Initiation (2 page)

His jaw jerked, and his smile faded so quickly that I wondered if I had imagined it. I stood paralyzed, mesmerized by the most spellbinding guy I had ever met in my life, my face plastered with the world’s goofiest grin, while he looked at me like I was totally nuts.

“Cordelia. May I call you that?”

I nodded, desperately trying to transform my moronic expression into a more neutral, acknowledging one, but probably failing miserably.

“You seem surprised. Can’t imagine why. I decided to help you with the door, since you’ve been lurking outside my room for over five minutes.” He shrugged. “Come on in. I’m Jagger, by the way.”

I followed him in and sat down when he waved me toward a French Renaissance chair. He walked around the metal desk and sat down in an overstuffed black leather chair. I glanced around the room while he shuffled some papers. The office space was large and airy, a corner room, with two walls replaced by floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the snow-capped peaks. The windows were ajar, the icy wind stabbing its way into the room. The other two walls were covered in ski and boarding photos and posters. Trophies and medals filled a corner display cabinet. I could peek into the adjoining room–a bedroom–through a crack in the door. Finally recognizing him as the captain of the school ski team, I glanced over at Jagger again.

So, this year’s mystery student council president was the ski team captain! Well, that ought to make him more approachable, though considering his intimidating stare… maybe not. I wondered whom he had replaced.

I shuddered. The cold from the open window was freezing me into an icicle. Jagger looked up, his eyes following mine as I cast a brief glimpse at the open window, but he made no move to get up and close it. I fumed as he sat looking smug in his long black leather trench coat.

“Well, Cordelia, are you glad to be back?”

“Yes. Why did you ask for me?”

“Ah, straight to the point.” His eyes narrowed into slits. “Very plucky. Most would have the sense to be more fearful and not ask questions,” he growled softly.

I held my breath, controlling my instincts. A snarl was always a signal for me to transform. But, I held back, on full alert.

“I was told that about you. And that’s one of the reasons you’re here. You’ve been appointed as a mentor.”

It was my turn to smirk. I got to my feet. “I can’t be
appointed
anything. Thanks for thinking of me, though. I guess it’s some kind of honor. But, no thanks.” I made my way to the door.

And crashed right into Jagger’s chest. I should have anticipated his move; lightning-fast location transfer was something covered in the first semester. I clumsily stepped back, then met his darkened gaze.

He lowered his head, brushing his nose along my neckline, breathing me in. I stood dead still, letting my fingers fuse. I shivered as his lips found my right ear, his every breath forming icicles against my skin. Then, he touched my fused fingers.

“Easy, demon princess. Relax.”

I boiled over with anger. Who the fuck did he think I was? Some silly human girl who’d melt under his pathetic attempt at intimidation? Not so.

“Step back, and I will.” My words were supposed to come out in a firm demonic growl, but instead, they slithered out in an unfortunate raspy whisper.

He chuckled under his breath and took a half step back. He needed to be taught not to mess with demons. Slapping the smirk off his face would be too much of a cliché. My mischievous demon instincts took over.

As the corners of his lips curled into a leer, I jerked up my arm and swiftly wrapped my fingers around the back of his neck, pulling his face down to mine. His eyes widened in surprise, but he made no move to resist as I stood on tiptoes and roughly parted his lips with mine. I kept my eyes wide open, gazing into his, as I explored his mouth, drinking him in. He yielded under my touch. The kiss became more and more fervent, until a surge of hot and cold, of terror and excitement, zapped through me–and him, by the surprise on his face–leaving us shocked and unable to move. Our eyes remained locked together as we stood suspended in time.

Jagger looked as dazed as I felt. His eyes searched mine, but I had nothing to offer, no explanation. Then, it hit me. Dad had mentioned the extremely rare phenomenon. I raked through my mind, trying to remember what he had said.

Listen for his heartbeat, synch with it
.

I closed my eyes, tuning out all other distractions, including Jagger himself. I listened and picked up the drum of his pounding heart. I imagined myself conducting the rhythm, my own beat taking the lead. I forced his tempo in line with mine, which thudded loudly and erratically. I managed to slow it by breathing in and out, controlling myself, concentrating on keeping us steady. His heart started to pace mine, slowing until we both beat to a steady pulse. I put my hand on his chest, slowing us even further, until my heart stopped. So did his.

He put his hand on top of mine, compelling our hearts to beat again. I felt his heart begin to pick up speed, and mine followed. He managed to bring us back to a comfortable rhythm.

The phone buzzed, causing both of us to jerk upright. Our beats disengaged.

Jagger’s face was tight and severe as he squeezed past me to get to his desk. He picked up his cell phone. “Yes?” His voice didn’t betray the confusion on his face. His eyes never left mine, not even for a second, during the entire one-sided conversation. I should have turned and left, but I couldn’t break away from his gaze.

