Page 28 of The Human’s Heart

Through our link, I asked Zaos, “What kind of shifter is Parez?”

“A gargoyle.”

My eyebrows shot up. “I thought shifters were all some kind of animal?”

“Most are. But there’s a few born shifters—like they don’t have to go through a catalyst event to shift. Just like dragons—they’re always dragons, no matter what.”

“Huh. Good to know.”

Zay sent me a wink, kissed my cheek, and pulled me through to the living room.

Chapter 8

Zaos

Iclosed my book and began packing my bag so I could move from the classroom to the lab. The lab was actually my favorite part since it was all hands-on, but I was so ready to go home to Hugo. If I could, I’d skip the lab and be done for the day.

Our bond was only a few months old, so sometimes I really struggled with being away from him for more than a few hours at a time.

Supposedly, it would get easier. But then again, even my grandfathers went pretty much everywhere together. They were very rarely apart, and when they were, it was only for a handful of hours at a time, and definitely not many hours, several days in a row.

I wondered if that was the reason it always hit me so hard by mid-week. I’d already spent most of Monday and nearly all day yesterday—since Hugo had to work too—without him. And now, all I wanted was to hold him in my arms for a few minutes.

Okay, no, more like a few hours.

I’d hold him for a full week if he’d let me.

As I put my laptop in my bag, a shadow fell over my desk. I looked up, finding a young woman standing there, looking nervous. She was a classmate, although I didn’t know her name.

I sent her a small smile. It wasn’t her fault I was in a grumpy mood. “Hey.”

“Hi.” She nervously pulled on her laptop bag’s strap. “Um, I was wondering if you maybe know of any study groups I could join? I feel like I’m falling behind, but you always seem to know everything when the professors call on you, so… um… yeah.”

I blinked up at her for a moment, then finished gathering my stuff together so I could stand. “Uh, I think some people get together at a cafe a few times a week.” I didn’t go to that, not anymore. I used to, but I’d been choosing to study alone at home so I could be near Hugo.

Although, I might need to attend a couple of the groups myself soon so I didn’t fall behind.

Maybe I could convince Hugo to come sit inside the coffee shop at a table nearby or something so I didn’t have to be away from him.

Mother of All, he’s gonna think I’m insane if I ever say that out loud. Even I know that’s getting a bit ridiculous.

The woman said, “Oh really? Oh my gosh, that would be awesome if they, uh, let new people come?”

“I’m sure they won’t mind.” I gestured to the door, and we started walking toward our lab together. “I’m Zaos, by the way.”

“Oh shit.” She snapped her mouth shut like she was nervous about cursing in front of me. If she only knew how much my entire family cussed. The thought almost made me laugh. “I’m Beatrix. Sorry about that. I knew your name since you’re always called on, and I forgot to say my own. Stupid.”

She was blushing profusely and looked so ashamed and embarrassed that I felt compelled to hug her. Not that I was just going to hug some random girl from my class. That would be so weird and likely not welcome.

I shrugged. “Hey, no big deal at all. It’s nice to officially meet you.” I sent her a smile—I knew humans liked to do that handshake thing, but most supes didn’t. Another person’s magic being that close was generally uncomfortable, not to mention, touching skin could possibly allow an attack—obviously that thought was instilled in me by my granddad—the paranoid, overprotective witch. Sigh. “So how are you liking the class so far?”

“Oh, I love it. It’s just a lot harder than my last school.”

“Did you transfer here?”

She nodded. “Sure did. I went to WUA—uh, Woodcreek University of Arronston. But I’ve always wanted to come to Clairiston University since they have the best nursing program in the whole country. I applied last year and didn’t expect anything to happen, but when I got accepted, I knew I had to come.” She sent me a hesitant smile. “Sorry. I talk a lot when I’m nervous.”

I waved that away. “It’s awesome that you got to switch schools, but why are you nervous?”