Page 8 of Unicorn Shifter Academy
My nerves got the best of me as I released a massive burp and a rainbow bubble floated toward the ceiling. I jabbed it with a finger, popping it before Auntie Linda could spot it.
She raised an eyebrow at me. “I hope you can mind your manners when you’re downstairs.”
“Never mind that,” I said. “I saw the invite list,” I continued, hoping I could distract her from the rainbow glitter shimmering in the air. “It’s just some of the lower members of the Royal Coven families and alt-realm extended tribes.” Ever since the realms had merged there were more witches than the Royal Covens could handle. It was a source of contention where the jurisdiction rested since some families were forced to live in this realm now where they didn’t belong.
Like my mother.
She was an Elemental from another world, not that she ever talked about it much. She’d built a life here and loved my father—that was her only redeeming quality. She missed him, and without him to bring out the good in her, she threw herself into political power struggles with an aggressive determination that often frightened me.
Regardless, I stayed out of supernatural politics as much as possible, but I knew the names I’d seen on the list weren’t anyone who’d care much about me. They all wanted to kiss my mother’s ass and win her favor.
Which was exactly why there had been a party in my so-called honor. My mom just wanted any excuse to rub noses and talk about how great she was. She’d probably somehow find some way to spin my human status to her favor. She did love playing the victim.
“There’s an addition thatwasn’ton the list,” Auntie Linda said. The sharp tone in her voice suggested it was someone important—maybe even dangerous. “He’s a UMC species and says he’s here to see you.”
Angel bounced on her feet. “An Unidentified Magical Creature? How exciting!” She grabbed my hands. “Come on! Let’s go meet him! I bet he’s something cool.” Her third eyelid flashed as her excitement got the best of her.
I bit my lip and looked down at my outfit. “I can’t go like this.”
Ned plopped his book on the bed and flipped the pages. “I’m on it!” He grumbled a bit before finding whatever he was looking for, then he placed one hand on the top of my head while he chanted.
I glowered at him. “Just because I’m short doesn’t mean you can cast spells through my head—”
“Shh!” he said, then went back to chanting.
A tingling ran over my body, concentrating briefly on the place on my forehead that still burned and tickled. A sharp pressure radiated there, making my headache worse.
“It hurts,” I complained, and I knew it wasn’t supposed to. Something was wrong.
Does this have anything to do with those poisoned Skittles? Maybe I should go to a doctor…
A flash exploded in the next instant, my outfit transforming into something I didn’t think Ned had picked.
An adorable skirt with rainbow trim, and an extremely inappropriate top that showed my entire midriff. A black top that hugged a pink under bra. Black leggings ran down my thighs, with rainbow accented side stripes, and pink underwear peeked out the top.
“Cute,” Angel said, then winced. “Although, not exactly appropriate for introductions.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Auntie Linda said with a sigh and tugged my arm. “Just get downstairs!”
She yanked and I was forced to follow her. “Slow down!” I screeched as I tumbled down with her. I didn’t think falling flat on my face and breaking my nose would be a good first impression with a UMC. We hadn’t had any new supernaturals appear in years, so the fact that I was keeping the bubbles in my stomach from coming out again was an achievement.
The hum from downstairs fell into silence as Auntie Linda shoved me forward.
I spotted him immediately. A male with ruby red eyes that seemed to see straight through my soul.
Not a vampire,I immediately decided. While a vampire also typically had red eyes, it was the kind of red that glowed with stolen lifeforce.
This creature’s eyes glowed with an aura of raw magic and a goodness I couldn’t explain.
Hope.
Ferocity.
Allure.
The sensations conveyed by his gaze hit me all at once as I took in the rest of him. His billowing cape did little to hide his muscular and powerful frame.
A hood wrapped over his head, but I spotted something else strange about him. A silver mark crested his forehead, almost like a scar.
