Turning down yet another hallway, I find a couple making out in the corner at the end. It’s not uncommon to find couples getting it on in the hallways, so I let them do their thing as my mind goes back to my own drama.
Father also informed me that with Ms. Teal’s disappearance, some shop owners have pulled away and closed their shops. It looks like since she outed herself as part of the Rebels some of the others have receded also. I thought that was a good thing until he informed me they were probably withdrawing to amass themselves for an attack, so there’s a chance we might be going into a lockdown soon.
Everything is just going to shit. We aren’t prepared or trained for this at all. Which is why we might be having a big family meeting back home with our fathers this weekend.
My mind is completely scrambled. It isn’t until I approach the couple that their emotions hit me like an angry gryphon, and I realize something is wrong. Paralyzing fear is pouring off one of them, and since the woman is under the man, that’s my guess as to who it’s coming from.
“Hey!” I yell, trying to get the guy’s attention. He turns his head slightly and my steps falter as I see what I’m up against. The familiar bright blue eyes of Richard Thacker, a second year, glow within a sharp angled face framed with black veins crawling from his hairline down into his shirt.
Fuck. A fevered Wraith.
Wraiths aren’t so bad if they keep their hunger in check. Once their hunger gets to the point where it’s painful, it’s like a switch that gets turned off and their humanity is no longer there. They are known to feed off of fear and sadness, but just like any other creature around here, there are accommodations for them to feed. Not on other students where they can easily kill them without a mentor to guide them on how to do it properly. Once a Wraith becomes fevered they become stronger, bulkier, and harder to subdue.Shit!
“She’s mine!” he claims with a raspy voice.
I look down at the girl he’s claiming and all the blood drains from my face as I take in Rez’s pale and lethargic form propped against the wall. My throat becomes dry and fear overwhelms me as I hope I’m not too late.
“You have no claim on her,” I say with an authoritative tone. I reach out with my magic to sense any emotion within, but he’s empty inside, which is odd. If anything, if he’s been feeding off of Rez, he would at least have her emotions stirring inside of him, but he’s a black hole.
Richard stands up to his full height and Rez slumps over onto the floor. Normally, he would stand just a foot taller than me, but merely a twig in size. Now, he’s twice my size and honestly, if the lights were off or flickering, I might be needing a change of clothes. I’ve learned a few defensive spells but nothing to really take out a fevered Wraith—silver is the only weakness it has in this state. He focuses on me, seeing as I’m the bigger threat, and takes a few intimidating steps toward me. Backing up enough to make sure Rez is out of his way as he follows me, I reach for my cufflinks, slipping them off as discreetly as possible.
“Leave me alone and we won’t hurt you,” he growls, stepping closer to me and within my range.We? That’s a weird phrase to say? Does that mean, there’s someone else with him, like another entity?I murmur a quick spell under my breath and throw the silver dust I’ve turned my cufflinks into in his face. His reaction is immediate as he screams and falls to the ground, smoke rising from his skin. The smell of burning flesh sears my nose as I approach, and though I don’t want to get closer, I have to restrain him. Pulling dampening cuffs out of my jacket, I quickly place them on his wrists and back up. Even with him weakened, I don’t want to take the chance of him being able to feed on me and take me out too. Unlike my brothers who have ulterior means to protect themselves, I have to carry around extra dampening cuffs now. That is one thing Dad insisted before I left his office a moment ago, at least until I learn more spells. I never thought I would have to use them so soon though.
“Nerezza?” I quickly check her pulse before leaning her up against the wall.Please tell me I’m doing the right thing here.Pulling out my cell phone, I quickly dial up Dad for guidance.
ChapterForty-One
SUSPICIOUS SHIFTERS
Knox
While heading to the portal in the Administration building, I can’t help but let my mind wander back to last night. I didn’t get pulled to do an Ops, but I was called to Dad’s office where he tried to update everyone on what was going on. Fortunately, it was cut short but only for the reasons that Dad’s focus was elsewhere. It was obvious to me that his thoughts were on Lilith, only because I know of what’s going on. He was able to hold it together long enough to pass control onto Captain Brooks to pick who was going on patrol last night. For once, I counted my blessing that he hates picking me to do anything.
So I decided to surprise Rez by just showing up, but I found myself shocked that my Stardust Kitten had risen out of his long hibernation and wanted to shift when I got comfortable on the sofa. I wasn’t expecting him for another month or so since he normally hibernates during the spring and summer months. I couldn’t bring myself to shift when Rez walked in and admitted she just wanted to cuddle with my smaller form.
I’m glad I took the chance with her, the only thing I wish I could have prevented was dumbass’ mating bite.Maybe that’s why I got the tramp stamp on my ass.Maybe we pissed off the Fates and this is our punishment? Who knows. I might ask Dad if he’s better today, then again, I would have to admit that I fucked up and gave someone an unwanted mating mark.
Fuck.
I head towards my father’s office when I turn the corner and almost bump into his secretary.
“Oh Knox! There you are,” she says with a start, grabbing at her chest. She takes a step back, pushing up her glasses before she smiles up at me.
“Sorry, Mags. Running late to meet with Dad.”
“Oh yes. About that, I’m glad I ran into you. He got called away for Council business, but he did leave something—” she pauses and shuffles through the stack of papers she has in her hands “—for you, but I think I left it in my desk.”
“It’s okay. I can get it. You have your hands full.” I give her a smile and she returns it with her own as her shoulders slump with relief.
“Thanks. I think I put it in the side drawer.” She waves as she passes and turns down the hall.
Turning around, I head down to her office that she shares with Capt. Brooks. As I approach the door, the shuffling of papers and a low growl grabs my attention. “Where the fuck is it?”
Peering into the room, I see Capt. Brooks leaning over Mags’ desk frantically searching through her papers. It’s a good thing she keeps most of the important documents locked up in the hidden drawer on the side. I only know of it because when I was little, Mags would let me play inspector and that was my secret drawer to stash my candy in when Dad brought me to work.
“Need help?” I ask, my tone full of warning as I lean against the doorframe with my arms crossed over my chest. My lip curls as the scent of fear reaches me and Brooks shoots up. I get a brief look at his wide panicked eyes before he looks back down at Mags desk.
Clearing his throat, he quickly straightens up a few papers. “No. Just leaving a few papers here for your father.” His eyes tighten slightly as he gives the desk one last look before he walks around it, giving me his attention. “Shouldn’t you be in class?” he accuses as he rolls up his own stack of papers in his hand.
