Forbidden Alchemy: Elemental, #7

By Rain Oxford

Devon Sanders, a private investigator and deputy headmaster of a paranormal school, has proven himself to be a formidable wizard. When magic becomes unbalanced, however, chaos ensues.

A new enemy threatens to tear the paranormal world apart, so Devon will have to turn to the past for answers. The school is in danger again and things are not as they appear. Secrets, betrayal, and danger are par for the course for Devon and his friends, but this time, magic cannot be trusted.

Magic is elemental.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rain Oxford
• Release date: Apr 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386742050

Rain Oxford

Rain Oxford is a retired teacher who has been writing stories since she was twelve. She attended Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, Japan. Some of her interests include magic, psychology, and ancient history. She has four children: a Maltese, a Chihuahua, a Great Pyrenees puppy, and a Golden Retriever puppy. The only thing missing in her family is a dragon. When she’s not creating worlds, she enjoys reading, playing the piano, or photographing exotic wildlife.

Book preview

Chapter 1

I woke with a splitting headache. The fact that I was on a hardwood floor instead of my bed told me that something was wrong. I sat up and took in my surroundings.

I was alone in a ten-by-ten room with flickering lights on the walls, as if there was a fire. However, there was no fire, or even source of light. There were no windows, doors, or visible gaps in the walls or ceiling.

How is there air without windows or a door? I checked my arms for defensive wounds and found none. My clothes were in place. I felt my head and found no sore spots or blood.

I heard someone crying and froze. Mommy!

I stood and followed the sound to the middle of one of the walls, which was as close as I could get. When I touched the wall, however, a chill went up my spine. The wall was soft and leathery, like I could punch through it. Hello? I called. The cries stopped. Can you hear me?

Yes, the young girl tentatively answered.

I want to help you. Are you hurt?

Do you know where my mom is?

Who is your mom?

Chris Williams. Please find her.

I will find her. Are you hurt?

No.

I tried to reach out with my magic, but it didn’t connect with anyone. Something was blocking me. I called to my familiar and sensed her, but she didn’t appear.

How long have you been here?

I don’t know.

Do you know who took you?

No.

Do you remember what happened? Did someone grab you at night or—-

No, I woke up here. Please find my mom! She’s the only one who can help me.

Is there something you’re not telling me? No answer. Why can’t I help you?

She knows how to find me. She saved me before.

Before? You’ve been kidnapped before? No answer again. Who kidnapped you?

You wouldn’t believe me.

I can believe a lot. I really want to help you, but I need as much information as possible. She didn’t say anything else. I will do everything in my power to help you and get you back to your mom safe and sound. What’s your name?

Tazmyn. Mom calls me Tazzy.

Good. Good. Can you tell me where your mom lives?

Siloam Springs.

Do you know her phone number?

No.

Are you in a small room with no windows or doors?

Yes.

Okay. Stand away from the walls. I pulled out my dagger and stabbed the wall. Blinding light flashed and I was suddenly awake, sitting up in my bed at the school. I was sweating. It wasn’t a dream, but I also shouldn’t have had a vision unprovoked.

* * *

Sunday, November 13

Darwin set his plate on the table and sat with a sigh of frustration. If I see one more meter-tall spider blocking the hallway, I’m gonna puke.

Darwin was five-five and slender with light, shaggy blond hair and deep blue eyes. He wore his favorite gray hoodie to cover as much of his skin as possible, but he was also barefoot, as many of the fae preferred to be. Despite having been born in England, he had lived all over the world as a child, and his accent and slang were primarily Australian.

You’re the only one bored by them, Henry said. Henry was pretty much the opposite of Darwin in appearance and mannerism. He was six feet tall and muscular with black hair and gold eyes. Where Darwin was goofy, uncouth, and used humor to break the tension, Henry was serious and stoic, often coming across as a prude.

"We have crabs that can walk off with dogs in Australia. Our trees can kill ya, bro. The point is that it’s the middle of November, so it’s time to stop the Halloween pranks."

You love Halloween, I pointed out.

We all do. There are other holidays to look forward to, though, and these kids take it way too far. Now it’s getting in the way of my teaching. It cheapens the holiday.

The paranormal schools celebrated Halloween and other holidays that are recognized around the world, but the students and staff usually put a pagan or unusual twist on them. No one in the paranormal community seemed to have any interest in celebrating Thanksgiving, though.

Instead, there was a three-night-long Moon Night celebration. The full moon hadn’t been this close since 1948, and it wouldn’t get this close again until 2034. Students and staff decorated their rooms and hallways with glowing moons and stars. Magic caused clouds to cover and uncover them randomly. Colorful banners and ribbons decorated most of the walls and gas lamps in the school.

Since the three days that the moon was its fullest fell on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, many students and staff begged to have the days off, but Remy gave everyone Halloween off, so she declined. Besides, the students couldn’t enjoy it as much during the day. Instead, she canceled all afternoon detentions for those three days.

Since most clubs occurred on the weekends, they were usually busier than weekdays. Clubs weren’t mandatory, but I didn’t know any student who wasn’t in a club.

I was more bothered when they turned all the water to blood.

It only looked like blood, Darwin said.

Glowing bats still infest the North, Henry said.

None of those were as bad as the worms in the spaghetti last night! I insisted.

They both looked at me like I was insane. I actually liked the texture, Darwin said.

They were more nutritious than noodles, Henry added.

