“We’ll see you guys at the dance,” Martha added, before she pulled him down the corridor with her.
Faustine looked even more miserable.
“Come on, Faustine. Cheer up. It’ll be fun.” I took her hand and ushered her out the door with the others. I stole a glance at Quinn. He looked drool-worthy in a young Marlon Brando kind of way as he chatted with McKenzie. The three of us had spent some great times together the previous year, but they had spent even more time together, having been ski partners.
As we walked toward the ballroom, which was the HQ for all of the Academy’s social events, I remained on full alert. The shifters were still at large, and if they wanted a statement moment, tonight would be it.
Ever since my meeting with Frau Schmelder, my senses had been focused on spotting their scent. I recalled my frustration as I had sat and listened to The Smelt that afternoon, the afternoon I had seen Mason fly by and then learned that the rest of them were on the loose as well. Apparently, after they’d been sprung, Tad’s pack had gone on a rampage during the full moon, creating all sorts of havoc in St. Moritz. The stories of mutilated skiers and half-eaten animals were still trickling in, but no one had seen or heard from them since. Rumor had it that they were hiding out in the mountains, probably in an empty ski chalet. The Academy’s security force went out in full force every day, hoping to find them before the next full moon.
That meant everyone at the Academy was tense, and a bunch of uptight paranormals was never a good situation. The various groups, even the Integrates, seemed much more divided and snarky with each other than usual. Hopefully, the dance would be a good diversion from the angst between the groups, and everyone could get back to normal.
Entering the main ballroom, I realized that back-to-normal didn’t seem to be the case. All the different groups stood in cliques. The shifters had gathered in one corner, and sent dagger looks my way when they noticed us. Ugh.
A small crowd moved on the dance floor, which was dominated by Martha and her giant personality. For once, I felt relieved at seeing her. She had managed to illuminate the mood of that part of the room all by herself. Somehow, she kept her eyes locked on Ryker while still engaging the students dancing near her.
“May I?” Quinn whispered in my ear.
“I’d love to, but Fau–”
“Dax is walking her to the dance floor.”
I smiled into his twinkling eyes. “I’m all yours.” I followed him to the middle of the dance floor, and when he put his arms around me, I melted into his chest, swaying to the rhythm of the music.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Faustine dancing with Dax. She looked miserable, awkwardly stepping from side to side. Dax, on the other hand, was doing his Michael Jackson thing, totally oblivious to his bored partner. I giggled.
“What’s up?” Quinn asked.
“Faustine. Poor thing can’t dance. I didn’t know, or I’d have enrolled her in dance class. We’ll have to rescue her after this one.”
He glanced over at them. “I see what you mean. Try not to enroll her in Dax’s school of dance, though.” He laughed. “Tell you what, I’ll take her over to the arcade section after this song ends. I know you’re dying to catch up with McKenzie.”
“You’re awesome. Thanks. I’d love some catch-up time. I haven’t talked to her at all tonight. Did she say anything to you?”
“Not a lot, but then she never shares her personal stuff with me, and I am guessing that’s what you’re curious about. She just said how much she missed skiing. I suggested she bring her kid up to the slopes with us. We could all go tubing or whatever.”
“Sounds good.”
When the song ended, I watched as Quinn walked over to Faustine. Her expression transformed when Quinn pointed to the arcade.
I went to find McKenzie and eventually spotted her talking to Octavia. Ugh. The arcade suddenly seemed like the ideal place to be. I turned around to go and join Quinn and Faustine, but got no further than Jagger’s chest. I stumbled as I rebounded off it, but he caught me before I hit the floor and did untold damage to my outfit… and ego.
“Whoa! You okay?” Jagger’s shining eyes made me flush.
“I’m fine. Excuse me, could I pass?” I kept my voice even and tore my eyes away from his awesome costume–whichever Swedish eighteenth-century noble he had borrowed it from could never have done it as much justice. One word–hot.
“No.” His tone was as even as mine, but spiked with a hint of anger. He grabbed my elbow and ushered me down the hallway and all the way back to his study. He shut the door and then glared at me, his face blazing with fury.
I faced him, my hands on my hips.
“Well?” he demanded.
“Well, what exactly? Who do you think you are, dragging me away from the dance like that?”
He shook his head, his eyes clouding over in sadness. Despite myself, I felt his pain, but I held my ground and didn’t move.
“Cordelia, I don’t know what’s going on. I’ve tried to leave you alone to work out whatever it is on your own. But it’s been over two weeks now, and you’re still so cold.”
“Look, Jagger. What exactly don’t you understand?”
“He doesn’t understand because he doesn’t even remember exactly what happened.” Octavia had come into the room so quietly that I hadn’t even noticed.
I spun around and threw her my death glare.
“Octavia? What are you talking about?” Jagger asked, sounding frustrated.
“I saw you pull Cordelia out of the dance, so I decided to come and try to clear it all up.” She pursed her lips.
“Go on,” he demanded.
“I glamoured you.”
He glared at her. “Say what?”
