276
Lucy
Lucian's voice echoed through the room as he addressed us.
"Given the threat of hunters in the area, we must be prepared. All of us. While we know that our protections are strong, the fact that they have even had the gall to show up in Hecate means that they have a plan. Given how much I would like it if all of you competing would take home at least one medal of honor and return to classes alive and whole after the festival, I've pitched a bit of extra training to the powers that be."
He grinned. "They even agreed to pay me for it."
We laughed, and he smiled. "I am offering additional magical training sessions to everyone in and out of my classes, so spread the word. You can sign up before you leave. These sessions are not mandatory, but I encourage each of you to come, especially if you have never been in magical combat. It'll be more intense than these sessions, but I have a feeling that it might save your life or the life of someone dear to you. "
"What about after the Festival?"
"The extra classes will continue through the end of the semester." He wiggled his eyebrows. "Can anyone guess why that may be?"
Someone's hand shot up. "The Awakening is this year!"
I frowned as the entire class seemed to be buzzing at the word. I looked at Duke who looked contemplative. Lucian nodded.
"That is the main reason, yes. If any of you know the Alpha of Blood Moon personally, do tell him not to fuck it up."
They laughed again and I worried my lip. Was that something he could mess up? What exactly was the Awakening? I bet Amelia knew.
I grit my teeth at the thought. I could hear everyone around us, murmuring with excitement, but it didn't reach me. I really just wanted to leave the class now, but we still had a while to go.
As we went back to working on our hand-to-hand combat, I considered what I should do. It was obvious that Lucian was offering these extra classes because the coven thought they would be useful for everyone. How many hunters had already by spotted in the city? How many more were coming?
"Are you going to be covering defensive spells?"
He nodded. "Hand-to-hand combat basics, a lot more sparring. Weapons training so that if you get the chance to carry a weapon, you know how to use it, but I'll be going over some basic offensive magic as well. Anyone in the higher levels of practical magic should know a good portion of the basics. For the rest, I suggest you study up."
Soon, the class was over, and almost everyone was lining up to sign up for the extra classes. Everyone seemed so excited, and I wanted to feel that, too, but there was a looming, dreadful feeling in my gut. The Crescent Festival was going to be more dangerous than anyone could guess.
I bit my lip, watching people chatting. They seemed so at ease, carefree. I wondered if there would ever be a time I would be able to be that way, and really just be that way rather than always wondering about what threat was coming next. I took a deep breath and joined the line. I couldn't even begin to be carefree, happy, or at peace if I was always in doubt.
And if I was going to catch up sooner rather than later, I needed all the help I could get.
"Somehow, I knew you were going to borrow more work," Duke said, stepping to stand beside me. He sighed. "What's on your mind? This better not be about Amelia."
I shook my head. "It's not just her. It's everything."
I glanced at him. "You know what the Awakening is."
He rubbed the back of his neck. "Of course I do. It was part of Blood Moon Basics."
"I don't."
"He'd willingly tutor you," he said. "Though I'm not sure how much learning you'd be getting done."
I scowled at him as he grinned. "Be serious."
"I am."
"I can't keep not knowing what to do or how to do it. I can't... just stay behind..."
Duke hummed. "I'm not telling you not to do it."
We moved up in the line. I turned back to the front.
"I won't ever... shake the feeling that I'll never be good enough, especially when it comes to David and all these women who are interested in him if I don't start becoming more like them."
"He's popular, sure, but please don't ever flat-iron your hair."
"You know what I mean."
Duke's expression softened with empathy. "Lucy, I know this probably isn't going to sink until after you're some badass Enforcer who can make anyone cry for their mommy, but you should trust what David has shown you. He's not interested in anyone else. You're more than good enough for him."
But was I... good enough for me.
I looked down, and as if he knew exactly what I was thinking and couldn't say, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
I sighed again.
"This gap you're seeing doesn't exist to anyone who matters."
"It matters to me," I said. "I don't want to feel..."
Inadequate. Unworthy? There were so many words, and they were all jumbled up together and tangled with more than just my feelings for David.
He squeezed me close. "You're part of this world, Lucy, and you're not alone. We're all here for you."
We reached the front, and I signed my name on the sheet. Then, Duke took the pen and signed to.
"But--"
"No, buts princess," Duke said. "Cousins should have each other's backs. You need this. I get it, so let me be there for you."
I smiled, my chest tight with gratitude. "I won't complain about your complaining."
He laughed. "Then, it's not complaining."
Once we'd changed from the class, Duke and I met up in the corridor and started to head toward the exit when an idea hit me.
"Wait."
Duke said nothing, following me as if he knew where I wanted to go. The hallways were bathed in amber light from the setting sun. I could see the clear sky through the windows as I headed toward the library. I had never been inside, but I remembered where it was. I pushed the doors open and felt the air tingle as it rushed out and around me.
The shelves went from the floor to the ceiling, it seemed. I scanned the shelves, hoping to get some sense of what I should be looking for.
We wandered through the aisles for a bit before Duke sighed.
"You've never been in the library."
My face heated. He took my hand and tugged me to the end of the aisle to show me how to search the catalog. Soon enough, we were heading to a section filled with books on various aspects of magic, combat techniques, and historical accounts of past confrontations with hunters.
Duke wandered away from me as I pulled out books.
Before I realized it, I had lost track of him.
"Duke?"
"A few aisles over," he said.
I leaned into the other aisle as he walked out with a bunch of books under his arm.
"Figure we could probably do with some books on the Festival, the Awakening, and the history of the world, hm?"
I nodded. "Thanks... What about your books?"
He scoffed. "All the books Maggie wants me to read are in my backpack. It's like I'm going to three different colleges at one time."
I laughed as he led the way to the circulation desk. The librarian, an older man with milky blue eyes and a pair of glasses perched on his nose greeted us warmly.
"So good to see you again, Duke." He looked at me. "This must be your Lucy."
"The one and only cousin I have who may be part cat."
"Duke!"
The librarian laughed. "Well, hand them up here. them warmly. "Checking out some light, late-night reading, are we?"
Duke chuckled. "You could say that. Lucy's dragging me into trouble like usual."
I huffed. "You didn't have to."
"Cousins should stick together," he smirked. "And I thought you wouldn't complain about my complaining?"
I scowled at him as the librarian continued to check out the books.
"It's good to see you two so close. I hope your bond serves you for the rest of your many days."
He stacked the two sets of books together and slid them to the end of the counter.
"Stay informed and stay safe, you two."
I thanked the man. Books in tow, we headed out of the library toward the Academy's entrance that faced a major street, where the escort vehicle awaited. As we settled into the comfortable seats, I sighed.
"Where to?" The driver asked, and I winced, not sure what to say.
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