78
Lucy
I looked up as a woman's voice called my name. She appeared slightly older than the other guy and smiled brightly. Araya nodded towards her. "Go on. We'll talk plenty."
I nodded and followed the woman, hoping she would be kinder than the man had been. She led me to her office, which was cozy with squishy overstuffed couches and a chandelier made of multicolored gemstones that scattered rainbows around the room.
"Based on the scans, you're best suited for at least the basic internal magical courses. Once that restraint is off, you might have to adjust your plans, but for now, let's talk about what you want to do."
I looked down and then up at her. "I was thinking about magical law enforcement."
She nodded. "As a field operative or in administrative support?"
I bit my lip, considering it. Then, Araya's words echoed in my head. I had been feeling hopeless for a long time, maybe even longer than my time with Matt and Tony. I didn't want to feel like that anymore.
"As a field operative."
She grinned and nodded. "Well, let's talk about your options."
"You don't think it's a bad idea?" I asked.
"Why?" She inquired. "Because you're young?"
"Because... I'm a werewolf."
She chuckled. "I think it's commendable. If there were more werewolves on the force, maybe the community wouldn't be so closed off, and its public image would be in a better place."
I frowned. "I'm... not so sure that I want to get really involved with the werewolf community..."
She shrugged. "That's your choice, but even just being on the force and working with other species, you could change a lot of minds about your species."
She tilted her head. "You know, you could end up on a path to being the first werewolf to actually sit on the Council in several centuries."
My eyes bulged. "What?"
"Since the Salem incidents, werewolves have been banned from the Council," she explained. "Given what's been happening in the werewolf community, a lot of people think that maybe it's time for that to change. After all, we can't know what's wrong with a community when there's no one to speak up for it."
I bit my lip. "I... honestly don't know what to think about werewolves. It hasn't been... all positive, and I don't know if I want to try to make it more positive."
I winced. "I know that sounds terrible, but..."
"You're entitled to deal with your trauma however you want," she said. "And no species, supernatural or not, is all good or all bad, but I think learning about other species and cultures gives you a unique insight into your own."
She shrugged. "And at the least, even if you never petition to be on the council and you just end up as a regular officer, you'll be doing some good, and that's rewarding in itself."
I nodded. "That's true. Could you tell me a bit about what I'd have to do to apply?"
She grinned and nodded, pulling out a whole folder of information before walking me through the main points. I'd need a college degree in the human world to meet the educational standards of the supernatural world. There was a physical training component, and I'd have to attend the Supernatural Council's Academy for a year before I'd officially be an officer, but the more I read about it, the less unsure I felt.
"I had never thought much about what I would be before," I said. "I thought I'd probably end up working the same kinds of jobs I'd been working since I was younger."
"Why is that?"
"It all just seemed," I shook my head, "impossible. Hopeless."
"Why?"
"There was no way I was going to be able to get into college when I didn't even have a high school diploma." I shrugged. "I didn't even know what a GED was, honestly."
Her eyes turned sad. "I'm so sorry that happened to you, but I'm glad you're taking the time to really think about it and get out of that mindset."
I smiled and clutched the folder to my chest. "Me too."
"If you turn out to have real magical aptitude, you'll have to be trained for that as well, but that would give you more avenues within the SCF for your career." She hummed. "You'll know more about that as you work through your magical classes and try to remove that restraint. They deemed it dangerous for your health?"
I nodded. "They said it could kill me before I'm twenty-five."
She nodded. "I'll add an independent study with an internal magic specialist to your coursework. You'll have a better chance of getting it off then. And your anchor? How are you charging it?"
I frowned. "Charging it? How do I do that?"
She winced. "I'll show you. Since you'll be a student and a ward, it'll be free of charge, so don't hesitate to come back to get it recharged."
Her lips twitched. "He'll probably insist."
She finished inputting a bunch of information before handing me some more paperwork. Within an hour, I had a ring with the Hecate Coven Crest on it, which would get me onto campus without an escort and serve as a safety portal.
"I'm sure your handler will give you another one. This one will bring you to the main Atrium. Your handler-issued one might take you to the nearest SCF station."
I nodded and followed her down another hallway to a small room. I heard bubbling water, but the fountain wasn't full of water; it was full of light. The man looked up as we entered. He seemed young, maybe a few years older than me, and had a kind smile. His gaze dropped to the necklace around my neck.
"Oh, dear. You're just in time! Quickly, now," he said, extending his hands. I removed the necklace, feeling a little dizzy, and stumbled to sit in a chair.
The man turned around, murmuring to himself before placing the necklace on a shelf near the fountain. He scooped out three big cups of light and poured them into the anchor, making it glow a bit more.
"High capacity," he murmured. "A bit compromised... Hmm..."
He donned some sort of eyepiece and leaned over to watch him, curious about what he was doing. With a pair of tweezers, he reached into the fountain and retrieved a small glimmering shard. He placed it on the surface of the necklace and hummed.
"Half human, half witch?" he called out.
"Half werewolf, sir," I corrected.
He made a disgruntled noise. "Of course... finicky..."
I winced as he turned abruptly. The counselor put a hand on my shoulder.
"He's very nice; he's just in a hurry," she reassured me.
I frowned. "Why?"
"An ill-fitting anchor or an undercharged one could do more harm than good," she explained.
He returned with several more glowing pieces and added them to the necklace. I witnessed a flash of fire and another burst of light before he poured more light into it.
"There," he said, lifting it and handing it back to me. "That should hold. Come back and see me in a week to make sure. I don't have any wolf stone in stock, but I'll order some for you."
"Thank you, sir," I said, placing it back around my neck.
The exhaustion seemed to melt away. I felt more energized than I had in a long time. He nodded.
"So polite. And pretty, too. I hope your dad is looking after you."
I lowered my head. "I've never met my father, sir."
He shook his head. "That's a shame. It's the story of many in your generation... with the war and everything. A new student?"
I nodded. "Lucy Graves, sir."
"I'll remember you," he said with a kind smile. "If that light starts to dim, hustle yourself here as soon as you can, okay?"
I nodded. "I will. I promise."
"Good," he turned to the counselor. "Alright, let's see the paperwork."
She laughed and handed him a stack of pages. "Don't sound so upset."
"I'm not. I'm just concerned. Some of the professors are brutal. She'll be here every day at the least, depending on who you've got her with..." He frowned at the page. "You want me to oversee her independent study?"
My eyes widened as I looked between them. He glanced at me and then back at the page.
"Given the circumstances," she said softly, "I thought it best. If you're uncomfortable—"
"No," he said firmly. "I'll be fine."
He looked at me, his eyes glimmering for a moment before he nodded and extended his hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lucy. My name is Luke Whitetower."
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