“When you fed from me, I glamoured you. But I have a feeling Cordelia saw what happened, which is why she’s so furious with us.”
“Stop beating about the bush, Octavia. Out with it!” Jagger ground his teeth.
“Oh, good grief! We did
it
! Simple as that! After you drank my blood, we did it, and she saw us. If I had known, I would have glamoured her as well.” She flicked her hair.
“You can’t glamour demons,” I pointed out.
“Unglamour me! Now!” Jagger yelled, his voice dripping with obvious frustration.
“Okay. Calm down.” Octavia took hold of his neck and drew him to her, while she locked eyes with him. After a minute or two, she let him go.
Jagger stepped back and closed his eyes. Opening them again, he walked over and slumped into his chair. He looked up at me with resignation and raised his shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
I turned and walked back to the dance. Just because he had finally remembered the dirty deed didn’t mean I would forget it so easily. I’d need some time.
“Cordelia!”
“Hey, McKenzie! Having fun?”
“Yeah, though Octavia gave me the slip, running out after you and Jagger. Everything okay?”
“Yep, but I’m starving. I’m going to head over to the food station.”
“I’ll come with. How’s the human hybrid working out?”
“She’s great, a really sweet girl. We’re still trying to figure out her deal with the rest of the paranormals, so we’re being extra careful.”
“I don’t blame you. It’s weird how her human blood is even more aromatic than regular human blood. I had a hard time not going up to her and sniffing. That would have freaked her out.”
“Sheesh! No kidding. What do you mean about her blood, though? I can smell the human element, but it’s no stronger than the demon element, and certainly no stronger than a regular human’s.”
“Really? Must be different for you. Are you smelling them separately or combined?”
“Separately.”
“Try the combined aroma. It’s head spinning. I mean, I’m totally used to human blood now; I have to be for Harrison. But Faustine is quite something else. Keep her away from the vamps.”
Harrison was McKenzie and King Alfred’s offspring, a miracle produced by Alfred sending McKenzie back to a time before he’d been turned and then bringing her back pregnant. Unfortunately, the birth had been complicated, and Alfred had been forced to turn her so that she would be around to raise Harry, as they called him. The little boy, a full human, was three years old. “How is Harry?”
“He’s good! Getting big. You have to come and visit him. In fact, Quinn suggested we all go tubing. You into that?”
“Sounds awesome.” I picked up a plate of steak. “So who’s looking after Harry while you’re at school?”
“We have a new human nanny. She cooks all the right human foods–healthy organic stuff.”
“Why did you even come back here this year? Weren’t you tempted to stay in London and look after Harry at Alfred’s mansion?”
“Alfred’s scared to have him around all the vamps and other paranormals. He spends a lot of his time at the chalet with us anyway. We’re trying to figure out a way to make all this work. Harrison’s safety is obviously our main concern. But I could never be just a stay-at-home mom. Much as I would like to, that would drive me batty. I need to be doing something else, so mentoring a few hours a day is perfect.”
“Just a few hours a day?” I asked, surprised. I seemed to be at it twenty-four-seven. I couldn’t remember the last time I played tennis.
“Yes. I’m mentoring an Integrate, who hardly needs any supervision.” She took a slurp out of her glass of blood. “Faustine’s waving at you; I think she needs you. Call me.” She kissed my cheek and waved goodbye, as I headed back over to Faustine and Quinn.
“Where did you go? The karaoke contest starts soon. You have to do it.” Faustine glowed with excitement.
“No way! It’s just for the Initiates, anyway. Are you entering?”
“Yes. Quinn made me.”
Quinn laughed. “Hey, it’s the least she can do after I let her win at the arcade.”
“You didn’t
let me win
!” Faustine stuck her tongue out at him. “I just happen to be awesome at games.”
“So, what are you gonna sing?”
“That’s a surp–”
“Dance, Faustine?” An Initiate I hadn’t met before half bowed to her. He looked very dapper in a turban.
“Um…”
“Go on, Faustine. Have some fun,” Martha crooned, coming up to us, Ryker by her side.
Faustine tensed.
“In fact, we’ll all go. Come on,” Martha persisted, poking Faustine playfully.
I couldn’t help but notice Ryker staring so intently at Faustine. I couldn’t read his emotions at all, but there was definitely something to that expression. Was he mesmerized by the combo human-demon blood aroma that McKenzie had pointed out? Was he a danger to her?
“Oh, all right, then. Let’s dance.” Faustine tucked her hand in the crook of the turbaned boy’s arm and followed him to the dance floor for a rendition of the
Time Warp
.
“We are so joining them.” I pulled Quinn onto the floor.
A hot favorite at the academy, the track had everyone up and dancing. The dance floor was completely packed, and the somber mood from earlier had been replaced by a lighter, happier one. Even the shifters were getting into it, waving their hands and hips.
I caught the scent of my favorite shifters about halfway through the song. The odor was clear and strong. I wasn’t sure what to do, as I looked around for signs of Mason, Tad, Andrew, Jeremy, or Hank. I grabbed Quinn’s hand.