Another girl from Mage Academy has gone missing. The prestigious Academy and its sister campuses have had several girls go missing. Two in this month alone.

  I cover my mouth. Oh, shit, Prince has struck again. Now everyone on campus will know it wasn’t Kenny or me. A surge of doubt invades my head. Knowing this school, they might say I acted alone. Everyone on this campus knows the truth, yet no one will say anything. It is unnerving.

  Today I’m demanding Kenny’s freedom. They must release him now. I’ll tell him I’m going public with the twins, calling Prince out on his bullshit.

  Trembling, I finish watching the news in complete disbelief. He almost got away with murder. There’s a mountain of evidence against him now. Shelly isn’t his first murder. I’m certain it won’t be the last. Unless he’s stopped. How stupid can one criminal be?

  I grab my jacket from the closet before heading to the campus police station. Half of Grace’s clothes have vanished. I guess she moved them out piece by piece when I wasn’t here. Now she needs to apologize. Not that it matters. She judged me and followed the crowd in this witch hunt. Some friend she is.

  Racing out door, I grab my keys and book bag. I can’t wait to tell Kenny. I’m sure they hear the news at the police station. And to think Monday he’s scheduled to be transported to a jail.

  As I open the police station door, a foul scent of urine consumes the air. I can smell even with my stunted senses. I’m so excited even a funky scent won’t run me off.

  “Hello, I’m here to see Kenneth Strong,” I say proudly. The female officer that questioned me before sits at the front desk. She has on a different wig. It's still hideous. Better than the last wig, though. We exchange scowls, then she shifts her gaze back to the computer.

  “What’s your name?” she questions. She knows good and well what my name is. They don’t get many prisoners. Especially females. She remembers me.

  “Ronielle Simms.”

  She hunts and pecks at the keyboard. She lifts her head and rises from the chair. She struts toward the front counter, taking her time. “Here. Write your name down,” she says, handing me a clipboard.

  A scribble down my name and slide the clipboard across the counter.

  She reads my name then narrows her gaze on my face. Squinting, a faint smile creeps upon her mouth. “Oh, it’s you?”

  “Yeah.” I suppress a frown.

  “So, you’re back?” she taunts. “Thought you’d never return.”

  “Not as an inmate.” I raise an eyebrow. “I’m not a criminal.”

  “Fine. Take a seat. I’ll call you back shortly.”

  I grab my book bag from the floor and trot over to the chairs. That bitch needs a hobby. She’s so fucking sarcastic and rude.

  After twiddling my thumb for several minutes, a guard summons me to the back.

  I’m ushered down the hall by a short male guard. “Deja vue,” I say to myself. As I get closer to Kenny’s cell, the hair on the back of my neck rises. The sudden urge to run embodied me. My stomach shifts, followed by a faint ache. What is my gut telling me? I shudder forward, determined to get to the bottom of things.

  The guard bangs his baton on the cell bars. Everyone stares at us. Initially, I don’t see a Kenny’s face. My heart drops. Then I locate him laying on a cot with his head facing the wall.

  “You can meet him in a visiting room today,” the guards say. “Follow me.”

  I give Kenny one last glance before following the officer. He hasn’t moved.

  Sitting in silence is driving me insane. Horrible thoughts are racing through my mind. I don’t feel well. It’s that sensation when a catastrophe is brewing.

  The rattle of the door knob brings a quiet fear to my mind. I clench my teeth and brace myself for bad news. I’d had bad news too many times before.

  Kenny enters the door. Gasping, I rise from my chair. His left eye is red and swollen, his lip busted.

  I race to his side. “What happened?” I question with pain in my chest.

  He turns his head. “Nothing. I got into a fight.”

  “That looks like more than a fight,” I respond, grabbing his chin. I turn his face so I can get a better view. Anger slices through his face. I remove my hand, but my heart is heavy.

  “Me and one of the shifters got into a fight. Have a seat.”

  I take a seat. The good news will lift his spirits.

  “Did you see the news?” I question, eyes bulging.

  “How? We don’t have a television. I have no clue what’s going on outside these bars,” he barks and rubs his eye.

  “Well, another girl went missing.”

  He cuts me off. “How is that good news?”

