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Kalani’s eyes widened and then as quick as the wolf had been there, Kalani’s naked form was crushing me into a hug and jumping around.
“Holy shit Halley! You did it! My grandma used to tell us stories of how the Enchanters of her time would communicate with the Shifters, but I always thought she got more crazed with her old age. I can’t believe she was right!”
Kalani continued to squeeze me, and we both laughed as this news sunk in. It felt like we had our own secret way of communicating now, without anyone being able to know what was being said. Growing up in a world full of secrecy, I kind of loved it. It felt like a sliver of home, and I hugged Kalani tighter. But then I realized she was still naked, and we had been hugging for a long time now.
“Kalani, you may be the best friend I’ve ever had but I really need you to get some clothes on again. I am not a Shifter and casual nudity freaks me out.”
Kalani stepped back with a joyful laugh and proceeded to get changed. We sat back on the couch, going through the rest of the book together, and trying out different enchantments. Not all of them were successes and some were utter fails, but the night felt like a victory, because for the first time in ten years I felt like I had someone to lean on and I wasn’t all alone.
Chapter Eighteen
Madden
This was the dumbest shit ever. Grumbling all the way towards West Territory, I still couldn’t believe I got roped into this. Sure, I could see it as a reprieve from the constant Recruitment jobs they sent me on, but was sitting one-on-one with someone in a room really better than sitting one-on-one in a car? And I couldn’t even sit in silence through this, I was informed that Imustteach the girl. Really, I had absolutely no clue what I could even teach her. Sure, I had paid attention when Zachariah informed us of our duties, but I barely paid attention in my own history classes so I couldn’t help with that. And as far as I was concerned, the similarities between Shifter and Enchanter were miniscule. All our abilities stemmed from the innate power we possessed, but my power was easier to feel when I was in one of my creature forms. Considering I couldn’t speak in my creature form, I wasn’t entirely sure what I could teach the girl, hence why I was already running ten minutes late to our lesson. I figured the less time, the better.
Lazily strolling into the room, I caught sight of the girl slumped over a desk, yawning widely. If the bags under her eyes were anything to go by, she didn’t get any sleep last night. Briefly I wondered what was keeping her up, from the small snippets of gossip I heard, she didn’t have any friends, but really it wasn’t any of my concern. Maybe if she was tired enough, she’d suggest skipping out on our lesson. A man could hope.
My loud footsteps alerted the girl - and damn if I was teaching her, I should learn her name - and her head popped up quickly, as if she was embarrassed to be caught on the cusp of sleep. If only she knew I would rather her sleep through our lesson than have to teach her.
Standing over her desk, I peered down at her, analyzing. When I had found her in New York City and brought her to Willow Grove, I hadn’t paid much attention. She was just another in a long list of Divines I chauffeured for. However, now knowing about the power she held and what she was, I eyed her more carefully. The first thing I noticed was how striking she was. Most Divines were naturally better looking than humans, but she stood out even amongst the countless Divine woman I knew. I traced her features silently, taking her in. Her red hair fell in curls down her shoulders and back and I felt the urge to wrap my hand around the thick strands. Her brown eyes were so light they almost looked gold and although I’ve never noticed freckles before, the ones dotting her nose and cheeks were surprisingly sexy, and I suddenly wanted to count each one. With my mouth. I finally let my gaze drop to the body I could see above the desk and the curves there were enough to entice even the most strong-willed man. And when it came to sex, I was not strong-willed. I liked to fuck. A lot. I could blame it on Shifter tendencies, but really, I knew I just liked sex.
Moving my eyes back to her face, the second thing I noticed was the intimidated look in her eyes. Used to that look from everyone I encountered, it didn’t surprise me, but the curiosity lurking underneath the surface of trepidation did. Because of my power and position as the Alpha, most Divines I met already knew about me. I was the Shifter born with four creatures, the most any Shifter had ever manifested since coming to Earth. I couldn’t help but enjoy the curiosity and I was struck with the urge to want to change the intimidation to pure curiosity. Before I could delve deeper into that strange thought, the girl – still didn’t remember her name – spoke.
“What am I supposed to learn today?” Her voice matched her exterior, unique and sultry, striking the nerves in my body, and sending an invisible shiver through me. I quite enjoyed the sound and wondered how it would sound in more fun ways. Oblivious to my less than clean thoughts, she stared up at me, waiting for my answer.
Realizing I stood above her still, I lowered myself to the desk in front of hers and shrugged. A man of few words I always would be. However, if I ever wanted the opportunity to get this girl underneath me, I knew I needed to speak and entice her somehow.
“What do you want to know sweetheart?” I said, crossing my arms over my chest, knowing the move made my muscles stand out. I enjoyed the attention as her eyes drifted exactly where I wanted them and then remembering I still didn’t know this girl’s name, I tacked on, “Oh and what’s your name again?”
