Page 7 of Shattered Illusion

Since the moment Axel and I climbed into his sports car, neither of us has spoken a word. Part of me believes it’s to help me wrap my head around everything that’s happened today. The other part, though, worries that he might be disgusted with the weakness I’ve shown so far.

Who the hell cries when they find out they have supernatural powers? Me, that’s who. This wasn’t what I wanted for my life, but there’s no changing it now. It’s not like I can go back and beg for a different outcome.

All I can do now is try to make the best of it.

Starting now.

The car slows to a stop, jolting me out of the thoughts swirling around in my head. My spine straightens as I lean forward, watching with rapt fascination as the gates disappear, giving me my first unencumbered view of the world I’ve been irrevocably thrust into.

Back in motion, Axel drives through the gates without stopping to speak to the guards. He’s probably the first person—supernatural or otherwise—I’ve ever seen not stopped by weapons leveled at his head.

Who is this guy?

Someone important, obviously.

My breath catches in my throat as the gate closes behind us, locking away the humans once more, but I can’t tear my eyes away from what’s in front of me to look back.

It’s literally a whole other world.

As far as the eye can see, there are futuristic buildings built with glass and steel, the sun glinting so bright off the silvery metal that my eyes water, but I can’t look away. It’s all just so…beautiful. Many of the structures look to have open areaswith balconies hanging over the side, floors and floors above the ground. Supes dart in and out of those spaces, moving with a speed that’s too quick for my eyes to track.

Yikes. That would be one hell of a fall. Thank the Gods I’m not lugging a pair of wings on my back.

Wait. I don’t have wings. Right? If I did, I would know. Right? I shimmy in my seat, rubbing my back against the expensive leather, feeling for anything amiss. Right. I’ll go with I don’t have any until proven otherwise. Axel’s smooth chuckle slides over my skin like the finest silk, but otherwise, he doesn’t comment about my antics.

Interspersed with the towering establishments are imposing trees, most of them far larger than any I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. Magic has to be involved—that’s the only way to explain it. Most of the trees appear to be hollowed out and used as businesses or residences.

But there’s one thing that catches my eye that I can’t seem to look away from. Everywhere I gaze, there are supernaturals in their true form. Wings, claws, fur, different skin tones, and more. There’s no one they need to hide from, so they can be themselves. And I can’t fault them for that. I would hate to be anyone other than myself.

Tears once again well in my eyes at that thought, and I close them, willing them not to fall. I don’t even know who I am anymore. One minute, I was Bailey Matthews, a twenty-one-year-old human. Now, I’m just a giant freaking question mark.

A chill sweeps across my skin as fingers interlace with mine. Opening my eyes, I look down, watching as Axel’s thumb lightly brushes the top of my hand. I lose myself to the soft motions, forgetting about my upside-down world, if only for a little while.

The car rolls to a stop, and without letting go of my hand, Axel throws the car in park and shuts it off. The smooth, rumbling vibrations die out, leaving me tense once more. Axelmust feel the difference as he gives my hand a quick squeeze before speaking. “I know this is a shock to you, Bailey. But I can promise you that it’ll get easier with time.”

I snort a disbelieving laugh but don’t reply as one of the tears I’ve been trying to hold back finally breaks free, tracking down my cheek. Axel leans over and dashes it away, leaving a cold spot behind.

“I know you might not believe it now, Bailey, as all of this is new to you,” his polished voice rumbles, that thumb of his sweeping across my hand again. “But I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you’re okay.”

“Why me?” I croak, more tears falling, leaving wetness in their wake.

“Because you’re special,cor meum.More than you even realize.” His touch disappears, and I choke back a whimper at the loss. A click is loud in the silence of the car until the belt holding me to the seat disappears, and then I’m almost floating as Axel pulls me onto his lap. His cool hands cup my face, dashing away more tears as he tilts my watery gaze to his blood-red one. “One day at a time. That’s how we will do this. Okay?”

My lack of reply speaks volumes as to how I feel about that. While his comfort is doing wonders for my frazzled state, a voice in the back of my mind whispers that he’s a supernatural and could be easily lying to me. Tracking my eyes over his features, I look for any outward hint of his words ringing false, but there’s nothing.

Either he’s telling the truth, or he has one hell of a poker face.

Only time will tell.

He gives my head a little shake, pulling me out of my thoughts. “This is the point where you say, ‘Okay, Axel. Anything for you.’” A giggle escapes before I can stop it at the audacity of this man. “Much better. I thought you went comatose on me for a minute.”

Needing to distract myself from the handsome vampire whose lap I’m currently sitting on—with a hardness that’s poking me, tempting me to wiggle around—I do what I do best.

I change the subject.

“So, where are we?”

A flash of hurt is there and gone before I can even blink, but instead of drawing attention to it, he clears his throat, his hands falling away from my face. “We’re at my office. There are a few things we need to go over before I take you to Stonewell Academy. I also need to call Jasper, the headmaster, and update him so he can be prepared for our arrival.”

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