“Please have a seat, and I’ll try to explain,” Levi pleads with me, and his eyes deepen with sympathy that practically kills me. I guess I can give him a chance. He’s at least nicer than B to the itch. Taking a deep breath to try to calm down, I tell myself that maybe I’ll learn something I can use to get out of here.
Sitting once again, I lean forward, resting my chin on my intertwined hands propped on the armrests, and I notice how Levi’s eyes skip down briefly to look at my V-neck tank top. Smirking at him, I wink.Yeah buddy, how do you feel when you’re off kilter?
He clears his throat and looks back down at me. “Early this morning, you showed up here in Purgatory unconscious at a gate that hasn’t been used in 3000 years. As per our protocol, you were questioned, and a blood test was performed to distinguish what kind of supernatural being you are.” He rubs the back of his neck and gives me a sheepish look. Satisfied with my reaction, or lack thereof, he continues.
“Your blood test came back saying you aren’t completely human. You have magic in your blood. We have a database of all known supernatural beings, no matter what their percentage of blood is. You don’t register on any of them. Even if you have diluted blood, you should have popped up on one of the lists. So, since you’re an anomaly, you get two choices. Choice 1: Locking you up because you’re not supposed to be here because you’re considered a threat until we know what you are. Or choice 2: You get the pleasure of going to school for the supernaturals and learning what your powers are, and how to control them.” He says it with a smile like it’s no big deal he just blew my mind. “Now don’t panic, someone in your family had to attend here when they were your age, so they won’t kill you as you believe. Every supernatural has to pass to acquire the ability to travel to Earth,” he chuckles.
I nod my head along with his elaborate story, hoping it will somehow sink in and this will all make sense, but alas, I’m screwed. I’m not feeling acceptance, or peace, or whatever he was hoping for with his little speech. All I’m feeling is nervous energy trying to rip through my body at what he’s saying. We are definitely not on the same page, book, or even the same plane, apparently.
“Yeah, okay, blond Dolce & Gabbana. Nice story, you should take up writing fiction,” I say. Scoffing, I shake my head and hold up my fingers as I count. “First of all, my family is not supernatural. I would think I would notice if they turned into wolves or drank blood every day. Second, I don’t remember being questioned or you getting the consent for a blood test! And third, why not the third option? Just Send. Me. Home.” I seethe, shooting out of the chair once again.
“I’m sorry, Nerezza. I truly am, but as I said, it’s a protocol that we have to follow. They must have put you in a trance, which is harmless, so you wouldn’t remember all of that.” Stepping forward, he grabs my shaking hands and guides me back to the chair I’ve now deemed ‘Fredrick, my butt buddy.’
“And it’s Armani,” he says with that damn dimple in his cheek.
I cock my head in question, and he motions to his suit. Ah! Armani suit. Gotcha! This particular devil wears Armani, nice to know.
Okay, so logically I could understand adhering to protocol. However, I was still pissed about them taking my blood while I couldn’t consent, but what could I do about that shit now? It’s in the past. One of the good things I learned in therapy was how to throw stuff in a box and bury it. Well, Dr. Fisk wouldn’t believe that was a positive thing, but she hasn’t found herself in a supernatural world either, now has she?
I pop a squat on the edge of the chair and a stool appears between my legs out of nowhere, and to my surprise, Levi sits down on it. Playing with the hem of the shirt, my breath hitches for another reason when he begins to rub circles on the back of my other hand. Chills shoot up my arm, followed by heat, while butterflies take off like a roller coaster in my belly.
“I understand this is a shock for you, but it’s also for the best.” He looks up from under his dark eyelashes and sends me a small smile. Holy Moses, and a dimple pops out of his right cheek. Shit. I’m doomed.
Forget the roller coaster; now it’s a full-on deathmatch. I swallow the lump in my throat as I peer into his alluring hazel eyes. He’s so close I can see small light freckles along the bridge of his nose.
