13. Isla
Chapter 13
Isla
TUESDAY
Where the fuck are you, Isla? If you don’t answer me soon, I’ll show up on campus.
D emir had used enchanted paper as a way to stay in touch. The magicked paper could be used to send real-time notes, and I hadn’t responded in the few days I had been here. He was pissed off.
Scrambling before I passed out, I grabbed a pen and wrote out a quick response to prevent him from storming the damn place. Knowing Demir, that was exactly what he would do.
Sorry. I started classes already, and I’ve been trying to learn my way around. Passing out now because I have class tomorrow, but I’ll write you back as soon as I can. Tell everyone I said hi and that I’m fine.
Hopefully that was good enough because I couldn’t even bother to undress before curling up on my bed and passing out. Hellsing’s and Bones’ threats, classes, and the unknown of Greywood were taking their toll, and I was fucking tired .
The next morning was at least a later start with a ten a.m. class instead of nine. When I woke, I checked the note and didn’t see a response from Demir, so I took my time showering and getting dressed before setting off for the dining hall for breakfast. Aizel, Echo, and Zhara were all gone, out and about after their stupidly early eight o’clock class.
No thank you.
The morning was a foggy blur until I got to my Advanced Herbology class. It wasn’t in the greenhouse that I had found on my first night, but it was nice enough. Bricriu was in my class, but he ignored my existence for the entire hour and a half.
The teacher was eccentric, with a Ms. Frizzle flair that not many people appreciated, but I did. I could tell she was going to make the class interesting. At least that was what I thought until she announced that we would be working in pairs for the entire semester.
The seat next to me was empty, so I looked around, trying to find someone to partner up with. Almost everyone had paired off except for one.
Bones.
He sat alone in the back. Bricriu was in the human form that was his norm for classes, scrunched up against the table since nothing was suited for his long legs.
Slowly inhaling, I ignored Cassius' muttering about the fae and strode over, dropping my stuff on the table beside him with a loud thump.
Bones stilled then looked over. His purple eyes were covered with those infuriating sunglasses, but I swore I could see the wrinkles from him narrowing them at me.
“I don’t do partners.”
“You’re not the professor,” I replied dryly, settling into the seat beside him, “so I don’t give a shit what you do or don’t do.”
He bristled with annoyance, but the professor clapped her hands, cutting off anything he might say.
“Perfect! Glad everyone is grouped up. You are now partners for the rest of the class. No switches of any kind. You’ll receive information for your projects once the herbology professor gets his act together. For now, I’m his stand-in, so we will review what notes I could find on past lessons pertaining to subjects I’m more familiar with.”
I zoned out as she started going over the specifics on foxglove, sheep laurel, and belladonna. Bricriu didn’t write down any notes. In fact, he didn’t appear to be paying attention at all, though I had a feeling he was absorbing more than people thought he was. Why take notes if reading them was a bitch?
I half-listened at best, typing a few notes as Cassius started sharing additional facts about the plants that the teacher was going over. The entire time Bones seemed to get more and more tense, as if my presence was putting him on edge. I tried to not let it get to me, but if I was being honest with myself, it did.
A bell rang, indicating the end of class, so I started throwing everything into my bag. Everyone else milled around, exchanging information to stay in touch or meet up later.
Bricriu drummed his fingers on the table, and I decided there was no use beating around the bush. I was irritated by the way he’d acted last night, but we were going to be working together whether we liked it or not.
“Well, you already know where my dorm is.” I slipped my bag over my shoulder. “Once we get the project details we can just figure out when and where to meet up then.”
“Isla—”
“We have to work together for class, Bricriu. No use fighting it now. You don’t have to like me, but we can be civil, or is that too much for you?” I cut him off, not interested in hearing what he wanted to say.
“I was going to apologize for last night, but maybe I should save my breath,” he drawled. “Besides, I like you just fine. You’re better than most of the other people here at Greywood.”
“You have a funny way of showing it,” I replied, not believing him in the least.
“The warnings stand even if you don’t like the way they were delivered.” He shrugged and stood up slowly. “You act like you have a death wish, so consider them a friendly heads up and do with them what you will.”
Apparently, this conversation was over.
I left the greenhouse, and he followed, coming to a stop beside me once we were outside. He straightened up to his full height again once he was through the door, his back popping loudly enough that it sounded painful. Bricriu just looked relieved.
“Well, this class will be fun,” I told him with a forced smile. “Right now, I need lunch and tea before I lose it. Then I have one more class today.”
