Phosphoromancy

RORY

“You know who I am?” I ask the young professor.

He leans against a bookshelf and grins. I notice that he gets a dimple on his left cheek when he smiles.

This guy doesn’t look anything like how I imagined the professors at this university would look. He has delicate features, a thin nose, and sharp cheekbones.

A spattering of freckles covers his cheeks. And beneath the hoodie, I can tell he has wide shoulders and a slim waist.

I bet he’s a hit with the females in his classes.

“You’re Luna Aurora of the Shadow Blood Pack,” he says coolly. “I know all about you. American pack history is one of my specialties.”

I put my hands up in surrender. “You’ve caught me then.”

“Do you want to tell me what you’re doing here? Not that I agree with all the rules, but”—he lowers his brow and stares at me darkly—“humans are forbidden on campus.”

“I snuck in because this is the only place I could find the book I was looking for.”

For a moment he looks me up and down as if he’s thinking something over.

“What sort of books?”

“Why should I tell you? I don’t even know your name.”

He extends his hand for me to shake. “Professor Xander, head of the Divination Department at Lupus University.”

Reluctantly, I shake his hand.

“I know a bit more about you if you’d like to hear it,” he says casually, as if that’s not an entirely creepy thing to say.

“Sure,” I reply.

“You’re the descendant of a long line of deities, a goddess. But you grew up with humans. Which is why I think I might be able to help you.”

I’m taken aback. “I thought you were going to throw me out.”

“I’ve never been one for following the rules.” He shoots me a cheeky wink. “Especially when trying to help a goddess.”

I feel my shoulders relax but not completely. I may be off the hook for trespassing but I still feel as if this Xander guy wants something.

“So,” he says. “Are you going to tell me what book you were looking for?”

I bite my lip and narrow my eyes.

“It’s okay,” he says. “You can tell me.”

His tone is so earnest and friendly that I’m starting to think he might be telling the truth.

“Fine,” I say. “I’m looking for a book on reincarnation. I want to be able to protect my pack, even from death.”

His eyes light up. “Fantastic!” he says. “I can definitely help with that.”

Now I’m feeling skeptical again. I’ve never met anyone with powers like mine, let alone someone who understands them or knows how to use them properly.

“I’m not sure if you can,” I say, turning back to the books.

“You don’t think I’m up to the challenge?” he says, stepping closer. “You’re not the only one with powers.”

When I turn back, he’s staring at his hands, which he’s cupped together in front of himself. Gradually, a light begins to shine from between his palms.

He opens his hands and inside is a glowing butterfly.

“What is that?” I ask breathlessly.

“It’s phosphoromancy. I’m reflecting light through particles in the air.”

“It’s beautiful.”

Suddenly, he claps his hands together and the glowing butterfly is gone.

“Now, I may not be able to do what you can do,” he says. “But I can help you. If you’ll let me.”

It’s my turn to study him.

“Why are you so keen to help?”

“Let’s just say I’m curious. I study divination and the spirit realm but I’ve never met an actual goddess until now. All I’d ask is that you let me document our progress.”

He lifts his eyebrows and for a second he looks like an adorable puppy dog.

“Okay,” I say. “If you think you can help me, then we have a deal. Only…”

“What is it?”

“I thought you said this school was just for werewolves. How am I supposed to study with you here if I’m not allowed in?”

He scratches the side of his face and thinks for a moment.

“Let me talk with Dean Fang. I’m sure she’ll understand and make an exception.”

Just then a loud bang echoes through the library. Professor Xander and I head to the end of the row to find light streaming in through a side door.

Marching toward us is Mia, her finger pointing in my direction.

“There she is, Dean Fang,” Mia says, her voice booming into the rafters. “A non-wolf on campus.”

Behind Mia is a tall, slender older woman. She is wearing a floor-length, black dress and a grey woolen scarf. Her hair is tied up on her head in a tight bun.

She is staring at me through thin slit-like eyelids.

“You are not permitted to be here, young lady.”

“I…I…” I can’t think of anything to say. This woman is scarier than Stefan and more intimidating than Nemesis.

“You didn’t think I’d notice you following me here?” Mia says, her snide tone making me want to scream.

“Professor Xander, I assume you were about to tell our little intruder that she is to leave immediately.”

Xander steps forward. “Actually, I was—”

“He was telling me how to get back to the Shadow Blood Pack,” I say, stepping in front of him.

I can’t let him take the fall. Not if I ever want to study with him.

“Good,” Dean Fang says, pouting her wrinkled lips. “You may escort her off campus, Professor Xander.”

