“How? Why would you want to join in the first place?” Nicoli asked.
“Often, the people that cults target want a greater sense of community. They’re missing something in their lives, and want to belong to something greater, a cause they can fight for,” Victor said. “Many cult members, before they join, don’t have a great connection with family, are lonely, and have few friends. The offer to join a like-minded group that will welcome you as one of their own is too great a temptation for many to deny. Everyone wants to make the world better in their own way, and often, cults provide that elusive ideal on a silver platter— a chance to walk away from the society they are fed up with, and create a better planet for all of us to live on. Unfortunately, many have no idea that it’s a trap.”
This made sense to me. The Black Claw’s ideas weren’t technically misguided. Originally, the cult had begun to carve out a place in Malovia for Unseelie descendants. But instead of lobbying the government for better laws on dark magic, or by working with the public to endorse acceptance of Unseelie bloodlines, the Black Claw had killed people and taken revenge for all the injustice dealt to them.
It wasn’t right. But if you were a desperate fae hiding in Dolinska with Unseelie blood, it would be tempting to join a group of people that you knew were just like you.
“Many cults offer their beliefs as a way to make your life better. Cults masquerade as self-help groups, or are posed to give all the answers to the great mysteries of life, which can be very appealing for someone who is looking for solid answers on unanswerable questions. Finally, cults target vulnerable people. The Black Claw has been known to offer their help to individuals who have been diagnosed with devastating illnesses, those who have lost dearly cherished loved ones, those with low-self esteem, or people who have gone bankrupt. These people are in fragile states, and cults know they can be easily manipulated. The fewer opportunities someone has in life, the greater chance they will join a cult.”
There was a great slamming sound next to me as Alexei leapt up from his desk. He swept his things into one arm, and took off running from the classroom. Professor Victor’s eyes were wide.
“Alexei,” I hissed. I grabbed my stuff and took off after him. He ran through the library, but I was faster. I managed to catch up with him just as he walked out the exit. I grabbed his arm and spun him around.
“What was that about?” I asked. I was completely nonplussed.
“I just… I had to get out of there.” Alexei let out a long breath. He bent over his knees and took another inhale.
I glanced behind. “Well, we should probably return. What he was saying sounded important.”
“I’m not going back there,” Alexei said sharply, with a harsh glance at me.
“All right.” I shrugged. “Where to now?”
“Who knows.” He stormed off, in a sour mood. I followed him. I’d miss out on the lecture, and it’d affect my grade, but Alexei needed me as a friend right now. He didn’t seem… stable.
I followed Alexei to the middle of the school. I think he was just walking to go somewhere. It was clear he wanted to blow off some steam. As we entered the grand ballroom, I saw his head swivel as someone let out a laugh.
It was Kiara. She and Emma were leaning against the wall. There was someone else with them I didn’t know, but he looked like a griffin shifter. Kiara was laughing at a joke he’d told.
I swear, Alexei’s eyes burned red. The griffin shifter leaned in to whisper something to Kiara, and she giggled, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. They were clearly flirting.
The griffin shifter reached out to brush Kiara’s hand. She bit her lip as their eyes connected, and I watched Alexei’s entire form stiffen.
“Shit,” I muttered. I went to grab him, but I was too late. In seconds, Alexei had crossed the room. He grabbed the griffin shifter by his sweater, tossing him on the floor.
“Alexei, what are youdoing?!” Kiara yelled.
He didn’t hear her. Alexei brought back a fist and pummeled it into the griffin’s face. The griffin’s head jerked back before he swung out his own fist, and soon, the two of them were rolling in a scuffle. Blows were exchanged as the two men wrestled, catching the attention of all the students in the room.
“Stop, stop!” Kiara cried out, flailing her hands. Emma’s look was pleading with me to do something.
The griffin shifter threw Alexei off of him, then changed. The other griffin lowered his head and clawed at the floor, daring Alexei to fight. Alexei shifted as well, and soon two griffins were circling each other, clacking their beaks and beating their wings in an equal challenge.
I had to stop this before it became a bloodbath. I leapt forward and pulled Alexei back, wrapping my arms around his neck and yanking him away. It took all my strength to hold Alexei in place, though I think he wanted me to, because he didn’t resist, despite the burning in his eyes. The griffin shifter took his chance and scampered off.
I let go. Alexei changed back and turned toward Kiara. There was blood dripping from his knuckles.
Kiara’s lip wobbled. She burst forward and screamed, “You bastard! You won’t be with me, but you won’t let me be with someone else? Ihateyou!”
She ran out of the room crying. After watching her exit, the students went back to gossiping. Shifters fighting over women was something that was common at Arcanea University, so no one thought much of it.
Alexei looked thoroughly miserable. He stomped away. Emma and I chased after him.
“Wait!” Emma cried as we entered the university grounds, swinging her winter cloak around her shoulders. Alexei changed into a griffin and charged into the trees.
Emma huffed. “Great. We lost him.”
“We’ll find him,” I said. I changed and put my nose to the ground, following Alexei’s scent. Emma wandered after me through the woods until we came to the same clearing Alexei had showed us the other day. We heard sniffling in the treetops above. I transformed back.
