It had been a full week since Blake came to Imperium. In that time, I had only seen Logan a handful of times. He was avoiding me, and I couldn’t figure out why. The night at the pond had been magical, but after that, everything changed. I didn’t know what caused it, but Lacy kept making noises about it being because he was a dragon.
“Dragons are solitary creatures,” she said more than once. “You can’t go against nature, Claire. That’s not how it works.”
Still, I wanted nothing more than to be near him again, regardless of what nature dictated.
On the positive side, I was ecstatic to have Blake with me, even if he did act a bit odd now and then. I still hadn’t ruled out my suspicions of drugs and a gang, but I didn’t want to cause a rift between us. If my brother began avoiding me the way Logan was, I didn’t think I’d be able to handle it.
We were in the courtyard, throwing a frisbee to pass the time between classes, when Blake stopped mid-throw, his attention locked onto something behind me.
It was the pack of wolf shifters heading into the forest. Even in their human form, I could feel their magic, so I didn’t need to turn around to see who he was staring at.
I contemplated telling him my secret—and the true reason for Imperium’s existence. It would be nice to have someone else know how alone I’d felt until coming here. No, that wasn’t right, I decided.
I’d felt alone until I met Logan.
Blake walked to me, seemingly not interested in the frisbee anymore. One look at his face completely changed my mind about telling him my secret. Something had changed in him since I’d started at Imperium…something I didn’t quite trust.
“One day soon we’ll be able to leave this place and go somewhere safe. You have my word on it, Claire.”
“Huh? What are you talking about?”
His gaze left the pack, and he looked me straight in the eye. “This place isn’t what it seems. It’s dangerous. Soon, we’ll be able to leave. You have my word on it. I won’t leave you here alone, I promise. When I go, you’ll come with me. I’ll take you somewhere safe.”
“You’re scaring me.” The way he was looking at the shifters had me worried. It was as if he knew what they were and what magic they held—which made the contempt in his eyes downright terrifying. Would he look at me that way when he learned I was like them, but more powerful? What would happen then?
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” He smiled, seeming more like himself now. “I only meant to let you know that you aren’t alone anymore, Claire.”
I returned the smile, though mine felt a little weak.
“Listen, I’m supposed to help one of the professors install some equipment in the lab. I’ll catch up with you later, okay?” he said, glancing over to where some students hauled boxes into the main hall.
“Okay,” I agreed, then looked at my watch. I had class with Professor Mulford again, though this time it was Human Psychology. I sighed, thankful it wasn’t history again. Every time I sat in that particular room, I was a nervous wreck.
I made my way to class and found the room packed, but managed to find one empty seat against the far wall. Something was going on. I spotted Logan sitting against the opposite wall with a pretty redhead. They were talking, and he laughed at something she said. Then, as if he felt me watching him, his eyes flicked to me, then away, as he turned his attention back to the girl beside him. Things were becoming much clearer as to why Logan had been avoiding me.
Professor Mulford came in and laid a sheaf of papers on his podium, then pushed his glasses up with his finger. He looked at the full room, appearing less than enthused when he spoke.
“Today’s class is going to be different from what I had planned. In anticipation of our other students arriving in the coming weeks, Headmistress Herensy has invited the upperclassmen to join us and asked that I change the subject to a history lesson on the origins of the Dark Watch.”
I sensed movement at the door and turned to see the headmistress peering in, no doubt making sure her instructions had been followed. She gave Professor Mulford a curt nod, then turned and walked away as he launched into his lesson.
“From the first werewolf sighting in Europe, to the Salem witch trials, humans have always rejected that which cannot be explained easily,” the professor began. “The name of our current—and most dangerous—nemesis, the Dark Watch, was said to have risen from the claims that those who were ‘cursed’ or ‘possessed’ always did their deeds when darkness came. Those who ‘watched’—the humans—were protectors of all that was good and pure in the world. They observed in the darkness and protected against what they believed was evil. Hence the name Dark Watch.”
A girl near the front lifted her hand. “How long have they been in existence? And why are they choosing to attack us now? I’ve never heard of Imperium being under siege until now.”
Several mumbled their agreement.
Professor Mulford pushed his glasses up again. “The actual time they became formed is unknown, though it certainly dates back at least to when Imperium was founded, if not before. As to why they have attacked so openly over the last few months, I do not know. And you are correct, Imperium’s shields have never been penetrated until now. Though we’ve always heard whispers of the Watch’s threats against us, this is the first time they’ve acted. As to why they would attack, my only guess would be that there is something here that they feel threatened by—something that is worth dying for.” He took a deep breath, and continued, “The headmistress wanted me to ask for volunteers. As the rest of the students will be here in the next few weeks, she wants to reinforce the shields and make them stronger. We’ll need a few students who can test the perimeter between classes. Any volunteers?”
A few hands came up, one, I noticed, being Logan’s, another belonging to the girl beside him. No doubt she is hoping to do her volunteer work with him.
“What happens if the Watch invades when everyone gets here?” someone asked.
Professor Mulford’s voice fell on a completely silent room. “Then I fear everything Imperium has accomplished will have been in vain.”