. You don’t need to think about the Arctic Wolf Village anymore, Kit. I’ll make sure of that.”
“If only it were that easy,” I mumbled before my mark started tingling.
The wind picked up, blowing my hair wildly around, and the dress lifted to reveal the mark glowing brightly in sync with the gate. Thorn moved his tunic up to uncover the mark over his ribs, and the gate opened magically to reveal Fate Hollow’s campus.
My breath caught as the wind dissipated. The academy’s campus oozed beauty. I’d never seen a place lacking a coating of snow, but Fate Hollow was supposed to have all four seasons, unlike Briesia. A light-colored stone pathway made a circular path around a grassy center, connecting the imposing buildings.
Thorn and I strode through the gates, and they shut behind us. A draft from the motion breezed through my hair.
A man stepped into our path, and a low and pleasant hum seemed to warm my veins at the sight of him.
He was enchanting. His hair was midnight black and looked to be freshly cut, pushed back to show off his charming features. Red eyes pierced mine, and the color drew my attention to the small red teardrop embellishing his left cheekbone.
I tilted my head as I stared at the simplistic beauty. It seemed to be a mark from the academy like ours, and I had an urge to reach out and touch it. I dug my nails into my palm to resist doing just that.
“Wren,” Thorn hissed, nudging my side.
Heat blossomed over my cheeks as I sucked in a lungful of air, holding it in, and looking up at the clear blue sky. How could I have forgotten Thorn could read my thoughts?
“Wren?” The stranger smirked with a predatory gaze trained on me. “Your birthstone is a ruby. A beautiful red for a beautiful woman.”
I snapped my head back down, and I caught the stare of the man again.
My birthstone was the same as both of my parents, and they gave me a ring with a ruby stone that was far too big for my finger. I kept it on a chain, but I never wore it around the village. Instead, I kept it tucked away in secret.
I clutched the side of my bag where the stone ring resided. “How did you know that?”
“I’ve never been wrong about someone’s birthstone. It’s a gift.” He grinned as two incisors grew, almost nicking his bottom lip.
“You’re a vampire!” Excitement sparked my nerves as I realized I was standing before a vampire. I stepped closer, getting a better look at his fangs. “How sharp are they, really?”
Amusement danced in his eyes as he leaned closer, and the scent of cinnamon and blood wafted from him to me. “Would you like to find out, sweet ruby?”
“Okay, that’s enough.” Thorn moved himself between us. “We have to find someone who knows where we need to go.”
“Ah, your birthstone is Zircon. Typical.” He tsked before sidestepping Thorn until he could see me again. “I’m Alister, and I’m the professor of Fundamental Blood Magic and for Crystology theory and practical.”