She turns her beady eyes on me. “And don’t ever let me find you snooping around here again.”

***

EVERETT

“Thank you for coming,” I say, nodding to the three Red Moon Pack members standing in my office.

None of them look particularly enthusiastic about being here.

On the left, a wolf named Reynolds, an old friend of my father’s, is staring at me with a raised eyebrow. Sandra, who is great with numbers and has been helping out in our treasury, huffs.

Tobias, a retired warrior, is the only one who seems willing to give me the time of day.

“We’re glad to be here,” he says in a gruff voice.

“What’s this about?” Reynolds says.

“Please have a seat.”

They take their time getting comfortable, but I wait until they are seated before I begin.

“I thought it would be a good idea to speak to a few of the members of your pack after the tragic passing of your pack’s beta.”

“He didn’t pass,” Reynolds says, quick to jump in. “He was murdered. While you were off partying in New York.”

I bristle a little at being spoken to this way. I wonder if they used to speak to their alphas like this before they were moved here.

I take a breath and compose myself.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. But that is why I want to speak to you today.”

“What are you trying to achieve?” Sandra asks. “First, you move us from our homes and now our people are being attacked.”

“I can assure you I am doing everything I can to keep the packs safe. But I need your help.”

“You need ~our~ help?” Sandra says, incredulous.

“Yes. I want to offer a Red Moon wolf a spot on my council,” I say. “I’m aware that up until now your people haven’t had much of a say in how things are run around here.

“I want to offer you this opportunity to have your voices heard.”

“One spot on the council?” Reynolds scoffs and rolls his eyes. “You think that will make up for our dead beta?”

“No, nothing will ever make up for that.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“Hear the man out,” Tobias says, raising his voice.

“Why should I?” Reynolds asks, standing. “He shouldn’t even be alive. Stefan killed him. He broke the rules of the blood duel.”

“He did no such thing!” Tobias roars. “Stefan cheated when he brought a knife to a wolf fight.”

“Tobias has a point,” Sandra says. “And besides, Stefan was hell-bent on turning our pack into a human slave factory. I know you didn’t agree with his methods back then, Reynolds.”

All eyes turn to Reynolds, who crosses his arms and turns his face away.

“You’ve all been through a lot,” I say, rising. “I’m trying to help. I want our packs to be unified.”

“What would you like us to do?” Tobias asks.

“Return to your people and take a vote. I want you to decide amongst yourselves who will be your representative on my council. And we’ll take it from there.”

All three of them stare at me for a second.

“Very well,” Tobias says, nodding.

“It’s a start,” Sandra says.

“And you, Reynolds?” I ask. “Will you help me make this pack a safe home for you and your people?”

Reynolds looks at me, breathing heavily through his nose.

“Fine.”

“Very good,” I say. “Then that’s all. I look forward to hearing the result.”

As the three Red Moon wolves leave my office, I breathe a sigh of relief. That was tense, but it could have been a lot worse.

I could feel the anger radiating from all of them. And I know I’ve yet to prove myself to them as alpha.

I know there are a lot of things Aurora and I are trying to accomplish that aren’t popular.

But if they can have a say—a seat at the table—maybe that will satisfy them for a little while.

Just until I can bring our two packs together.

I lift my head as a pleasing scent wafts through the air.

~Aurora is home.~

I shut my laptop and leave my office, keen to spend some time with her.

When I reach our room, she is sitting cross-legged on our bed, staring at a spot on the wall.

“Is everything okay, little luna?”

***

RORY

All I can think about is finding a way to get back to that library.

Professor Xander seems like he really wants to help me. At least that’s what he told me on our way back to the portal.

But how can I convince the dean to let me study with him?

I’m deep in my thoughts when Everett appears in the doorway.

“Is everything okay, little luna?”

I let my concentration falter as I turn to smile at him.

Just one look at his handsome face and all of my stress melts away. Without me having to say anything, he climbs onto the bed and takes me in his arms.

“You’re worried about something?” he asks.

I lean my face against his shoulder and sigh.

“Everett,” I say. “I need to tell you something.”

~Oh Moon Goddess, now I am worried!~

“What is it?” he asks.

~What if he tells me I’m being ridiculous?~

~What if he tells me he doesn’t want me going back to the university?~

~What if he’s angry I went in the first place?~

His plate is full worrying about the rogues and the packs and here I am adding to his stress.

But I have to.

“I met a professor today…at the university.”

“You did?” He leans back and studies my face. “But how?”

“And I think…,” I continue without answering his question, “no, I know, I want to go to werewolf college.”

My statement hangs in the air between us and I start to panic…

~What is he going to say?~