Anyway, I’m starting a religious studies club. Darwin sounded excited about it.

What does it cover? I asked. Darwin regarded religion as a cultural tool.

So far, we have planned Druidism, Ancient Egyptian, and Wicca, but I think what we’ll do is cover a different religion each week.

He was also in charge of five separate language clubs, a math club, a science club, and an ancient history club. The students loved him. The science and history teachers didn’t. I sat in on his clubs and classes sometimes. He was a genius and pretended that Henry and I were idiots, but around kids, he was completely different. He was patient, funny, and encouraging.

Oh, I have to sub for Mark today. He was injured by the Madaki kids. The problem with African wild dog shifters was that they were even more pack-minded than wolf shifters. When Debbie lost her temper, shifted, and attacked her martial arts teacher for not letting her be first in a demonstration, her brothers shifted and attacked automatically. They couldn’t help it; their pack member attacked, so they did.

Mark Whittaker was fae, but he would never use his powers against children. Fortunately, the other students were loyal to him and pulled the Madaki siblings off him. The main purpose of the children’s school was to teach the students how to control themselves and function in the human world.

When I was a child, I unintentionally used magic, which sometimes resulted in accidents. There were also wizard kids that thought they were better than humans and could take advantage of them. Shifters kids could have the same problem, but the stakes were higher. Instead of telekinetically throwing a vase across the room, they could shift into a powerful predator and kill someone.

Another goal of the school was to teach the students how to interact and get along with other paranormals. Fae believed all other paranormals were inferior and they were fiercely protective of their own kind and their tribes. Shifters had to fight their instincts daily. Many paranormals still held prejudices against vampires, but I wondered if it wasn’t jealousy and fear.

Vampires were somewhat immortal, faster than shifters, and could thrall their victims. Born vampires could control themselves pretty well, but some didn’t care if they exposed their kind or killed people. Although the wizard council pressured Remington to allow vampires into the children’s school, she refused because we had too many throwbacks who couldn’t defend themselves.

You’re going to teach martial arts? Darwin asked.

Yeah. What’s wrong with that?

You’re not going to teach them to fire guns or jump over car hoods?

I’ll save that for career week.

* * *

The students already knew the moves for their martial arts, so I let each student get a chance to lead the practice of their routines, kicks, and punches. I also remembered enough of my martial arts training from Quintessence to help them with their form when they needed it.

A ginger-haired teen in my third class caught my attention because I didn’t remember seeing her before. Even though I didn’t know every child’s name yet, I had met most of them in the three months since the school year started. Are you new? I asked her.

She shook her head. No, Mr. Sanders. I’m Mandy Roland.

I thought I met everyone.

She shrugged. I never get in trouble.

That didn’t mean she never did anything wrong, only that she never got caught. I was strangely unsettled, but my intuition didn’t warn me of anything wrong. In fact, the more I studied her, the more familiar she looked, so I let it go and started the class.

* * *

At the end of a long day, I found a note on my office door telling me that the new literacy teacher for students aged fourteen to seventeen had finally arrived. Since we lost two of our three literacy teachers early in the school year, the replacement teacher was getting tired of covering both positions.

I went to Mrs. Baumwirt’s old classroom and knocked on the door. Come in.

The classroom hadn’t changed much. The north wall was entirely taken up by bookshelves and a whiteboard spanned most of the south wall. There were student desks in neat rows and a teacher’s desk facing them. Unlike in human schools, there were no computers or projector screens. The new teacher was putting plastic tubs of supplies into the cabinets under large windows along the east wall. The only new additions were motivational posters and literacy reference posters on the walls, as well as a pegboard for displaying exemplary student work to the left of the door.

The teacher was in his mid-thirties with short, styled black hair and dark brown eyes. He wore a business shirt, black pants, and a tie. You must be one of the deputy headmasters, he said, holding out his hand. His Japanese accent was thick.

Yes. I’m Devon Sanders. I took his hand and my intuition woke up like a live wire. I jerked my hand back automatically, but he showed no offense.

Most shifters were predators. There were a few non-carnivorous shifters, but they were by no means prey. For example, one of the teachers of the North shifted into a red kangaroo. He wasn’t considered a predator compared to a wolf, but he was a tough bastard. It was a survival thing; there was no point in shifting into an animal that couldn’t protect itself in the dangerous wild.

There were even some shifters that seemed to be more animal than person. This man was designed to kill. It was his only purpose. He somehow felt more dangerous than a vampire.

I am Ichiro Kubota, he said, unconcerned with my rude staring.

It’s nice to... Yeah, I couldn’t get that lie out. You’ve met Ms. Hunt, right?

He smiled. Yes, I have.

What are you?

You must sense my animal, he said, still taking no offense. It normally only bothers other shifters. Please be assured that I am completely harmless to the students and staff here.

I don’t mean to be impolite, but I’m not assured.

As long as I am out of water, I could not hurt a fly.

And then I got it. You’re a shark.

In the aquatic sense only.

You don’t have any shark-like personality traits?

Not that I cannot control. I take precaution and never eat meat. I also avoid bloodshed.

How often do you let your shark out?

Never. That would be a terrible idea. The one and only time I shifted was to come to this country, and it was nearly impossible to become a man again.

Because the shark is too strong?

He nodded. My mother gave into it, and I was raised by my human father who thought I was a demon.

At least I knew he couldn’t shift and hurt anyone, since that would mean death for him. What about if you get wet?

