4 Waxing & Waning (14 page)

“Why don’t you just stay down?”

I was back training with the Academy – although my heart really wasn’t in it (not that it ever was). Mark was my sparring partner today, but he didn’t have the coordination to pose even a minor threat.

“I keep failing my physical tests,” Mark said. “I figured learning from you would help me pass.”

“What tests?”

Mark made a face. “You don’t have to take tests?”

Professor Blake hadn’t tried to make me take a test since freshman year. “No.”

“Every week we get rated on an academic and physical level,” Mark said. “If you fall below the eighty-percent mark on either, you’re banned from ops until you get those numbers back up. I don’t want to be banned from ops.”

I leaned back, stretching my arm across my body as I mulled Mark’s words. “I wonder why he’s not testing me.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re the prize pupil,” Mark teased.

That definitely wasn’t it. “What are they teaching you in class these days?”

“Just the basics,” Mark said, reaching out and accepting the bottle of water I handed to him.

“What are the basics?” Since I’d never been in a classroom setting here, I was understandably curious.

“Just the weaknesses of the supernaturals,” Mark said. “You know, stab a vampire in the heart, shoot a werewolf with a tranquilizer, and cut a witch’s head off.”

I tilted my head as I regarded him. “What?”

“Yeah, witches are the most dangerous beings out there,” Mark said. “They can’t be studied or learned from. They’re just evil.”

“I think there are different types of witches,” I said.

“No,” Mark said, shaking his head vehemently so his dirty-blond hair brushed his shoulders. “I aced that test. Witches are all evil.”

He had to be messing with me. “What about … like earth witches?”

“Those aren’t really witches,” Mark said. “Those are just Wiccan practitioners. There’s a difference.”

“And what’s the difference?”

“People who identify themselves as Wiccan are really just wannabes,” Mark explained. “Witches are magical – and evil.”

“And you have to cut off their heads to kill them?”

“Pretty much.”

This had to be the oddest conversation I’d had since my initial “chat” with Blake about the supernatural population on the campus. “How many classes are you taking here?”

“Two a week,” Mark said. “They change.”

“And … has anyone brought up my name?”

“You’re the talk of the Academy,” Mark said, grinning. “Everyone wants to get special treatment like you.”

“I bet,” I said. “What about the instructors? Do they say anything about me?”

Mark shrugged. “Not really.”

“What have they said about me?” I pressed.

“Just that you’re … temperamental.”

“What else.”

“That you’re spoiled.”

“And?”

“And you might be a little bit crazy,” Mark said, lowering his eyes in embarrassment. “I told them you weren’t crazy. I think there’s a lot of jealousy where you’re concerned.”

“Because I don’t have to go to classes?”

“And you’re treated as some sort of Holy Grail on this campus,” Mark added. “The monsters fear you and the hunters revere you.”

I leaned back against the table behind me. “Mark, can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Do you believe everything they’re telling you?”

“Of course,” he said. “Don’t you?”

“No.”

Mark’s eyebrows inched up his forehead. “You answered that pretty quickly.”

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately,” I said. “Nothing they’re doing here makes any sense. Nothing they’re teaching you makes any sense. There’s a reason they don’t want me in those classrooms – and it’s because I know differently, and they don’t want me to upset the other students.

“At first, I thought Blake didn’t think I was smart enough to be in the classes,” I continued. “That’s not why he doesn’t want me interacting with most of the people here, though. He doesn’t want me to put any of his precious teachings in jeopardy by being the voice of reason.”

“How do you know you’re right?” Mark asked.

“Because I’ve … seen things.”

“Like the witches’ circle at the sorority house last spring?”

“It wasn’t a circle,” I said. “It was a pentagram.”

“It’s just a saying,” Mark said. “That’s the stuff you’re talking about, isn’t it?”

“Maybe a little,” I said. “That’s not all, though. I’ve seen werewolves, and I’ve seen vampires. I bet I’ve seen a lot more of them than most of the students here. Some of them are bad, yeah, but some of them aren’t. They’re teaching you guys that everything is black and white, and nothing in this world is black and white.”

“I think you’re wrong,” Mark said. “We were all created in God’s image. I believe that. He didn’t create vampires.”

“If you believe in God, then you have to believe he created all things – not just the things you want to believe in,” I said.

