Page 15 of Fighting Fate (Monsters of London #4)

Dax

The classes are going well. The first week was difficult as Vince and Kieran worked together to build a programme that could help such a variety of species, but three weeks later, and I think things are coming together.

Dante, one of the mages from Kieran’s pack, is standing with me now. He’s incredibly smart, and though he was withdrawn at first, he seems to be feeling more comfortable around me, which I like. Enza, another mage, is with us, too. She’s from Rhea’s pack and is the complete opposite of Saoirse, who’s subtly watching her from across the room.

I’d say it’s not unlike the way I keep half an eye on Vince at all times, but I know it’s different. Vince is my mate. My wolf won’t let me forget that. Not when I’m spending time with him three or four days a week. Not when he smiles at me after every class and thanks me for doing a good job.

“I guess it’s like combat magic,” Dante is saying when I tune back into the conversation. Vince is picking up mats with Sam. Well, Vince is picking up the mats. Sam is following him around, and whatever remarks he’s making are causing Vince to roll his eyes.

I don’t really understand their relationship. They’re not friends, and they snipe at each other whenever Sam comes along to one of the classes. Vince lets him stay, though.

“Dax, come here a second?”

I glance at Dante and nod, moving closer. Enza’s still watching us both, her expression intent. It’s the stillest I’ve ever seen her.

“Okay, move like you’re going to grab me, but slowly.”

“Like in the class?”

“Yeah.”

It’s not a common way to attack for humans, but wolves are stronger, so I move in slowly like I’m about to seize Dante by his upper arms. He gets out of the way like he’s just learnt but brings one hand up to grab my wrist.

I still.

“Here,” Dante says, looking at Enza. “I know the classes aren’t about using magic, but this would be a good point of contact if you only had a little.”

She frowns, dark brows coming together. “Just feed some through?”

“It should disrupt biorhythms,” Dante says. “I mean, it’s something we’d still have to practise. I’ll ask Sam. I bet it’s way easier with his magic than ours, but he might have some tips.”

He raises his head as if to call Sam over but stops when he sees the confused look on my face. “Dax? What is it?”

“I don’t… understand.” My face flames and when I move slightly, Dante drops my wrist.

“Which part?”

All of it. No. I understand the movement, that Dante’s suggesting using magic to stop an attacker. I don’t think his hold is quite right, but we can fix that. I understand, too, that magic can affect us in ways I’m not aware of.

“Why is Sam’s magic different to yours?”

Dante’s eyes widen and he smiles before he pushes a hand through his dark purple hair. “Sorry! I always forget what I’m supposed to explain. So our magic”—he indicates himself and Enza—“is all inside us. We’re both attuned to magic that’s really related to the earth, which makes sense because Enza is a pack mage and has werewolf relatives.”

I nod. “And you?”

He shrugs. “It’s random, too. There’s a chance that there are wolves somewhere back in my mum’s—my bio mum’s—ancestry, but sometimes we’re just witches by chance.”

“Okay. That makes sense.” Kind of. “What about Sam?”

“Sam’s a mage ,” Enza says with a grin.

“It means he has magic like ours inside him, but somewhere back in his family tree, there was an ancestor who was fae-blessed. He can pull magic from the natural world like the fae can.”

Dante watches me as I take it in. “So he’s… more powerful?”

“Yeah. Way more,” Dante replies. Enza nods her agreement. “But it’s difficult for him to teach us stuff sometimes because we can’t do all the things he does.”

“He doesn’t really use potions and charms, right?” Enza says.

“No,” Dante replies with a chuckle. “Drives Ophelia up the wall. He can’t heal as well as she does, though. We all have our strengths, and we all have our weaknesses.”

I think I understand it a little better now as Dante returns to his previous point about how to add magic to the self-defence moves they’re learning. A warm feeling grows in my chest as I mostly follow along.

If I’d asked that back in my pack, someone would have teased me. I know they don’t all mean it, even if Patch says they should leave me alone. I’m not as quick, sometimes, and there are things I should know that I just… don’t.

But it’s nice not to feel bad about it. For Dante—and Enza—not to treat me like my lack of knowledge is some kind of failure.

I glance over my shoulder. Vince and Sam are still talking, but when I look at him, Vince’s gaze meets mine. He smiles faintly, and I nod at him before I turn back to the others.

It’s just nice being here. Really nice.