Looking around, I tried to focus. We were talking about Underworlders? How the hell did we get on this topic? My classmates were intent, focused on the professor.

  They didn’t know a damn thing about Underworlders. Not a damn thing. Down to the point where they didn’t know they were sitting in class with one. We were supposed to be part of the elite group of supernaturals that kept the Underworlders from getting out of hand, and not even my professor knew I was a siren.

  The thought made me want to curl in a ball. If we were going to be focusing on Underworlders, how long before my secret came out?

  “Not all Underworlders have world domination, or the overthrow of civilized society as a game plan,” Talbot continued. “But they often have different goals than the rest of us.” He stopped and looked around. “As do those who are not Underworlders. The ability of people to justify the use of magic for their own reasons is vast. Never underestimate that.”

  “You’re saying we shouldn’t trust anyone?” A guy spoke up. Matty Pearce again. He grinned at me, then returned his attention to Professor Talbot.

  The professor replied, but with Matty looking at me, even for a moment, I couldn’t focus. A flush moved through me, making everything else disappear. Matty Pearce was so very attractive. And so sure of himself. I envied that, wanted it for myself. You know, in addition to wanting to be naked with him, next to him. To run my hands through that hair, and down his body, so much bigger than mine. I felt a thrill at the thought of his touch—what the hell was I thinking?

  “Miss Washington, would you care to join us?” My professor’s sardonic tone broke through my musing.

  “Yes, Professor Talbot,” I said, my face warming. I hated being called on when I wasn’t paying attention, and even more so now because of everything I knew. It didn’t matter that other people didn’t know. I knew. That was enough. The only question was when they’d figure it out. That was the point of this school—to root out the Underworlders. To find and make sure they weren’t up to anything. What would people think of me when they found out? It was merely a matter of time. People here would assume I was most definitely up to something.

  Not to mention the thoughts about Matty damn Pearce.

  “Excellent. It’s always good to know that my students are ready and willing to be involved in their coursework,” Professor Talbot said, the sarcasm dripping from his voice. “So you’ll be happy to demonstrate to the rest of the class.” He gestured grandly.

  I inhaled, trying to recall what, exactly, it was that we were working on. I couldn’t come up with a damn thing.

  “Miss Washington?”

  “I’m sorry, Professor. I’m not sure how to proceed,” I said. My words came out clearly, even as I knew I’d be taking a failing grade for this lesson.

  “Sometimes, Miss Washington, it’s better to cut your losses.” Professor Talbot looked around. “A principle to consider for the rest of you,” he said, striding to the front of the classroom. “Very well, who can show Miss Washington, and all of us, how to manage a blocking spell? This is something that you must do no matter who you face. Often you will face someone who has different specialties than you do. Many will be of greater skill and experience,” he looked over his glasses at us. “There’s no getting around that. You must assume, if you wish to live a long life in this field, that the person you are going against is stronger, smarter, and more skilled than you are.” He glared at all of us. “I’d very much like to see you live,” he added, in an uncharacteristically kind moment.

  “Professor?” It was Matty Pearce again.

  “Yes, Mr. Pearce?”

  “I’ll be happy to demonstrate,” Matty said, and that grin flashed in my direction once more.

  His smile should be a registered weapon. Perhaps it was, given the expressions I saw on the faces of two of the girls nearest to me.

  Professor Talbot turned to face the class again. “Ready yourself,” he lifted his right hand.

  Matty popped up like a jack in the box. “Always ready,” he said, grinning.

  I felt like he was talking to me, a sure sign of insanity. Who was I? Nevertheless, I turned my face to hide my answering grin.

  A light purple light shot out of the professor’s hand. It hit Matty even as he ducked. Matty yelled something I couldn’t understand as he fell to the left, hitting a desk. For a moment, it seemed that Talbot had bested Matty. Then a navy blue cloud appeared over Talbot, and lightning struck the professor on the shoulder as a downpour opened over Talbot’s head.