“Do you believe in God?” Mark’s eyes were bright and curious.

“I believe in good and evil,” I said. “I also believe in everything in between.”

“That’s not really an answer.”

“That’s the only answer I have.”

RAFAEL
was waiting for me in the driveway when I pulled up to the house.

“Why are you waiting outside? Paris and Kelsey would have let you in the house.”

“Hello to you, too,” he grumbled.

“Hello,” I said, making a sarcastic face. “Why are you waiting outside? Aren’t you cold?”

“I don’t get cold,” he reminded me. “I’d rather be out here amongst the elements than in there listening to those
people
debate which Kardashian sister is the prettiest.”

“They’re all evil,” I said.

“At least we agree on that.”

I looked him over. He hadn’t been hanging around as often these days, whether that was by personal choice or necessity, I wasn’t sure. “What have you been up to?”

“I’ve been meeting with some contacts I have,” he said. “I’ve been trying to get a feeling for what the Academy is up to.”

“And?”

“And I don’t like it,” he said. “They’re amassing an army over there. You must have noticed.”

“Blake only allows a handful of his favorites to come into contact with me,” I said. “The only one I can even tolerate is Mark, and he’s definitely starting to lose personality appeal. The only reason I think Blake has kept him in the mix is because we’re friendly, and he’s hoping Mark’s presence will somehow placate me.”

“What happened today?”

I recounted my afternoon conversation. Rafael didn’t look half as upset as I felt when I was done.

“He’s narrow minded. Did you expect anything different?”

“Maybe.”

“I think you’re right about Blake’s motivations for keeping you out of the classroom,” he said. “I think he’s worried you’ll turn some of his devotees and make them question his authority.”

“Isn’t that what people our age are supposed to do? Question authority, I mean.”

“Yes.”

“So, why aren’t any of these people doing it?”

“Some people question things,” he replied. “Others follow.”

“Well, I’m not a follower,” I said. “So why is Blake so desperate to keep me in the fold?”

“Because you represent power,” Rafael said. “Blake is hoping he can tap that power. He knows he can’t control you; he’s merely hoping he can convince you to do his bidding when the time comes.”

I bit my bottom lip. It was time for another discussion. “What do you know about resurrection stones?”

Rafael furrowed his brow. “Why do you ask that?”

“Because … um … well… .”

“Oh, just spit it out,” he said. “I know you’ve been hiding something. Is this it?”

“A couple months ago, Blake sent me on an op with this tool named Paul,” I said. “We were supposed to steal a necklace from the Alpha Chi house while they were having a meeting.”

Rafael’s face was immovable as he waited for me to continue.

“So, we broke in and separated,” I said. “Paul went upstairs and I went downstairs.”

Rafael remained silent.

“I found something in Will’s room,” I said. “It was a really gaudy gold thing with a big blue stone.”

“And it was in Will’s room?” Rafael’s eyes were curious. “Why would they trust him with something of value?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “That’s another problem. He’s never had any real power before.”

“Perhaps he still doesn’t,” he said. “Perhaps he’s trying to garner power to maneuver himself into a different position.”

“Maybe,” I said. “Anyway, when I brought the necklace home and showed it to Paris, she thought she recognized it, although she couldn’t remember from where. She had her mom do some research, and that’s when we found out it was a resurrection stone.”

Rafael was more animated now. “You stole it?”

“I just didn’t think I should leave it with them,” I said. “And I certainly wasn’t going to give it to the Academy.”

“And where is it now?”

“Hidden.”

“Hidden here?”

“Maybe.”

Rafael sighed. “Do you know which stone it is?”

I shook my head. “I thought there was only one.”

“There are multiple stones,” he said. “I believe the blue one is from Greece.”

“Paris said it was Egyptian, not that it makes a difference. How did it get here?”

“That’s a very good question,” he said. “The fact that the Greek stone is here is … interesting.”

I made a raspberry sound with my lips. “You’re always so cryptic.”

“That was charming,” Rafael said, frowning.

I made the sound again. “Why are you so caught up with the stone being Greek?”

“Because I was under the impression that the Greek stone was destroyed centuries ago,” Rafael said. “If it’s here, then someone went through a lot of trouble to get it. What really worries me is Will. He must know the stone is gone. Why isn’t he trying to find it?”

