Page 4 of Beastkin
“Well,” I sighed, turning back toward the stairs. “Business as usual, I guess.”
Chapter 2
Phoenix
My bag sat open on the bed. I’d packed nearly everything in my room into the tiny backpack. Mastering the spell to make the interior nearly limitless wasn’t too difficult. However, the month-long chant that had to take place every night at the exact same time from full moon to full moon was a bit arduous. But now that it was done, I could take everything to school with me and still have room for books.
Getting accepted to Widdershins Academy had been one of the happiest days of my life. However, the summer leading up to my departure was torturously slow. My parents, despite being accomplished witches and far too wealthy to be so involved with their children, had made it their personal mission to hover over me for the past eight years. Ever since we’d moved away from Oregon, they’d been no further than twenty feet from me at all times. As a child I was given freedom to roam, but that came to a stop the day they found out I was making friends with local shifters. They weren’t exactly the ‘accepting’ type.
But none of that mattered now. I was finally getting out, finally going to college where I could be on my own at last. Itwould be the first time I’d made a decision for myself in nearly a decade. I got to choose what I ate, who I talked to, and what sort of life I wanted to lead. That amount of sudden freedom was exhilarating and daunting all at the same time.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting the reality of my imminent freedom wash over me. Eight years of suffocating supervision was about to end. Eight years of carefully monitored friendships, pre-approved activities, and constant surveillance. I still remembered the look on my mother’s face when she caught me playing with the Holden twins at the edge of our property; her horror at discovering they were wolf shifters still haunted me. The lectures that followed aboutmonster contaminationandmaintaining the purity of our bloodlinehad been drilled into me so many times I could recite them in my sleep.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.
“Phoenix?” My mother’s voice drifted through the door. “May I come in?”
I quickly zipped up my backpack, not wanting her to see just how much I was taking. “Sure, Mom.”
She entered, her perfectly pressed sundress swishing around her ankles, not a single silver-blonde hair out of place. Her eyes immediately scanned my room, assessing what was missing, what was packed.
“I’ve finalized your class schedule,” she said, handing me a crisp piece of parchment. “Your father and I have selected courses that will best serve your future on the Elder Council.”
I accepted the paper without argument, though inside I was seething. Of course they’d chosen my classes. Why would this be any different? I scanned the list. There was Advanced Runic Configurations, Ancestral Witch History, and Purification Rituals. Not to mention at least three separate courses in Advanced Magical Method. Nothing unexpected, nothing exciting. Certainly nothing that would allow me to interact with theundesirablestudents.
“Thank you,” I said, folding it carefully and tucking it into my jacket pocket.
“We’ve also arranged for you to room with Thomas McNally. His family has been aligned with ours for generations. He’ll be a suitable companion.” She paused, her blue eyes hardening slightly. “I trust you remember our discussions about appropriate associations.”
“Yes, Mother.” I didn’t need to ask what she meant. The rules had been clear. I was to have no friendships with shifters, vampires, fae, or any otherlessermagical beings. Stick with pure-blooded witch families. Maintain our legacy. Uphold our values.
All the things I planned to ignore the moment I was out of their sight.
“Your father has also prepared a protection amulet for you.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small silver pendant on a chain. The symbol etched into it made my stomach turn. It was the mark of the Purity Front, a radical group that believed in magical segregation. “It will alert us if you come into prolonged contact with... impure energies.”
My heart sank. Of course they’d find a way to monitor me even from a distance. I forced a grateful smile as she fastened it around my neck. The metal felt cold against my skin, almost burning.
“I’ll wear it always,” I lied, already planning toaccidentallylose it the first chance I got.
My mother’s smile softened slightly as she smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from my comforter. “I know this seems restrictive, darling, but it’s for your own good. The magical world is dangerous, especially for someone of your... particular gifts.”
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral even as my jaw clenched. Myparticular giftswas code for the fact that my magic was stronger than it should be, more volatile than they were comfortable with. Another reason they’d kept me on such a tight leash.
“Your father wanted to speak with you before you left,” she continued. “He’s in his study.”
Of course he was. The grand farewell speech was coming,complete with more warnings about bloodline purity and family honor. I’d been dreading this conversation all summer.
“I’ll be right there,” I said.
She kissed my forehead, her lips cool against my skin. “We’re so proud of you, Phoenix. You’re going to do wonderful things. And when you join the Elder Council… well, I know you’ll put our world to rights at last.”
After she left, I walked to my window and stared out at the sprawling grounds of our estate. The perfectly manicured gardens stretched toward the forest beyond, where I knew magical creatures roamed freely. Creatures I’d been forbidden to even acknowledge, let alone befriend. And now my parents, the moment I graduated, wanted me to helpcleansethe supernatural world of their kind. I was nothing but a pawn in their game.
I touched the pendant at my throat, already planning its demise. Maybe I’d drop it in the woods during orientation. Or better yet, I’d give it to some vampire to wear around campus, just to see how quickly my parents would teleport to the school in a panic.
The thought made me smile for the first time all morning.
I shouldered my bag and headed downstairs to face my father’s inevitable lecture. Soon, very soon, I’d be free to make my own choices. And the first choice I planned to make was to be everything my parents feared I would become. Free.