Page 13 of Beastkin
“What does this mean?” I asked, my voice coming out smaller than I intended.
“It means you have choices to make,” Professor Blackwood said gently. “You can ignore this discovery, attend the minimum three classes required to drop, and go back to your original plan. Or you can explore this gift and see what you’re truly capable of.”
I thought about Atlas and Caden, about the magical war they’d described to me. About the power they’d gained and the responsibilities that came with it. Did I want that kind of complication in my life?
“I need time to think about this,” I said finally.
Professor Blackwood nodded, as if she’d expected that response. “Of course. But Karrick, I want you to understand something.” She leaned forward, her expression serious. “Power like this doesn’t just disappear because you ignore it. If anything, suppressing elemental abilities can make them more volatile, more dangerous.”
The worddangeroushit me like a punch to the gut. I’d already hurt people during my attack, lost control of my beast form in ways that still haunted me. The idea that I might have even more ways to accidentally harm someone made my stomach clench.
“What kind of dangerous?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.
“Emotional outbursts could trigger elemental responses,” she explained. “Fires starting when you’re angry, objects freezing when you’re upset, that sort of thing. The elements respond to strong emotions, especially in untrained practitioners.”
I thought about my temper, the rage that had always been my biggest weakness as a Beastkin. Adding elemental magic to that mix sounded like a recipe for disaster.
“So, my options are learn to control it or potentially burn down the school,” I saidflatly.
“That’s a rather dramatic way to put it, but... yes, essentially.” She softened her tone. “But Karrick, this could also be an incredible gift. Imagine being able to help people, to protect those you care about in ways you never thought possible.”
I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the stone floor. “I should get going. I have practice this afternoon.”
“Of course,” she said, rising as well. “But please, think about what we’ve discussed. And if you experience any unusual incidents over the next few days, don’t hesitate to come see me.”
I was already halfway to the door when she called out again.
“Karrick? For what it’s worth, I think you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for. What happened to you last year... most people wouldn’t have survived that, let alone come back to face it.”
I paused with my hand on the doorframe, her words hitting something deep in my chest. Without turning around, I said, “Thanks, Professor. I’ll... I’ll think about it.”
The hallway outside felt cooler than it should have, and I realized I was sweating despite the autumn chill. My hands were trembling slightly as I shouldered my bag, and I couldn’t tell if it was from stress or something else entirely.
As I walked across campus toward the athletic complex, my mind kept replaying the sensation of those crystals in my hands. The way they’d responded to my touch, glowing and floating like they’d been waiting for me their whole existence. It should have been impossible. I was a Beastkin, a creature of instinct and physical power, not some mystical elemental mage.
But the evidence was hard to ignore. The crystals hadn’t lied, and Professor Blackwood’s reformed attitude seemed genuine, even if I wasn’t ready to fully trust it yet. The question was whether I wanted to complicate my life further by exploring whatever the hell was happening to me.
I was so lost in thought that I almost walked straight into someone coming around the corner of the library. I stopped short, my enhanced reflexes kicking in just in time to avoida collision.
“Sorry, I wasn’t—” I started to apologize, then looked up to see who I’d nearly bowled over.
The words died in my throat.
Standing in front of me was a young man about my age with amber-orange eyes that I’d recognize anywhere, even after eight years. His dark hair was still short and messy, framing a face that had lost its boyish softness but retained the same sharp intelligence I remembered. He was taller than he’d been at ten, lean where I was broad, but there was no mistaking him.
Phoenix Emberwood. My childhood best friend. The witch boy who’d disappeared from my life without warning when his family moved away, leaving me heartbroken and confused.
Chapter 6
Phoenix
“Can I help you?” I asked, eyebrow raised as I stared at the Beastkin in front of me. He was a tall, muscular, jock-type guy with a bewildered look on his face. “Apologies if I ran into you.”
The guy just kept staring at me, his mouth slightly open like he’d seen a ghost. I noticed his lower tusks, they were more pronounced as his lips parted. His body was covered in fine dark-brown hair, and he had the most beautiful dark brown eyes. I watched his tall, pointed ears flick in discomfort or annoyance. Clearly, he was looking for a reaction from me and not getting it.
“Seriously, are you okay?” I asked, taking a small step back. The intensity of his gaze was starting to get a bit unnerving, especially when I have no idea who he was or why he looked like he’d just witnessed a miracle.
“You…” he stared, then stopped. “You don’t know who I am?”