I can never go swimming, and I have to be careful when showering or in the rain. I have never shifted accidentally. These students have nothing to fear from me.

Even with the supermoon?

Shifters are adaptive. That is the most fundamental aspect of our paranormal gene. That is the essence of our being. If I shift out of water, I will die. As powerful as my shark is, even he knows this.

Well, welcome to the school. I started to leave, only to pause at the door as curiosity struck me. What kind of shark are you?

You do not want to know.

* * *

I finally got to sit at my desk in my office and check disciplinary forms (which mostly involved Halloween pranks) and absentee forms (which mostly involved Halloween prank victims). The students responsible had to clean up their messes, including rebuilding damaged property, but Dr. Martin was overrun with injured kids and staff.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to worry about cults, demons, or monsters... again. It had been two full months since we had such an incident. When I heard a tentative knock on my door, I said, Come in.

When Jameson opened the door and entered hesitantly, I tensed. The young twins, Jameson and Jason, were John’s children and together, they could see the future and control minds. Their human mother couldn’t handle them, so she sent them to the school when I became a vice principal. That basically meant they were my responsibility, and when they broke the rules, their teachers complained to me.

Unfortunately, although they were too young to do permanent and severe damage to someone, Jameson was headed down that path fast. Jason was better, but he would never stand up to Jameson.

They resembled their father with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. This time, however, Jamie’s eyes weren’t full of anger. He looked unsure of himself. If I didn’t know better, I would think he was Jason.

What’s wrong?

Nothing. He sat on the couch and looked at his hands.

He of all people couldn’t be pressured into talking. It would just make him go on the offense, and he could be pretty offensive. So instead, I returned to my paperwork without another word. I half expected him to get up and walk out, half expected him to throw a fit.

* * *

An hour later, he finally broke the silence. Have you had any... weird dreams lately?

I have, I said, putting my pen down and turning to him.

With other people? In, like, a room with no doors?

I was alone in a room without doors, but I could hear a little girl.

I was in a room with a boy. He covered his face and yelled when I tried to touch him.

Yelled how? Was he angry?

He sounded like I was hurting him. He wouldn’t talk to me. Jason had the dream, too, but he was somewhere else. He saw shadows of people, mostly kids, but he couldn’t talk to them. What do we do?

I got the name of the girl I could hear, and her mother’s name, so I’m going to try to find her. Until then, sit tight and let me know if either of you has another dream like it.

There’s nothing we can do to stop them?

I don’t usually try to fight dreams like that. They’re meant to help us.

Unless someone else is using it to find and hurt us.

I opened my mouth to say that wasn’t likely, but thought better of it. Jamie, Jason, and I shared a dangerous ability. Jamie knew how dangerous magic could be, especially psychic magic. I’ll talk to Vincent about it, I said.

He sneered. Like he knows anything.

John couldn’t see the future. Vincent can.

* * *

Jason found Jamie and they went back to their room. Between interruptions and the extra paperwork for holiday damage, I didn’t get out of there until late, so I made myself a sandwich and headed to my room.

My bedroom was sixteen-by-sixteen with stone walls, rich redwood floors, and a high wooden ceiling with beams. There was a fluffy antique-patterned rug on the floor beside the bed. The king-sized bed against the north wall was made of solid wood with a royal blue canopy, curtains, and bedclothes. There was a nightstand and gas lamp on either side of the bed. On the left nightstand was a battery-powered alarm clock and a glass bowl for my keys. At the foot of the bed was a wooden chest. To the left of the bed was a fancy wardrobe. Beside the door on the south wall was a work desk with a gas lamp. On the east wall was a large window with wooden blinds and dark blue blackout drapes.

To my pleasant surprise, Remy was in my bed, reading. I closed the door behind me and said, It looks like I got my Christmas present early. Remington Hunt was in her late twenties with a shapely, athletic figure, long, chestnut-brown hair, and striking green eyes.

She was flirty and confident, so I could be myself around her. I didn’t need to protect her, and if she wanted something from me, she’d tell me. She wasn’t hiding something that would build up until it exploded and ruined our relationship. Long before we were dating, we were friends. It wasn’t a friendship like I had with Astrid, though; it wasn’t about being lonely.

She laughed and lowered her book. I can handle your quotes of sage wisdom, but sappiness will get you kicked out of your bed.

Duly noted. Why aren’t you out celebrating the first day of Moon Night?

I wanted to celebrate, but you decided to work late.

Should I eat my dinner or did you have other plans?

You’re going to need your energy. I’ll just be over here, entertaining myself.

I tossed my sandwich on the desk and joined her on the bed. That wouldn’t be very gentlemanly of me.

If you hadn’t noticed, I don’t care very much for gentlemen.

Then I won’t be gentle.

* * *

Monday, November 14

I was disappointed, but not surprised that Remy was gone when I woke. When I got to the cafeteria, I noticed three teachers chugging coffee like it was the only thing keeping them going. They had partied too hard for Moon Night, Part 1.

Although my intuition was quiet, there was something ominous in the air that made me tense. I tried to brush it off because my intuition always warned me when danger was nearing.

You alright? Darwin asked, sitting across from me with his plate. He was his usual hyper self.

Just tired. And distracted.

Oh, did Remington keep you up all night? I saw her go to your room.

It’s none of your business what we did.

He who denied it survived it.

You’re insane.

There’s a ridiculous queue in front of the coffee. You’d think everyone was up all night, partying.