“He might not know it’s gone,” I said. “I left the box and just took the necklace.”

“Only an idiot would leave something that valuable out for someone to take,” Rafael said. “I hope you’ve hidden it better.”

“I have.”

“You’re not going to tell me where, are you?”

“Nope.”

“Good. Keep it that way.”

“Why?”

“The less I know, the better,” he said. “There’s no way Blake knows you have it, is there?”

“No. Paul thinks I’m an idiot. He had no idea I pocketed it.”

“That puts us in a position of power,” Rafael said. “We just have to figure out what to do with that power.”

“Something tells me that trouble is going to find us one way or the other,” I said.

“I don’t disagree. We have to be ready when it does.”

I was quiet for a moment, my gaze traveling to the clear moon in the sky. “I’m considering leaving the Academy.”

“That would have made me happy before tonight,” Rafael said. “I think you need to wait now.”

“Why?”

“Just keep your ears to the ground,” Rafael said. “When you leave the Academy, it will be quick. Keep your position – just for now. Blake seems content to let you wander around and pick the ops you want to participate in. Choose carefully.”

“Do you think he wants to kill me?”

“I think he wants to use you as a weapon,” Rafael said. “He will eventually realize that won’t happen. That’s when we need to worry.”

“And you don’t think he’s there yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Okay,” I said. “I’m not sure how long I can last, though.”

“You can only do as much as you can do,” Rafael said. “I now have another avenue of investigation, too. Let’s see if we can press our advantage without tipping our hand, shall we?”

“I don’t understand why we picked such an old book,” Caitlyn complained. “It was really boring.”

“It’s a classic,” said Beth, one of the other members of our women’s fiction reader’s circle. “We all agreed.”

“I didn’t agree,” Caitlyn said. “You decided without me.”

“That’s because you skip class whenever you can,” I said. “If you want to vote, you have to show up to the polls.”

Caitlyn narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like you.”

I mimed crying.

Beth turned to Matilda. “What did you think of it?”

“I liked Mr. Darcy,” Matilda said, her boy-crazy nature coming out to play. “I bet he was hot.”

“He wasn’t real,” Beth said. “This is fiction.”

“I know,” Matilda said. “I still bet he was hot.”

“You should rent the movie they did a couple of years ago,” I said. “It was pretty good.”

Beth’s green eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Did you actually read the book, or did you just watch the movie?”

“I’m insulted,” I said. Of course I’d just watched the movie. I was acting as a double agent on a campus littered with vampires and werewolves. Who has time for reading old books?

“I’m telling,” Caitlyn said. “I’m sure the professor would like to know that you’re not really doing the homework. I bet you picked this book just because there was a movie.”

She wasn’t wrong. I still hated her. “Go ahead,” I said. “I’d like to hear what she says when we point out that the reason you didn’t get to vote on the book is because you keep skipping class.”

Caitlyn scowled. “I really hate you.”

“I think the feeling is mutual,” Matilda said. “And, if we’re voting now, I’m on Zoe’s side.”

I cast her a sidelong look. She was trying really hard to make amends.

“Well, I don’t like you either,” Caitlyn said.

“I’m sure I’ll lose a lot of sleep over that,” Matilda said.

Professor Cooper was across the room talking with another group, but her eyes drifted in our direction. I had a feeling she’d sensed the building hostility. Uh-oh.

“I want to pick the next book,” Caitlyn announced.

“We vote on the books,” I said. “You can make a suggestion, and then we’ll tell you if we agree with it or not.”

“You’re just going to purposely vote against any book I pick,” she countered.

“That’s not true,” I said.

“I want to read
Divergent
.”

“I don’t think that counts as women’s fiction,” Beth said.

“You just want to watch the movie,” I said, smiling tightly.

“I do not,” Caitlyn said. “I heard it’s a great book.”

“I still don’t think it counts,” Beth said. “Let’s ask Professor Cooper.” She raised her hand, drawing Cooper’s attention back to us. I could see the woman’s shoulders heave as she let out a sigh and headed in our direction.

“Is something wrong?”

“
Divergent
doesn’t count as women’s fiction, does it?” Beth asked.

