129
Lucy
A few days had passed since the cat ears had appeared, and to my relief, the cat ears were finally gone. Luke and I didn't talk about his family after that, but I learned how long he'd been working for the coven. Today was the first day I'd be leaving the barracks since the potion accident. As I stood in front of the mirror, I couldn't help but smile.
"I'll miss them," Luke said with a grin. "They were adorable."
I stuck my tongue out at him. "I won't."
Luke walked me to the campus's main foyer, and I headed to the human college campus. I was heading down the hallway when I saw Duke. He pouted a little as his eyes twinkled.
"Lucy, I was hoping it would last a little longer."
"That's not funny."
Duke laughed again. "Don't be such a sourpuss, Lucy. You were adorable, and it was funny."
"Only you thought it was that funny."
"Lies. I bet David would think it's hilarious."
My face heated. "Don't tell him! You didn't tell him, did you?"
Duke wagged his finger with a grin. "You'll just have to play nice so I won't, hm?"
I nudged him. "Duke, please, I'd be so embarrassed…"
Duke laughed and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "I know. Don't worry, your... cat identity shall remain safely locked away, only to be brought up during truly special occasions... like your wedding day. I'm going to be the best man, right?"
I huffed as he led me into class. My face was still hot when Amy, Sarah, and Michelle arrived, but none of them asked about it. Michelle seemed a bit more subdued than usual.
"Is everything okay?"
Michelle gave me a weak smile. "It's just... been a rough morning. Glad you got better."
I glanced at Sarah, who continued to pout as she got ready for class to start. As I settled into my seat in the classroom, I couldn't help but glance at Duke. He looked as concerned as I was, but he didn't say anything as our professor swept into the room and started the class. My mind wandered away from the subject as I thought back to Luke's story about his sister and his family.
The lineage test results were still available. I hadn't checked in on it, and I still wasn't sure I wanted to. Maybe it was better not to. I didn't want to add to anyone's pain or have them add to my own. Whatever had happened to my family had probably been terrible. Still, the child that was involved made me nervous. Maybe I should ask about it.
As class ended, my communication mirror wiggled in my pocket. I discreetly took it out and saw a message from Luke. Duke, who sat next to me, reached into his pocket and glanced at me.
"Field trip this afternoon?" Duke asked.
I nodded. "We're meeting in the Stone Courtyard. Do you know where that is?"
Duke nodded. "I'll meet you at the main entrance after your last class, and we'll go together."
I followed him out, curious about what Luke meant by a field trip.
"Maybe we're going to a cat museum."
Duke cackled and hurried out of my reach before I could grab him. He disappeared into the crowd, and I turned the other way toward my next class.
By the end of the day, I'd stopped thinking about my family or Luke's. The curiosity about where we were going was consuming me, and after getting a few of my assignments back with good grades, I didn't want to think about anything sad.
I walked to the main entrance and found Duke standing there, talking with a guy. I didn't know what they were saying, but they seemed friendly enough. The guy left, and Duke seemed to watch him go. There was something in Duke's body language that made me curious and something about the way the guy made me grin as I walked up behind him.
"Picking up a boyfriend?"
Duke turned bright red and spun around to gawk at me. "Don't even joke like that."
I beamed at him. "I don't think I've ever seen you blush. I'm bringing this up as much as possible."
He huffed. "Then, I'll have to start dropping hints to David about getting you something to match those cat ears."
I stared at him before nudging him. "I'm glad you're... making friends?"
His lips twitched, and he nudged me back. "I'm glad you're not half-cat anymore. Come on, before we're late."
I followed him out the main entrance, and we took a hidden path to the campus and ended up on a side of the campus I had never seen before. Luke was standing in the middle of the courtyard, filled with softly glowing stones like a stone garden.
He looked up and grinned. "Ready for an adventure?"
"As long as it doesn't involve swimming," Duke said. "Or mythical quests."
"Maybe later," Luke grinned. "Let's get going."
He led us to the other side of the courtyard and through a gateway. I gasped as we stepped out on the other side.
"Where are we?" I asked, looking around.
The air was filled with magic. I could feel it tingling against my skin. People were milling around between glowing bubbles that housed artifacts and relics.
"Welcome to the most extensive museum of magic in the world," Luke said. "Housed in the heart of the Hecate Coven's capital, it's got an exhibit or an expert from nearly every part of the supernatural community."
He nodded his head. "I figured it would be more interesting than a simple lecture. Come on. The tour group is up ahead."
We followed him to join the little tour group as a witch hovered above our heads and began to lead us through the exhibits. We started with the origins of magic exhibits that were mostly made of carved stones and old-looking sketches. There was a book inside one of the magic bubbles that was made of animal skin and written with special ink.
"We call it a Grimoire," the witch said. "The actual Hecate Grimoire from that time is not the one you're seeing in the case, but it's been spelled to give you a sense of what it's like."
Just then, a giant eye opened on the cover. Half the tour group gasped and jumped back. It blinked and looked around at us before closing again. As we rounded a corner, a sense of unease washed over me. The crowded museum seemed to close in, and I couldn't shake the feeling that familiar eyes were watching me. I tried to brush off the nervousness, reminding myself that it was just my imagination playing tricks.
Luke, Duke, and I continued the tour. Luke explained some bit of history as we walked. It was all interesting and something I probably needed to know, but no matter how hard I tried to focus, the lingering unease stayed with me. It felt like something was about to happen, something unexpected.
Just as I thought to say something to Luke, I caught a glimpse of a figure in the corner of my eye. My heart skipped a beat, and I turned my head to see Peter, standing amidst the ancient relics. Our eyes locked, and a mix of surprise and apprehension washed over me.
I hesitated, unsure of how to react. Memories of our previous encounters flickered through my mind.
"Lucy?" Luke called, but I didn't move. I felt caught in Peter's gaze. Luke turned to follow my gaze. "Lucy, is everything okay? You seem a bit... off."
I turned away. "I'm fine. I just... Well..."
"Lucy," Peter greeted as he came over. "What a pleasant surprise."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "You two know each other?"
I grimaced. "Not... Not really."
"I met Lucy during a... an alarming moment in her life, which I can perfectly understand she would not like to relive," Peter said softly. He offered his hand. "Alpha Peter of the Black Moon Pack."
Luke nodded slowly and shook his hand. "I know that name. You have... a bit of a reputation."
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear."
He shook Duke's hand as well, but I could tell from Duke's face he was getting a strange feeling about him. Peter turned to me.
"My apologies, Lucy. Had I... had even an inkling that anything was amiss, I would have offered you sanctuary."
I blinked, looking up at him, surprised at what he was saying. His eyes still had a glint to them that made me a little uncomfortable, but I didn't feel afraid.
"Thank you."
Peter nodded, eyeing me before smiling. "You certainly seem in better spirits than the last time I saw you. I am grateful that you have found at least some form of sanctuary."
He reached into his pocket and handed me a card. "If you should need anything, feel free to call."
I took it hesitantly and nodded. "Thank you for the offer."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
