Initiation (Bonfire Academy Book One, Bonfire Chronicles)
By
Imogen Rose
Copyright © 2011 by Imogen Rose
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This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental
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Acknowledgements
I want to start off by thanking all of my amazing fans. You gave me a chance when I published PORTAL and have stayed with me ever since. You guys totally rock!
My stories still entertain my daughter, Lauren, who is now ten and possibly a bit young to be reading this book. She continues to put up with me spending endless hours on the computer. Love you, munchkin.
As always, my wonderful team keeps me on the straight and narrow. My awesome friend and editor, Sue Bernstein, practically lives in my head now, almost as familiar with my characters as I am. I’m indebted to you, Sue, yet again, for editing this novel (and practically being Octavia!). I can’t thank Lynn O’Dell and her editing team at Red Adept Publishing enough for the work they do. Thanks, Lynn. It’s been a pleasure.
I also want to thank my beta readers, Al Kunz, Allirea Brumley, Lala Price, Vickie Boehnlein, Scott Garretson, and Linda Mihay for their valuable criticisms and suggestions. You are awesome!
-Imogen Rose
A dreamer must dream
A storyteller must tell
I dream to tell
For Lauren
Hidden in the alpine mountains of St. Moritz
is an exclusive private school.
Enter at your own risk.
Welcome to Bonfire Academy.
1
Trust No One. The wooden plaque hanging over the bed couldn’t be any more in-your-face. As if I could ever forget one of the three Golden Rules.
After I dumped my suitcase on the crisp burgundy comforter, I picked up the envelope I spotted lying on my pillow and sat down to check out my new room.
The room was much bigger than the one I had last year. It even had a breakfast table with two padded chairs–one of which I was sitting on–and a sofa bed for guests. Cool. That would come in handy for sleepovers. All the East Tower bedrooms, including mine, had been rebuilt after the fire. They had been restored to their previous condition, as if the fire had never happened. Whoever had been in charge of the restorations had even managed to replace the old burgundy towels. However, as I breathed in the air, I noticed that the old familiar smell had been replaced by a new one–the odor of newly painted walls, laced with a hint of orange from the freshly polished wood.
It was hard to believe that the entire wing had gone up in flames just three months ago. The rest of the school hadn’t escaped the fire and smoke damage either, causing Bonfire Academy to close its doors for the first time in its history.
Bonfire Academy, hidden in the outskirts of the luxury ski-resort town of St. Moritz, Switzerland, is an exclusive school for paranormal preparation. The small, but chic town caters to those who enjoy a champagne lifestyle. It’s legendary for being the playground of the rich and famous. So, naturally, the school caters to the offspring of the upper crust of paranormal society. The thorough vetting process and annual tuition costs make sure of that. Students come here from all over the world–and beyond.
After the fire, all of the students had to be sent home, apart from the newbie vampires, who were sequestered in the basement during the restoration. Apparently, that had been a total nightmare. Still, the fact that they were able to reopen in such a short time was amazing. I was glad to be back for my third year.
There would be plenty of new rules, of course. The twins had made sure of that. But Jacques and Mariel, the infamous twins, weren’t returning to the Academy. They had been legends long before they decided to turn the place into a giant firecracker. So after six years at the school, they had been crowned the first non-graduates ever.
I tore open the wax-sealed envelope embossed with the official BA insignia. Sliding out the parchment-like sheet, I read the handwritten note. It was a short message from the student council president asking me to come to his office. I had heard rumors that it was a guy this year, though the identity was kept a secret until the school year started. Anyhow, a meeting? Ugh. That couldn’t be good. A meeting with the president was so rare that most new students thought he was a myth made up by the school to keep us in line–an imaginary creature painted in colors of fear. I knew better, of course, but the thought still made me uncomfortable. Why would he want to see me?
I was beginning my third year at the Academy, a purely voluntary year reserved for self-development enrichment, where we were allowed to choose our own course of development. Many chose to mentor incoming students; others chose to spend a year further developing their skills. I wanted to concentrate on tennis. Plus, my boyfriend was staying on for another year, and I wanted to stay close to him.
I couldn’t for the life of me understand why the student council president had summoned me. Suddenly feeling a bit anxious, I stood and tried to get a handle on my churning emotions. Jeez, it was just another student, not a monster! And even if he was, he’d be no match for me, of that I was sure. So why did I feel sick? Maybe it was just something I ate on the plane.
I decided to check out the view through the window to calm my nerves. As usual, the snowcapped peaks of the breathtaking alpine mountains transported me to a place of peace and calm. I felt my stomach begin to relax, and I put my nose against the window, letting my breath form cloudy patches on the glass.
