Page 25 of Suspicions on the Stage
My dragon knows things I refuse to give credence to, and it has to stay that way for everyone’s sake.
My eyes cut across the green in the middle of the campus as I lean against a large oak. Students are moving back and forth, heading to their classes after the much loved break we used to get away to the coast. I’m always surprised by the lack of formality in the human realm, especially with educational settings. I don’t dislike it, but given that all schools in Faerierequire uniforms and required attire for special sessions, it still strikes me to see people running about in pajamas. Their education costs as much as houses used to in this country, yet they run around looking like they are heading to the mega mart when attending their lectures.
It’s strange, but then, most customs in other realms are strange to those who do not originate from there. I’m certain I’d find things off-putting in Hell or the godly realm, or even the legendary realm where the storybooks escape to when they no longer wish to inhabit the human world. Dragons often go there when their environment in other realms is threatened and since we are not tied tospecificrealms by species, it is one of the few my kind get to enjoy ‘retiring’ to other than Faerie. Living where the beings are aware of your kind and supernaturals are widely accepted is preferable to hiding every time.
My musings are interrupted by a slight shadow tingle where my tail would be if I were shifted. That’s one of my early warning systems, and it means there’s something I should take note of. I move my position a little, appearing to scratch my back on the bark as I look around the busy green for whatever occurrence has set my scales on edge. I see groups of students, an occasional adult who is a professor or doctoral candidate like the siren… But there are no menacing beings prancing about.
Whatever this is can cloak their presence or is working from afar.
I push off the tree, walking casually toward the end of the wide open space that connects to the admin housing row, opening my senses to allow my dragon to bleed in. You’d only know if you were sensitive to magic or close enough to see my stormy eyes, but it helps me search for the disruption in the area's aura. When I’m satisfied that it is not coming from this end, I pause for amoment as if I’m texting on my phone so I don’t draw attention to myself. The quad is very open, but that works to both my favor and my detriment. It would be perfect if I could take to the skies; however, that would not work in this realm. They allow humans to attend here as well, and I’ll never understand that logic.
“Imagine how much safer everyone here would be if this campus was supernatural only and surrounded by ancient magical wards.” I sigh, giving up on understanding why the Society insists so firmly on integration in a world where the beings they protect arenotintegrated in the slightest.
Just because they exist on the same plane and live near one another doesnotmake this realm equal, no matter how vehemently their Councils and boards insist it is. The mere fact that we all have to hide who and what we are to prevent some sort of mass hysteria in the human population proves that Earth is a lesser realm. Different species may act like assholes to one another in the other realms, but no one has to hide their essence simply to walk the ground there.
Well, there are exceptions for inter-species relations and, of course, criminals, but that’s nit-picking.
Since it’s been a few minutes of pretending to scroll through my phone, I stroll along the bottom edge of the quad towards the end of campus where the siren’s coffeeshop is. I’m not sure if he’s working at the moment since he also had classes today, but I know that section of campus is where the bookstore, student center, and other ‘open’ parts of State U live. It would be the easiest place for someone with ill-intent to hide, and likely busy despite the early hour. I haven’t explored most of it as thoroughly as I’d prefer, but the prince doesn’t hang out in the places normal college students frequent.
At least, he didn’t before this new ‘family’ development. I suppose he’ll gravitate towards the coffeehouse now because of Slade, and that means I definitely need to vet everything in that commons from stem to stern. I can’t believe that didn’t occur to me until now, and it makes me want to rage at all the distractions that are clouding my mind. My dragon is even grumpier as I stalk through the small park-like section of the quad. His pride is rankled because we accidentally neglected a genuine security concern.
When I exit onto the cobblestoned street reminiscent of a small, country town, I frown. This ‘social’ section of State U was created to feel homey and like the students have a place to escape that isn’t off campus. They can leave, obviously, but for some species, staying on the grounds is much safer. I guess that’s why the coffeehouse and the rest of the miniature businesses here look hyper realistic. My eyes sweep up and down the street, noting the bookstore, the campus clothing store, the post office, the bar and grill, the bank and, if you head north out of the small hamlet, the looming library.
I think whoever designed this might have been Fae—it looks exactly like the smaller villages in Harvest Court.
Shaking my head as I pass the caffeine purveyor, I keep my senses open to the sensation that led me here to start with. I’m not sure if it’s at this end of the school grounds, but now that I’m here, I want to explore a bit before I go. As I head for the bookstore first, I note that the students here appear older than undergrads. I don’t know if that’s because the younger supes are in morning classes or if the campus town is more the speed of graduate or PhD level attendees. I note that mentally, since I need as much info as possible about the comings and goings hereas possible. Liam will certainly want to roam around and I can’t make certain it’s safe without every data point.
I walk into the three-story bookstore, noting the Fae chimes that jingle in a range humans wouldn’t be able to hear. That’s likely to prevent ‘accidental’ exposure to the staff or customers buying things that humans don’t believe exist. It’s a nice touch, and it makes me feel like I’m in a speakeasy that sells books, which is amusing. I look around with dragon eyes, noting the auras of various shelves and displays that must be cloaked in magic.
“Welcome to About Tome!”
Whirling around to see where the voice came from, I sigh as the very short shifter emerges from a spot behind tall shelves further back. She’s smiling brightly, round glasses on her nose and freckles dotting her face like tiny sprinkles. I chuckle when I get a good whiff—the young woman is at least part owl, which seems appropriate for a bookstore. “You’re very quiet until you open your mouth.”
Despite my sarcasm, the girl doesn’t bristle. Instead, she snorts and continues toward me without a hint of fear. “Well, dragon, as you must know… I have to be quiet if I’m doing things that not all who enter can witness. You heard the Fae chime, which gives me enough time to be in this form before someone gets arealeducation by mistake.”
She’s got me there, I suppose.
“Fair enough.” I squint as I look around the shop, noting the hot spots where I believe non-human supplies and books are being hidden. “Do you run this place yourself? You seem?—”
“Young?” she laughs, her eyes twinkling. “Of course I do—as do you. But neither of us can appear our true age or the secret would be out, yes?”
I nod as I study the snowy-haired bookseller. That must be part of her species, as the rest of her doesn’t look a day over early twenties. The way she speaks, however, indicates a supe who has been alivemuchlonger than this country has existed. “I’m being rude, but my dragon can sense your owl, and I know there’s more. Owl shifters would not have such a luxurious life span.”
“Youarebeing rude, but I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll indulge you.” Winking at me, the woman walks over, climbing on a stool behind the counter that brings her closer to a normal human height. “Owl is in my heritage, yes, but I am a demi as well, Kaspar of the Daybreak Court.”
Frowning, I tilt my head. “How the fuck did you know who I am?”
She gives me a wry look, clucking her head. “I adore the Fae, honestly, but their need for secrecy is tiresome. You have been serving the Prince long enough for your natural dragon instincts to meld. Such a shame! I sense you have a very passionate soul that you are locking away.”
I try not to growl when I respond, “And who are you to judge so freely, bookseller?”
“My name is Phaedra, and I am a child of inspiration,” she says with a smug grin.
Just fucking fabulous… I’ve run afoul of one of the Muses’ progeny.
boring
MORGANA
