Dark Arts (Society of Ancient Magic Book 1) Read online

  She smiles and bends to kiss me as she lets me in, the heat of her pussy enveloping every inch of me.

  “You feel so good,” she whispers.

  “So good,” I say, so lost in the sensations that I can’t find new words.

  She moves on top of me, pumping slowly at first, and then a little faster as she finds a rhythm. I watch her move above me, her hips grinding softly against mine, the muscles of her stomach flexing as she rides me. Her breasts rock with the motion and her long dark hair brushes against them, touching her nipples where my mouth was not that long ago.

  She closes her eyes and arches her back, losing herself in the moment. Watching her, I could almost forget the pleasure building inside of me. Almost.

  I wrap an arm around her and roll us over, placing her on her back beneath me. She holds on and lets me take over, thrusting and pumping, filling her with all of me.

  I’m so close I can barely hang on, but I want her to come again more than anything. I lift her leg, changing the angle a little and she whimpers when I thrust again.

  “Does that feel good?”

  “God yes,” she breathes. “Yes.”

  I keep moving, following her lead, until she finds her release. Then I let go, and hold her as we drop into the abyss, our bodies shuddering as we fall together.

  She’s quiet as we walk back to her dorm, which might have made me worry under other circumstances, but she’s sending all kinds of secret messages with her hands so I know everything is all right.

  Chapter Fifteen

  JOELY

  I don’t know who that girl was out at the dock tonight, but I am so glad she’s me. Angus walked me back and kissed me at the door, seeing me safely home. I’ve never done anything like that before… first time having sex outdoors, first time with a magical condom, and first time with someone I just met.

  Though, to be fair, this was actually the fourth time I’d seen Angus.

  I shake my head, it’s totally like me to rationalize my brazen behavior. I feel like I should feel guilty or dirty, but I don’t feel any of those things. I feel alive, and loved, and absolutely satisfied.

  I catch my reflection in the elevator door and stare at myself, wondering if I am who I think I am. Am I the child of Layla and Ulysses Everstar?

  Who am I? My reflection doesn’t have any insight.

  Does it matter, really, in the end? Isn’t a life full of memories and experiences what makes us who we are? I mean, nothing is going to change the fact that I was raised by two loving parents in a good home, with two sisters who might not be my best friends, but who are my sisters, nonetheless.

  I search my face for pieces of my parents, questioning everything. I want to tell myself that I don’t care, that I know who I am. But that doesn’t make this empty feeling go away. And who am I kidding? If they’ve lied to me my entire life, that matters to me. And my mother’s slurred speech on the phone tonight tells me that whatever is going on, it matters to her as well.

  Winter yawns as I step off the elevator. She stands up and stretches her arms up in the air. “You’re back.”

  “You waited up for me? I’m sorry. You didn’t have to do that.” I have no idea how long I’ve been out, but it was probably longer than she expected.

  She shakes her head and smiles. “It’s all right. We have to look after each other, right?” She pads across the great room and opens her door. “Goodnight.”

  “Goodnight,” I say.

  I take a long shower, enjoying the feel of the hot water on my skin, and wishing the heat would melt my thoughts away. By the time I crawl into bed, I can barely keep my eyes open. I let myself sink into my pillow. I don’t want to think about anything right now except amazing, warm kisses on my mouth, gentle husky whispers in my ears, and secret messages spoken through gentle hands.

  The white wolf steps from the shadows into the clearing. His huge paws are silent on the forest floor as he pads toward me, watching me. I reach out, urging him closer, wanting to feel his fur under my hands. A heartbeat thumps softly in my ears, and I know without a doubt that it’s his heart that he’s sharing with me.

  His breaths puff from his snout in tiny clouds, adding to the fog. He’s so close, I can feel the warmth of his body in the air, but he’s still a few inches out of reach. I want to step closer, just enough to make contact, but I stay where I am, not willing to scare him away.