I looked down at the note again and decided I better just suck it up and get over there. The message had asked me to come as soon as I could. I twirled around for a quick once over in the mirror. If I was going to see the president, I better look presentable.
I didn’t look bad at all, and certainly not as though I had been traveling. Although, the trip from Paris in my dad’s private jet hadn’t exactly been tough. My straight blond hair, which I had highlighted with red streaks during the break, just needed a quick run-through with my fingers. After straightening my red-and-orange striped tie, I ran out and up the stone steps toward the student president’s room.
By the time I got there, my stomach had turned to mush again and was making the most embarrassing gurgling sounds. What the heck was wrong with me?
I just stood outside the metal door, my knuckles refusing to make contact. The pink-tipped nails of my right hand trembled as I willed my hand to knock. But I just couldn’t make it.
Five minutes later, I had come up with an awesome collection of reasonable excuses to ignore the note altogether–the top one being that I hadn’t seen it in the first place. Relieved and pleased with myself, I spun around to go back to my room.
I needn’t have bothered.
The door flew open, and my jaw dropped in shock. Goosebumps formed over my arms as a chill enveloped me. I looked up and stared into a pair of cold, silver-gray eyes.
I held his gaze, locking into it for an uncomfortably long time. My heartbeat quickened as I fought to maintain control, finally managing to disengage my eyes from his. I couldn’t help but notice the shine from his freakishly white hair, which bristled like spines atop his head. He arched his dark eyebrows and smiled, relaxing his angular features. I melted into his gorgeous eyes, which were framed in dark lashes, and smiled back, letting my defenses drift away.
His jaw jerked, and his smile faded so quickly that I wondered if I had imagined it. I stood paralyzed, mesmerized by the most spellbinding guy I had ever met in my life, my face plastered with the world’s goofiest grin, while he looked at me like I was totally nuts.
“Cordelia. May I call you that?”
I nodded, desperately trying to transform my moronic expression into a more neutral, acknowledging one, but probably failing miserably.
“You seem surprised. Can’t imagine why. I decided to help you with the door, since you’ve been lurking outside my room for over five minutes.” He shrugged. “Come on in. I’m Jagger, by the way.”
I followed him in and sat down when he waved me toward a French Renaissance chair. He walked around the metal desk and sat down in an overstuffed black leather chair. I glanced around the room while he shuffled some papers. The office space was large and airy, a corner room, with two walls replaced by floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks. The windows were ajar, the icy wind stabbing its way into the room. The other two walls were covered in ski and boarding photos and posters. Trophies and medals filled a corner display cabinet. I could peek into the adjoining room–a bedroom–through a crack in the door. Finally recognizing him as the captain of the school ski team, I glanced over at Jagger again.
So, this year’s mystery student council president was the ski team captain! Well, that ought to make him more approachable, though considering his intimidating stare… maybe not. I wondered whom he had replaced.
I shuddered. The cold from the open window was freezing me into an icicle. Jagger looked up, his eyes following mine as I cast a brief glimpse at the open window, but he made no move to get up and close it. I fumed as he sat looking smug in his long black leather trench coat.
“Well, Cordelia, are you glad to be back?”
“Yes. Why did you ask for me?”
“Ah, straight to the point.” His eyes narrowed into slits. “Very plucky. Most would have the sense to be more fearful and not ask questions,” he growled softly.
I held my breath, controlling my instincts. A snarl was always a signal for me to transform. But, I held back, on full alert.
“I was told that about you. And that’s one of the reasons you’re here. You’ve been appointed as a mentor.”
It was my turn to smirk. I got to my feet. “I can’t be appointed anything. Thanks for thinking of me, though. I guess it’s some kind of honor. But, no thanks.” I made my way to the door.
And crashed right into Jagger’s chest. I should have anticipated his move; lightning-fast location transfer was something covered in the first semester. I clumsily stepped back, then met his darkened gaze.
He lowered his head, brushing his nose along my neckline, breathing me in. I stood dead still, letting my fingers fuse. I shivered as his lips found my right ear, his every breath forming icicles against my skin. Then, he touched my fused fingers.
“Easy, demon princess. Relax.”
I boiled over with anger. Who the fuck did he think I was? Some silly human girl who’d melt under his pathetic attempt at intimidation? Not so.
“Step back, and I will.” My words were supposed to come out in a firm demonic growl, but instead, they slithered out in an unfortunate raspy whisper.
He chuckled under his breath and took a half step back. He needed to be taught not to mess with demons. Slapping the smirk off his face would be too much of a cliché. My mischievous demon instincts took over.
