Page 14 of Oleander
“Thanks.” He takes the hoodie, and I let go quickly, stepping back before he accidentally touches my hand. I’m in control of my magic at the moment, but I don’t trust the power inside me when emotions are at play. Especially attraction.
“I have a meeting with the headmaster on Sunday morning. I’m hoping I can convince him to remove the cuffs before class on Monday and give me a fighting chance. I can’t start school like a prisoner.”
I agree with Skyler, and I hope he gets them removed without issue. He’ll never learn control if he doesn’t practice. I’m in thesame boat, no matter how scary it feels. Only there are no iron shackles holding me back, just my own insecurities.
Maybe we can help each other.
“Headmaster Goulding is a fair but strict Fae. If you present your case with facts and reason, not emotions, you’ll be most successful,” I offer somewhat shyly, hoping he isn’t offended by the unsolicited advice.
“Thanks, man. Anything else I should know about him?”
“He’s a Fire Fae. Some call him The Alchemist. His particular power involves controlling and tempering metal alloys in every capacity imaginable. Even the iron in your bloodstream. He can rip it straight from your veins or boil your blood if he desires.” It’s barbaric for sure, but rumor has it that Headmaster Goulding has done both in his long lifetime.
“Like microscopic bullets,” Skyler murmurs, eyes wide and unblinking. I hope I didn’t scare him too badly, but he needs to know how ruthless the Otherworld can be, even Faerie.
“Almost anything can be a weapon to him.”
“Holy shit.Good looking out, O.”
I soak up his praise and attention, offering more. “Fire Fae are scheming, dangerous, and manipulative on their best days. Trust me, I should know. Half of my family has Fire magic. Watch your back, Skyler. Even though Headmaster Goulding will present himself as a harmless old grandfatherly figure, he is anything but.”
“Noted.” Skyler shakes his head as if he’s trying to process everything I just dumped on him. He has no idea. Wait until classes start. Our history isn’t a happy one. And there are far scarier creatures lurking in Faerie than Headmaster Goulding. He scoops up his bundle of clothes.
“Don’t mind me. I’ll just take these back to my room and attempt to process that little tidbit of information you droppedon me.” He spins around and slips from my bedroom, but not before I catch a glimpse of the dimples on his lower back.
I think we’re both in trouble.
CHAPTER FIVE
SKYLER
Iget dressed in my borrowed T-shirt, sweatpants, and hoodie, thankful that Oleander has normal, human clothing for me to borrow and not just the light and airy Fae fabric he seems to enjoy wearing. Since arriving on campus, I immediately noticed that human technology and fashion are all the rage here, but I can tell Ander’s style is a little moreclassic.
I’ve decided to go for a walk to clear my head. I need some time alone to process things. Because they seriously brought me here, dropped me off with no money, no clothes, and no belongings, and expected me to not only find my way but also behappy. It’s bullshit. I’m still a little pissed off at Onyx for abandoning me like this in the first place.
On my way down the first-floor corridor, I run into that obnoxious guy with bright red hair. Hawk, I think.
“Oi, new kid!” he shouts in that strange Fae accent they all have. It sounds British to me. Or maybe Australian? I’ve always been terrible at guessing.
“Not a kid, but hey,” I reply dryly.
He snorts and rolls his eyes, strolling out of his dorm room and sidling up to me. “You got plans for tomorrow night?”
“What was your name again?” I ask somewhat rudely instead of answering his question.
His brows crease, clearly not used to being asked his name. I bet everyone here knows who he is. Everyone but me. “Hawk,” he says, sounding confused about it.
“Right. Well, Hawk. I’m on my way to take a walk and maybe find some food, so I’ll catch you later, ’kay?”
“Wait, wait, wait. Slow down. I’m inviting you to the academy kick-off party tomorrow. Bring the prince, too.”
It’s funny he thinks I care or even have a clue what that means. “I don’t have a say in what he does.”
“Don’t care. Ten p.m. It’s in the forest behind our dorm. Follow the wisps; they’ll guide you. And be fucking grateful, would ya? Most freshmen would kill for the opportunity, and you two have golden tickets.”
Before I can object or possibly thank him, Hawk disappears into his dorm, the sound of male and female giggles escaping.
Fine. But what the fuck are wisps?