  Something stirs in the trees, drawing our attention. We turn to look as a huge raven takes flight, its dark wings like a shadow upon a shadow, creating a void in the night. When I turn back, the wolf is gone. No, not gone… he’s retreated. He watches me from the trees, his silhouette like a photo negative outlined in the moon glow of the fog.

  The sound of a woman’s voice echoes into the night, a far away scream that intermingles with the thrumming heartbeat that still fills my head. Something bursts from the shadows and crashes into me, an animal of some kind. I fly backward and slam onto the ground, trying to fight it off. My lungs burn, unable to draw any air. I catch a glimpse of fiery red eyes in a pale face. Is it human? A flash of fangs, white claws… it all comes in a rush. I try to fight but the monster is too strong.

  Blood fills my mouth as the creature tears at my throat. I try to scream, but I’m wounded and choking on all the blood. Then the woman’s scream rises again from the distance, is she afraid? Is she in danger? Is she warning me? I try to look around, I need to find her, but I can’t move under the weight of my attacker. I blink back tears and stop fighting, staring up into the night sky. I’ve lost this battle.

  A raven circles overhead, its wings outstretched. This is it. I’m done. I am frozen in this moment of blood and teeth and death from the night. Cold seeps up through my toes and into my legs. I can’t feel my hands. I hear the woman again, but she isn’t screaming, she’s crying.

  Then the wolf is there again, watching me for a moment before he turns away. Don’t go. I’m afraid. I plead with the wolf, begging him to stay. His words are like a whisper without tone or resonance. You’re not alone. Their blood calls for you.

  The wolf disappears into the fog. The woman keeps on crying until her voice morphs into a howl. The wolf stands on the hill beyond the trees, his neck arched and his eyes to the sky, his call mournful and alone.

  I wake up gasping for air and bracing myself for an attack. It takes a moment for me to get my bearings and realize I am safe in my room. It’s okay. I am okay. It was just a dream.

  I pull back the covers and move my feet into the square of sunlight beaming on the bed, trying to shake off the memory of the cold from the dream.

  Chapter Sixteen

  JOELY

  The Morris is absolutely packed for breakfast this morning. Roz waves me over to her table, where she and my roommates are sitting with a bunch of people I don’t know.

  “We saved you a seat,” she says, tapping the chair next to her.

  I sit down and smile at all the new faces. I recognize a few of them from the parties the other night.

  “Everybody, this is Joely. She’s new on our floor. Joely, this is Steven, Zeke, Alice, Pepper, Rachel, Ryan, and Mel.”

  Mel has brown hair that she has twisted into two messy buns on top of her head. She smiles and her eyes crinkle with mirth. “We met at the welcome party at the cottage. How’s it going so far?”

  “Good. It’s been kind of a whirlwind, you know? A lot to take in.”

  The guy next to Mel… Ryan, says, “Don’t worry. You’ll be surprised how quickly it all falls into place. What classes do you have?”

  I pull my schedule book out of my bag and check today’s schedule for the hundredth time. The way the schedules are set up is actually really nice. When I was at Covington, I had at least four classes every day, sometimes five. They were all an hour long and we had fifteen minutes between. The classes here are all at least two hours long. And a few are three or four. There are only one or two per day, depending, and you only attend each class once per week.
r />   I’ve checked and re-checked my schedule so many times I should have it memorized by now. But I keep checking just in case I remembered it wrong. “Today I have Conjuring, and then Magical Self-Defense.”

  The girl next to me has short purple hair cut into a pixie. She touches my arm. “Zeke and I have conjuring too. We can walk together if you want.”

  Hearing his name, Zeke turns and joins in. “Professor Brookwood is teaching it this year. Should be a good class.”

  “I’m Alice, by the way.” The purple haired girl says. “We also met at the welcome party at the cottage.”

  I nod. “I remember. You wore a fabulous tiara, right?”

  “That’s right! Very observant.” She leans in closer and whispers, “I hope it’s all right, but Roz told me that you just got your magic recently. That same thing happened to my mom’s cousin. She spent years thinking she was a non-mage, and then one day, poof… full-on mage at sixteen. I know it’s rare, but it does happen. I just wanted to share that it happened with a real person and not some rando out in the world.”

