The blond witch huffs as the professor tries to work out what happened. From the way they’re giggling, it’s entirely possible that one the dolphin shifters did it intentionally.
“Hey,” whispers the vampire, from across the bench. “Did you really break up with your townie boyfriend?”
She’s looking at Maggie, who turns an even deeper shade of red than her hair.
“Oh, well…yeah. Not before Persephone tried to drown him, though.”
Persephone twirls her pendant between her fingers. “I was trying to do you a favour, Magpie.”
“Yeah right,” says Orion. “You said he could have been your,” he clasps his hands in a mock-swoon, “fated mate.”
Hallie giggles. “You’ve got a new fated mate every week, Persephone.”
“I do not! And he was very handsome, it’s possible!”
“It’s definitely not,” mutters the cliquey witch from the other end of the table. “Mermaids can’t have fated mates.”
“How do you know?” Orion asks.
“Everyone knowsthat,” she replies.
“Well maybeIcan,” Persephone huffs. “If Gwen can read fortunes, I can have a fated mate.”
“Gwen can read fortunes?” Maggie asks. “I haven’t been in class.”
“Yeah, they’reextremelyclever at magic,” says Persephone, eying the other witch, who avoids her gaze by staring at an old dusty star chart on the opposite wall.
Now the fire is completely out and Professor Hall takes her spot at the front of the classroom.
She continues to coach us on our triads, walking around the room, making adjustments and attempting to prevent any further fire hazards.
But my mind wanders to what the mermaid said about fated mates. Mermaids might not have fated mates, but shifters often do. I remember hearing about them as a small wolf and wondering what my mate would be like. I guess the wondering is over, now that I’m betrothed to my fiance in the Cave.
After what feels like ages, Professor Hall asks us to open our eyes.
“Great job everyone!” she chimes. “I’m proud of all of you. That was some really great protection magic today. For homework, pick two classmates to practice these spells with. Remember, they’ll be on your final examination and you might not get to choose who you’re paired up with, so try to make groups that you usually wouldn’t! Read chapter eight in your texton protection charms, and chapter twelve on triads and group magic. It’s brief, but it’s a good introduction.
“All right, you’re dismissed!”
So many thoughts are percolating in my mind. Is this what it’s like to be a witch? Constantly thinking andagonizingabout things?I’ve got a strange, hot sensation in the bottom of my stomach, like I’ve eaten something rotten.
It’s getting late, and I can sense my packmates are hungry. Without saying anything, they turn to the entryway to go hunting. As much as I would like to joint hem, and take my mind off of my concerns, I have to figure something else out.
“I’m going to take a nap in the room,” I say. All three of them stare at me.
For a moment, Rory looks like they’re about to say something, but then they don’t. They’re the closest to me and must be sensing my anxiety. I quiet my mind as much as I can.
“Ok, see you in a few hours then,” Tala mutters.
They run off, shedding their human clothes and transforming as they go.
I don’t think I’ve fooled them for one second, but I don’t care right now. There’s something I need to know.
I have to be careful about who I find. I stalk quietly through the hallways, using my keen sense of smell to my advantage. There aren’t many students around. Most vampires have gone back down to the dungeons to…do whatever it is vampires do. A few dolphin shifters pass by me, looking at me oddly because I’m without my pack. I ignore them.
I double back toward the charms classroom, moving carefully and quickly. I hope I didn’t miss them.
I hear the shrill mermaid’s voice, and catch the smell of cinnamon in the air. I duck behind a suit of armor. It’s a clumsy hiding place, but it’s so dark that I hope they won’t notice me.