  “It proves you’re innocent. You couldn’t have kidnapped her.”

  “That doesn’t prove anything. That proves I didn’t kidnap her. It doesn’t prove I didn’t kill Shelly. Besides, I confessed to it.”

  “But I know you were forced.”

  “Live your life, Ronnie,” he warns, his one good eye looking at me. “Forget about me.”

  I shake my head. “I can’t forget you, Kenny. I love you.” Tears fill my eyes.

  “Ronnie, I will always love you.” He grimaces. “When I get out in 20-30 years, we can be together. For now, go on with your life.”

  “I won’t. I decided I’m going to go public and tell the world what Prince did to Shelly.”

  “Are you crazy, Ronielle?” He bangs his hand on the table. “They will come for you,” he grunts.

  “Who?”

  “I never want to see you again. Do yourself a favor stay away from this case, you got it?” he says with a stern look. He stands from his chair. “Guard, guard, I’m ready.” He walks toward the door.

  “But, Kenny,” I plead. I’ve never seen him so mad before, not directed at me. He doesn’t mean what he is saying.

  The guard opens the door. Kenny doesn’t even say goodbye. I’m more confused than ever. I’m sure Kenny is innocent. I’m also sure that Prince is more dangerous than I initially thought.

  12

  How can I even concentrate when I’m in a state of shock? And now drops of rain flood the side walk. Lighting strikes, highlighting my path and roaring above my head. I despise rain, but lightning infatuates me. The way it whips through the clouds, not taking any shit. One day my magic is going to be as swift and sizzling as lightening, I think. I continue watching the clouds be struck by several bolts in a row. It’s a magical show. I don’t know whether to race back to campus or continue watching the show.

  Reminding myself that life is one continuous rainstorm, I flip on my hood and finish walking to campus. Grandma used to say rain will come, you can either drown or dance. I danced in the rain. However, I’ve always felt as if I was drowning, barely able to breathe. One disaster after another has engulfed my life.

  Entering the double doors of school, I get an aroma of food. I’m not sure exactly what. Maybe chicken. My stomach growls. I’m hungry.

  Stalking toward the cafeteria, I take a quick peek at the board. Tuna tar tar. I’ll pass. I’m not much of a tuna girl. I’ll have a sandwich and chips, which is always an alternate lunch.

  Gathering my thoughts, I continue toward my room. I need to dry my hair before my next class. A jerk of my arm causes me to drop my book bag and swing. A wave of pain erupts across my arm. I don’t know who it is and don’t care. I don’t land any punches. Mostly I’m swinging at the air. I’m not letting anyone punch me in the face. Since the entire student body hates my guts, anyone could be trying to kill me.

  “Calm down,” a familiar voice says. My vision is very hazy, and I’m trying to concentrate on the face.

  I stop swinging and gasp, trying to catch my breath. My adrenaline is in overdrive. I try staying calm, closing my eyes. I’m fighting for my life. Flashbacks from when I was attacked by Prince bombard my thoughts, but the voice isn’t his.

  I open my eyes. Blinking, I narrow my vision into chestnut brown eyes. There’s a grin on his face. “Josh, don’t grab me like that. You know I’m on edge.”

  “I didn’t mean to frighten you,” he says while I stare at his dimples, making sure I have the right twin.

  “I need to talk with you alone. In private,” he urges.

  “Okay,” I respond. I’m slightly alarmed that I don’t see James. I’ve always seen the two together. They are attached at the hip. “We can go to my room.”

  After I check my surroundings, we hurry to my room. The last thing I need is someone to catch me sneaking in another male. Boys aren’t supposed to be in rooms, but no one follows that rule. Also, I don’t need any slanderous gossip getting to Kenny.

  Grace hasn’t spent a night here in days. I’m sure she’s at her boyfriend’s place. No disturbances.

  I slip the key into the door. That grim commotion swirls in my chest as if I’m walking into a pit of snakes. Luckily I have Josh here with me. If someone lurks in the shadows, they’re in for a rude awakening. Heat hits my face as I enter. I glance over at Grace’s bed, which is neatly made. She was here, left the heater running. She must watch me. She comes when I leave. Maybe to avoid the awkwardness.