As the corners of his lips curled into a leer, I jerked up my arm and swiftly wrapped my fingers around the back of his neck, pulling his face down to mine. His eyes widened in surprise, but he made no move to resist as I stood on tiptoes and roughly parted his lips with mine. I kept my eyes wide open, gazing into his, as I explored his mouth, drinking him in. He yielded under my touch. The kiss became more and more fervent, until a surge of hot and cold, of terror and excitement, zapped through me–and him, by the surprise on his face–leaving us shocked and unable to move. Our eyes remained locked together as we stood suspended in time.
Jagger looked as dazed as I felt. His eyes searched mine, but I had nothing to offer, no explanation. Then, it hit me. Dad had mentioned the extremely rare phenomenon. I raked through my mind, trying to remember what he had said.
Listen for his heartbeat, synch with it.
I closed my eyes, tuning out all other distractions, including Jagger himself. I listened and picked up the drum of his pounding heart. I imagined myself conducting the rhythm, my own beat taking the lead. I forced his tempo in line with mine, which thudded loudly and erratically. I managed to slow it by breathing in and out, controlling myself, concentrating on keeping us steady. His heart started to pace mine, slowing until we both beat to a steady pulse. I put my hand on his chest, slowing us even further, until my heart stopped. So did his.
He put his hand on top of mine, compelling our hearts to beat again. I felt his heart begin to pick up speed, and mine followed. He managed to bring us back to a comfortable rhythm.
The phone buzzed, causing both of us to jerk upright. Our beats disengaged.
Jagger’s face was tight and severe as he squeezed past me to get to his desk. He picked up his cell phone. “Yes?” His voice didn’t betray the confusion on his face. His eyes never left mine, not even for a second, during the entire one-sided conversation. I should have turned and left, but I couldn’t break away from his gaze.
“Cordelia.” His voice was soft and cold, sending a new kind of chill through me. “Frau Schmelder asks that you go to her office. Your ward has arrived.”
I wanted to protest, but if Frau Schmelder wanted to see me, I had no choice but to go. Frau Schmelder, the headmistress of Bonfire Academy, was commonly referred to as Frau Smelt, or The Smelt.
“Let me brief you first. Come and sit down.”
I did, feeling a bit embarrassed. What had just happened?
He smiled, his face softening. “Cordelia, going back to what we were discussing before, I am completely aware of your status and that you can’t be appointed to any task. I know you’re here to concentrate on tennis this year. But that shouldn’t take up all your time, so I am asking you as a favor. I’m in charge of the mentoring program, and I can’t think of anyone else who’d be appropriate. I really need you.”
I barely heard him, imagining the feel of his taut muscles instead. “Um. Jagger, what are you?” His taste and smell were unmistakable, yet unfathomable. I clearly detected faery in him, but also something else. He had to be a hybrid of some sort.
He looked surprised by my question. Asking it had been forward of me. The school rules were clear. We weren’t allowed to pry, and asking him such a thing, directly as I had, was strictly forbidden, but I couldn’t help myself. I had always been nosy.
“Fey.” He sounded resolute and didn’t offer anything further.
“Winter?”
“Yes.”
I could have guessed that just by his appearance, but there was more. However, it wasn’t the time to delve into it. Frau Smelt didn’t like to be kept waiting. Or so I had heard. “Why do you need me?”
His eyes narrowed. “You ask, after what just happened?”
Awkward. I didn’t want to talk about that. “I mean, why do you need me as a mentor?”
I almost snickered when I detected a red hue forming on his snow-white skin. An embarrassed winter fey. Cute.
“Oh. The student in question is Faustine Spencer, the half-breed daughter of the demon king of London.”
“Sheesh.”
“Indeed.” He smiled knowingly. “Have you met her? I hear your fathers are good friends, in a demon sort of way.”
“Nope, never heard of her. Half what?”
“Human.”
“Ugh.”
“Indeed. Though, hopefully she won’t be as much trouble as the last set of his spawn.”
One could only hope. The last set had been the infamous twins, Mariel and Jacques. They had been sent back to Paris, under my father’s dominion. They were hybrids as well–half demon, half werewolf. King Sebastian seemed to favor mating with non-demons. What kind of self-respecting demon mated with dogs? I was glad my father had more self-control.
“The main issue is her safety. Her human blood is going to be a prime commodity around here, especially among the vampires.”
“No kidding. Though not as enticing as fey blood.” I wondered how he kept them at bay.
“Perhaps, but she is, in addition, young, just twelve, and completely green.”
“Um, a human twelve-year-old? How human is she?”
“I don’t know. Does it matter?”
“It’s not that.” I sighed. “Well, you know all the stupid rules humans bind themselves with. We don’t do that here. I mean, why would we? Her world is so much more restricted by moral dilemmas and concerns. How is she going to cope with our lack of inhibitions? If she was older, I don’t think she’d have a problem. Hell, even human teens get busy, but mostly in private. However, she will be exposed to stuff here that a normal twelve-year-old wouldn’t be back home; that’s all I’m really trying to say.”