The girl tore her gaze from my arms with my comment, and gawked, mouth open, as if she couldn’t believe my words. Well fuck. I guess I should have just pretended to know her name.
“That’s a trick question, right? I literally know nothing, how am I supposed to know what to learn? That’s literally your job.” There was a bite to her tone, and I wondered if her gawking had been from my first question. Until she tacked on at the end of her sentence, “and my name’s Halley. I know your name’s Madden so no need for an introduction.”
So clearly, she was annoyed I hadn’t remembered her name and that I didn’t have a plan for this so-called lesson. I should feel bad, but instead I focused on how much I enjoyed my name on her tongue and the look in her eyes. Long gone was the caution and in its place was a slight fire. When was the last time someone had looked at me with anything except fear or awe? I couldn’t recall, but I wanted to stoke that fire in her eyes more.
“I’m a Shifter, you are not. I find history stupid. What could I possibly teach you?” I added a hint of arrogance to my tone, hoping to hit my mark. Usually with those I intended to seduce, flirting was the way to go, but maybe another tactic was needed here. Therewasa fine line between hate and lust. As her teeth clenched, tightening her jaw, and more fire flared in her gaze, I figured my goal was achieved. And I couldn’t help my smirk because flirting took effort, but this? This was just my personality.
“Seriously? It’s not my fault there are no other fucking Enchanters in the world! If I could have one of them teach me, I’d be more than happy. Unfortunately, for meandyou, there is none. This is the best I can get. So, you need to think of something or else this whole ordeal is useless.”
Trying to hide my smile, I watched as she stood up and shoved a notebook and pen into her ratty backpack. Grumbling under her breath, I couldn’t quite catch what she was saying, but I assumed it was some choice words for me. As she headed towards the door, I couldn’t help but admire her backside. Before she walked out the door, I stopped her.
“Where are you going? We still have lots of time left sweetheart.”
Huffing, she turned around and glared. “I’m exhausted and you have no plans to teach me today. So, I’m going to take a nap before my next class, in which I hope I’ll learn something useful. I suggest that you spend the next forty-five minutes figuring out what to teach me next week.” Spinning on her heel, she stomped out of the classroom, and I let my smile release.
And then I spent the next forty-five minutes thinking about what I could teach Halley next week, just like she said. Who cared if none of it had to do with our powers?
Chapter Nineteen
Knox
“What can you see?” Zachariah questioned and I could feel his gaze, as if he was trying to penetrate my mind and see the visions himself. Part of me wanted to snap at him that I wouldn’t see anything if he kept on yapping, but the other part reminded me that he was the headmaster of Willow Grove and deserved respect. Currently, I sat in the plush chair across from his desk, trying to delve into Halley’s past. When my power had manifested last year, everyone in the Divine community learned my name. I was Knox Lukas, and I was the only Seer in existence that could see the future and the past. Although only a first-year student at the time, I was saved a seat on the Council the day I graduated once they got wind of the news. The current Seers on the Council were strong in their abilities and were used to protect our people, but with my ability to see the past, I could give information to our kind that we’ve never had before. Some may have been hesitant to have such a large position thrown at them, but I was aching to graduate and be on the Council. I always knew I was a leader, even as a young boy, and I couldn’t wait until I could rightfully take my seat amongst some of the strongest Divine in our world. Unfortunately, I had to wait until graduation in three years and the time felt like it slowed down every day.
Zachariah and I have been meeting each morning since we discovered Halley’s Sector. With the whole Divine community assuming Enchanters had died off long ago, it was of utmost importance that we figured out Halley’s ancestry. Obviously, she could be of no help since she had grown up without a mother and father. The older Divines at the school seemed to give little care to that fact, only focusing on what Halley being an Enchantress could mean for us, but I felt for her. I couldn’t imagine growing up without my parents or at the very least a Divine community. Halley had had no one. That thought brought an ache to my chest, but I shook it off. I had never even met the girl and right now my focus needed to be on what was expected of me. It was my duty to the Council and all Divines to find out who Halley’s parents were and if there could possibly be other Enchanters hidden amongst the humans.
Determination in my mind, I focused on the visions, trying to narrow them down to past visions alone. That was the easy part, but pinpointing Halley in the vast expanse of the past was not easy. After several minutes of attempting, I gave up, opening my eyes and colliding with Zachariah’s crazed stare. I had always thought the headmaster had a good head on his shoulders, but ever since this news it seemed he was cracking. His sole focus was this and I worried if I didn’t have answers for him soon, a meltdown would follow.
Grimacing, I shook my head. “I can’t find anything. The past is harder to delve into than the future because it cannot be changed. It’s even harder because of the shield blocking Halley specifically.” I had never struggled seeing someone before, given the right amount of effort, but with Halley, I couldn’t even catch a glimpse.
