Supernatural Academy: Year One (Supernatural Academy #1)(56)

I spent the rest of the lesson finding my bond with the water. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel the push and pull of the currents; I knew when the waves were about to hit; I felt the animals. If Sonaris was part of the power of the water, then I felt like I was one step closer to connecting with him. I also had no problem following Asher’s instructions, drawing up trickling streams of water with my palm, swishing them around the air in front of me.

Asher didn’t speak to me for the rest of class. Or at the next class later that week. In fact, for the next month at school I barely saw Asher, even though I had two classes a week with him. At first it hurt me, and then it pissed me off.

“I just don’t understand what the hell I did?” I complained to Ilia one afternoon when we were throwing bread into the water that surrounded the Academy. We sat on a small overlook, right beside the entrance bridge, in full sight of the security that lined either side of the main path now.

She shrugged. “They’re always like that. It was surprising that they were so friendly with you in the first place.”

It had been surprising, but it hadn’t felt weird. At least not to me. “Even worse is that they’re basically ignoring me, except for the one time they stepped in to stop me from going shopping. I mean … that’s bullshit and unfair.”

There had been no dress buying for me, because they’d talked Princeps Jones out of letting me go. It hadn’t bothered me that much, because I thought it meant they cared, but now I was thinking that was just an asshole power trip.

“Are you still determined not to go?” Ilia said, trying to hide her smile.

I crossed my arms, staring into the clear water. “Can’t go if I don’t have a dress. Even if it is mandatory.” I was being a stubborn ass, but they had pissed me off.

Larissa leaned forward, swinging her legs over the side. “Do you think Asher is distant because he’s worried that touching you might trigger some sort of power thing again? Like … maybe he wants to touch you, so the only way to keep you safe is by keeping his distance.”

I laughed, and then laughed some more, holding my stomach. “Girl,” I said between chuckles, “you know I love romance novels as much as you do, but that’s not what’s happening here.”

Neither Ilia nor Larissa joined me in laughing, and I just shook my head at them before changing the subject. “So, the dance. People are really excited. Like … I didn’t expect it to be such a big deal.”

It was this weekend, and already the school was being transformed. Magic was in the air. Literally.

The commons now sported some gorgeous fairy lights above them, twinkling in the trees and across the sky. There were huge floral arrangements filling every archway, and long flowering vines wrapped around all the pillars. The Academy had already been pretty, but now it was magic.

“I’m almost sad I won’t be going,” I said with a sigh.

“Oh, you’re definitely going.” Ilia smiled charmingly. “Trust me.”

I shook my head. “Nope. I don’t have a dress. Or shoes. Or a date. It’s not happening.”

Both Ilia and Larissa had dates. Ilia was still hot and heavy with Josh, and Larissa had accepted an invite from another vamp in her bloodletting class. I hadn’t had any invites, which I was trying not to take personally. The Clovers were doing their best to keep most students away from me, and I didn’t care enough to take them on over it. I had Ilia, Larissa, Simon, and occasionally Dee. That was enough.

“We’ll see,” Ilia added with a smile.

I threw the last of my bread at her, and with a laugh she changed the subject.





When Saturday arrived, there was a sense of excitement in the air that had me wearing a stupid smile like the rest of the students.

“We’re getting ready at yours, right?” Ilia said, barging into my room that afternoon. “You never told me.”

I laughed and stepped back to let her—and all of her bags and cases—in. “Of course I’ll help you, but seriously, you’re ten times better with hair and makeup than me.”

She threw everything on my bed, and five minutes later Larissa appeared. She had less stuff than Ilia, but still plenty, and between them I couldn’t see an inch of bed.

“We have two hours to get ready,” Ilia said, glancing at her watch. “That should be just enough time.”

She pointed a finger at me. “Maddi first. Sit your ass in the chair.”

I raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m not going.”

“You are,” she insisted. “I know you were really pissed about not being able to shop for a dress, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out. Don’t give those Atlantean assholes the satisfaction.”

She crossed to the bed and hauled up two dress bags. “We always got your back, girl. We’re your fairy godmothers, and we’re going to dress you for the ball.”

“What did you do?” I asked, as the slightest swirl of excitement sprang to life in my center. I couldn’t stop staring at the two black garment bags, wondering what might be inside.

“Sit,” Ilia said again, pointing me to a nearby chair. “Don’t ruin your surprise.”

I hesitated, because in general I hated surprises. The only ones I’d had in my life were of the bad variety. But … I trusted these two, they already felt like sisters to me, so I would let them have their fun.