  Talbot waved his hands over his head, and the navy cloud disappeared. He stood up, brushing at his shoulder. There was a burn mark along the seam of the professor’s coat.

  “Nicely done, Mr. Pearce. I wasn’t expecting a two-pronged approach—both blocking and then a multiple elemental attack. This is a strategy to cultivate,” Talbot said. “The rain is a nice touch. Element of surprise.” He smiled at Matty.

  Matty stood up, grinning, and he looked right at me. The gaze between us lasted for a long time and then he looked around at the rest of the class and gave a bow.

  My ovaries felt close to exploding. The guy was… amazing. I sighed. But he wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get close to him. If I did, that would be it for me. There would be no way to hide what I was. I’d just have to figure out a way to suppress this insane attraction. The last thing I needed right now was a romance.

  The bell rang, and Professor Talbot said, “You have your homework. This is where it gets real. Don’t underestimate that. Come up with a response that will take your opponent by surprise that is part of your blocking strategy. You should have more than one trick up your sleeve. Consider your strengths and decide how you will surprise us.” He looked around. “Class dismissed.”

  We filed out. My head was down, and I hurried to get out of class before Matty Pearce could catch up. I didn’t know if he would—but I couldn’t take the risk. I went to Hell, came back out again, and now I’ll be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life.

  Chapter Three

  The day was nearly over, thank goddess. Only two more classes, but they were the most difficult. Both combat classes. The one now was Combat (Physical), followed by Combat (Magical). Jade, Thalia, and I decided sometime last semester the school did this on purpose. They wanted you tired and slightly worn down when you were graded on your fighting ability. It pushed you.

  No confirmation on that, but it made sense. Nobledark prided itself on training students to operate in all circumstances. Being tired was no excuse, and, as our professors reminded us, could get you killed.

  I walked in, and Jade approached me immediately. “Hey, Olivia.”

  “Hey,” I said.

  She hung close to me and when Professor Ventiman called for us to partner up, Jade was still right there.

  We moved into fighting stance. She jabbed at me, and I ducked. We traded punches and kicks for a few minutes, and then she dove for my legs, taking me down. It knocked the wind out of me. I pushed myself up into a sitting position, scrabbling backwards, but Jade was too fast. She landed on my chest, knocking the wind out of me again.

  “You aren’t getting away from me, Washington,” she whispered as she leaned over me. “You’re going to tell me what the hell is going on.”

  “Can’t… breathe…” I gasped.

  “Are you going to agree to stop this avoiding the truth shit?” Jade leaned forward a little more, her forearm on my neck.

  “For… fuck’s… sake. Yesss!” I got out.

  She was up in an instant, her hand out to help me stand. “Good. I’m tired of being nice.”

  “You didn’t have to beat it out of me,” I said, rubbing my neck.

  “Yes, I did. If I didn’t, you’d keep weaseling away.”

  “I’m trying to protect you,” I whispered.

  Jade stared at me. “We’re friends. We’re in this together.”

  I looked away. She said that now, but when the truth came out? It would change.

  “We’re meeting after last class today. Don’t try and get away or I’ll really kick your ass tomorrow,” Jade said.

  Professor Ventiman came over. “Is everything good, ladies?” she asked.

  “Yes, Professor,” Jade and I chorused together.

  Professor Ventiman smiled. “Good. That was some nice sparring. Olivia, how would you get out of it?”

  “Blast her with a stream of blazing hot water and run like hell?” I asked.

  Professor Ventiman shook her head at me. “No magic, as you’re well aware. How about a kick to the abdomen and then flip up onto your feet?”

  “That would be great, yeah,” I said, still rubbing my neck.

  “Now you know. Keep working,” Professor Ventiman said as she walked away.