You weren’t invited to the wild rave last night? I asked.

Darwin often joked about wanting to party and look at strippers, but it was an act. His real idea of fun was sticking his nose where it didn’t belong and hacking computers.

Yeah, keep takin’ the piss and I won’t invite you to the real parties this holiday. Speaking of, my pack had so many pups born last spring that they’re going to start having non-denominational winter parties at the den. Traditions of all religious factions are acceptable because of the pups. It should still be a fun get-together for the adults, though. You want to come?

How many wolves and pups are we talking about? Your parents, Amy, and you are great, but one of your pack mates is dating my ex, and another tried to kill you. I don’t think I like your pack much.

He scoffed. Jefferson isn’t allowed to bring Regina, and he’s not real popular because of his choice in mates, anyway. As for the wanker who attacked me, he’s been dealt with.

Is your father going to mind you inviting an outsider?

He rolled his eyes. My fiancée is fae.

So is his wife. I’m a wizard. I’m not pack or a potential pack member.

"You’re part of my pack. Unless I go rogue and start a new pack, that means you’re part of his as well."

He’s okay with that?

If he wasn’t okay with you, he’d already have chased you out. That’s why he met you at Drake’s club; he was getting your scent to decide if you were welcome or not. If he hadn’t approved, you’d know it. He’s got a slight problem with Henry, but he trusts me to keep him in line.

Henry? Because he’s a jaguar?

It’s not so much a problem with cats as it is with the feline personality. Henry is more likely to shift and attack one of Dad’s pack members than you are. Henry doesn’t play by pack rules like wizards or humans do. You guys understand the greater good mentality that packs have. Henry and other solitary shifters put themselves and their children above anyone else on the planet. In his mind, it’s him and Scott against the world.

But he has risked his life for us.

That’s his human half. His human half wants to protect his friends, and his cat half is confident enough in his survival skills to allow it. His human brain sees you as an alpha, whereas his cat brain sees you as a slow, crippled pet that should probably be put out of your misery.

I’m afraid to ask what your wolf sees me as.

He smiled reassuringly. My wolf is very protective of my slow, crippled pet. He won’t let the big scary kitty hurt his widdle wizard. My human brain thinks you’re a complete moron, good only for science experiments and laughing at.

I need new friends. You two suck.

He laughed. Most alphas would have a problem with non-wolf members, but my dad is open-minded. Shifters can sense your mind-control and interpret it as strength. Coupled with your take-charge, rational personality in the face of danger, and you come across as an alpha at Dad’s level. It’s only those of us who know you that think you’re a slow—-

Would you shut up? I interrupted.

* * *

I went to Remington’s office in the East. When I knocked on the door, she told me to enter. She looked tired, but she was going through a huge stack of paperwork, so I wasn’t surprised. She glanced up at smiled. Hey.

Hey. How long have you been up?

She shrugged. Since two or so. Paperwork was calling to me.

I would have let it go, but my intuition told me she was lying. Did you have a bad dream? After a moment, she nodded. Did it have anything to do with kids?

She frowned and shook her head. It was of John. Sometimes I dream that he captures me again or that no one found me before. I know what he was capable of. I know how much worse it could have been.

Remington was one of the toughest women I knew, despite her father trying his hardest to shelter her. Flagstone might have known her better, but I knew her dark secrets. I stepped up beside her and rubbed her shoulders. She groaned appreciatively. You should get some more sleep. Can you take a couple hours off?

She looked at me and sighed. I suppose I could if you care that much.

I do.

You’d better.

I kissed her and left. Halfway to my office, an adolescent lion ran around the corner and crashed into me. I automatically detected and recognized his mind. Kimba! What did I tell you about running in the halls? His parents weren’t kind to him.

He clumsily scrambled to his feet and hung his head. He had crashed into and seriously hurt a dozen people since the school year started in August. I sensed fear, not shame, though.

What happened?

I watched as he replayed it in his mind. On his way to class, he came upon a pool of black liquid. He was smart enough not to step in it, but before he could avoid it, a slimy black monster emerged from it. He shifted on instinct, which wasted valuable running time, so by the time he could stand on four legs, the monster was inches from him. He bolted without looking back.

I drew my power out of his mind. I understand. It looks like another Halloween prank, but I’ll check it out. Go back to your room, get dressed, and go to class.

He nodded and walked away. I headed for Darwin’s math class. Darwin loved pranks, but he loved knowledge even more, so when the shenanigans got in the way of his teaching, they became a problem.

I didn’t find anything but slime residue in the hallway leading to the science classroom. When I knocked on the door, William Grant told me to enter. It was clear what had happened the second I opened the door; there was black slime everywhere. Slime was splattered over the floor, walls, ceiling, furniture, and most of the students. It resembled a crime scene.

The students were standing around a table, brandishing sharp instruments. I take it you dealt with the slime monster?

Of course, Mr. Grant said. He was in his early fifties with a medium build, shoulder length, graying black hair, a thick beard and mustache, and deep blue eyes. Instead of a wizard’s robe, he wore a lab coat over his dress shirt and slacks.

It was a tradition with wizards to wear robes in the company of other paranormals. It started as a way to show they weren’t human, like uniforms. Wizards were expected to wear fancy ones on special occasions, but in the schools, it was almost always black wool. I only wore mine during special school events.

Let me know if you find out who created it.

Before I could leave, one of the students asked, Is it true that you were a cop before coming here?