  “Thanks.” Her words are oddly reassuring.

  I order breakfast and dig in to my pancakes and sausage, listening to the conversation and enjoying the casual comfort everyone seems to have with each other. I keep feeling like I hit the lottery with all of this. Not just the scholarship and all of that, but falling in with these people who all seem so friendly and welcoming. And then there’s Angus… and Van.

  Yeah… I’m definitely living in some alternate reality. Now if I can just figure out what’s going on back home. Part of me feels like there is some totally normal explanation for all of this. Maybe I’m not adopted. But then… another possibility comes rushing in that hadn’t occurred to me until just now. Maybe mom’s drinking was as a result of guilt and not sadness. Could it be that she had an affair and I’m the product of that? It would explain Dad’s anger, maybe?

  I hate not knowing. But I am also worried how I will handle the truth when it comes.

  “Are you Joely Everstar?” A very tall, heavyset guy with dark red hair and a spray of freckles stands at the end of the table. I can’t be sure but I feel like I saw him at the welcome party too. Everyone stops talking and looks at him.

  “Hey Phipps,” Zeke tips his chin at the guy. “See you at practice later?”

  “I’ll be there, man.” Phipps smiles and then hands me a small envelope. “This is for you.”

  I slip the card out of the envelope and read the note.

  “Everything okay?” Roz asks.

  “It’s from Daria. She wants to see me before class.” I look at my watch. We have about an hour until conjuring begins. “I should probably head over there now.”

  Mel stands up and pulls her bag over her shoulder. “I’m heading over there too. I have a meeting with my mentor at a quarter after. I’ll walk over with you.”

  I get up and grab my backpack from the floor.

  “I’ll save you a seat in Conjuring, Joely,” Alice says.

  I step out of the dining hall and try to orient myself with the location of the cottage in relation to campus. The Morris faces the quad and the main area of campus. I know the Society mansion is on this side of the quad but I don’t remember if I need to go left or right.

  Mel appears at my side. “Still finding your way around?”

  “Is it that obvious?” I say.

  “Only a little. Don’t worry. When I first got here last year, I couldn’t get anywhere on time. We’ve all been there. Pretty soon you won’t have to think about it at all.” She waits for me a moment. “So, which way?”

  I point to the right, a question on my face.

  “Sorry. no. But I will give you a tip for the future.” She tilts her chin. “You see, the statue in the middle of the quad?”

  I’ve walked by it at least a dozen times already and never really gave it more than a glance. It’s a statue of a round, bald man in a three-piece suit and circular spectacles pinched onto his nose. He’s holding a book in one hand, and has his other hand out, pointing a finger into the air as if driving home the point of whatever he is saying.

  “That’s Reginald Whitmore Blakeborne, the esteemed founder of our humble university. Whenever you’re feeling lost, just remember that old Reggie’s pointing the way to the cottage.”

  I have to laugh. “Well, that’s convenient.”

  When we get to the cottage, Mel leaves me in the entryway to meet with her mentor.

  “I’ll probably be awhile. Don’t wait for me. When you get back to campus, make a right at the dining hall. Conjuring is in Stonemill Hall with the green dome. You can’t miss it.” She skips away with a waggle of her fingers.

  “Thanks. Catch you later.” I am about to call out for help or look for a bell when a door opens and Van appears.

  He’s looking down at a paper in his hand as he walks, looking very official. “Sorry to keep you wait—” His voice has a tone he clearly reserves for people he likes. He stops talking when he looks up and realizes it’s me. For the briefest of moments his face softens and he seems glad to see me, but then, just like before, he shutters that away and his entire demeanor goes stiff and dry. “Joely. What can I do for you?” He’s wearing black trousers and a light blue dress shirt with a dark blue tie that plays with the blue in his eyes. His dark lashes are long and when he furrows his brow, it makes his eyes look darker.