“What class do you have?” he asked after a beat of awkward silence.
“Forbidden Magick,” I replied, but my brow furrowed when a funny expression flickered across his face. “What? Is the class that bad?”
“No,” he answered, his weight shifting from foot to foot. “It’s just interesting. Anyway, never mind. I’ll see you around, witchling.”
He spun on his heel and walked away. Passersby veered to stay out of his way as he slowly ambled off to wherever he was going next. I chewed my lip, all sorts of confused when it came to him.
‘You young people are all confusing.’
‘Confusing?’ I questioned as I made my way toward the dining hall. Groups of supes were spread out all over the quad, talking and studying. It looked like a game of soccer was being organized on the far side of the grassy expanse, but I didn’t see anyone I recognized.
‘His hot and cold attitude. He should have apologized more thoroughly for how he treated you,’ Cassius replied, sounding miffed on my behalf.
‘At least he didn’t act like a complete asshole. Regardless, it’s just one class. I can handle him.’
‘But can he handle you ?’
‘Most people can’t.’ I tried to joke lightly, but the sting of previous rejection was too fresh for it to come off as nonchalant.
My last ex-boyfriend had said I was too much when we broke up. Too much personality. Too loud. Too invested. Too… everything . It really stuck with me even though I didn’t want it to.
‘He was an imbecile, beastie.’ Cassius’ voice was unusually soft.
‘He was,’ I said, forcing myself to sound cheerful, but it was so damn fake, even in my own head. ‘Regardless, I’m not dating or trying to date Bones, so it doesn’t matter.’
Cassius didn’t say anything in response, so I shook it off. After snagging some pad thai and thai iced tea to go, I wandered back outside. There was a hint of rain in the air that meant I probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy it later tonight, so I’d savor the fresh air now.
Not wanting to deal with anyone right now, I walked toward the forest, breathing in deeply once I was surrounded by the trees. An easy smile spread across my face as I stopped just long enough to take off my boots and socks. There was nothing like walking barefoot in the dirt. A soothing lull hummed in my bones as I felt the magick of the Earth welcome my own magick.
I found a small clearing and sat at the foot of a big pine tree, leaning back against the trunk and starting to eat my lunch. A few big bites in, I figured it would be a good time to check the paper from Demir.
Surprisingly, I found a response to my message that he must have sent my way during class. His writing was much more relaxed than before, the cursive flowing across the page rather than the tight small print I had found last night.
You’re lucky I saw this because I was about to shift and make my way to Greywood when you wrote me last night. I guess I’ll accept you were in class already… though I plan on yelling at you when I see you again. How is it going there? Mom and Ma say hey and to contact them when you can.
I snorted at his response. Mom and Ma never just said “Hey.” What a way to shorten it, Demir. Leave it to a man to not send the whole message.
Luckily, I didn’t need anything special to write on the enchanted paper, so I grabbed a pen from my bag and scribbled a response to him.
You would have liked my self-defense professor. A centaur with zero fucks given… Well, you would have liked him or hated him instantly. You horse people really are stubborn. But it’s been good so far. Made some friends, and my suitemates are great. Two incubi really do make for some fun situations, but the witch and wolf I met are at least a little more stable than the two of them.
I knew that last bit would annoy Demir, so I had to add it in. The clenching of his jaw as he took a deep breath to calm down… Man, I wished I could be there to see it. Guess I’d just have to wait for his reaction instead. But I’d take telling him about Echo and Aizel over trying to explain Bones any day. Or really anyone else I’d met here. I didn’t know enough about Wells to mention more about him, and Zhara wouldn’t bother him. Annoying my big brother was a requirement as his sister, a responsibility that I took seriously, so I’d focus on other things as they popped up.
“Well, look who we found all alone,” a familiar voice sang out, followed by two sets of steps.
“If you try to take my lunch, Aizel, I will not be responsible for my actions.” I glared at him as he flopped down beside me with a loud laugh.
Echo sat down on my other side much more sedately. The brothers were casually dressed in dark jeans and t-shirts, nothing as nice as what they had worn yesterday. They had brought their own lunch from the dining hall, and without preamble, they made themselves at home and dug in.
“Where’s Zhara?” I asked between bites.
“Asleep,” Aizel answered. “Her love of mornings was tested with a herbology class at eight in the morning.”
I shuddered at the thought of a class that early. “Yeah, fuck that,” I muttered. Aizel nodded in agreement while Echo laughed at both of us.