“She’s here to learn about her demon nature, and about paranormals in general. That’s why we think you will be a particularly suitable mentor. You’ve lived in human society, even attended a human school. She wouldn’t have been sent here if she wasn’t ready.”
“Why exactly is she here?”
“She’s transforming, more dramatically than one would expect from a half-human. Her father wants her trained. She’s his heir.”
“Heir? As in the next Queen of London? A half human? That’s insane!”
Jagger shrugged. “I don’t know much about all that, but I’ve been told that she doesn’t know that she’ll be taking over his reign, and we’re to keep it that way. Anyhow, you’ll report to me daily. I need you to keep her safe. There’s more, and I’ll brief you further, later. Right now, please get her settled in. I’ve arranged for her to have the room next to yours. She won’t have a roommate, even though she’s new. We couldn’t find anyone suitable. Ready to meet her?”
“I guess.”
“She’s waiting for you in Frau Schmelder’s office. I won’t come with you, but could you report in later tonight?”
“Sure.”
He walked me to the door and stepped aside so I could pass. I inadvertently rubbed against him on my way out. I felt every beat of his heart as we made contact, and I struggled to keep my own at even a remotely normal level.
I stopped and cocked my head. “Jagger, how much does she know?”
“She doesn’t know anything, yet. She’s a nice kid, apparently.”
“What about her schedule?”
“I’ll give that to you this evening. It’ll be finalized this afternoon.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll see you later.”
“And about that other matter.” He scrutinized me with unabashed hunger.
“What about it?”
“Get rid of Quinn. You belong to me now.”
2
I still felt the beat of Jagger’s heart in mine as I made my way down the stairs and through the hallways to Frau Smelt’s office. We had synchronized. His rhythm was slow and steady, beating independently from mine, but it was almost as if it had made a home for itself inside mine. It weirded me out. I needed to talk to Mom and Dad about that. This had to be the synching thing they had mentioned. His words were on a repeat loop in my mind. I tried to shut out what he’d said about Quinn. I didn’t like the way Jagger had spoken to me, basically giving me an order. No one ordered me to do anything. A fey, especially! Even if he was the president of the student council.
I tried to recall what I’d been taught about faeries. To be honest, I hadn’t paid much attention. The fey held very little interest for me, especially since they weren’t part of my father’s network.
My father is the demon king of Paris. Each city is governed by a council of paranormal leaders–demon, vampire, Wanderer, angel, werewolf, witch–who keep their subjects in order, ensuring that our existence is kept secret from the humans. The faeries, apart from trolls, had never been a part of that system.
As far as I could recall, the faery world was divided into fey from either the Seelie court or the Unseelie court, also known as the summer and winter courts. Although the summer faeries weren’t as malevolent as those from the Unseelie court, they were not by any means benevolent.
Jagger clearly belonged to the Unseelie court. Even before he confirmed it, I had guessed just by his appearance and cool breath. But he didn’t belong completely. There was another undefinable aura around him. I didn’t understand how our rhythms had fused. How could that happen between a demon and a fey? Was there a way to undo it?
A thousand questions swirled around in my mind as I reached Frau Smelt’s office. I stared at her door and, once again, my stomach twisted. I really needed to work on the whole door anxiety issue that suddenly seemed to be plaguing me. I stood outside it for a moment, patting down my gray skirt and making sure that the collar on my white shirt was straight. Then I gently tapped the large brass knocker to the metal door. It made a thunderous sound, even though I had barely touched it, making me jump slightly.
“Enter!”
I rotated the knob and cracked open the door, then hesitantly peered through the slit. I ignored everyone else in the room as I met the daunting and severe glare of The Smelt. Then, Frau Smelt suddenly averted her eyes, her thin, ruby-red lips curling into a semi-smile. I followed her gaze and was transfixed as I stared into the cold, red eyes of the demon king of London.
“Your Highness, this is Cordelia. We have asked her to mentor Faustine.”
Well, so much for nobody being able to order me around. That notion took a nosedive out the window.
King Sebastian sat on the couch with his feet lazily plunked on the glass coffee table in front of him. He seemed completely at ease, dressed casually in dark jeans and a black turtleneck sweater. He was famous for his roguish good looks and deceptively easy manner. I had run into him a few times before in my dad’s office, but I still felt slightly intimidated.
“Cordelia, how lovely to see you again. How is your father?”
“Your Highness, it’s nice to see you again. My dad is good. I got to visit him during the school closure.”
King Sebastian’s eyes darkened, and the smile left his face. If I could have eaten my words, I would have. Talking about the closure was obviously a complete no-no in his presence, considering his spawn were the ones responsible. I thought about apologizing, but couldn’t find the words.
