67. Thea
Thea
We Regret to Inform You Your Crown Is On Fire
The next morning, Ethan isn’t in combat class. It barely registers at first, but when I reach Otherfell the whispers begin.
They’re all a little different, but the gist is the same. Ethan’s in the hospital. Attacked by a pack of shifters. Robbed of all his jewelry. Left naked in the park.
I head straight for a suspiciously quiet table in the back and cross my arms, glaring at four of my favorite guys.
“Real subtle, guys,” I mutter, eyeing them. “There are cameras.”
“There might have been a big cat helping,” Dylan says, not even trying to hide his grin.
“And I can turn invisible,” Mavrik supplies.
I huff, spinning on Zair.
“Don’t look at me. I wasn’t allowed to go.” He looks like a pouting child, but then he pulls out a small bag and hands it to me. I open it and see a destroyed watch inside.
“Looks like you were right,” he says, his voice surprisingly subdued.
I shake my head, not quite sure what to make of this whole situation.
The next few days feel like a strange new normal. My nook is overcrowded with the now usual suspects: Zair, B, Dylan, and Mavrik. I’m almost never alone anymore.
Zair’s protectiveness has taken a new level.
His eyes follow me whenever we’re together.
I want to scream at him when he follows me from the nook to the bathroom door.
I understand he’s shaken. But it’s like something inside him snapped, and I’m not sure if it’s the kidnapping, Ethan, or something else.
On Friday, as I’m leaving Spiritborne Contracts, a young goblin I recognize from the library approaches me.
“Uh—Thea?” I walk into a side hall to talk to him.
“I’m Hayden. My brother was at the warehouse.
” He cringes before continuing. “He said that his boss hurt you even though you were protected, I want to apologize on behalf of my clan for his lack of honor in protecting you. Please take this token.” He holds out a box. I hesitate before opening it.
A tiara. Dark silver. Ornate. Beautiful. Goblin-made.
I look him over and don’t see one.
“Where’s the pencil?” I whisper
“No pencil. He said you are ‘a queen of death.’ I want to give you a crown.”
“Do you know what I am?” I ask, hopeful.
“No.” He shakes his head. “But my brother said you showed him his soul, and he’s turned his back on all that crime. The whole crew did. Even if you’re not a queen of death, you’re a queen to goblins.”
“Don’t let anyone hear you say that,” I say with a smile. “Thank you, Hayden, I’m not worthy of such a token.”
“You’re worthy of more—” I’m yanked into an empty classroom. And shoved against a wall, a fist connecting with my face. Again? Seriously!
This one smells heavily of shifter. What did I do to shifters?
“Let her go!” Hayden yells, pulling on the guy’s arm. The shifter turns and punches him. I see red. I let my anger take hold of me and I feel myself transforming again. I don’t fight it.
“Enough.” My voice once again taking on the ethereal edge. I look down and I’m glowing again.
They both are staring at me, looks of pure terror.
“What do you want with me?” I ask as I grab ahold of his soul. I’m terrified by how easily it’s all coming to me. Instinctual.
“What—what are you?” The voice asks, his voice trembling. His soul is glowing white, but has a solid black circle around his wrist. I grab his hand and see a watch. I release his soul. He’s not in control.
“Don’t you know better than to take gifts from witches?” I growl, breaking the enchantment. He doubles over, vomiting.
I look over at Hayden, who’s staring at me in wonder. He bends over and grabs the crown from where I dropped it, presenting it to me again.
“Queen of death,” he whispers, his voice reverent.
The title settles over me like a promise. Or a curse.
I take the crown from him, setting it on my head. It catches fire. I’m the embodiment of death.
I let the magic fade. My glow dims. My skin stops humming. When I look at my reflection in the window glass, the crown is gone. I pull on my magic, easier this time, and the crown is back. Guess it’s part of me now.
“I’m not a queen of death; I’m just dead,” I tell him.
“Where did you get the watch?” I ask the shifter. He looks like he wants to be sick again but more terrified of defying me.
“I found it in my dorm weeks ago. I’m so sorry!”
“Name?” I ask.
“Aaron, I’m a bear shifter.”
I take a deep breath and glance at Hayden, who’s still kneeling. At Aaron, who looks at me like I could end him with a thought. And I realize: I didn’t even balk this time. That scares me more than anything.
“Any chance we can keep this between us?” I ask and they both nod quickly.
I skip Misfit Magic, heading straight to the library, pulling every book I can find. Anything on what the hell I am. I refuse to leave. I don’t let anyone sit with me. I fall asleep there and as soon as I wake, I’m back at it. But I find nothing.
Just silence, and whatever I’ve become.