Page 31 of Beastkin
“What can I say? I have a lot of werewolf friends.” She shrugged, then leaned back in her chair, studying me with those unsettling dark eyes. “So, want to tell me how you managed to get that thing off? Last I checked, Purity Front binding spells weren’t exactly the kind of magic you could just wish away.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. How much did she know? How much could I trust her? I glanced around the classroom, noting that most students were already deep in conversation with their partners about the assignment. Karrick and Nerida were huddled together near the window, her scaled hand resting on his furry forearm as she explained something about water manipulation.
The sight made my stomach clench with that same bitter jealousy from before, but I forced myself to look away.
“I had help,” I said quietly, not wanting to give away too much. “Someone who knew about that kind of magic.”
Lila’s eyebrows shot up. “Professor Blackwood.” It wasn’t a question. “Damn, Phoenix. That’s some serious shit. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is to mess with Purity Front binding spells? They’re designed to kill you if tampered with.”
“Yeah, I figured that out,” I muttered, unconsciously touching my chest where the pendant used to burn. “But I couldn’t live like that anymore. It was torture.”
Her expression softened slightly, some of the casual humor fading from her features. “I bet it was. Your parents are real pieces of work, you know that?”
I blinked in surprise. “You know my parents?”
“Knowofthem. The vampire community keeps tabs on Purity Front members, for obvious reasons.” She gestured vaguely at herself. “We’re not exactly their favorite people. Your dad’s made some pretty inflammatory speeches aboutcleansing the bloodlinesor whatever bullshit they’re peddling these days. Not to mention he has advocated for the extermination of vampires more than once.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. I’d always known my parents were prejudiced, but hearing it described so bluntly mademy chest tight with shame and anger. “I’m not like them,” I said quickly. “I never agreed with any of that.”
“I know.” Her voice was gentler now. “If you were, you wouldn’t have risked your life to get that thing off. And you definitely wouldn’t be stealing glances at your Beastkin boyfriend over there.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “He’s not my… we’renot—” I stammered, but Lila just grinned.
“Relax, fire boy. Your secret’s safe with me.” She glanced over at Karrick and Nerida, who were now standing close together as they practiced some kind of elemental combination. “Though you might want to do something about that soon. Nerida’s not just a mermaid. She’s got siren blood in her. Give her ten minutes with that Beastkin and he’ll be drooling from his mouth and his you know what.” Lila leaned forward. “Then she’lleathim.”
“What?!” I sputtered loud enough that several people turned to look at us.
“Oh my god,” Lila chuckled, patting me on the shoulder. “You are far too gullible, my friend.”
I glared at her, my cheeks still burning with embarrassment. “That’s not funny.”
“Come on, it was a little funny.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me. “Besides, you should see your face right now. You look like you’re about to spontaneously combust. Which, given your fire magic, might actually be possible.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the flames I could feel flickering just beneath my skin. The last thing I needed was another magical outburst in front of the entire class. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Guilty as charged.” Lila’s grin widened, showing just a hint of fang. “But seriously, Phoenix, you need to talk to him. The tension between you two is so thick I could cut it with a butter knife. And that’s saying something.”
I risked another glance at Karrick, who was now helping Nerida manipulate water into intricate shapes while she giggled atsomething he’d said. The sound made my chest ache in ways I didn’t want to examine too closely.
“He’s avoiding me,” I muttered, turning back to Lila. “He won’t even look in my direction.”
“Maybe because he’s just as confused as you are?” she suggested, her voice surprisingly gentle. “I don’t know what’s going on between you two, but it’s obvious you’re pining and he… well, that’savoidanceif I ever saw it. And I’ve been dead for…” She scoffed loudly, throwing her hands in the air. “I don’t know, three hundred years?”
Professor Blackwood’s voice cut through our conversation. “Miss Nightshade, Mr. Emberwood, I trust you’re making progress on the assignment?”
I jerked upright, realizing I’d been so focused on Karrick and my conversation with Lila that I’d completely ignored whatever we were supposed to be doing. “Yes, Professor. We were just... discussing our approach.”
Her dark eyes narrowed slightly, and I had the distinct feeling she could see right through my lie. “The assignment is to combine your elemental affinities to create a sustained reaction. Miss Nightshade’s unique shadow manipulation paired with your fire magic should produce interesting results. I suggest you begin before the period ends.”
“Right,” I said, heat rising to my cheeks again. “Shadow and fire. Got it.”
As Professor Blackwood moved on to check on other pairs, Lila leaned closer. “Okay, fire boy, show me what you’ve got. And please try to burn the building down. I have a test next class that I haven’t studied for.”
I couldn’t help a grin as I extended my hands, palms up, and called my fire magic to the surface. Small flames danced across my skin, warm and familiar. It felt good to use my magic without the pendant’s interference, like finally being able to breathe after holding my breath for years. Without it, being near Lila wasn’t justpossible, it was actually enjoyable. Although I still needed to get used to her humor.
“Nice fire, bro,” Lila chuckled, then raised her own hands. Shadows began to curl around her fingers like living smoke. “Now, let’s see what happens when we combine them.”
She moved her hands closer to mine, and the shadows reached toward my flames. The moment they touched, something incredible happened. Instead of the shadows being consumed by my fire, they seemed to feed off it, growing denser and more substantial while my flames burned brighter and turned blue in response. The combination created an effect I’d never seen before, dancing ribbons of blue flame-edged darkness that pulsed with both our magics.