No, I wasn’t a cop.

My mom said you were, Helen said, as if I was lying.

You’re Lauren’s daughter, aren’t you?

She smiled and nodded proudly, as if her mother was the queen of England.

Yeah, I figured. I left without arguing. If Helen was anything like her mother, there was nothing on Earth that could change her mind.

I dropped by Darwin’s class to check that everything was alright. No one answered when I knocked, so I opened the door. Fortunately, the class was as quiet and calm as always...

Two students were standing at their desks, shaking with anger. It’s a hundred thirteen, you moron! Autumn shouted.

It’s a hundred ninety-seven, stupid! Braiden yelled back

I showed my work to back it up! You probably used a calculator!

I’ve never used a calculator in my life! I’m just smart enough to do it in my head, unlike you!

Children, behave, Darwin said kindly. You’re both idiots.

They stopped arguing and checked their answers, redoing the work. After a long moment, Autumn blanched. It’s a hundred ninety-one.

Darwin smirked. It’s a hundred ninety-one.

She and Braiden sat slowly, as if they had just received word their closest family member died, and they just couldn’t believe it. A few seconds later, Brandon jumped up out of his seat with excitement. That’s what I got! In your face, bitches!

Brandon! I admonished.

He blushed and sat down. Sorry, sir. Then, with a polite tone and regular volume, he repeated, In your face, bitches.

Hey, would you check on Kimba? Darwin asked me. He’s not usually absent.

He got confronted by a slime monster and had to go back to his room to change. Half of the students started laughing. Because he shifted, I added to quell their childish assumptions.

I’ll find out who did it, and if they survive detention, I’ll send what’s left of them to you.

None of the kids were laughing anymore.

I nodded and left. The rest of the day was pretty normal for the school... which wasn’t very normal at all.

* * *

When I returned to my room that night, a stack of messages were on my desk. One was an actual letter from my mother, telling me that she wanted to re-marry Vincent, but she wanted my opinion on it. Since I didn’t know if he was my uncle or my father, it was a little weird, but her happiness was most important to me. Besides, she was already married to him before John interfered. I wanted to kill John so many times over.

I grabbed the message pad and wrote a response.

After that, I found a message from Marcus.

––––––––

To: Devon Sanders

From: Marcus Nunyabusiness

Date: Monday, November 14

Message: I don’t do messages. Tell him to call me.

––––––––

I rolled my eyes. My human-born friend had been shot by his father and a member of Stephen’s coven turned him into a vampire to save him. Even as a vampire, he was paranoid. He knew I couldn’t call him because there was no service around the school. However, he wouldn’t have contacted me if it wasn’t important. Important enough that I needed to drive to the nearest town and call him.

Next, I found a message from Drake.

––––––––

To: Devon Sanders

From: Drake BaDour

Date: Monday, November 14

Message: Mellow was attacked by vampire hunters this morning. He wasn’t hurt because he can stand sunlight. I called Stephen and he said they’ve been attacked daily for two weeks straight. They’ve got wolves on day guard, but it’s not enough. If you can pull yourself away from your cushy babysitting gig, we can use your help out here in the adult world.

––––––––

I wasn’t a fan of Drake, but I did like his employees, which consisted of vampires and shifters. Although they didn’t get a lot of respect because they worked for a human, they were good people. While the club allowed humans in, it catered to paranormals. I figured Drake’s and Marcus’s problem were related.

Stephen Yocum was the most powerful vampire in North America, and ran a huge coven. Unlike wizards, Stephen used electronics and even had a cell phone. Maseré Mason, Darwin’s father, was the alpha of the strongest wolf shifter pack in North America. These humans were messing with the toughest paranormals in the country.

I didn’t really know who to call about hunters. Between Maseré and Stephen, they were pretty good at protecting their people, but the problem was growing. A small group of humans somehow got inside knowledge on paranormals and were developing weapons against us. Unfortunately, if Maseré or Stephen killed the hunters, there would be backlash. In fact, some of Maseré’s wolves were members of the police force.

Wizards had the best chance of stopping hunters without outing all paranormals, but that came with even more risks. No one needed another witch hunt outbreak. Even though fae could do something, I highly doubted any of them would unless hunters went after them first, and then they would wage war against all humans. Fae were anything but subtle when it came to tribal revenge.

I was a hands-on person with cases. Wizards usually developed a wide range of magic. Since I focused on learning the magic I needed for my job and mostly relied on my visions, mind control, and intuition, I wasn’t a very versatile wizard. I used to be known for my discretion, but that wasn’t so in the paranormal world.

Nevertheless, my psychic magic gave me a unique advantage. I needed to find out what Marcus wanted before making the trip, however. I checked Remington’s room, but she wasn’t there, so I went to her office. Not surprisingly, she was asleep over a pile of paperwork.

I gently prodded her awake and she groaned.

You need to sleep in your bed or you’re going to get back pain.

She stretched. I already have back pain.

Well, I hope I’m not about to add to it. I need to head out to the nearby town and then probably Stephen’s coven.

She made a face. I need you here for the next few days. I have to go see my father. I can appoint someone else in your place, but you’re not an easy man to replace.

I should hope not. I guess that’s fine. The coven will just have to wait. I’ll drive over to the next town, call Marcus, and be back in a few hours, definitely before morning.

She stood and kissed me. Okay. Drive safe.

I thought I’d drive like April.