  I wasn’t expecting to see him and it takes a second for me to gather my wits about me. I try not to take any of this personally. Whatever reason he has for being rude to me is not my fault.

  “Daria asked to see me,” I say, making sure to stand tall and look him straight in the eyes, daring him to look away.

  He holds my gaze for a moment before blinking and looking down at his hands. “Of course. This way.” He walks across the foyer and climbs the stairs. He doesn’t look back to make sure I follow.

  I watch his back as I try to untangle the jumble that my nerves has become. Just being in the same room as him makes my entire body feel tense and wound up. I want to run past him, break out of this slow ascent on the plush stairs. I want to jump in front of him and stand on one of the steps above him so we are eye to eye and demand that he tell me what his problem is. I want to see that flash of kindness in his eyes again. I want to know how I can make him show me that side of him, instead of locking it away.

  At the top of the stairs, we turn and head down a long hallway with several offices on either side. At the end of the hall, there’s a seating area with a large semi-circle window. Two doors on either side of the room are closed.

  “Wait here, please.” Van points to one of the wide sofas under the window. I walk over but I don’t sit down. Instead I pretend I am interested in the view, although the truth is I can barely concentrate on anything. I can feel him standing there. I have to resist the urge to turn around to face him.

  He knocks on the door to my left and opens it. “Miss Everstar to see you.” I notice that these words are in his friendly tone and it really irks me.

  “Joely, come in,” Daria’s voice carries from beyond the door.

  I walk past Van, trying not to look at him, but I fail at the last second and catch his gaze which gives my breath a hitch.

  Daria’s all smiles when I enter. She ushers me over to a pair of upholstered chairs positioned in front of the hearth. She takes the chair opposite me, leaning back and steepling her fingers.

  “It’s good to see you. How are you settling in? Is your dorm suitable?”

  “It’s beyond suitable. It’s amazing. Everything is amazing.”

  She looks pleased. “And how about your roommates? Are you getting on well?”

  “Oh, Roz is wonderful. She’s really taking good care of me and showing me around. Introducing me to everyone. And Winter and Georgia are great, too.”

  She smiles and indicates my clothing. “I see you’ve met with Maurice?”

  I feel my face flush under her scrutiny, but I know that
what I am wearing is gorgeous. I’ve never had clothing like this, and my family is not poor. I’ve chosen a pair of navy Capri slacks and a floral blouse in pinks and reds. Everything fits exactly, down to my navy ballet slippers with the tiny pink and red flowers on them. “I can’t believe the clothes. And everything in my room… It’s beyond perfect. I don’t know how I’ll go back to my normal things, ever.”

  Daria laughs. “Who says you have to? Maurice is great. It’s definitely a nice perk that comes with being a student and member of The Society. Master Damon is from a time when life had more formality and structure. He likes old fashioned parties and insists that everyone look their best. He requires a lot of us. He feels it is a small thing for him to provide life’s comforts in return.”

  The things they’ve given me are well beyond comforts, but you won’t hear me complain. I could get used to this. “I’ll have to thank him when I meet him.”

  “He’s away at the moment, but he’ll be back in time for your initiation. You’ll be able to speak to him then.”

  Mention of initiation makes me feel giddy. “I’m excited for initiation. Nobody has said a word about what to expect.”

  “Good, that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. It’s very special. It’s actually why I asked to see you this morning.”

  “It is?”

  “Yes, well, in the process of preparing everything, I realized that we’re missing some information about you. I don’t know which ancient line you hail from. Did your parents ever share anything with you about your biological family?”

  And there it is. She says it so casually, like we’re talking about my class schedule or how I’m enjoying the food at The Morris. She just says it… tell me what you know about your biological family? My ears are ringing, and there’s a pinch in my chest that makes me want to go home and hug my pillow. I know I’ve been thinking about it myself, almost playing with the idea of some television scandal scenario about my origins, but to hear it stated out loud like that… your biological parents… Just brought it into reality in a way I haven’t been able to on my own.