Page 6 of Faerie Gift

“Whatever you say, Miss Alderidge.”

At least the teasing brought identical grins to our faces, and his smile changed everything about him. It brought a lightness to his entire being. My stomach twisted at the look.

I’d do whatever I could to make him feel better, to help him know he was worth something, if his father hadevermade him think otherwise. My inner wolf, always present just under the surface, bared her teeth at the thought of anyone putting Mike down.

Good thing she wasn’t out in the open right now or else she’d mark her claim on him.

“How have things been at the Academy?” Mike asked.

Now it was my turn to shrug. “Nothing spectacularly exciting to report either, I’m afraid. Mostly I hung out in the library with my new friend Nora. Do you remember her from last semester?”

I could see him trying. “Nora? I’m not sure I know her.”

“She’s quiet but sweet. Asian descent, short black hair, glasses. When I wasn’t with her, then I was trying to get ahead on my reading. You know what? I actually enjoy the quiet. It’s a nice change from having everyone around,” I admitted.

We continued around the rear yard keeping to the tree line but not going into the forest. The castle stood ahead on a small hill, mullioned windows illuminated with a golden glow from lamps inside. Three floors, turrets, and towers. I’d never seen a place of its equal before. Not surprising. It belonged in a fairy tale rather than the Massachusetts countryside.

Uncle Will and I had lived in the suburbs outside of the city in a gated community made up of wolf shifters down in Virginia. Here, the shifter side of me was unwelcome. Not just unwelcome, but anathema. The Fae and the wolves hated each other, so much that murder wasnotoff the table.

“Uh oh, looks like the school sent a welcoming committee,” I said under my breath. Although I couldn’t make out the face of the stranger striding across the lawn toward us, I knew our privacy was gone.

Then a familiar blond head attached to a skinny body came into view. Everything inside of me dropped as I recognized the girl, and it was work not to groan. I knew the walk. I knew the attitude that slapped you in the face from a mile away.

“Persephone is back from vacation,” Mike stated unnecessarily.

My palms began to sweat at the name. Yes, she was here. She must have slunk back from the pits of Hell sometime while I was eating. Crawled her way out, more than likely. I swallowed a retort about the Devil needing to come collect her.

When she was finally close enough to talk without shouting, Persephone called out, “Mike! How are you?”

Like I wasn’t even there. I rolled my eyes. I couldn’t say it surprised me.

She sidled up to the prince with arms extended for a hug, her features lit with an inner smugness. I bit my lip and refused to say anything in response. To me, over his shoulder, she scowled, the expression flashing across her face before she forced it aside and her usual simpering smile was in place.

“It’s good to see you again,” Mike told her. Too friendly for his own good, but what could I do? He was royalty, and being friendly came with the title. Court protocol. “What are you doing out here? Aren’t you cold?”

She certainly didn’t look cold in tight pants and a low-cut purple sweater. “I just came to tell you we’re all getting together for a game of Capture the Scroll at ten tonight,” she replied happily. “Why don’t you come play with us too, Tavi? It’s your favorite.”

I didn’t miss the slight growl at the end of her statement, her usual high-pitched voice dropping into gremlin territory. Whatever I’d done to make her hate me—and Istillhad no idea what that was—it was getting harder and harder for her to pretend otherwise.

She wanted a chance to embarrass me, no matter how well she’d seen me play during our first game. Maybe this time around she thought she had new tricks up her sleeve?

I flashed Persephone an answering smile holding no warmth and every bit of venom she’d given me. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

3

The first time I’d indulged in a game of Capture the Scroll, I’d found a dead body. In a tree.

It had been a rather sickening start to a downward spiral of bad luck and finding myself in trouble. The murder and investigation following added to my stress of not only learning how to play well with others but keeping my spot in school.

Finding a murderer hadn’t been on my list of things to deal with, and the whole experience kind of soured me on the idea of playing the game ever again. Not to mention the weatherneverwanted to cooperate. This night was no exception.

The moment Mike and I made it back to the dorms to change our clothing, the sky opened up and an icy rain fell to drench the ground. I laced my sneakers and stared out the window as rain pelted the glass.

Great, perfect. January cold rain. Still no snow. I think in this case I would have preferred the snow.

I was starting to think a rain-soaked game of Capture the Scroll was anobligatorystart to every term. Perhaps it had become a new tradition thanks to the girls in my dorm. I stood next to Nora, shivering; my sweatshirt was wrapped around me though it did nothing to block the chill. Not with the moisture seeping down through the fabric.

“Does everyone remember the rules of the game?” Persephone called out to the group.

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