Page 11 of Shifting Tides

I slowly peeled myself away, shooting a glare at Caesar, who was still wearing that hunted look and tapping his foot to an impatient beat.

“Your parents are witches, too, right?” Caesar asked. Was that actually a hint of concern in his voice?

“Uh, yeah,” I said, my words dripping with sarcasm. “Why?”

“You should be fine, but you’ll want to tell them what happened. They should be able to make sure no one follows Arya’s scent to your house.”

“Ah.” Of course. I didn’t bother asking why Caesar assumed I couldn’t do it. That was a sore enough point without arguing it over with Professor Prick. “Well, thanks. I guess.”

Caesar nodded, then put a hand behind Arya’s back and steered her toward the subway entrance—one of the few below-ground ones in the city. Arya cast a backward glance, and I waved my hand and tried to smile.

I never knew my mom. She died from some kind of magical accident when I was too young to remember—which was why Gram refused to teach me magic. I didn’t remember losing her. I couldn’t imagine having her die right in front of me and then being dragged off to some school—albeit a pretty damn cool school—all in one day.

And the rules... I always knew those rules were weird, even for Arya’s helicopter mom, but why would she keep her own daughter from the shifter world? What was she hiding from?

I watched Arya and Caesar until they disappeared. But I wasn’t going to get an Uber just yet. After looking around the parking lot to see if anyone was watching, I ducked my head and jogged to where the pair had disappeared.

If I could just see which line they were taking, I might be able to figure out how to get to the school on my own. If I could get inside the building, maybe I could prove that I belong there. Besides, I wasn’t going to let a fabled gryphon take my shattered friend away without knowing where.

I crept down the stairs, crouching to peek below the ceiling. I didn’t need Caesar knowing I was following them. Caesar nodded to the attendant and handed a ticket to Arya. She took it, and they slid through the turnstiles.

I frowned. The man had a car, so why was he taking the subway to the school? And he obviously did that a lot, considering he had a pass.

I waited, frozen on my step, until they disappeared from view once more.

Rushing down the stairs, I looked for Caesar and Arya, but they were likely down the next set of stairs, well out of view. I slowed my walk to something a bit more casual, trying to look harmless, invisible. I was usually pretty good at that. A couple of people were approaching the turnstiles, so I tried to position myself between them and the guard as I swung over the contraption.

“Hey!” came the indignant response from a woman behind me.

I turned a little, lifting my hand. “Not riding. My friend needs her phone.” And I took off, to the alarmed protests of fellow passengers and the angry glare of the guard on duty. I wasn’t sure when the next train would pull through, but I had to get my eyes on Arya before she boarded.

The guard caught my arm just as I reached the platform.

I held up my free hand in surrender, cursing internally. “Not looking for any trouble. Just wanted to get this phone to my friend before she boarded.”

I looked around, spotting Arya’s tell-tale blue-black locks and Caesar’s impressive form beside her. My gaze flicked to the sign hanging overhead, the unmistakable green strip beckoning to riders seeking to take the green line south.

“Likely story,” the woman said, looking me over. Her brow arched. “You don’t look like one of our regular jumpers. You’re not a runaway, are you?”

I shook my head. “No, ma’am. And I wasn’t trying to ride. Look, see?” I pulled out my own phone, showing it to the woman. “My friend accidentally left this. She’s going to be devastated.”

The woman snorted. “Kids. What’s your name?” She had a badge on that said Officer A. Benson.

“Shea. Shea Le Fay,” I volunteered, putting on my best authority-pleasing pout. “Please, Ms. Benson. I won’t do it again.”

Officer Benson grimaced but led me to the turnstile, opening a side gate to let me through. “I better not catch you doing anything like that again.”

I nodded obediently.

“You have what you need to get you home?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Now get.” Officer Benson shooed me away, putting her hands on her belt.

I gave a final nod and a smile, my heart just about beating out of my chest. I’d rather not have an offense on my record, and Ireallydidn’t want Gram to hear about this. Things were complicated enough without a court date hanging over my head.

I forced a deep breath and headed back up the stairs. There had to be some way to track Arya’s phone, but at least I knew they were headed south on the green line. It wasn’t a location, but it was a start. I pulled out my phone, checked out all thestops on the green line, and wondered where Arya would get off.

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