  “You won’t get me again,” I said, grinning at Jade. While I was nervous—okay, scared to death—about telling her the truth, the decision to do it took some of the weight off of me. We sparred and grappled for the rest of class, and for the first time since I’d discovered the truth, I didn’t feel as… defeated.

  I went into the last class of the day feeling sweaty and tired, but good. This was Combat (Magical) class, and Thalia was in this class with me. Normally, we didn’t pair up, but today she sought me out during practice time.

  “You seem like you’re feeling better,” Thalia said after we were done.

  I shook my head. “Not really, but getting the crap beat out of you tends to clear your mind for a while.”

  She laughed. “Who did you spar with?”

  “Jade,” I rolled my eyes.

  “We’re worried about you,” Thalia said, her demeanor serious.

  “I know. I can’t—” I shook my head again. “Listen, I have to go.” I knew Jade wouldn’t wait. And I felt like a shit for not telling Thalia. But I could only face one of them at a time. It was hard enough to avoid them because we all lived in the same pod. I was intent on getting back to my room before Jade met me there so that I could get myself together, and I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn’t really pay attention to everyone else around me.

  Which ended up with me running right into a very large chest.

  “Watch where you’re going,” a haughty male voice said.

  I looked up to see Caspian Silverwood, another student in my year. He was tall, and very regal looking. Long blond hair that he kept tied back, piercing dark eyes, and fair skin. He had cheekbones to die for. He was truly one of the most beautiful men I’d ever seen.

  He was also fae, which meant he walked around like he was above all of this. He was an air mage, and I’d heard some of my classmates talk about how dreamy he was. They were right.

  Although he was less dreamy for his glaring down at me. Something sparked in his eyes, and I felt my entire body lean toward him. My stomach jumped with nerves, and my core—shit. I wasn’t getting into that. Nope. No way. Not now.

  “Sorry,” I muttered. I didn’t want to get into it with this guy. Not today. Not with everything rolling around inside me. I wanted to slap him for being less than nice, and grab him and kiss him.

  He made a noise that was decidedly bitchy and moved around me. “Try harder, human,” he said. “Or I will be forced to remind you to try,” he added, continuing on his way.

  I watched him walk away, admiring his ass. Even though he was a jerk.

  Again with noticing guys that I’d never even paid attention to before. If Matty Pearce was wallpaper, this guy was paint. I mean, I’d overheard the talk about him, but I’d paid it no mind. Now I couldn’t stop watching his ass. Caspian Silverwood was a very fine male specimen. My body didn’t want him to walk away, but thankfully, my body wasn’t in charge. I wished I had someone to talk to. None of this made any sense. It was all too… sudden.

  Sighing, I hurried out of the main classroom building and across the courtyard to the dorms. No amount of good looking asses could stop what was coming. I’d been calmer since both of my Combat classes, but now I could feel my heart racing once more, and my palms felt damp.

  I closed my room door behind me and looked out the window. Nobledark was a really pretty campus. I’d managed to make it here without running into anyone else, or stopping to talk. Which was good. I was nervous as hell about my coming confrontation with Jade.

  What would I tell her?

  There was a knock on the door, and I jumped. Walking to the door, I opened it to find Jade standing there. She walked in without waiting for an invitation, tossing her backpack onto my bed.

  “All right, what’s going on?” She glared at me, her hands on her hips.

  I took a breath. Last year, before I came here, there had been a student who was a witch and a reaper. His past was discovered by the students.

  Was this how it happened? He trusted the wrong person, and looking to ease his own torment, confided in a friend? What happened afterward? Did the friend pretend everything was all right?

  It would make sense. I looked at Jade, her face earnest behind her anger at me. She meant well. She was my friend. But asking her to take this on, to carry my burden? It was too much.

  “Olivia,” Jade’s voice was softer. “I’m your friend. We can manage this together, whatever it is. That’s what friends do. I’m your friend no matter what.”

