“I know a particularly yummy faerie who is smitten with his little dragon.” I paused putting a book in my bag. Penelope giggled.
“I thought so. So, if Drew asked, would you go with him?”
“I don’t know. We’ll just have to see if he asks.” Penelope shook her head at me and hauled me out of the room to go to breakfast.
“You’re such a temperamental little thing.”
If I hoped things would go back to normal after the break, it was a waste of time. We had three days of classes, and so far, day three was shaping up to be just as miserable as the last two. Willa, Gracie, and even Hudson avoided me. No, it was more than avoiding. They were acting like I didn’t even exist. I was like I was starting all over again. In each class I had to find new places to sit, new people to hang out with. At least I had Drew in defense.
Wednesday meant I didn’t have to go to shifting class. It was dragon lesson day. My father and I hadn’t spoken since Willa’s mother was arrested. My stomach was a ball of lead as my feet led me to the admin building. But when I arrived at Mrs. Winnifred’s desk, I stopped. My gut twisted with the thought of what I was about to do.
“Sophie, can I help you with something?” Mrs. Winnifred asked.
“Yes. Would you please tell my father that I’m not coming?” Before she could reply, I was gone. Lessons with my dad were over for me.
The sun shined a little brighter, and the air was more pleasant as I walked back across campus. One of the beautiful things about the academy was that if you didn’t attend or work there, you weren’t allowed outside the admin building. Dad could send a professor or the headmistress after me, but I would just tell them the same thing. What were they going to do about it? It was time he figured out he couldn’t control me.
My exhiliration was enough to get me through the rest of the day’s classes. Willa, Gracie, and Hudson could continue to act like I didn’t exist. My dad could demand my allegiance. It didn’t matter. I didn’t need them. From now on, I would determine my own destiny.
A screeching brought me out of a deep sleep. My dragon roared inside, sensing danger from my wildly beating heart.
“All students please report to the gymnasium immediately.” The magically amplified voice was so loud I clapped my hands over my ears. That couldn’t be good. As quick as possible, I tucked my nightgown into a pair of jeans, stuck my feet in some boots, and grabbed my jacket. When I came out of the bedroom, I caught sight of the back of Willa going down the hall. It was the first glimpse I’d had of her in our room all week.
Penelope was standing at the door to the building with a clipboard, marking students off as they passed her. “Everyone out on the pathway! Go straight to the gym as fast as you can.” I filed in with the rest of the female students to get through the doors. Lamp posts that were normally dark this time of night illuminated the cobblestones beneath our feet. Professors stood on the side of the path, ushering us along.
I hung back as much as I could. The fear and nervousness of all the nearby students hummed in my mind so loud I could barely hear. I couldn’t block it out. My dragon retreated further inside of me, away from the feelings of fear and despair. Sweat broke out on my forehead. Black spots clouded my vision. I pulled my jacket off and let the cold air hit my skin. It wasn’t enough. I darted off the path and vomited on the lawn. Amid the chaos no one noticed me.
My body quivered so hard I couldn’t get off my hands and knees. Warm hands calmed the back of my neck.
“It’s okay, Sophie. I’m here.” Hudson’s earnest voice relaxed me. As the students got further away, the humming in my mind faded. Magic flowed from Hudson’s hands through my body, stopping the quivering and steadying me.
“Thank you.” I managed to sit up on my knees. “How did you do that?”
“All werewolves can do that to members of their pack. I’ve never tried on anyone else, but I thought it was worth a shot when I saw you.”
“It really helped. I’ve never been swept up in that much fear before. It was paralyzing.” A shiver ran down my spine. “Thank you for helping me.” Hudson grabbed my hand and helped me to my feet.
“Sophie I—”
“Shhhh.” I held up my hand to stop him from talking. As I was working to block out the feelings of the students, something else pricked in my senses. Something different. I concentrated, trying to identify what it was.
“Someone’s here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Someone broke in. They’re in the admin building.” I trotted down the path. Hudson followed me.
“Where are you going?”
“To find them.”
“Are you crazy? We need to find a professor.” The fear and distress of the students was still a dull ache in my mind. I was going to find this person and punish him. No one threatened my school.
“Then go find one. They’re all in the gym. I can feel it.” Hudson grabbed my arm and spun me around.
“Sophie, I’m not letting you go all vigilante on your own.”
“Hudson. Let. Go.” Heat flared through my skin. Hudson gripped tighter. The temperature continued to rise, but he didn’t let go.
“No.” His voice rumbled in his throat.
“What’s going on here?” We both jumped as Drew appeared out of the dark. He was eyeing Hudson from head to toe. Hudson tensed, but he let go of my arm.
“Someone broke in,” I told Drew.
“Well, let’s go find them, then.” I shot Hudson a victorious look and continued
