Page 9 of Dark Embers

“Who knows? Maybe some one-on-one time together will bring them closer.” At least, that was my hope. I’d certainly had my issues with Celeste throughout the years, but we’d been able to see past those differences and become good friends.

“I wouldn’t expect it, but perhaps that will be the case. I’ll give Letti the assignment this evening.” She got to her feet and pushed the chair back under the table.

“One other thing on Letti,” I said before she could get too far. “Arya has expressed to me how certain cliques have gone out of their way to haze her. Can you emphasize to Letti just how important this is to you and to me? Don’t go into detail or anything. Just… help her to realize Arya is a mermaid, too, and deserves to be treated like one. That will help her more than any tutoring could.”

“Of course, Director,” she said. “I’ll let you know what comes of this. And in the meantime, I’ll spend a little more time searching for other stray mermaids.”

She headed out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I sighed, looking down at my full coffee mug, which had certainly gone cold by now. I used to enjoy being left with my thoughts, but lately, they always strayed to Shea.

Her face popped into my mind, her long wavy hair and those damned piercing green eyes. I forcefully shoved the image from my head, only for the memory of her naked body in the school’s entrance to take its place.

Dammit!

Why was this witch so vexing? Why couldn’t I stop thinking about her? Stop wanting her…

Whatever this foolish obsession was, I couldn’t allow it to continue. She may not be a student, but shewasthe close friend of one of my most important students. Such feelings were so vastly inappropriate, that even as I felt desire for her, I also felt shame.

I pushed away from the table and bolted out of my seat. I needed to get out, needed todosomething. Anything to clear my head.

With purpose, I strode through the halls toward the entrance. I hadn’t gone on a flight in far too long, and that seemed like exactly the remedy I needed tonight.

Chapter 4

Shea

My nerves were on edge as I sat on the L train, heading toward Julian’s apartment. The movement of the train jostled the bubble of excitement floating in my belly, but the anxiety and anticipation of what I was doing had me tempted to turn around and go home.

After all, I had no idea just what I was about to walk into in the vampire’s apartment. And if it did turn out to be legit, there was this guilt gnawing at the excitement bubble and trying to pop it. Guilt for going against Gram’s wishes and studying magic. Guilt for working with a vampire when it had been vampires that killed Arya’s mom.

But the guilt wasn’t enough to make me turn around and go home. I was finally so close to the one thing I had wanted my entire life, and even if it was reckless and foolish, I still had to do it.

I twirled my thumbs, one knee bouncing as the cityscape sped by out the window. Traveling through Chicago on my own was a little intimidating, especially after running into Julian last time. Sure, he was the reason I was here now, but that didn’t make our first encounter any less nerve-wracking.

I thought about trying to meet up with Arya—even going so far as to tell Gram that’s what I was doing this afternoon—but decided against it. Arya had her shifter life and shifter friends. She probably didn’t want to see her witch outcast of a friend, anyway.

I knew that wasn’t fair, but I wasn’t ready to see Arya yet, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to share Julian and his grimoire just yet, either. Part of me really wanted to tell someone—anyone—but another, more insistent part, feared I would lose the grimoire and any chance at deepening my magic if I did.

Plus, I didn’t even have the thing yet, so there wasn’t necessarily any news to tell. Yet.

So I was alone, twiddling my thumbs and feeling excited, guilty, and lonely.

The train hissed to a stop, and I followed the passengers exiting to the platform. I looked over the railing at the street below, watching the flow of vehicles and human bodies as they bustled to their many destinations. A few moments later, I was down the stairs, tugging on my backpack as I joined the stream of humanity.

I squinted against the bright afternoon sunshine, taking on an air of confidence as I made my way past the various shops. The oddity of a convenience store tucked into a soaring tower made me smile. The familiar aroma of cooked meat and warm grease mixed with the pungent rubber and asphalt, and a moment later, I spotted a McDonald’s without a drive-thru.

I laughed. The city never ceased to amuse me.

I followed the directions from Google Maps to Julian’s building, craning my neck to take in the skyscraper. Tier after tier of shiny windows stacked on top of each other, framed by semi-ornate stonework that looked both ancient and modern. I wondered briefly how many people might live in a place like that. It looked nice enough from the outside.

The double glass doors slid aside as I approached, sending a cool rush of air through my hair. Inside, I found myself gapingat the sleek lobby. It looked like a fancy hotel—cozy, elegant. Chairs and coffee tables sat in inviting clusters, and an upscale restaurant stood beyond an arch to the right.

The murmur of conversation filled the air, along with the faint clink of fine china and champagne glasses. My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. This place waswayabove Gram’s pay grade. It made my house look like a hovel.

The guy behind the concierge counter tipped his head as I approached. “Anything I can help you with?”

I shook my head, trying not to look as dazed and out of place as I felt. “No. Just visiting a friend. Thanks.”

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