“Well, I guess technically it does,” Cooper said. “It’s really not what I had in mind, though. I was hoping you would embrace some of the classics.”

Beth’s face was smug. “I told you.”

Caitlyn pouted.

“Still,” Cooper said. “If it will keep you guys from fighting, which seems to be a constant worry these days, I’m willing to allow it.”

Beth deflated some as Caitlyn preened. “So, is everyone agreed on
Divergent
?”

I wanted to disagree with her on general principle but, since I’d already read the book, it would save me some time. “I think it’s a great idea,” I said.

Now Caitlyn was the one deflating. “You do?”

“You’re a genius, really,” I said.

Once class was over, I couldn’t get out of the room fast enough. Unfortunately, Caitlyn was close on my heels. “I want to talk to you,” she said.

I slowed my pace. “Why?”

“I think it’s time.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“You and Aric,” she said. “I want to know what’s going on with the two of you.”

“Nothing,” I said. “I haven’t seen him in weeks.” Unfortunately, that was the truth.

“I think you’re lying,” Caitlyn said. “I think the two of you are sneaking around behind my back.”

“I thought you were in love,” I said, my tone mocking.

“We are,” Caitlyn replied stiffly. “You just insist on confusing him.”

“Whatever.”

“Oh, look, here he comes now,” Caitlyn said.

I glanced up, my heart clenching as our eyes met across the busy hallway. This wouldn’t be good. Aric stilled as he neared us. “Is something going on?”

“Your girlfriend thinks we’re humping like rabbits when she’s not around,” I said.

“That’s not what I said,” Caitlyn protested.

“What did you say?” Aric asked.

“I just said that I thought it was low of her to keep … confusing you the way she does,” Caitlyn said. “I was trying to look out for your feelings.”

“Yeah,” I snickered. “This is all about what’s best for you, Aric.”

“I’m fine,” Aric said.

“I’m fine, too,” I said. “Look, everyone is fine.”

“I’m not fine,” Caitlyn said. “I’m pretty far from fine.”

“Well, they say admitting it is the first step,” I said.

Caitlyn’s hand was moving before I even realized what she was doing, slapping me across the face. I was so surprised, I just stood there for a moment.

Aric’s eyes widened. “What the hell?”

“She’s a horrible person,” Caitlyn sniffed. “She deserved it.”

Well, that did it. I straightened. “Don’t touch me again,” I warned.

“Or what? You’ll call me another name and try to make me look stupid in public? You do that anyway.”

“I don’t have to try to make you look stupid,” I said. “You do that all on your own.”

Caitlyn’s hand was flying through the air again, but this time I was ready. I caught her wrist before her hand could make contact with my face. “I told you not to do that,” I growled.

“I hate you,” Caitlyn hissed, striking out with her other hand.

I moved my head away just in time, but Caitlyn’s wallet key chain flicked against my chin, causing the auburn-haired devil to lose her grip on it. I grabbed her wrist with my other hand, forcing her to remain still.

“Let me go,” Caitlyn ordered.

I glanced over at Aric. “I’m going to kill her. I hope you’re not too attached.”

Aric pinched the bridge of his nose. “You can’t kill her,” he said. “You’ll go to jail, and no one wants that.”

“That’s why you don’t want her to kill me?” Caitlyn screeched. “Because she might go to jail? What about me? What about my feelings?”

“You hit her,” Aric said. “If you’re going to hit someone, you have to live with the consequences.”

“So, you’re taking her side again? You always take her side.”

“She’s not the one in the wrong,” Aric said.

“See, this is what I’m talking about,” Caitlyn said. “I know something is going on between you two.”

Aric reached over, placing his hands over mine and prying my fingers from Caitlyn’s wrists. “Let her go.”

“If she tries to hit me again, I’m going to beat the living crap out of her,” I warned.

“If she tries to hit you again, I’ll hold her down while you do it,” he said.

I exchanged one more dubious look with him and then released my grip. Caitlyn was playing her sudden freedom to the hilt. She threw herself against Aric’s broad chest and started sobbing. “She could have really hurt me.”

Aric didn’t raise his arms to hold her, and he didn’t offer her any solace. Instead, he focused on me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m hurt,” Caitlyn said.

