Tags:
Romance,
Coming of Age,
Fantasy,
Paranormal,
Science Fiction & Fantasy,
Vampires,
Psychics,
New Adult & College,
Paranormal & Urban,
Demons & Devils,
Angels,
Werewolves & Shifters
O’Henry when he died, but he wasn’t at liberty to give it to you, as you well know. He owed this to the Church, and we intend to maintain control. Do not fight us on this, Father Patrick. You won’t like what happens if you do.”
The threat hung in the air, and though I had no idea what the Church could do to Father Patrick, I could tell from his emotional response that the Bishop’s words carried weight.
"I've never fought you," said Father Patrick.
Bishop Sarlo leaned back and picked up his tea, sipping it. "You've withheld information about this place."
"I gave as much information as I felt was necessary. I’m not running this school. I’m just assisting in the development here. You’ll meet Professor Shaw later. He had another meeting to attend to. You got here earlier than we were expecting. He’s the Headmaster here.”
"Not anymore." Bishop Sarlo grinned. "This situation falls into our jurisdiction. We need make sure it’s handled appropriately. The Pope wasn’t happy with how much was leaked to the press about these paranormals, and he's aware of your reputation. He sent me here to make sure nothing else goes wrong.”
Father Patrick shifted on his seat, his face aging even as we talked. “Are you here to close down the school and reclaim the land for yourself?”
Sam squeezed my hand, her anxiety flooding me.
Bishop Sarlo laughed. “You have always been such a doomsayer. No, I’m not here to close it. I’m here to run the school with you. That way, the students get to keep their teacher, and the Church has someone more loyal in control.”
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. I wanted to protest, but I didn’t think anything I could say would have a positive effect right now.
Ryder broke the silence by asking me about myself. “What sort of powers do you have?”
We still weren’t used to speaking of our powers with outsiders, and this guy definitely counted as an outsider. I almost refused to answer when Father Patrick nodded. “You can answer, Drake.”
“I’m an empath. I can sense emotion in others.” I didn’t mention my ability to see the future, as haphazard as it still was. Only a few close friends knew, and I wasn’t about to let these people in on my secret. A secret too easily abused.
Ryder cocked his head, his blue eyes probing me. “Is that all?”
I wondered why he seemed suspicious, but I nodded sharply. “Yes. Sorry to disappoint.”
He raised an eyebrow, looking as if he wanted to ask more, but then fell silent.
Derek stormed into the room, a barely contained urgency in him, but paused when he sensed the tension. “I have news on the investigation, but it can wait until our guests leave.”
Father Patrick introduced Derek, and Ryder glared at him in much the way he’d glared at me. Perhaps he recognized that Derek and I were both skilled fighters, not to mention paranormals. He probably hadn’t spent a lot of time with our kind and didn’t like the idea of us being strong physically as well.
Bishop Sarlo frowned. “What investigation might this be?”
Before Derek could speak and antagonize the Bishop any further, Father Patrick stood. “Bishop Sarlo will be joining our school at the behest of the Pope. You may speak openly in front of him. He could be beneficial in helping us solve the mystery we are faced with now.”
And so Derek reluctantly filled our guests in on what had been happening to date, then revealed his latest find. “The news was right, it does look like a wolf attack. But, something’s not right. I didn’t smell wolf, only human, even when I followed the tracks. And the tracks changed as well. As if the wolf started walking on two legs.”
“Was it another shifter?” I asked.
Derek shook his head. “No, I would have smelled another shifter.”
Ryder stared at Bishop Sarlo, his eyes hard. “A lycan?”
The Bishop furled his eyebrows. "Perhaps."
“A lycan?” I asked. “As in lycanthrope? As in… werewolf? Are