Samael has made a spell for communication. He is talking to my grandmother inside a magic bubble, making me question his species once more. Are dragon-shifters truly capable of magic designed for witches and warlocks?
"I'm sorry, you know."
Blake steps forward and picks up my interest with the hint of a smile playing over his lips. He has taken off the clown costume and is showcasing his killer physique. His cologne is drifting in the wind. I'm not sure what brand it is, but whatever it is, smells fantastic.
"You're quick to judge a person based on where they come from without even knowing them." I'm speaking from the heart and thinking back to the first time I ran into him. "You talk without a filter, and you don't even care if you hurt people."
Blake snorts. "It's not like you are any better. You picked a fight with my girlfriend during your first day and almost burnt down the entire school."
I smile with venom lacing my tongue. Blake should
I watch Blake fight with three of the werecats. He is throwing them off his back while snarling like a furious beast. Brown hair gets ripped away from his back, but the werewolf isn't close to giving up. Admirable. What I find fascinating about Blake is that even if we are outnumbered and in grave danger, he seems to live for the battle.He inhales the air, probably to clear his head before digging his teeth into the next fool trying to attack him.I wonder if it's easy fighting as a gigantic wolf?Entranced, I watch the scene before remembering what I was doing—running for my dear life because flames won't burst to life no matter how loud I call for them.I'm such a weakling.Images of Jack licking his devious lips before trying to kiss my naked breast flood my mind every time I try to summon fire. It has made me realize that the memory is blocking me from using my powers."What do I do?" I ask myself as I climb up a mossy rock. My li
Opening my eyes is not pleasant. It feels like a steamroller has run over me—every limb is crying, begging me to jump off a bridge to end this suffering. I've had better days. Light trickle in through a half-open window, making me groan and turn over in the bed that smells like detergent. I'm drenched in a cold sweat, and my eyelids hurt, probably swollen from the beating I took. "Good, you're awake." Startled, I sit up and try to open my eyes, only to end up squinting like a mole at my grandmother. She is standing at the edge of my bed, wearing her emerald dress and a stern expression. We seem to be in a hospital room, and I remember the school was equipped with its hospital wing. "Morning," I say and lick my lips. My mouth is drier than sand. "Fancy seeing you here." My grandmother doesn't move a muscle. Instead, she glares down at my hands, and that's when I discover my new, unusual bracelets. They are embedded with green, glowing b
Samael cocks his head to one side, blinking at me, and I violently pull my blanket over my head when I spot a glimpse of his teeth. I'm so embarrassed! Why did I ask him to stay? "Oh, no!" Samael is feigning confusion. I can hear the smile in his voice, and it makes me stop breathing. I hope staying hidden will save me from this awkward situation. "Wherever did she go?" Suddenly, hands clamp down onto my shoulders, and I shriek, prompting laughter out of Samael. "You know..." He pulls the blanket over my head, smiling when he finds me with a mad blush. Every second that his gaze stays on me, I feel shivers starting from my toes. Damn teenage nerves. "Hanging out with me isn't a good idea." "Because you're my teacher?" I question. Samael bites his lower lip, looks at me, and then opens his mouth to let out some steam. I find him incredibly sexy. "No, it's because I'm not a good person, Raven." Hearing my name on his tongue feels so righ
It's been two days since Lucy left me. I'm currently staring down at the empty mirror while Hayley talks about her dress for the Christmas ball. I understand it's rude to pretend I'm listening, but I miss Lucy. Excitement is buzzing in the entire atmosphere. People are laughing in the cafeteria. Girls are discussing their dresses; meanwhile, the guys are winking at the girls. I should join them and be happy, but it feels like the last piece of my heart shattered into breadcrumbs when Lucy left. I recognize he is a demon, but I thought of him as my home in a twisted way. He was the family I had left and the last connection to my mother. Hayden takes a seat by our table, throwing a bag of cookies in front of my eyes. "Since you ate the last cookies I made you so quickly, I baked you new ones this morning." Shivers wrack my body, and I'm suddenly overwhelmed by the memories of Lucy eating those cookies. My heart squeezes inside my chest. Tears wo
After the rain has stopped pouring, I'm dragging my feet across the wet grass while keeping my gaze low. My jeans stick to my body like a second skin, and the leather jacket I'm wearing feels like a rag. I'm chilled to the bone but move a curl of black hair from my face and trek down a trail. The trees seem to dance with the silent wind, and then I hear voices—one belongs to my grandmother. Suspicions flash within me, and I scan my surroundings. My eyes settle for a thick oak tree, and I quickly hide behind it, pressing my back against the wet trunk. "Don't mention this to anyone!" My grandmother orders. "We don't want the students to be afraid when we have the Christmas ball coming up." I sneak a peek. My grandmother is walking in my direction, with two other teachers following her. They are transporting something on a stretcher—I suspect there is a dead body on it, but the black plastic draped over it prevents me from confirming this. One te
I'm furious. We are in town trying to find me something to wear for the Christmas ball. Hayley is picking out dresses for me and bringing them to my changing booth. Hayley wants me to express grace and beauty, but I don't care about elegance—I want something dramatic Lucy will remember me by after I've burnt him to a crisp. "This will compliment your appearance, Raven. The color suits your hair and brings out the blue in your eyes." Hayley hands over a sapphire dress and smiles while I glare down at the fabric in my arms. I haven't slept. My dreams replay the day Lucy abandoned me—I see his face so many times a night my heart needs a break. "I will try it on." There is no motivation in my voice. My soul has fled my body and left me an empty shell. Hayley beams at me. "I will wait outside." I close the curtains and stare at myself in the mirror. My eyelids are swollen, and I can imagine what Lucy would have said if he sat on top of my s
On the day of the Christmas ball, I wake up with an anxious pounding inside my chest. I sit up in my bed and hug my legs while glaring at the wall. It's my birthday—I should be excited, and instead, I'm terrified of the vision my grandmother had. I don't want to die. "But it's not like I can sit in my bed all day, either," I mumble to myself. I dress for breakfast. The mate-bond thing won't happen until later. I don't have to worry about looking into Blake or Hayden's eyes right now; the clock needs to hit eleven—the time I was born. Pouting, I pass the time by walking into the cafeteria. I pick out some sandwiches and eat them in silence. Hayley joins me, introduces me to her Fae friend Alina—it seems all Fae aren't bad. And then, we all eat together. Lucy is on my mind the entire day, along with thoughts and ideas on how life together with Hayden and Blake would be. Hayden would bake me cookies any time I asked for them. Meanwhile, sex with Blake wo
"Mate," I repeat that word, standing proud as I gape up into Lucy's unreadable expression. "You're my mate."His eyes seem to dilate. I'm afraid when he parts his lips, but I know fear isn't real. It is a product of thoughts and worries I'm creating inside my mind. It's a choice, and I'm trying to be brave and not let that devastating emotion impede the thing I want—him."How is this even possible?" He closes his eyes as if to concentrate and think about the situation. His fingers reach to rub at his eyelids. "Demons aren't supposed to have mates."I peer up at his face, and this giddy emotion floats over me. It's strange thinking of Lucy and Samael as the same person. Lucy looked like a child inside of his mirror, and now here he stands as a grown-ass man.Lucy squints at me as I snicker."What do you find so funny?" He asks coldly.I smile. "It's just awkward. When you were only Lucy, I didn't think your grown-up form would look like