His voice was low and deadly even when he spoke again. “I’m on my way to see him, once I leave here. Let me introduce you to my daughter. Cordelia, this is Faustine.” His face and voice softened as he spoke her name and put his hand gently on her shoulder.
I strode over and held out my hand. The young girl sitting next to King Sebastian was gorgeous–a beautiful red-highlighted brunette, with a wide mouth, perfectly arched eyebrows, and a slightly upturned nose scattered with small freckles, one of which sat at the very tip. She was very young, so I was slightly taken aback when she gripped my hand in a very firm handshake.
“Nice to meet you, Faustine.”
Her eyes danced, and her pink-glossed lips twitched into a shy grin. “Nice to meet you, too, Cordelia.” She let go of my hand abruptly and turned to her father. “Dad, I’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”
I sat down opposite them, watching the exchange in fascination. Seeing the different personas of King Sebastian, and how quickly he could switch between them, was enthralling. Every time he glanced at or spoke to his daughter, he got kind of mushy, and as soon as he talked to Frau Schmelder, he was the intimidating demon king.
“Hon, Frau Schmelder is going to make sure you have a nice time here. Isn’t that so?” He glared at Frau Smelt.
“Certainly, Your Highness!” She reassured him, sounding flustered. “You don’t need to worry at all.” She turned to Faustine, who wore a bemused look. “Faustine, your father tells me that you ski. We have an excellent ski team. Would you be interested in trying out?”
Faustine’s eyes lit up. “Yes! I love to ski. And I love snowboarding. I’ve never been in a competition, though.”
“No worries there,” The Smelt purred. “We’ll get you settled in, and then introduce you to the team. They’ll be delighted to meet you.”
Delighted? I zipped my mouth. It wouldn’t be sensible to contradict the headmistress at the best of times, but to do it in front of her visitor would be totally insane. However, she had to be aware of the nature of the team. They were a fiercely competitive bunch, consisting of the school’s best skiers. I scrutinized Faustine. She was almost half the size of most of the members. And she was half human… To think that she could even begin to hold her own on that team was just plain stupid. She’d get eaten alive. Perhaps literally.
However, the mention of skiing had her looking at me expectantly.
“I’ll introduce you to the captain. His name is Jagger. Are you interested in any other activities? Music?”
“I play the cello.” She became somber again. “And I can play the piano and guitar, but not well.”
“What about theater? Dance? Art? Other sports?”
She shrugged. “Done plays and stuff at school. I did ballet and hip-hop classes. I can swim and play lacrosse, and I did a bit of kickboxing.” She pursed her lips. “But, what I really want to do is ski.”
“Well, let’s get you settled in, and then I’ll take you over to the peaks.”
“Awesome!” She rubbed her hands together and beamed at her father.
“Well, it seems you are ready to get going.” King Sebastian gave me an appreciative nod. “I need to discuss a few things with Frau Schmelder before I go, but I will be back in a couple of days to check on you. And if you need me for anything, call me. I will come immediately. Okay?”
“Yes, Daddy. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I can’t wait to see my room! And go skiing. Will you come skiing this weekend?”
“Absolutely.”
“What about Mom? Can she come as well?”
He took her hands in his and squeezed them gently. “Hon, you know she can’t. You won’t be allowed contact with any humans, not even your mom, until you graduate. You can call her, though. Anytime you want.”
Her eyes welled up. Poor thing. It was probably the first time she had ever been away from her mother.
I went over and put my arm around her, pulling her in for a hug. “Faustine, it’ll be okay. Think of me as your big sister while you’re here. You can come to me for everything. You can even camp out in my room for sleepovers if you want. I’ve got an extra bed.” It suddenly dawned on me why I had been treated to that room.
She perked up, and then got out of her seat. “Bye, Dad.”
He rose and enveloped her tightly in his arms. I could see that he struggled to keep his own emotions in check. Faustine was truly precious to him.
Waggling her finger at the door, Frau Schmelder indicated for me to leave. I held out my hand for Faustine, which she grasped.
“Faustine, go with Cordelia. I’ve already had your luggage put in your room,” The Smelt said.
“Bye, Dad,” she said again, clearly fighting back tears. She stood on her tiptoes for one last kiss before I pulled her out the door with me. It reminded me of a kindergartener’s first day at school. The separation anxiety could easily have resulted in a moment of Honey, you don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Silly, of course. Faustine was at the academy for a reason.
I led her through the hallways and up the stairs toward my room. She was quite a Chatty Cathy once she got started.
“Cordelia, Dad said you’re a demon. Are both your mom and dad demons?”
“Yes, they are. I gather your mom is a human?”
“Yes. I’m really going to miss her.” Her voice broke.
“Do you have any sisters or brothers?” I asked, quickly changing the subject.