“Cordelia.” His voice was soft and cold, sending a new kind of chill through me. “Frau Schmelder asks that you go to her office. Your ward has arrived.”

I wanted to protest, but if Frau Schmelder wanted to see me, I had no choice but to go. Frau Schmelder, the headmistress of Bonfire Academy, was commonly referred to as Frau Smelt, or The Smelt.

 
“Let me brief you first. Come and sit down.”

I did, feeling a bit embarrassed. What had just happened?

He smiled, his face softening. “Cordelia, going back to what we were discussing before, I am completely aware of your status and that you can’t be
appointed
to any task. I know you’re here to concentrate on tennis this year. But that shouldn’t take up all your time, so I am asking you as a favor. I’m in charge of the mentoring program, and I can’t think of anyone else who’d be appropriate. I really need you.”

I barely heard him, imagining the feel of his taut muscles instead. “Um. Jagger,
what
are you?” His taste and smell were unmistakable, yet unfathomable. I clearly detected faery in him, but also something else. He had to be a hybrid of some sort.

He looked surprised by my question. Asking it had been forward of me. The school rules were clear. We weren’t allowed to pry, and asking him such a thing, directly as I had, was strictly forbidden, but I couldn’t help myself. I had always been nosy.

“Fey.” He sounded resolute and didn’t offer anything further.

“Winter?”

“Yes.”

I could have guessed that just by his appearance, but there was more. However, it wasn’t the time to delve into it. Frau Smelt didn’t like to be kept waiting. Or so I had heard. “Why do you need
me
?”

His eyes narrowed. “You ask, after what just happened?”

Awkward. I didn’t want to talk about
that
. “I mean, why do you need me as a mentor?”

I almost snickered when I detected a red hue forming on his snow-white skin. An embarrassed winter fey. Cute.

“Oh. The student in question is Faustine Spencer, the half-breed daughter of the demon king of London.”

“Sheesh.”

“Indeed.” He smiled knowingly. “Have you met her? I hear your fathers are good friends, in a demon sort of way.”

“Nope, never heard of her. Half what?”

“Human.”

“Ugh.”

“Indeed. Though, hopefully she won’t be as much trouble as the last set of his spawn.”

One could only hope. The last set had been the infamous twins, Mariel and Jacques. They had been sent back to Paris, under my father’s dominion. They were hybrids as well–half demon, half werewolf. King Sebastian seemed to favor mating with non-demons. What kind of self-respecting demon mated with
dogs
? I was glad my father had more self-control.

“The main issue is her safety. Her human blood is going to be a prime commodity around here, especially among the vampires.”

“No kidding. Though not as enticing as fey blood.” I wondered how he kept them at bay.

“Perhaps, but she is, in addition, young, just twelve, and completely green.”

“Um, a human twelve-year-old? How human is she?”

“I don’t know. Does it matter?”

“It’s not that.” I sighed. “Well, you know all the stupid rules humans bind themselves with. We don’t do that here. I mean, why would we? Her world is so much more restricted by moral dilemmas and concerns. How is she going to cope with our lack of inhibitions? If she was older, I don’t think she’d have a problem. Hell, even human teens
get
busy
, but mostly in private. However, she will be exposed to stuff here that a normal twelve-year-old wouldn’t be back home; that’s all I’m really trying to say.”

“She’s here to learn about her demon nature, and about paranormals in general. That’s why we think you will be a particularly suitable mentor. You’ve lived in human society, even attended a human school. She wouldn’t have been sent here if she wasn’t ready.”

“Why
exactly
is she here?”

“She’s transforming, more dramatically than one would expect from a half-human. Her father wants her trained. She’s his heir.”

“Heir? As in the next Queen of London? A half human? That’s insane!”

Jagger shrugged. “I don’t know much about all that, but I’ve been told that she doesn’t know that she’ll be taking over his reign, and we’re to keep it that way. Anyhow, you’ll report to me daily. I need you to keep her safe. There’s more, and I’ll brief you further, later. Right now, please get her settled in. I’ve arranged for her to have the room next to yours. She won’t have a roommate, even though she’s new. We couldn’t find anyone suitable. Ready to meet her?”

“I guess.”

“She’s waiting for you in Frau Schmelder’s office. I won’t come with you, but could you report in later tonight?”

“Sure.”

He walked me to the door and stepped aside so I could pass. I inadvertently rubbed against him on my way out. I felt every beat of his heart as we made contact, and I struggled to keep my own at even a remotely normal level.

I stopped and cocked my head. “Jagger, how much does she know?”

“She doesn’t know anything, yet. She’s a nice kid, apparently.”

“What about her schedule?”

“I’ll give that to you this evening. It’ll be finalized this afternoon.”

“Okay, I guess I’ll see you later.”

“And about that
other matter
.” He scrutinized me with unabashed hunger.

“What about it?”

“Get rid of Quinn. You belong to me now.”