Page 7 of Faeheart
“The kind that think magical creatures should stay in their own realms,” Atlas said grimly. “There’s been talk of reinstating the old separation laws, making it illegal for fae and other non-human supernaturals to attend schools like Widdershins.”
Caden’s face paled. “But that would mean?—”
“Exactly,” Atlas nodded. “No more integrated education. No more mixed communities. Back to the old days when everyone stuck to their own kind.”
I felt a familiar anger stirring in my chest. “Let me guess, they’re using my charming roommate’s dear departed daddy as their poster boy for why witches shouldn’t associate with ‘lesser’ magical beings.”
Caden winced. “Apparently, some of his old followers have been circulating his writings again. The parts about magical purity and maintaining bloodline integrity.”
“Fucking fantastic,” I muttered, running a hand through my hair. “So now I get to deal with stuck-up witches AND potential hate groups. This year just keeps getting better. I should’ve stayed at the orgy.”
Atlas raised an eyebrow. “Orgy?”
“Three-day end of summer celebration in the fae realm,” I explained with a grin. “Way more fun than anything this place has to offer.”
“Wild,” Caden said, his voice taking on a worried tone, “maybe you should be careful about mentioning stuff like that. If these anti-monster groups are really gaining power...”
“Fuck them,” I said, flopping back down on my bed. “I’m not going to hide who I am because some bigoted assholes can’t handle a little chaos in their perfectly ordered world. Besides, witches have orgies all the time, they’re just invite only.”
Atlas’s expression darkened. “It’s not just about you, though. If they succeed in getting these laws passed, it affects all of us. Caden would be forced to choose between his witch heritage and his dryad side. I wouldn’t be allowed on campus at all as a shifter.”
The weight of that settled over the room like a heavy blanket. I’d been so focused on my own irritation that I hadn’t really considered the broader implications. The thought of losing Caden as a roommate, of this place becoming even more sterile and segregated than it already was, made my stomach twist.
“Well then,” I said, sitting up again with renewed determination, “I guess we’ll just have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“How exactly do you propose we do that?” Caden asked.
I grinned, feeling that familiar spark of mischief and rebellion ignite in my chest. “By being so fucking brilliant in this independent study that even the most prejudiced witch can’t deny our worth. By proving that wild magic, mixed heritage, and a little chaos make everything better, not worse.”
Caden looked uncertain, but Atlas nodded slowly. “It’s not a bad strategy. Show them what they’d be losing.”
“Exactly,” I said, jumping up from my bed. “Besides, I’m curious about this Elias Thorne kid now. If his family’s really involved in these movements, it’ll be interesting to see where he stands.”
“Just... be careful, Wild,” Caden said softly. “Not everyone can be won over with charm and rebellion.”
I winked at him. “Good thing I’ve got other talents then.”
Atlas snorted. “Your ‘other talents’ are exactly what’s going to get you in trouble with these purist types.”
“My other talents are what make life worth living,” I shot back, but even as I said it, I could feel the truth in his words settling uncomfortably in my chest. The freedom I’d always taken for granted suddenly felt more precious, more fragile.
Caden stood up abruptly, pacing to the window. “There’s something else,” he said quietly, his back to us. “Something I haven’t told you yet.”
Atlas and I exchanged glances. “What is it?” Atlas asked, moving to stand behind Caden.
“My father… he didn’t just die in some fight between him and Rowan Hargrove.” Caden glanced at me before turning his head away in shame. “I… I killed him myself.”
The room went dead silent. Even the ambient magical energy that usually hummed through the dormitory walls seemed to pause, as if the very academy was holding its breath.
“What?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Atlas’s hands moved to Caden’s shoulders, steadying him as his body began to tremble. “Caden…”
“He was going to kill Atlas,” Caden said, his voice hollow. “He’d put a blood curse on me and was torturing me… and then he found out about our bond and my newfound power. He… He wanted me to lock Atlas up and use him as a magical battery… or put him in the ground. And when he tried to kill us, I just…snapped.”
Caden turned back, crawling into Atlas’s lap and allowing himself to be wrapped up in those strong werewolf arms.
“He was destroyed,” Atlas said, finishing the story. “And transformed into a tree. Rowan Hargrove was taken to the Elder Council and sentenced to prison for several years for attacking the students on campus.”