“No, I’m an only child. I have a best friend, though, who lives with us. Her name is Neave. She’s a witch. I wish she could have come with me.”
“Well, witches don’t usually come to the Academy, unless they’re hybrids, of course.”
“What’s a hybrid?”
“That’s when you have a father and mother who are different, like you. You’re a human-demon hybrid.”
“Oh. Is that good or bad?”
“Neither. You are who you are, and what you need to do here is figure out exactly what you are capable of, and learn to control it.”
“Yeah, that’s what Mom and Dad said. Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“Yes, I have two brothers and five sisters.”
“Wow! Big family. Do you like that?”
“It’s good most of the time, but we fight a lot.” I laughed thinking about my family. We were the only demon family I knew of that were nuclear, in that we had one set of parents and were full siblings. I guessed that was because Mom and Dad had synched when they were very young.
“Are they at the Academy?”
“No, it’s just me here at the moment. All the others, apart from my younger brother, have already graduated. My younger brother, Pascal, will start here next year, so you’ll get to meet him then.”
“Is this your last year?” She sounded forlorn at the thought.
I squeezed her hand. “Yes, but we have a long year of fun ahead of us. Let’s pop into my room before we go to yours. I’m just going to pick up my cell–I forgot it up there–then we’ll get something to eat. I bet you’re ready for a snack. How about a nice slice of steak?”
She rubbed her hands together.
Steak, also known as demon ice cream, was more than just a heavenly snack. It was a necessity. Steak kept us human. It obviously didn’t need to be steak, any meat would do, but a nice succulent bit of steak really hit the mark. Faustine had gone quiet, her mind probably totally drooling over images of sizzling steak.
I unlocked my door and led her inside.
“Hey, babe.”
I followed the voice to my bed and met the intense red eyes of Quinn. My boyfriend.
3
It was so awesome to see him. After the fire, we’d been relocated in a hurry, and I hadn’t even said goodbye to him. We had, of course, talked and texted while the Academy was being repaired, but I had missed him terribly. He wasn’t just my boyfriend; he was also my best friend.
“So, who’s your friend?” he drawled, lazily sitting up, and grinning.
I went over and kissed his forehead, running my fingers through his dark hair, resisting the urge to show him how much I had really missed him. I’d wait and do that once we were alone.
“Quinn, Faustine. Faustine, Quinn. I was asked to mentor Faustine. She’s King Sebastian’s daughter.”
“Ah.” Quinn sat up straight. “The half-human?”
“Yep.”
“Interesting,” Quinn commented, giving Faustine the once over, the demon kind–which was totally intimidating at the best of times. “You didn’t tell me you signed up for the mentoring program. What about tennis?”
“Stop that, Quinn! Don’t frighten her!”
“Oh, I’m not frightened,” Faustine protested. “My dad is the demon king of London. Nothing frightens me.”
I smiled inwardly. Poor thing. She must be terrified on the inside. “That’s right, Faustine. Nothing to be scared of. Is there, Quinn?” I asked pointedly.
He shrugged. “I guess not. Not if you are mentoring her. Still, she is half human, though, the first half-human we’ve ever had at the school. And she smells like it; I was just checking.”
Faustine raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Really? You’ve never had a human here before? Ever? Checking what?”
“No. We’ve had quite a few hybrids, but never a human hybrid. Are you more human or demon? I can’t tell from your smell, which is what I was trying to figure out. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
“No worries.” Faustine sat down on the chair I pointed to. “I don’t know. I guess that’s one of the reasons I’m here, to find out. Say, I’m a bit hungry.”
“Oh, sorry. Quinn, join us for a snack? Let’s go down to the cafeteria.”
“Um, are you sure about that? May be wiser to get something sent up, considering…”
“That would take too long. I think Faustine needs to feed now. Is that right, Faustine?” I didn’t really have to ask. I could see the red-hollow hunger in her eyes even as she nodded. I’d keep her safe. Plus, I’d have Quinn to help, should we have any issues. “Okay, ready?”
We headed down the stairs and made our way through the dark, stone corridors to the courtyard. It was very quiet, and we only saw two other students. Both of them passed without paying Faustine any attention at all. I couldn’t help but notice the video surveillance cameras that lined the otherwise unadorned stone walls. The cameras were a new addition, part of the improvements during the rebuilding. We didn’t run into anyone else, but that would change tomorrow when the majority of the students returned.
As we approached the cafeteria, the aroma of grilled meat assaulted my senses to the point where I found it difficult not to drool. Much as I needed to head straight for the meat station, I stopped short and gawked as soon as we entered. So did Quinn.
“What’s the matter?” Faustine asked, looking at us wide eyed.