  “Take a seat, make yourself comfortable,” I grunt before heading to the bathroom. I grab a towel from the cabinet. My hair is dripping wet.

  I strut back into the room. “What’s on your mind?”

  “There a lot on my mind.” He looks at me with such adoration. I have a thing for eyes. His brown eyes were the first thing that caught my attention. We have physical attraction, sexual tension. Problem is, I get the same sensation when I’m around James.

  “But first, I have some splendid news,” he claims.

  “Yeah? What’s that?” I cop a squat on my bed, folding one leg underneath me. I give him my undivided attention. The way he licks his lips makes my panties sizzle. Damn, I can’t deny my feelings.

  “I know where Prince lives.”

  I giggle. “That’s not news.” I plant my chin on my hand. “I was at his house once before. It’s only a few blocks away.”

  “You’ve been to the castle?” he questions.

  “Castle? I can hardly call a one bedroom loft a castle.”

  “What?” He shivers. “Cynthia at Mage Academy, her mom is the maid. She told me where it’s located.”

  His words shoot through my body like hot coal. I wince at what he’s going to ask next.

  “Let’s take an unannounced trip. You down with snooping around the castle?”

  . “Sure, why not?” I respond before I can give myself a chance to think. I’m hypnotized by his seductive eyes. I stare at the shirt that clings to his sculpted abs. I’ve already agreed to go public. Wait, this more dangerous. What if we get caught?

  His face lightens up to a glow. Without warning, he stalks toward me. I rise to my feet. My cheeks burn with passion. He kisses me and not on my cheek. It’s not a friendship kiss. It’s a French kiss, nice and slow. I don’t want to stop.

  He snatches himself away. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “No need to be sorry,” I assure him.

  “You have a boyfriend, and James likes you too.”

  “How long can we fight our feelings?” I question.

  I figured James liked me. The feeling is mutual. Why should I choose? Everyone thinks it’s okay for men to date several women.

  I’ll make my own rules. There are three hot guys. I will have them all.

  13

  After Josh leaves, I change into a dry uniform. Going to the castle brings in a different kind of danger. Entering someone’s house is a bold move. But Josh feels that his sister is being held captive there. If that’s accurate, he has limited time before she ends up dead like Shelly.

  Lately, campus isn’t the safest place for me either. Students are after me with no regards for law enforcement. Back home, I’d seen plenty of horrible things. Bloodshed, violence, fights. But nothing prepared me to be hunted for doing the right thing.

  It’s going to piss Kenny off to the max. But he has to understand. I already agreed, so I’m going to do it. Kenny and I are in a relationship and I respect his opinion. But no one owns Ronnie.

  Closing the door to my dorm room brings a slice of fear. Every time I go out on campus lately, my anxiety revs up. There’s no reason to be so nervous today. I’m innocent. Everyone will see. I storm down the hall to the Arts building for my next class assuming everyone will be friendly, or at least not pay me any attention. Nope, everyone is still giving me the screw face of disgust. Even though another girl went missing. I’m still guilty until proven innocent, I suppose. Another girl missing didn’t change their minds. Kenny warned me this would be the outcome.

  Holding my head up, I continue to my class. It’s not my shame to carry anymore. I did nothing wrong. Yet I’m being isolated and crucified.

  The loud chatter of the other students is refreshing. I can sneak into class, ease my butt in my chair with no one seeing me. I’m tired of being under a microscope every nanosecond.

  As soon as I step in the door, there’s complete silence. They were waiting for me like vultures. I’m not expecting the teacher to stand up for me. They hate me just as much as the students do.

  Once I land my bottom in the chair, the chatter starts again.

  Mr. Edwards bangs his ruler on the chalk board to silence the class. He yells, “Get your textbooks out!”

  Magical creatures 100 is a hard class. I don’t see how it’s going to help me in actual life. Mr. Edwards insists that one day you may come in contact with a creature, and you should be trained to defend yourself.

  But right now, I couldn't care less about dragons and werewolf shifters. I’m more concerned about the shit storm I’m in.

  “Now what will you do if a red dragon crosses your path?” Mr. Edwards questions.