I’ll kill you if you do something that stupid.

I laughed and left, promising to drop by her room when I returned.

* * *

The drive was long and tedious. The winding, narrow, backwoods roads with only the moonlight and my headlights lighting the way reminded me of the night that I dove headfirst into the paranormal world. I hadn’t known at the time that it was in my blood and I couldn’t escape it. It felt like decades ago when it was only a few short years that I first set eyes on the university. I thought I was human, that my childhood best-friend killed my father, and that magic could only be used for harm.

My views were so black-and-white back then. Paranormals were bad and humans were good. However, some of the best people I knew were paranormals and some of the worst were humans. Case in point: vampires never went human-hunting, yet it seemed like Stephen couldn’t catch a break from vampire hunters. My heart was cursed by a human who hated magic and paranormals, yet was married to a demon... who later helped me stop a worse demon.

By the time I made it to the small town, I missed the school. Sure, I enjoyed solving cases, but I never felt needed as much as I did at the school. All those kids were there because they didn’t fit in at human schools. I hadn’t fit in, either. My life would have been so different had I grown up in the paranormal world. I wouldn’t have thought I was a freak.

But I wouldn’t have saved Marcus, become a private investigator, or met Astrid. Instead, I probably would have become John’s pawn. I was a protective person, which wasn’t always a good thing. I protected Regina’s feelings and defended her even against myself. I used to take on cases I shouldn’t have because a woman or child seemed helpless. I was even protective of Remington (who could easily kick my ass) Henry (who could outrun and eat me) and Darwin (whose IQ was easily twice mine). Hell, I was protective of Astrid (a vampire) and Heather (a demon). It wasn’t healthy.

The kids at the school, however, needed me. Not all of them, but enough that I felt responsible for keeping them safe. The paranormal world was my world. I wouldn’t let anyone tear it apart.

I turned on my cell phone. Fortunately, the town had reception, so I called Marcus. Since it was night, I wasn’t worried about waking him up. He’d always been a night owl anyway.

Hey, man, he said. We used to have an elaborate phone ritual to protect him from his father, but since Sinclair was imprisoned by Maseré’s pack and Marcus got fangs, he relaxed a bit.

I got your message. You know I had to drive ten hours through three blizzards, two tornadoes, and a hurricane to get to a town to call you, right?

He scoffed. You’d do it for me, brother.

I groaned. Yeah, but I’d make you pay for it. What do you want?

A Big Mac, a large fry, and a chocolate shake.

Don’t make me send Darwin.

He sighed. Something weird is going on here.

You mean the hunters?

Only if one of them is a wizard. I’m getting a lot of magical interference with my tech, and I think someone is doing it on purpose. I’ve lost a lot of data, primarily on vampire records and security clearances.

That got my attention for two reasons. You keep vampire records?

Yeah. Not like the council tried to, of course. I recorded boundary lines and set up an online registry so that vampires can ask permission from other covens to enter their territory before traveling. It’s made a huge improvement in coven relations in America and Canada. If I had to go to Vancouver, I’d need to pass through three covens. Now I can register where I’m going, when, and what my route is. The vamps on the way automatically get a request for my safe passage. If they deny me, the program will reroute me until I can make it. I’ve gotten every vampire coven in the U.S. and Canada to agree and enter the registry.

That sounds great, but I’m not sure what the problem is.

To prove our identity, we all have numerical identity codes. Well, that’s all on my servers to prevent tampering...

But they’ve been tampered with? I asked.

Not tampered with so much as corrupted. Whoever is doing it has magic and knows how to damage electronics, but not how to hack my system. Whoever it is, they’re in the mansion.

A wizard is hiding out in a mansion full of vampires who can smell lies?

Yes. Now you see why I’m bothered?

I do. I’ll be there as soon as possible, but it’s going to be a few days. Remington needs me to watch the school while she’s visiting her father.

What should I do in the meantime?

Build the same system for pack shifters.

He scoffed. No way. Darwin can do his own work. The little pup thinks he’s so smart, but my computer skills are so far—-

Skip, I interrupted. I could sense him roll his eyes over the phone.

Fine. He and Darwin were extremely competitive, but I was pretty sure they were instant best friends. Marcus was brilliant in technology the way Darwin was brilliant in general. If they ever truly joined forces, the rest of the world didn’t stand a chance.

Chapter 2

I was in a room just like my last vision, with no furniture or way out. The difference was that the room was on fire. Flames arose from ominous sigils glowing red on the floor, but there was no smoke or heat. For a few minutes, I searched for a way out, or anything that could help me figure out why I was there. I called out, but either no one heard me or no one could answer.

And suddenly, I wasn’t alone. A boy was there. He couldn’t have been older than seven. He was slender with messy, short black hair and honey-brown eyes. He wore race car pajamas with green and blue paint on his pant legs. What was concerning, however, was that he held his head as if in pain. I stepped closer to him, only to be intercepted by flames as another sigil appeared. I tried to go around it, but even more surrounded him. The boy didn’t seem to notice them.

Can you hear me? I asked, as gentle as I could considering the extreme circumstances. He didn’t react, so I repeated myself loudly, with no better results. Why are we both here if I can’t talk to him or help him? I focused my magic on extinguishing the flames, but nothing happened. I tried to read the child’s mind, but it was like I didn’t have that magic anymore. I couldn’t feel it.