“It’s totally changed! I wasn’t expecting this.” I scanned the space that had once been an old-fashioned hall with banquet tables. “Boy, they totally redesigned this room! It used to be filled with long oak tables with backless benches. Five-foot chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and the stone walls were covered in candelabra sconces. We had ten of those twenty-foot tables, with the one reserved for the staff running perpendicular to the others. The food stations were over there.” I pointed at a door at the far end of the room. “By the smell of things, it’s still there. Let’s get some food.”
We walked through the brand new Starbucks-inspired seating, a mix of tables for four to eight and cozy sectional sofas with coffee tables. Gone was the old institutional ambience, replaced by a modern airy space. I wondered what had been behind that decision. The rest of the school seemed to have been restored to its former shape.
I wasn’t sure I liked the change, but couldn’t quite assess it at the moment. My stomach roiled with hunger. I didn’t even have to show Faustine where to go; she strode ahead of Quinn and me, her nose leading her straight to the meat station. Plates with thick, rare meat–without any unnecessary garnish–were sitting ready, sizzling on the counter. We grabbed a couple of plates each and went back to the dining area, plunking ourselves down on the first available chairs and diving into our food. As usual, no one spoke until we finished eating, a universal custom within the paranormal community. Dinner chitchat was a purely human thing, so it was interesting that Faustine didn’t say anything either while we ate. Once we were done, we sat back in our chairs, satisfied and happy.
“That has to be the best steak ever,” Faustine commented. “Mom always gets the best cuts of meat, but they don’t compare to this. I’m going to have to get the recipe before I go back home.”
Quinn laughed. “And a plane to transport some cows home with you.”
Faustine drew her eyebrows together in confusion.
“Faustine, the meat is so delish because of the way the cows are bred. They’re farmed right here on the property. I can take you to see them, if you want,” I offered.
Faustine squirmed. “Blech, no. I like eating steak, but cows freak me out.”
“Why?” Quinn snickered. “You’re a demon! A demon princess. Why would a domesticated animal freak you out?”
“I don’t really want to talk about it. A bad cow-tipping incident,” Faustine murmured.
I snickered. “Come on! Tell us the story.”
“No, maybe later.”
In that moment, she looked much younger than her twelve years. Thirteen almost, as it would be her birthday very soon. Just for a moment, her memories must have caused her to let her guard down, and her full innocence shone through.
My protective instincts stirred, and I put an arm around her. “It’s okay, Faustine. No worries. All that matters is that you can eat them.”
“No kidding.” Quinn chuckled. “A vegetarian demon would suck.”
I threw Quinn a venomous glance. “Put a sock in it.” He could be such an ass at times.
He immediately drew back. “Sorry, princesses. I was just kidding.”
“No worries,” Faustine reassured him. “It is a weird phobia. I’m scared of spiders as well. Aren’t you scared of anything?”
“Well, mostly of Cordelia.” He grinned.
“Ha, ha.” I glared at him again.
“And that’s the cue for me to go and unpack.” He stood and planted a kiss on my forehead. “Later, ladies.” And with a wave, he was gone.
The cafeteria was pleasantly quiet, which would change the next day. I sat back and checked out the other students in the room while Faustine did the same. Two other groups sat at the other end of the hall. I vaguely recognized some of them. The first consisted of three vampires, who occupied one of the comfy sofas as they quietly sipped their red beverages. I noticed them intermittently glancing over at us. The vamps would be the most difficult for Faustine. Luckily, the ones at the cafeteria had been at the Academy for a while and were in control of themselves. However, even they seemed twitchy. The other group–two girls and three boys, all shifter-hybrids–was loud and rambunctious.
“Do you think it would be okay for me to go get another plate?” Faustine inquired.
I tried not to show my amusement. I liked that she had a good appetite; nothing worse than a demon with an eating problem. The better fed she was, the more likely she would be able to concentrate on other activities. “Sure! Just help yourself. You know where to go.”
“Can I come down here any time?”
“Um. No. This dining hall is reserved for the students who have gone through initiation. The initiation class has their own dining hall. I’ll show you later. However, I suggest you don’t use it.”
“Why?”
“Get your steak, and I’ll explain.”
While I waited, I checked my cell phone–over a hundred text messages. I’d have to find some time to go through them. I scanned them for a moment, noticing a few from Jagger, but Faustine returned before I could read them.
“So, why shouldn’t I use the other dining hall?” she asked, sitting down and taking a bite of her meal.
“Well, like Quinn said, you’re the first human hybrid we’ve had on campus. We don’t have any idea how the others will react to you, especially the Initiates, who aren’t trained.”
“You mean you’re concerned that the vamps will snack on me?”