“Better than Supernatural Politics which is what we had,” Echo commented, gesturing at himself and his twin.
“Thank goodness I don’t have that class,” I replied, face scrunched up in disgust. “I had my Advanced Herbology class this morning, but at a more reasonable time. Now, I just have Forbidden Magick later.”
“Advanced already?”
“It is my speciality.” I shot Aizel an amused look. “Are you taking basic sex magick classes?”
“Point taken.” Aizel winked at me then took a bite of his sub.
Echo was busy eating his fried rice, so he just nodded in agreement. He had opened his mouth to say something when I saw movement out of the corner of my eye.
It was Demir responding to my note. I had left the paper open beside me on the grass. Not even trying to suppress my smile, I grabbed it, watching him write out his reply. He still had that sprawling cursive, but I could tell he was irritated by the hard, abrupt end to some of the letters.
“What’s that?” Echo asked, leaning close. He respected my privacy though, remaining far enough away that he couldn’t read the note unless I tilted it toward him.
“My brother sent me enchanted paper so we can communicate. He was pissed cause I didn’t respond until last night when I remembered his note. I may have mentioned having two guys as suitemates…”
“You did what?” Aizel asked, coughing hard enough I was concerned he was starting to choke.
I reached out, hitting his back a few times until he waved me off. Echo, for his part, just appeared curious, his eyes bright with laughter.
“Do I want to know what you told him about us?”
“Nothing specific.” I shrugged innocently. “I’ll save traumatizing him for when we’re in person. It will be much more enjoyable that way.”
“Better than our sisters,” Echo grumbled. “They have no filter.”
“We know way too much about their personal lives,” Aizel agreed.
They allow coed roommates?! That’s insane. Is that even safe? They could take advantage of you.
Grumblings of protest came from both brothers who were now crowding around me to read.
I’m also going to circle back to that horse people comment, bats. You’re still a little shit.
Quickly, I wrote back, inspired by the twins’ comments.
Well, they certainly can’t take my virginity. That ship sailed a long time ago. And I look forward to you yelling about the horse comment… Did you want a sugar cube to calm down?
“I have questions,” Aizel started, but I cut him off with a shake of my head. When they had gathered close, I caught a glimpse of Echo’s watch. I only had twenty minutes of freedom left.
“Too bad. I need to grab some stuff for my class, and I want to enjoy your reactions to my answers.” I gathered my trash and shoes before standing up.
Neither incubus moved to join me, but they stared up at me with frustrated expressions.
“Can we at least ask about the horse comment?” Echo ventured.
“Nope,” I responded with a wink. “No hints at all. I can’t wait to hear what you come up with later though.”
Echo cleared his throat loudly, but his green and gold eyes danced with glee as Aizel’s mouth opened and closed a few times.
“We can talk over dinner tonight. We could see if Wells wants to join us,” I threw over my shoulder as I hurried to our dorm. “Don’t want to be late the first day!”
I waved a hand in acknowledgment of their response that they would take care of finding Wells so we could all meet at our suite and go out together. It was a shame we didn’t have cell reception up here. Maybe we could find a good way to stay in contact without needing to hunt each other down on campus.
After touching up my makeup and putting away the notebooks I had grabbed for herbology, I put on my shoes and ran out the door. I managed to make it across the quad and slip into the lecture hall two minutes before class was going to start.
Keeping my disappointment inside, I walked down to the front and grabbed the only seat left. Front and center.
Shit.
I had just settled into my seat when the professor walked in. My brain stuttered to a complete standstill. It was the fae that had given me my invitation to Greywood, the same one that had given the welcome speech.
Orange and red eyes briefly met mine, making the right side of his mouth tilt up in a grin before it disappeared. He didn’t have on that coat again, having worn black slacks knee-high lace-up boots that looked fucking amazing on him, and a white button-up this time. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal the hint of ink further up his arms.
I was in trouble.
‘Beastie, in this we are in agreement. He is fucking trouble. Stay away from him.’
Except he came to a stop directly in front of me. As the hint of smoke and unknown sweetness surrounded me, I was hit with another wave of lust and need. I didn’t think I’d be able to stay away from him.
A professor of all people. My professor.
And given the way he met my stare, I had an inkling that he felt the same way about me. A touch of fear slithered down my spine, and I knew he could sense it from the barely-there upturn of his lips. This was going to be so good before we burned ourselves to the ground.