“Several centuries ago, our leaders decided to integrate with the human populations with the types that would be easier to hide if needed. Many of our witches and shapeshifters are on Earth as we speak. Just a few weeks ago, we leaked to the world leaders that they aren’t alone as they thought. Even with some supernaturals in leadership positions, the news did not go over well, and it’s not safe for supes to be there. So, it’s safer for you here to learn how to control the abilities you have. It will also allow people to get used to the idea of supernaturals being real and mingling along with them.”
“But you don’t understand Levi,” I say, and his eyes soften at the name. “I’m human. I can’t do anything magical. My family may be eccentric, but they aren’t mythical creatures, believe me. I don’t agree with your two options. I choose the third option, which is to just send me home.” My voice catches on the last word as I plead shamelessly. I can’t do this. I can’t be alone in this. I feel my body start shaking uncontrollably and I squeeze my eyes tight, but I still feel the tears escape.Just breathe, Rez. Just breathe.
Levi must notice the changes in me because he squeezes my hand, and I latch on to him with my other as warmth starts to seep throughout my body. “Breathe, Nerezza,” he encourages me as he pulls me onto his lap so that I’m now straddling him as he hugs me tight.
I bury my face into the crook of his neck as tears trickle down my cheeks, and my heart breaks into a thousand pieces. A sob escapes me, and I lean into him, trying to control my breathing. But in the end, I just let go. All this information is too much. What I first thought was an elaborate trick is really my life now? That can’t be.
Taking in a deep breath, the scent of vanilla and honeysuckle brings back memories of Lynx and I playing in my mother’s garden in the backyard. We spent hours out there next to the sweetly scented vines. The mixture of scents, along with Levi’s strong arms, helps calm me down.
“I’m so sorry, Nerezza,” he says, running his fingers through my curls. I wrap my legs around his waist to bring us even closer, needing the comfort his presence is giving me. And when he begins to rock us back and forth, I find the motion soothing.
“I would send you home if I could. We all would, but it’s up to the doors that protect this realm. Without the ability bestowed upon us at the end of our training, we can’t leave Purgatory unless a door allows us.” Still distraught, I pull back so I’m looking into his mournful eyes, and I can see the truth there. He would send me back if he had the power to.
He wipes away my remaining tears, the action is the sweetest thing in the world. Here is this stranger giving me comfort when I’m struggling to accept my fate.
“The magic in your blood might just be a residual cloaking spell. Or we might be picking up your powers early before they manifest. So, they will probably test your blood again in a few days,” he tells me, cupping my jaw as he runs his thumb along my bottom lip. I look down and find his own lips are parted slightly. “Either way, I won’t let you fail, Nerezza,” he whispers. My tongue darts out to lick my lips instinctually, and his eyes follow the movement before he leans in, our lips barely touching.
Crash.
Levi and I jump apart, and I stand on wobbly legs. Trying to catch my breath, I look over at Lynx, who’s climbing down the bookcase. Once he hits the floor, he looks up at me.
‘What?’ he says all innocently, but I know better.
“Oh! There’s your pet,” Levi says with a little hitch in his throat. Well, I guess he can see Lynx after all.
“Um, yeah. He…” I trail off, not knowing how to explain my best friend.
Levi waves off my attempt. “Don’t worry. You won’t get in trouble for him. There are several people here who already have Familiars,” he says and reaches back to the folder on his desk. So, he’s just going to pretend like nothing happened? My heart sinks at that thought. I guess we didn’t share a moment after all. It’s for the best though, and I try to hold back the disappointment, but a small sigh slips out.
I don’t have the heart to correct him about Lynx now, and even though we just had that brief instant, I don’t feel comfortable explaining my psychotic brain. Lynx crawls up into my lap as I scoot back onto Fredrick, my butt buddy again, efficiently keeping Levi from getting closer. I love Lynx to death, but having a built-in-vag-blocker sucks.
Levi hands me a folder and a bank card. “This is information about your roommate and dorm room. We normally have a different process in receiving our rooms, but we made a few changes for you since this is all new. Hopefully, you’ll like everything we've set up. Let’s make time for tomorrow just to check in that you have everything you need before school, and show you where your classes will be.” Watching him walk around to his computer and sitting down, I know my world just changed.