“That’s a concern, but not as far as the Initiates’ dining hall goes. None of the new vamps are allowed in there. They’re way too out of control for the others to handle, so they have their own area in the basement. All their Initiate classes are down there, too. They only get to merge with the others after they graduate from their basic camp.”
“How long does that take?”
“The standard curriculum for all students is set for one year. However, it varies a lot, depending on the individual. The hybrids tend to take longer.”
“Why?”
“They usually have a lot more combined powers, some that they aren’t even aware of. Sometimes hybrid powers morph into new powers. Do you know what yours are?” I was totally overstepping again. I had no business asking her about her powers. I had to get a handle on my nosy gene.
Faustine shook her head. “No, not really. So if there are no vamp Initi– What was that word?”
“Initiates.”
“Initiates. Then why can’t I use the other dining hall? I’ve got to be able to go somewhere to eat.”
“It’s not that you can’t. I’d just rather you didn’t, not at first, anyway. Not until we figure out how your fellow Initiates respond to you. I’ve got no idea who’s in the incoming class. For all I know, they may have included vamp hybrids. They’re particularly difficult to place.” I sighed. I knew that there could even be some vamps from last year’s intake because the fire had really messed up the schedule. I really didn’t have a clue who would be in this year’s class.
“So, if I’m not supposed to be in here, and you don’t want me to eat with the other initiates, what am I supposed to do?”
I understood her concern. Feeding was of prime importance to all of us.
“You can use this place as long as you’re with someone who’s been through initiation, any Integrate or someone from the Enrichment program. It doesn’t have to be me or another mentor. A lot of the students who have gone through Integration stay for an additional period to complete their sport and other activity programs. Once they can sign on as part of the mentoring program, most all of them do. So there are quite a few of us. I’ll introduce you to the ones I like.”
“But what if I just can’t find anyone and I have to feed?” Faustine persisted.
“I’ve been thinking about that. It’s bound to happen. The mentors have their own lounge on the other side of the campus. I haven’t checked it out yet. It apparently has a full twenty-four-hour food station. I’m going to find out if there’s a way you can use it, and get you a pass or whatever you need to get in.”
Faustine suddenly looked pensive.
“What’s up?”
“They’re not going to let me use it. Why would they? I’m just an Initiate.”
“Not exactly. You are King Sebastian’s daughter. Your dad is one of the school’s biggest contributors. If it wasn’t for him, they would have had problems rebuilding after the fire. I don’t see an issue. You don’t look like you’re dangerous or anything. Are you?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t think so, but I guess there must be some reason for my parents to have sent me here. It’s not like I wanted to come.” Her voice broke slightly.
“It’s going to be okay. It really is. I’ll make sure you have some fun. I’m not going to lie; Initiation is difficult, but I made it through, and so will you. I didn’t even have anyone mentoring me. I’m going to be there for you every step of the way.”
“Not all the time, though, right? I mean, you’re not going to be in all my classes with me. I’ll be all alone with a bunch of… creatures.”
I chuckled. “Creatures? I guess you could call us that. Anyhow, not to worry. My time is my own this year. I was hoping to spend a lot of it playing tennis, but I can’t do that all day anyway, so I can come to your classes with you, if that makes you feel happier.”
Her eyes clouded over, and a tear popped out and slid down her cheek. She was obviously terrified, too terrified to even share her worries. Clearly, I was going to have to do more than just mentor her. I had inadvertently been signed up to be a full-time babysitter. That was going to seriously mess with my planned schedule, and I had good cause to have Jagger find a replacement.
But looking at Faustine’s face, I knew that I had no option. She needed me. For the first time in my life, someone needed me. The thought gave me a buzz. A feeling of excitement, responsibility, and power shot through me. Along with a spark of annoyance. Why was I letting a half-demon mess with my feelings? Feelings I didn’t even know I had, protective ones.
Then, I felt it. My heart wasn’t beating entirely on its own. It beat in time with Jagger’s. I could feel him. Was he messing with my head as well? Making a mother out of me? The streak of annoyance was replaced by a jolt of fury.
“Cordelia, are you pissed at me?” Faustine wore an inscrutable stony expression, but I could still read the agony behind it.
“No! Of course not! I love spending time with you, and I’m really pleased to have been chosen to mentor you. We are going to have heaps of fun. You’ll see.”
She responded with a small upturn of her lips. “Cordelia, do you ski?”
“I do. I can hold my own on the slopes, but I’m not on the ski team or anything. I hear you’re an awesome skier.”
She snickered. “According to my dad! I love to ski. My nanny takes me up to the Poconos, which are mountains in Pennsylvania, to ski most weekends during the season. Mom’s always too busy. She is a doctor. Anyhow, my nanny loves to ski, so I’m pretty good. I can do the black runs and everything. I’m hoping to try out for the ski team here. Are they good? Do you think I’ll get in?”