Page 9 of Drawn in Blood
Professor Moran gave her a warm smile. “It’s not a decision you have to make right now, but I’ll give you the form just in case you decide you need it.” She waved her hand and a cabinet to her left flew open, and a single piece of paper floated out to land in her outstretched palm. She handed it across the desk to Ember, who quickly stuffed it in her bag.
Professor Moran stood from her seat and waved her hand, allowing the door to open again, “I’m here if you need to talk about anything, Miss Lothbrok,” she said sweetly.
Ember nodded stiffly. “Thank you ma’am,” was all she could say, and she headed out the door. The hallway was silent, everyone either in class or using their study period to get a head start on homework. Ember’s mind ran a mile a minute as she took breath after shaky breath and made her way toward the stairs.
Chapter 3
The Wolf & Waife
Ember, Fen and Killian made their way through the sea of children and out the front doors of Heksheim. She breathed a sigh of relief as the fresh air hit her lungs and the afternoon sun warmed her face. She took in a deep breath, letting the feeling wash over her as she leaned her head back and smiled.
“Need a minute to recharge?” Killian asked with a smirk.
Ember opened one eye and squinted at him with a smile. “Yeah, just a minute,” she sighed.
“While you’re over there photosynthesizing,” Fen grumbled, “I am currently dying of hunger. Can we go please?”
Ember rolled her eyes as she laughed. “Alright, fine, lets go,” she replied, and the trio walked down the path toward the end of the wards.
“I could go for a Moon Cider.” Killian shrugged. “We should pop into town before we head home for the day.”
“I like how you think.” Fen grinned mischievously.
Ember furrowed her brow. “We were specifically told to go straight home,” she scolded. “I don’t think stopping in town for drinks will go over well.”
Fen stopped directly in front of her, putting on a show complete with puppy dog eyes and a quivering bottom lip. “But, Em,” he pouted, “I’m parched. I won’t make it home. I need sustenance.” His bottom lip stuck out as he grabbed both her hands and tried his hardest to produce tears.
Ember rolled her eyes as she shoved his shoulder with a laugh. “You’re worse than Maevie, you know that, right?”
“I’m famished, Em,” he continued.
“We don’t have a choice, Starshine.” Killian grinned, feigning concern as he felt Fen’s forehead. “It’s a matter of survival at this point.”
Ember rolled her eyes as she shoved past the boys and continued down the path. “Fine,” she shouted back to them, “but you’re paying!”
The Wolf& Waife sat on the end of Waterware street next to Botánica Mágica. It was a quaint little pub, not run down, but nothing to write home about, either. Standing on their hind legs, front paws stretched on in front of them to create an arch over the front door, were two beautifully carved wooden wolves. Ember ran her hands down the long-dead tree and breathed a sigh as she playfully cut her eyes at Killian.
“Quite realistic if you ask me,” she teased. “Though, these are a little scarier than the one I’ve become acquainted with.”
Killian cocked a brow, and he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wolf opposite her. “These are all bark,” he said, as he patted the wooden leg, “and I think you’ll find that I have a bit more bite, Starshine.”
Ember felt a chill run down her spine and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up as he sent her a wink, and the invisible tether connecting her to him seemed to vibrate wildly, like it was a harp string being plucked.
“Ew, gross, that’s my sister,” Fen said, as he gagged dramatically. “Can we just go inside?”
Killian opened the door, and the trio made their way into the pub, quickly sliding into a booth toward the back. Fen went up to the bar and ordered a round of Moon Cider as Killian and Ember settled in.
“So, do you have the day marked on the calendar yet?” Killian asked, as he leaned back in his seat.
Ember furrowed her brow. “What day?”
“The day you become a Kitt.” He grinned, crossing one leg over the other and resting his ankle on his knee.
“Oh… yeah, that day.” She nodded. “I mean, I’m being adopted, that doesn’t mean I have to change my whole identity.” She said it a little meaner than she meant to, evident by the confused look now on Killian’s face.
“Who said anything about changing your identity?” Killian asked, as he rested his elbow on the table.
“Everyone just expects me to change my last name and forget who I am and who my parents are. When I do that, if I do that, it’ll be like they never existed. Like we never existed.” Ember swallowed the lump that was steadily building in her throat as her chest began to rise and fall rapidly.
