Page 6 of Beasts of Shadows #1

Reema chuckles, taking a seat on the delapidated rocking chair.

While she doesn’t seem to mind touching the furniture, I’m more cautious.

As I wiggle into an oversized pair of Van Ritten Hares athletic shorts and matching tee, I make a point not to touch anything.

This place is probably crawling with filthy memories.

Something I’m so not in the mood to accidentally read.

“We were high school rivals, if you’d believe it.” Reema tips the chair and looks away. “We didn’t run in the same circles, or anything. But he didn’t really turn into a total dick until senior year. Fortunately, it made taking the title of valedictorian from him so much sweeter .”

She levels me with a poignant eye. “But I’m sure you know all about his moods, being his cousin, and all.”

“I didn’t even know I had a cousin.” I tentatively lift away the shades covering the window, studying the surrounding forest. Cody said that wards keep this place safe, which begs the questions—who warded it, and how does Cody know about it?

But for right now, I’m just happy to have a place to hide.

“I guess I’m just grateful he showed up when he did.

” Arms over my chest, I turn. “Unless this is some kind of Shadow Realm game, like the assessment.”

Reema shakes her head.

“Did he tell you why he wears those gloves?” At my blank look, she explains, “They say he’s a harbinger of death. That his family made a deal with Thantos in ancient times for power, and they’re finally cursed to follow through. His bare hands can kill any mortal with just a touch.”

Yikes. I guess I should be thankful he kept them on when he rescued me.

“So his family—err, my family, I guess—isn’t mortal?”

Reema bats her lashes. “Why else did you think you were here? No offense, but you don’t seem like the typical volunteers. You were volun-told like the rest of us conscripts, right?”

I toss my hands up and almost make the mistake of collapsing into the bed.

No, no, no thank you. I do not want to know about whoever else my so-called cousin has entertained in this room. Just the thought of accidentally seeing him in action has me hugging myself.

“I mean…there was a reason I thought they chose me,” I confess. “I just didn’t think it was because…”

I’m not sure how to finish. Thankfully, Cody strolls in, apparently deciding I’m finally dressed.

“Sam was a seer,” Cody says. “Said you’re one, too.”

Out of the school uniform, it’s easy to see he’s an athlete.

Broad shoulders, muscles busting out of his gray tee.

He looks comfy and tall in sweat pants. His hair’s mostly dried, which is lucky for him, because mine’s turning into a frazzled mess.

I may ask Reema for a hair tie once I get through all the exposition I’m sure is coming.

“You’ve had visions before, right?”

Of course I have. The looming sight of Ravi’s ghost at reception is only the most recent in a long line of specters and possible futures.

Hell, I never even would have killed Ravi if it wasn’t for something I saw in his fate.

“No one else in my family is magical,” I retort. “And no one knows about me.”

“Well, from here on out, you have to assume everyone on campus knows everything about you. Cody’s sister can read emotions, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” Reema explains. “Admin knows everything in your file. Fudge, most of them wrote the book.”

“ Fuck , Zerelli. You can curse. Don’t need to take the goody two shoes thing overboard,” Cody grunts, propping his feet up on her armrest. Her golden eyes narrow, and I suddenly get the feeling I’ll be playing mediator often between these two.

Because regardless of the reason we’re all here, I can’t help but like them.

Ignoring him, Reema continues, “You can bet they already know who will survive tonight.”

“Then why would a professor send someone after me?”

Cody and Reema exchange startled looks

“Who?”

“Professor Sumner.”

I study their faces for any reaction, but they both seem bewildered.

“It’s only our second year,” Reema cautions.

“There are plenty of teachers we wouldn’t know.

Cody’s majoring in world politics, while I’m preparing to be a priestess.

He could work for any of the other sectors.

There’s at least twenty more majors, and that’s not even pursuing the certificate and advanced programs.”

“What were you admitted into?” Cody asks.

I roll my eyes. “My conscription said ‘Divine Theory, Mortal Track.’ Whatever that means.”

“Divine Theory? It’s for people who want to get inside a god’s head without actually crawling in.

You study how they think, what drives them—wars, prophecy, sacrifice, all that sacred madness.

It’s not just stories, either. We’re talking real divine behavior patterns, territorial politics, manipulation tactics, how pantheons rise and fall.

Basically, you learn how to predict a god’s next move before they make it…

or before they make you into it. Useful if you plan to work with them. Essential if you plan to survive them.”

I shake my head. I am absolutely not prepared for any of that.

“Sam. How are we related?”

Cody shrugs, unbothered.

“Grandpa Sam had a thing with an American from the Washington Clan during the second Great War. Except the family wanted to match him up with a ‘pure blood.’ Someone with sole allegiance to the Celtic gods. So, grandma and Sam got married. Popped out my mom. And as soon as he did his husbandly duties, Sam left for the states. We’re not even allowed to say his name. ”

I chew that over. Could be real. Could be Cody screwing with me. He hasn’t offered substantial evidence to support these claims.

“So Sam and Janique Washington—my grandmother…”

“Had Daddy Gowie? That’s what Sam said. Said he saw what would become of Josh’s life if he was in it, so he bounced.”

“What else did he say?”

“Look, we only met the one time. I stuck around long enough to learn three things: Look after you. You won’t find your future in the past. And—.” He glances at Reema. “Well, the last part’s just for me. No business repeating in present company.”

Reema rolls her eyes, although the light mood is immediately shattered by the jerky wails of someone banging on the cabin door.

Have the bogeys found out what Cody did? Was this all a setup? Another game?

Desperately, I wish I hadn’t lost my knife in the woods. Perhaps there’s a makeshift weapon in the kitchen?

Looks like I won’t make it through the night, after all.