I listened with half an ear as Jude explained that they would divide us into teams tonight and give us our partners. The City of Lights, the City of Invaders. Something tugged at my mind, but I couldn’t place it. It was a strange feeling though—sparkling like bubbles in my head. Weird.
When everyone got up to leave, I found myself drawn to the front of the room.
“What are you doing?” Bree hissed.
“I have a question.”
“Of course. Only way to come up with plans B and C is to ask questions.”
“Exactly. Gotta be prepared.”
She leaned against the wall and watched. I weaved through the crowd, headed for Jude and Lachlan. As if he could sense me, he turned.
When he pinned me with his dark gaze, I almost regretted my boldness. Almost.
3
I stopped in front of him, far enough away that I didn’t have to crane my neck to meet his gaze. I tried to breathe shallowly and not inhale the delicious scent of his magic—or of him.
“You’re the one with the questions,” he said.
“That’s me.” I grinned, but couldn’t help the flip-flopping in my stomach. I could feel the tension between us. The attraction was so obvious—on my part, at least—that I could cut it with a knife. “And I have a few more.”
He didn’t smile, but I thought he wanted to. It would have been a devastatingly handsome twist of his lips, I was sure. “What might those be?”
“Who was your buyer for such dangerous magic? Isn’t it illegal to make spells like that? Some magic has been left in the past for a reason.”
“True enough, but I was making it for the Order of the Magica.”
I swallowed hard at the mention of the magical government. They oversaw Magica—magic users like me. The Shifter Council was in charge of all other supernaturals. Those who were magic as opposed to those who used it.
Unfortunately, the Order of the Magica didn’t like my kind very much. Dragon Gods were so powerful, we were considered dangerous. We upset the natural balance of things. I needed the backing of a powerful organization like the Undercover Protectorate if I wanted a life that didn’t involve being on the run all the time.
“And you’re the Arch Magus.”
“I am.”
“So how did they get the drop on you?”
His right brow arched. “You think that I’m running some kind of con? That they didn’t really steal the spell?”
“A lot of people want to get within these walls.” I gestured to the walls of the room, but I really meant the entire Protectorate castle. We carefully guarded our turf. “And you’re supposed to be insanely powerful, right? More magical gifts than any other supernatural?”
He nodded curtly. “Twelve gifts.”
“And you couldn’t use those to protect your spell?”
“There were twenty-five in the ambush. I took out twelve. Then they took my friend Decker hostage. I couldn’t risk his life.”
“Hmmm. One for each gift.”
“You think you could do better?”
“Maybe.” Okay, that was a big fat lie. Without the Cats of Catastrophe, six demons would have gotten me tonight.
“Where do you think the clue leads?” he asked.
My mind raced, buzzing with energy. It was a strange feeling, totally unfamiliar, and I stifled a gasp. Pain flared, making my eyes water, and unfamiliar magic flowed through me. But then the name of a city blazed in my mind.
Paris.
Follow it.
The instructions sounded in my mind, spoken by a voice not my own.
I’d asked a question, and it had answered.
Paris. I’d never been more certain of anything.
“Paris.” I choked out the word.
His gaze sharpened. “Why?”
Around us, the room emptied, people flowing out to get back to bed for a few hours. But I had eyes only for him. My mind buzzed, but he was all I could see. I couldn’t tell him that magic had told me, however. I was supposed to be a shield mage. Not a prophet or seer. New powers didn’t just develop for most supernaturals.
They did for Dragon Gods, but I certainly couldn’t tell him that.
My mind scrambled for a justification for Paris. “Lots of lights. And the Romans founded it. The most famous invaders in history.”
Hey, that was pretty good. It was even true.
“You like history?” he asked.
“Sure.” Not quite true. I liked art, and art often portrayed history. But that wasn’t why I’d chosen Paris.
“There are over three dozen cites known as the City of Lights.” He gave me an appraising look. “But you chose Paris.”
“Yep.” I shook away my nerves over the strange new magic and focused on him. “And I’m right about it, too.”
“Confident.”
“Always.” It was cocky, but a positive attitude had carried me through life. It left no time for wimping out. Sure, I had my doubts about myself and my magic, but that wouldn’t stop me from powering through. Or at least trying to.
And I was confident about this.
I felt it in my bones.
He cocked his head, staring hard at me. As if he were trying to see through me. I fidgeted, then forced myself still.
“Seen enough?” I asked.
“You’re special,” he said. “Something about your magic.”
I shrugged. “Garden variety shield mage here.”
“No one at the Protectorate is garden variety.”
“Oh, you haven’t seen me fight yet.”
The corner of his full lips quirked up in a sexy smile. “I’d like to.”
I swallowed hard. Yep, this was above my pay grade. Flirting with sexy super mages was not my usual activity. My usual was dumb movies and Cheezy Puffs. Or if I was feeling fancy, cheap champagne and my painting.
“What about you is so special?” he asked.
“Um.” Well, hell. “I can run a six-minute mile, and I’m good with cars. Like, real good.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“I know. I just don’t have anything else.” Except for the fact that I’m a Dragon God. And yeah, not sharing that right now. My powers hadn’t developed, and I didn’t even know what pantheon I was. Until I knew that, saying I was a late-blooming half-developed supernatural didn’t interest me. What if I never mastered my power at all? Maybe it was my weak spot—always worrying about being behind Bree—but I wanted to keep that to myself.
“And you’re dangerous,” he said.
“Well, considering that I can kick ass in six languages, that goes without saying.”
“Not just the fighting.” He nodded his head, clearly having decided something. “We’ll work together on this.”
“Wha—” My jaw dropped open, and I looked around. “I don’t get it.”
“Everyone pairs up on this. I want to work with you. There’s something about you.”
“Not a guess. I know.”
“Exactly. It’s settled.”
I frowned. “Do I still qualify for the prize?”
“Aye. And you don’t even have to split it.”
I liked the sound of that. Last thing I wanted was to get paired up with Lavender and have to split with her.
From behind him, Jude caught my eye. I shot her a holy crap, what do I do? look, trying to keep it subtle.
She approached, stopping at Lachlan’s side. “I think it’s a brilliant plan.”
“You do?”
“Indeed. It’ll give you a chance to practice your skills.”
I nodded. “Right. Of course.”
Lachlan smiled. “It’s settled, then. I’ll see you in the morning. Eight a.m, the front entry.”
I nodded dumbly, watching him turn and walk away, then I looked at Jude. “You really think this is a good idea?”
“You need to get out in the real world. Training here isn’t doing you any favors.”
“No, it’s not.”
“You’re good in the real world, Ana. Your fighting skills are off the charts. I don’t know why you’re floundering at the Academy, but clearly you need a change of scenery. If you can find this spell, it’ll go a long way toward helping you make it through the Academy.”
“So I don’t get kicked out.”
“Exactly.” She frowned. “We really don’t want that. We want you here with us. But you have to pass.”
I gulped. Fates, I wanted that, too.