  “Run like a cheetah and hope he doesn’t spray me with fire,” David says. He’s the class clown. He used to speak to me, but now he doesn’t look my way.

  “Ah ha, David, that would the best thing for you, since you haven’t studied your lesson.” Mr. Edwards turns down the collar on his shirt. His eyes glow a fluorescent orange. “But for everyone else, you stay calm and show the red dragon you’re not afraid. They can sense fear and they will attack.”

  “So, what about a blue dragon?” Jill questions, chewing her gum like a cow. She has an oval-shaped face and a sassy attitude. She always asks the dumbest questions. If she’d shut up, we could get back to the books instead of hearing this horse shit about dragons from three centuries ago.

  “The blue dragon is friendly and not a meat eater. It’s unlikely that he will burn you to smithereens,” Mr. Edward declares.

  All this nonsense about dragons is causing my head to hurt. Mr. Edwards is overzealous with dragons. He’s an ancient vampire over three hundred years old, and dragons ruled the land in his day. Now they wear suits and winged-tipped shoes. I’ve never seen a dragon in its authentic form.

  The bell sounds. Within a second, everyone races for the door. Poor Mr. Edwards, he’s still talking. I’m tired, hungry, and I can’t wait to get away from the blazing, furious stares of the misfit pack.

  “That bitch thinks she slick.” The hot words roll off someone’s tongue from behind me. If I have to guess, I’d say it’s Kelly, one of the misfit pack.

  Grinding my teeth and balling my fists, I continue walking. It’s impossible for them to be speaking of me.

  A hard shove from behind nearly knocks the wind out of me. I brace myself before I go crashing to the ground.

  A muffled shriek is followed by a feminine voice. “You didn’t knock her to the ground.”

  Whoever pushed me caught me off guard. I swivel around, swinging my fist and landing a punch into Kelly’s jaw. Taniesha is the ring leader. Her bossy ass always sends the other two to do her dirty work. But Paige is not a fighter. They are turning her into a savage. I can see the fear wrinkling through her face.

  I met her gaze and raise my eyebrow. She says nothing as she looks to Taniesha’s hefty ass for direction.

  Taniesha takes two steps forward. My mouth twists in disbelief. Standing with my arms folded, I dare her to hit me. She does just that. She slaps me so hard, she leaves a sting of pain burning on my left cheek. Mustering all the energy I have and fueled by my anger, I slap her back. I hit her with so much power, my hand buzzes. Suddenly we are in a full-on brawl. I'm being sucker punched from every direction. They’re all punching me. I’ve been jumped before. I can handle a group of misfits.

  Grabbing Paige by her blonde hair, I sling her out of my way. The other two continue throwing heavy punches. I’m holding my own until I get knocked to the ground.

  My only defense while lying on the ground being attacked by two thirsty witches is my long nails. They hover over me, pulling my hair. I claw away at someone's face. A wet substance oozes down my hands. I guess she’s bleeding. I didn’t care. They continue attacking, bloody face and all.

  My anger is so full I almost don’t notice the buzzing of my magic. It never fully blooms, only hums at the surface. I can’t control it. This time the buzzing is intense and followed by a bright white light. It’s electric, sizzling to the touch. Kelly and Taniesha both hop off me, howling in pain. A sheer force of the heat is burning through my hands.

  I pop to my feet with my hands glowing. Yeah, bitches, come on now. Their hair is smoking. Taniesha is holding her arm, wincing in pain. Kelly's mouth is bleeding, and she has gashes across her face. Paige is crying. I walk toward them before they back away. Kelly takes off, limping her way back into the building.

  Taniesha is in so much pain she can’t run. I twist around and walk toward my dorm, daring one of them to touch me.

  14

  Storming into my room, I throw my book bag on the chair. Sparks of pain radiate through my body like an electrical shock. I wondered why I didn’t feel any pain during the fight. I must have been working on adrenaline, but it has faded.

  Limping to the bathroom, my muscles tense. A sharp pain creeps up my calf. What just happened? Tears shoot from my eyes. The pain is an intense grip. Muscles spasms. After several seconds, my muscles relax. I trip over my feet, barreling toward the bathroom. I escaped Wisconsin to get away from the drama. It seems I ran into head on at the Academy.

 

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