“He was talking to me, you idiot,” I said, bending over so I could retrieve Caitlyn’s wallet from the floor. I glanced down at it, flipping it over so I could get a better look at her identification card. Realization dawned on me when I saw her last name. How did I miss this?

The look on my face must have been comical, because Aric was pushing past Caitlyn and moving in my direction, his hand clamping down over my mouth, before I could utter the question on the tip of my tongue.

“Um, Caitlyn, why don’t you go,” Aric said, struggling as I whipped my head around. “I need to make sure Zoe isn’t going to go after you … don’t bite me … and I don’t think you should be here when I do.”

Caitlyn was flabbergasted. “Excuse me?”

“Just go,” Aric ordered, ripping her wallet from my hand and handing it over to her. “Just go.”

Caitlyn narrowed her eyes. “I know something is going on here.”

Aric’s hand over my mouth muffled my reply. When Caitlyn realized Aric wasn’t kidding – and he wasn’t going anywhere with her – she huffed, turning on her heel and stalking out of the nearby exit door. Aric waited until she was gone before moving his hand.

“Why is her last name Blake?” The question was out of my mouth before I regained my breath.

“You’ll have to ask her parents,” Aric said, glancing around the hallway to make sure people weren’t eavesdropping.

“Is she related to Sam Blake?”

Aric sighed. “Yes. She’s his sister.”

“I knew it!”

“You knew what?”

“You’re sleeping with her to get information about Blake,” I said. “That explains why you’re with her. I couldn’t figure out why you would put up with her.”

Aric grabbed my arms forcefully. “I’m only going to tell you this one more time,” he said, lowering his voice as his eyes darkened. “I am not sleeping with her. I’m not a whore.”

I pulled back in surprise. “I didn’t mean … .”

“I know what you meant,” Aric said. “I’m not lying to you when I say that I’m not sleeping with her. I haven’t touched her that way, and I don’t plan to.”

“Then why does she think you’re her boyfriend?”

“She’s playing a game,” Aric said. “She knows I know it.”

“Does she know you’re playing one, too?”

“Yes.”

“Then why play it?”

“Because I need information,” Aric said. “The only way I can get it is if I’m in close proximity to her. Trust me. There’s nothing in this world I would rather see than you yanking every hair out of her head.”

“Why didn’t you just tell me that?”

Aric sighed. “Because you weren’t talking to me at the beginning of the year,” he said. “And, when you finally did starting talking to me – kind of – there was never a good way to explain it.”

“The truth might have been nice,” I said. “Of course, you’re not big on the truth.”

Aric extended a finger in my face. “Don’t,” he said. “I’m working so hard to fix all of this right now, I won’t take a step back.”

“You know, if you’d told me what you were doing, it might have made me feel better,” I said.

“I considered that,” Aric said. “I thought it would … make things more difficult.”

“How?”

Aric glanced around the hallway again before leaning in closer. “Because I can barely stay away from you now.” He brushed his lips against mine softly and then took a step back.

My heart was hammering, and my cheeks were on fire. “Why did you do that?”

“Because I needed to,” Aric said. “Things are going to start happening fast now.”

“What do you need from Caitlyn?”

“I need to know what the Academy is planning,” Aric said. “I need to know who they’re going to target next.”

“Why can’t I just get that information?”

“Because Blake doesn’t trust you,” Aric said. “He never has.”

“He definitely doesn’t trust me,” I said.

“I want you to quit the Academy,” Aric said, holding up a hand to ward off my ensuing complaints. “It’s not safe for you there anymore.”

“Rafael says I have to stay for now,” I argued.

“Why?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “I … .”

“You have something you can’t tell me, don’t you?”

“Maybe.”

Aric nodded. “Okay. Listen to Rafael.”

I lifted my eyebrows in surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah. Listen to him. He’s trying to keep you safe. Trust him. Well, unless he tries to talk you into bed. Then he’s a complete idiot.”

I couldn’t hide my snort. “You’re unbelievable.”

Aric flashed me his million-watt grin. “You’re going to be able to find that out for yourself again one day. We’re almost there.”

I took a step back. “I’m still mad at you.”

“I know.”

“I don’t forgive you.”

“I know.”

“Then what makes you think we’ll get back to where we were?”

Aric’s eyes were twinkling. “Because some things are meant to be.”