* * *

Tuesday, November 15

I was torn from my sleep by a twenty-pound cat pouncing on my chest. I shoved Vincent’s familiar off me and groaned. Damn you, Ghost!

He hissed in response. I sat up and motioned towards the lamp, focusing my magic on heat and light automatically. The lamp lit without any problem. I had my magic back.

What do you want? I asked.

The cat vanished, leaving behind a letter from my uncle. I picked it up with dread, still bothered by my dream.

––––––––

Devon,

I had a vision that something will go terribly wrong at the children’s school. I suggest you take precaution. If you can convince Remington to go to Quintessence, that would be beneficial. Rocky will be invaluable, so keep her close. I will let you know if I find out anything else.

Best wishes,

Your Uncle

––––––––

I dressed and went down to breakfast, not sure what to tell everyone. I would tell Darwin, Henry, and Remington everything, of course, but the rest of the teachers and staff was a trickier matter. Since many of them could block their minds, I couldn’t completely trust them. I could break their mental blocks easily, but not without their awareness, and until I had evidence of malicious intent, I didn’t want to do that to any of my coworkers. We needed to stand together against whatever was coming, not throw suspicion around.

Darwin, Amelia, Henry, and Addison were already seated in the dining room, so I joined them after getting my breakfast. Darwin was telling Addison and Henry about one of the paranormal scandals he uncovered in Egypt when he was a kid.

Henry’s girlfriend, Addison, was a cute woman in her late-twenties with wavy, golden blond hair, big, bright blue eyes, and a round face. She was high-maintenance, but she was also an ocelot shifter, so I figured it was to be expected. Although she and Henry had been together since Henry’s first semester of Quintessence, I didn’t see them moving forward in their relationship.

Darwin’s fiancée was very different from Darwin, despite being fae. Amelia was a gorgeous Scottish and Irish woman. She was five-five, petite, with curly ginger hair and clover-green eyes. She could control a person’s emotions, which Darwin believed somehow made her the only one on Earth who could touch him. I had my own theory.

I tuned him out a bit until I heard, Oh, Amy, Mum said the cabin is ready.

Amelia smiled. That’s something to look forward to.

What cabin? I asked.

You didn’t think I was going to move my fiancée into my bedroom, did you?

I didn’t think you were at that stage of your relationship. They still had their own bedrooms at the school, although I couldn’t recall Amelia ever using hers.

We originally decided to marry because we were friends, we fit well together, and it would get our parents off our backs. What can I say, though? We fell in love. It might be because she’s willing to let me—-

Darwin, he doesn’t need to know that! Amelia interrupted, blushing furiously. When he dropped it, she continued. Darwin is too high-ranking in the pack to move off his land, and we can’t live in the den together because his wolf would become too possessive of me with others around. So we had a cabin constructed for us to our specifications.

It’s wicked, Darwin said. Even Marcus is jealous of my setup.

His mother requested to clean it for us every week, Amy said.

Amy refused. She said that was her job now. She even wants to be the one to remind me to eat.

You poor woman, Henry said. You just asked to take on a full-time job.

What about your father? I asked Amy. I thought he would keep you close.

Of course; we’re fae. He’s moving into another cabin on the property.

I got a letter from Vincent, I said. They fell silent, waiting for the bad news. He says something is going to happen here.

Darwin shrugged. Well, we knew that. Did he give any details?

That Remington should go to Quintessence.

Remington Hunt will run to safety the day Hell freezes over, Addison scoffed.

I nodded my agreement. That about covers it. She went there this morning for business, but she didn’t tell me why. I wonder if Vincent told Hunt. If he did, I wouldn’t put it past Hunt to trap his daughter there. He might have even lied to her to get her there.

If that’s the case, who’s going to run Quintessence after Remington commits patricide? Darwin asked.

People called her an opinionated spitfire, or a bitch if they were brave enough. My ex-wife was a bitch, though, so I disagreed. Regina had been selfish and would scream obscenities at people if they didn’t do what she wanted. She was only sweet when she was manipulating people and had an ultimatum for every occasion.

Remy would meet any challenge with a tongue sharp enough to decalcify a person’s spine, but she never threatened someone if she wasn’t provoked. She was passionate about protecting her students and staff. There was nothing selfish about her and she regularly put others’ needs ahead of her own.

Ignoring Darwin’s reasonable question, I said, When she does come back, I’m going to visit Stephen’s coven to solve a hunter problem.

I’ll get a temp, Darwin volunteered immediately.

No, you and Henry should stay. I want to protect the school, but Stephen needs my help and Vincent’s vision could be months away. As long as you’re here, I know there will still be a school standing when I return. Plus, Darwin can contact me from here.

Henry’s expression was conflicted. He wanted to offer his help as well, but he couldn’t leave his son if there was a chance of something happening.

I’m going to check in on the classes for the next few days, and have Mr. Yuun and Mr. Murphy do the same.

And miss all that paperwork you love so much?

* * *

James Murphy (the assistant principal of the South) was eating breakfast, so I asked him to keep an eye out for anything strange with the students. He was a scholarly-looking man with narrow, silver-rimmed glasses and styled brown hair. He had an average build with a business suit on under his wizard robe.

He nodded. Sure. He didn’t bother to question me since weird things happened all the time. From the original staff, I learned that it was actually a very tame year so far. I mean, we only came close to the end of the world once since I started at the school... so far.

