When I entered the cafeteria, I frowned at the zombies working there. “What in the Hades?”
“Exactly.” Lucent led the way to the lunch line.
We picked up fruit and carried it to a table near the side entrance. There was no way I was going to try the mystery meat or the slop in the bowl. I didn’t trust what it was, plus it smelled awful. Then again that could have been the zombies. I didn’t have much experience with them.
As soon as we settled at the table, the twins walked through the main entrance. My heart skipped a few beats and my body heated. Damn it. I didn’t need to be attracted to god twins. Forcing my gaze to Lucent, who was staring at me, I studied him. The flight feathers of his phoenix tattoo ran up the right side of his neck.
One light brown brow lifted, bringing my attention to his face. His green eyes sparked with concern and intrigue. “Is there something on my face?” he teased.
Shaking my head, I sighed out a soft laugh. Only I could be comfortable in a place like this. Well, I wasn’t exactly comfortable, but it didn’t bother me too much. I always loved learning something new.
And even I have to admit it was time for me to grow the fuck up and control my growing powers and attitude. “Are you cold?”
The temperature seemed to be a lot lower than we were used to. Especially in our house and the classrooms. Being half ice phoenix, the cooler temps didn’t bother me too much. However, I couldn’t let anyone but Lucent know that.
Lucent lifted a shoulder. “Not too bad. I think I’m used to it, being around you all the time. You do keep your bedroom cool.”
That I did. Sometimes the side of me that made me an ice phoenix needed the drop in temps. It wasn’t unusual for me to travel to Alaska during the winter and let that side out to play.
“I think the whole point is make our entire stay here uncomfortable.” I stabbed a strawberry and popped it in my mouth. The sweet-tart of the fruit burst on my tongue.
Lucent opened his mouth to speak but closed it just as the twins sat down at our table like they had a right to.
Karn flashed me a brilliant smile. “Hello again.”
The overwhelming feeling to get up and leave came over me. I wouldn’t though. I refused to show them any signs I was affected by their presence. Because I’m not. Yeah, I will just keep telling myself that until I believe it.
Then Lucent did something I hadn’t expected. He reached over the table and linked his fingers with mine, staking claim in front of the other two guys.
Zelphar locked his eyes on our connected hands and his jaw flexed and his blue depths darkened. Interesting.
Karn acted like he didn’t notice. Or that he wasn’t affected by it like his twin seemed to be. Why the hell were guys so confusing?
“So what are you in for?” Karn asked before taking a bite out of a sandwich.
Frowning, I pointed at it. “Where did you get that?”
He winked and his sensual mouth lifted into a smile. When he swallowed his food, he said, “Magic.”
Zelphar growled but Karn ignored him. “Are you avoiding the question?”
“I killed a harpy.” I picked up a few blueberries and ate them. One was super sweet while one was sour.
“What about you?” Karn directed the question to Lucent.
I spoke for him. “He killed me. What did you two do?”
Zelphar growled as if warning Karn, which made him grow a little serious. They stared at each other as if having a silent conversation. That was possible since they were twins. After another moment, Karn said, “Attempting to kill a mage.”
“Attempted? Were you caught in the act?”
Karn chuckled. “I like her Zel.”
His brother rolled his eyes and said, “It’s hard to assassinate a mage leader. We underestimated his guards.”
“They changed their plans at the last moment. It was a set up.” Karn took another bit of his sandwich.”
Zelphar leaned forward until our faces were inches apart, ignoring Lucent’s warning growl. Zelphar’s dark blue irises glowed with magic and he spoke too soft for anyone but me to hear. “Which god is your father?”
Oh, shit. I hadn’t expected them to sense that I was also half god. If you could call it that. I jerked back, snatching my hand out of Lucent’s and stood up, taking my tray with me. “I’m out. See you in class, Luce.”
Something in Zelphar’s tone said he already knew the answer to his question. That meant he was sent there, most likely by my father. The father that had nothing to do with me. If he sent the twins, that could only mean he wanted me to fail.
Failing Wicked Reform School meant death.
I had to look at this like a mission that I needed to survive. No matter what they put me through, I will not fail.
5
Ember
My next class was the Study of Magical Breeds, another class I really didn’t need. Mom had taught me from when I was old enough to babble about the different breeds—magical and non-magical. As a clan leader it was important to know who we could form alliances with.
I knew from the moment I looked at my schedule that morning that the classes were picked to try my patience. What better way to do it than to bore me to death?
Lucent sat in the last seat in the row, so I sat in the one in front of him. The moment the bell rang, the twins entered the room.
Good fucking grief.
I relaxed when they chose to sit in the front two desks closest to the door.
Lucent poked at my shoulder. I turned and he nodded to the twins. “What did he say?”
“He asked which god my father is.”
Flames danced in Lucent’s depths. “You think they were sent here by…him.”
Him being my father, Boreas, the god of the north wind. “That is my guess. But why?”
“It might not be him. Another god could have sent them to kill you.” Lucent nudged me to turn around when the teacher started calling roll.
I considered that another god would want me dead. Ice phoenixes were considered dangerous and were once hunted down and killed. This whole situation just kept getting better and better. Because I was a hybrid, I had the potential to be more powerful than the gods. That was why Mom had me train with Hera since I was five.
My next class was Phoenix History 101. Boring. Seriously, it took all I had to stay awake. And the fact that the teacher was an ass and creeped me out. He introduced himself as Smoke, which I found odd but hey, to each his own.
His name wasn’t what creeped me out though. It was the way he watched me when he thought I wasn't paying attention to him. But I caught his little tells. Mom taught me how to watch people while not watching. Meaning I could use my power to feel out others. In a way it was like how an empath sensed others’ emotion. But I was picking up on more than feelings. I studied their energy and how it shifted with the person’s body language.
I hadn’t figured out what Smoke’s game was, but one thing was for certain. I was going to stay off his shit list. If that was at all possible.
After boring history of my own people with Smoke, Lucent and I headed to PE. On paper that sounded like a good, easy A type of class. I wasn’t banking on it.
Once we reached the training center at the back of the main building, Lucent and I split up to go into our respective gender’s locker room.