  My throat ached as I fought back tears. She really was a good friend, but she had no idea what she was promising. “This could change things,” I said around the lump in my throat. “And if it does, I don’t blame you. I won’t hold it against you. This is too much to ask someone to bear.” My throat closed, and I looked down at my shoes, thinking of the reaper student last year. I didn’t know what had happened to him, and while I’d been on break, I’d tried to find out. There was almost no record of him. He was in the class pictures at the beginning of the year, but not the end. And his classmates looked more somber, older. As though they’d gone through something. I looked up to find Jade staring at me. “All I ask is that you give me a head start. Please.”

  “What?” Her voice came out in a whisper. “A head start for what?”

  “If what I tell you is too much, then you have to give me a head start,” I said again.

  “What the hell, Olivia?” Jade asked.

  “That’s the deal. You promise me a head start or you can march right out of here,” I said.

  She stared at me for a long time, then replied. “Okay. I promise that if whatever you tell me gets too overwhelming, I’ll give you a head start, whatever that means.”

  “Okay,” I said. I took a breath.

  I told her about the dreams, about being pulled through the dreamscape to Hell. About Marbys, and his insistence that I had the red stone, the Persephone’s Blood. Then finding it with Raven and being pulled into Hell once more with Raven and her Madame friend. Then what happened when the stones were pulled together, and the woman who told me I was her mother. And how both Raven and Iliana had come to me afterwards in the dreamscape, even as I shut them out as fast as possible.

  Jade listened quietly, not even asking questions. Her eyes got wider and wider. When I’ve finished, she stood up.

  “So let me get this straight,” Jade said. She was pacing back and forth in the small room. “Your mom is a… siren?” She stopped and looked at me.

  I nodded.

  “And your dad is a demon?”

  I nodded again. “Apparently.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “I’m as shocked as you are,” I said. “I’ve spent the last two weeks trying to process it.” Not only had Iliana told me I was her daughter. Later, when she came to me in the dreamscape, she told me that Marbys—Giant Asshole—was my father. I’d been ignoring that aspect of my parentage. However, if I had to tell the truth, I decided I’d tell the whole truth.

  And there was no going back for me now. I held my breath, hoping she wouldn’t tell me to run.

  Jade stood still, looking out the window. My room was on the backside of the dorm, looking out over a garden planted years ago by a famous somebody. It wasn’t the herbal garden—this was purely for decoration.

  “You’re a solid witch,” Jade said. “Are you sure you’re a… a…” she stopped, not finishing the sentence.

  “A siren? Yes.”

  “How did you know that the women who told you this, the woman, or the people who told you, how do you know they were telling the truth?”

  I sighed. “I don’t want it to be the truth,” I said, thinking of the conversation in that dark, smoky red room. I’d blocked a lot of it out. I didn’t want to think about it. But I wasn’t going to have a choice. If I was going to tell my friend—or rather, since I’d told my friend—I’d have to think about it.

  In addition to hearing from Iliana, Raven had tried to contact me since that night. She was the one that confirmed that both of our mothers had been involved with Marbys, or whatever his name was. She’d said there was a reason, but I’d cut her off. I didn’t want to know.

  “It’s the truth,” I said. “Iliana, the one woman—she’s tried to contact me.”

  “What did she say?” Jade’s eyes were wide as she sat down in the chair in front of my desk.

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t want to know.”

  Jade’s mouth twisted.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Maybe you should talk to her.”

  I held up a hand. “First, do I need to ask for that head start?”

  Jade looked at me and rolled her eyes. “No, stupid, you don’t.”

  “What about that guy who was a reaper?” I asked.

  “The guy last year?” Her eyebrows went up into her dark bangs. “That was different.”

  “How?” I challenged her.

  “Because he was trying to hurt another student.”

  “You know that for sure?” I asked.

  “I do,” she said.

  “How?”

  “Will you trust me on this one?”

  I stared hard at her and then nodded.

  “How long,” she shook her head. “No, wait. When did this happen?”