I found Gryphon Yuun (the assistant principal of the North) in the hallway of the North. He was six-five and muscular, and he could glare down an enemy like a shifter, but he was one of the kindest people I knew. I couldn’t call him a gentle giant, though, because anyone who would try to hurt one of his students would wish they were facing a gun instead of him.

Young children were making their way to class, so I waited until they dispersed to talk to him. When a little girl passed us, I frowned, because her books were hovering beside her. That’s excellent control for a girl that age, isn’t it? I asked.

Mr. Yuun shook his head. That’s not telekinesis; Isela’s imaginary friend is holding her books.

What?

Isela and her imaginary friend, Zoila, take turns doing their homework and holding books.

How does an imaginary friend do homework?

I have no idea, but Zoila gets better grades. They’re both in therapy.

I see. I was going to ask you to keep an extra close eye on the students for a while, just to make sure there’s nothing strange going on, but that might not be practical.

Strange is the norm around here, Mr. Yuun agreed.

* * *

My first few classroom visits were typical. Terri Holland, the history teacher of students fourteen to seventeen, was teaching her class about the roots of elemental magic, so I stuck around. She was a pretty, full-figured, middle-aged woman with silver-speckled, sandy blond hair and chocolate-brown eyes.

Elemental magic is a powerful branch of magic. A hundred years ago, elemental magic referred to the manipulation of magic, and it still does. However, our philosophers have found that all magic is created by elementals.

Philosophers? I asked. I knew her well enough to butt in, as she didn’t mind at all.

Magic is subjective rather than scientific, so we don’t have scientists.

So divination is made by elementals? Kaisy asked. How does that work?

You incorporate the elements into all magic. Magic is like invisible energy or a force that you can control. This energy is created by elementals. Thus, all magic is technically elemental. Correspondences, like colors, oils, gemstones, etcetera, are tools to help you control magic.

What about the magic we do without any tools? Leelu asked.

"Psychic magic is what we call magic that uses no correspondences. Mind control, telekinesis, and telepathy. However, the lines are further blurred because divination often uses crystal balls, and all psychic magic can be enhanced with tools like crystals and wands. You can also create fire without tools, so it is technically both elemental and psychic.

Now, some people consider elemental magic to be limited to manipulating the elements. However, the council’s definition is that any magic that incorporates nature directly is elemental magic.

Wouldn’t it make more sense to have clear labels? Kenneth asked.

It’s difficult to label magic due to the complex history of magic. Druidism, witchcraft, Egyptian... There are so many different classifications of magic that are only different because of the culture and religion they were built around. In truth, it’s all the same thing. Magic is based on belief.

Why isn’t there an elemental for the soul? Anderson asked.

Maybe there is, and we just haven’t discovered it yet, Ms. Holland said.

My dad said we should study chaos magic because it’s the best, Haden said.

It is not the best by any means, Ms. Holland corrected quickly. Chaos magic is unbalanced. It basically has the same goal as all the other magicks; bend the universe to your will. However, it focuses on belief rather than set correspondences and specific tools. It implies that the mind is all powerful and practitioners don’t concern themselves with balance.

I want to specialize in elemental magic, Kaisy said.

What do you specialize in, Mr. Sanders? Kita asked.

I suppose psychic magic.

What element is hardest to learn? Marco asked.

Can we have elemental clubs? Jessica asked before I could answer Marco.

That wouldn’t be fair to shifters, Kenny, a wolf shifter, said.

Why don’t we learn elemental magic here like they do at Quintessence? Marco asked.

Because they have separate classes for shifters, fae, and wizards there, Kaisy said.

Why don’t we? Jose asked.

Moving on, Ms. Holland said. She usually encouraged discussions, but she also had a list of topics to get into during class and she didn’t like to miss any of them. Unfortunately, Jose, Kaisy, and Marco were too busy talking about the university to hear her. Settle down, she insisted.

Hey, shut up! Jessica said to her classmates.

You shut up! Marco snapped.

Be quiet! Ms. Holland demanded.

I’m sorry, Jose said.

I’m sorry, too, Kaisy added.

So am I, Marco said.

Don’t be sorry; be quiet!

Everyone shouted at once, We’re sorry!

* * *

I reached out with my power for a familiar mind. Ghost appeared on my desk. He was welcoming, yet irritated. "Devon Sanders, still using me as a messenger."

Sorry, Ghost. I would absolutely invite you to have tea or something if I did that kind of thing. I need to talk to my uncle. Can you deliver a message?

"Yes, but be quick. He is about to open a tin of chicken."

Ghost and Vincent could see through each other’s eyes, but I preferred to use letters. I grabbed the notepad from the nightstand and wrote a quick letter to Vincent, telling him about my visions and the kids, and asking if he knew anything. I barely had a chance to give it to Ghost before he vanished.

A few minutes later, Vincent appeared out of the darkness. Even though he was in his seventies, he looked to be in his forties. He was six-four and trim with short black hair. He looked every bit the wizard, right down to the thin scar crossing from the far end of his left eyebrow to the tip of his left nostril. His left eye was icy blue, while his right was dark purple.

It’s good to see you safe, Devon, he said.

Ditto. I’m sorry to interrupt your... alone time with my mother.

She’s in the shower. Besides, anything to do with visions is important. Unfortunately, from your description, I’m afraid I can’t be much help. Both of your visions sound like a dream to me.

"But in the first one, I spoke to a girl who gave me a name and general location. Would you check into it? Check on Chris Williams in Siloam Springs and listen for reports of missing kids,