Page 66 of The Cursed Fae

It all came down to the magic. That was the key. Just like the eternal wolf kept the ability to shift, my attacker could still use his elemental powers.

You're stalling, I chastised myself.

These were all thoughts I could ponder once back in my dorm room. I needed to focus and concentrate on drawing Raymond out.

“The beach is behind the wards,” I said aloud, looking at my reflection in the rearview mirror. “You are fine. You are safe. Time to face your fears.”

“Do you always give yourself pep talks?”

I jumped so high my head hit the roof. “Gaia, Missy. You scared the pee out of me! Literally, I think. What's wrong with you?”

She scowled. “I came to be supportive. Glad you appreciate my efforts. I left Morgan to pop over here. You're welcome.”

“What were you doing with Morgan?” I asked.

“Watching her study for her initiation.”

I frowned. “Initiation? Into what?”

Missy pursed her lips. “The Gemini Fae. On Night of Four Moons. You take a test. If you pass, you are an official member of the coven.” She shook her head. “Not important right now. Go. Get out there. Before you lose your nerve.”

“Are you coming with me?” I asked.

“I think it's best you do it alone. Good luck.” With a flash of her ghostly grin, Missy vanished.

“Thanks for nothing,” I grumbled.

I sat for another minute, absorbing the last of the heater's warm air before setting off into the biting cold. Waves crashed against the beach. Siren Island was barely visible from the top of the bluffs, a mere dark spot in the distance. Overhead, clouds parted to reveal the moon.

The fact I was alone didn't make me feel any less stupid calling Raymond's name into the wind. I made my way slowly down the embankment, trying not to think about my classmates running for their lives the last time I was there.

A thin layer of ice caked the ground, so I treaded lightly toward the water's edge, yelling for Ray as I went. The stars came out while he stayed hidden from me. I crept closer to the turbulent sea. The wind whipped sand and snow in my eyes, but I didn't shut them. I couldn't handle the mental flashes of the eternal and his vampires' invasion. Not while I was out there alone.

I shoved my gloved hands deep in my coat pockets and tried speaking to the elusive spirit.

“Ray, if you're out there, I'm Winter Sable. I can hear and see you, if you want to talk,” I called toward the water.

No response.

“We haven't met. I just started at Arcane University this term,” I said, eyes darting back and forth for signs of spectral figures. “We have some friends in common, though. Like Missy Derringer. Do you know her? She sent me. She thought maybe you'd be able to help with something.”

“How?” asked a voice behind me.

I spun, hands clenched into fists with Nana's keys wedged between my fingers like they'd taught in the self-defense class Lena had dragged me to at the community center. A boy with buzzed hair stood a short distance up the beach. He wore yellow swimming trunks and blue flip-flops, yet showed no signs he felt the cold.

A flutter of excitement went through me. I'd summoned a spirit. Was it too much to hope it was the correct one?

“Are you Ray?” I asked.

“Maybe. Why are you looking for him?”

“You know I could just google what he looks like, right?” I waved my cell in his direction. “You're probably thinking I should have done that before I came out here—me, too. Either way, I can find out real fast.”

The guy looked at my hand curiously. “What is that thing?”

It was as if he'd never seen one before.

“It's a device to access the internet that also makes calls and sends texts,” I explained. “Have you ever heard of a computer?”

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