My skin crawled. Skill. Skill at what?
“I don’t know anything about spells, Javi. I’m not going to try performing anything.”
“It’s not that simple. You have a connection to magic like the extraordinaire. You could do something by accident or without thinking.”
A growl escaped me. “Look, I promise I’m not going to fool around with magic. Okay? Enough.”
And why was this the first time he was telling me about this? I put the medallion on and stared at its shiny surface. Was this what he meant about a silver object being a conduit? His words echoed in my mind.
I could do magic by accident. Well, that was a terrifying notion. What if I was sitting in class and accidentally burned the building down or something? Superpowers and magic were all well and good in the movies and books, but this was real life.
We were in real danger. Once again, I wished Papi hadn’t left me in the dark. Left me so alone. The ache in my chest grew.
“Hey. You okay?” Javi’s voice caught my attention.
I sighed. “Sure. Never better.”
His brow furrowed. “I’m serious. Are you going to be okay?”
My throat turned dry. I didn’t expect to be so disarmed by his concern. Blinking back the tears threatening to spill out, I nodded.
“It’s just a lot. A lot of changes and… I miss Papi.” I glanced out the window.
We fell silent.
“I’m sorry. My dad is doing all he can to make sure they don’t lose the shifter’s trail. They will find him, Rose.”
I gave a bitter laugh. “Yeah, and then what, Javi? Papi is still dead. I’m still stuck in monster hunting school. Then what? I get to be a GRIMM like you?”
He winced.
Guilt prickled me as my words landed. I didn’t mean to cut him so deeply, but the words were said and there was no taking them back now.
Javi’s eyes drilled into mine. “One year. Just give it a try for one year. After that, if you still want to leave, I promise I’ll help you. I’ll help you disappear.”
My eyebrows shot up. Was he really making this promise to me?
“But you know if you leave, there’s no coming back, Rose.”
I glanced away. No going back. I knew that and I’d thought I’d made peace with it, but now I wasn’t so sure. Where would I go, and what would I do?
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turned to face him. “Okay. Deal. One year.”
Though secretly, I would still look for my chance to run. I couldn’t stomach the thought of a whole year under their control.
His shoulders relaxed and a relieved smile spread on his face.
We passed through the gatehouse, using my outdated ID card once again. Javi talked excitedly the whole time. The nausea in my stomach continued to build. A first day at any school was nerve wracking, but what would it be like here?
The first stop was to the creepy dragon eye house. Javi glanced at his phone and cursed. “I wanted to show you around the dorm, but I have to get to class. Here’s your class schedule, and I’ll ask Shiloh to show you around.” He talked so fast, I couldn’t keep up with him.
Thrusting a tablet at me, he checked himself in the mirror one last time and motioned for me to leave.
I gaped at him. “Are you serious? You’re ditching me on my first day? I don’t even know how to use this thing.” I waved the tablet at him.
He grabbed it from me and hit something. A blue screen flashed. “Look, it’s not that hard. The main menu. Map. Class schedule. Easy. I texted Shiloh. She’s already waiting for you inside. I gotta go. I’ll see you after class.”
I opened the door and stepped out, glancing back at him. “So much for having my back.”
“Rose. I promise, I’m not going to abandon you. Text me or call if you need anything. But, I gotta go now. Shut the door.”
Slamming it shut, I let my anger roll through me. I watched him drive away, going toward the classroom building, which I hadn’t toured but was expected to navigate on my own the first day. I blew out a breath and stared down at the tablet.
Easy, he said. I squinted at the tabs. Easy my ass.
A message popped up on my screen:
Hi, Rose! It’s Shiloh. Javi said you needed a guide? I’m in the lobby of Dragon House. We can meet there.
I stifled a groan and touched the screen to type out a reply: Ok… thanks.
Holding the tablet under my arm, I made my way up to the back entrance of the building. I blinked at the card reader pad near the doorframe.
Right. I needed my ID.
I dug into my pocket to retrieve it, only to find it wasn’t there. Then it hit me, I’d left it in the car and Javi in his rush, had driven off with it.
Great. Just freaking great.
First day and it already sucked.
Sighing, I pushed away the irritation and tried knocking on the door. No one answered. I glanced around, flushing, as I envisioned a security camera on me. Were they watching me knock like an idiot?
I cursed and pulled out the tablet again. The message from Shiloh was gone and out of the zillion toggling icons, I had no idea which was the right one to get back to it.
Thankfully, I didn’t have to wonder for long before another message popped up.
Hey, Rose. Did you find House Dragon?
Heat spread up my neck as I replied: Yeah. I’m here, but Javi took my ID with him, so I can’t get in. I’m at the back door.
How embarrassing.
No problem. I’ll meet you there! was her reply.
I waited at the door, trying to figure out the tablet. A green icon with a bulleted paper sheet caught my eye. My classes?
It was still loading when the door opened,
