Initiation (48 page)

As at dinner, I was sandwiched between Jagger and Quinn. “No. It’s way too dangerous. Even Faustine couldn’t keep her vamp fans from snacking on anything purely human. But I’m glad her dad made it. I know it means a lot to her to have him here.”

Faustine had been talking about her dad a lot more recently, and had even asked about my parents. When she’d first arrived at the Academy, all she ever talked about was her human mom and her life in Manhattan. By the end of the year, she couldn’t get enough of listening to me going on about what my childhood had been like. Growing up, she’d been totally devoid of any demon influences, and she knew very little about her demon heritage. Unlike me. I could blab endlessly about my extended family.

Faustine knew absolutely nothing about her dad, or anyone associated with him. I found it strange that she’d been so blanketed from such a big part of herself, but I guessed that her mom had been hoping to let her live her life as a human. No wonder she was so unprepared for all things paranormal.

And she had to deal with more than most demons. The average demon would have had a tough time dealing with the kind of transformation she displayed. She’d totally risen to dealing with it, as her father had found out when he sneaked a peek during the merge meeting.

She still had a lot to learn, though, and a lot to discover about herself. We’d just begun the process of tapping into her paranormality. She probably had a lot of powers that we still needed to identify and teach her to control. Even though she was graduating, she was way behind in a lot of her academic classes. Hopefully, she’d catch up next year. I was glad I’d be around to get to witness all her tests, even perhaps design them.

“Wow, look who just walked in.” Quinn eyes were glued to the entrance.

I looked over to see a bunch of important-looking men and women, all dressed in fancy gowns and tuxes, gathered by the doors. Standing among them was McKenzie’s other half, King Alfred, the vampire king of London. To his right, a very somber-looking Spencer Darley–the global sovereign of the Wanderers–whispered something into wife’s ear. And on King Alfred’s left was Martha’s mom, the demon queen of Dallas. They made their way to the front row where Faustine’s dad stood with a big smile on his face. A lot of backslapping and hugging took place before they all sat down. Boy, the celeb quota was certainly at its maximum. I wondered why King Alfred was there. I looked around for McKenzie, but didn’t see her.

“Jeez, it’s quite something, isn’t it?” Quinn sounded impressed.

“Yes, I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s like they release their own energy. I bet they could power one of the chandeliers.”

Speaking of energy, I could feel the surges from Jagger. He was being very quiet, but his knee rested casually against mine, and he was dominating my personal space. I slipped my right arm down and slid my fingers through his, without turning to look at him.

Faustine turned around and caught my gaze. She waved happily. I air-smooched her, then turned to look at another set of waving hands in the audience. I waved back at Sienna and Jewel, happy that they had decided to come. I’d miss them next year.

“Where’s Ryker?” I whispered to Jagger.

“Eighth row, hmm… fifth from the right.”

I strained and caught a glimpse of him. He was in his cap and gown. “So, he made it?”

“Just. He’s going to have a lot of make-up classes next year. I’m staying to mentor him for another year, since he hasn’t even begun to tap into his faery powers. The Smelt wants me to stay on as the president of the student council anyway.”

“What’s happening with him and Martha?”

“Not a lot, considering he spends his days stalking Faustine.” Jagger laughed. “But I guess he has no choice. Like me,” he said pointedly.

“Right. I was just wondering ’cause I thought I saw Martha flirting with Delam the other day. And he got off scot-free, didn’t he?”

“Don’t know. King Alfred apparently wanted it that way. He said he’d take care of it personally. He’s been hanging out with Martha a lot. Odd combo, but whatever.” He rubbed the palm of my hand. “Anyhow, never mind everyone else. What about us?” His eyes met mine.

There was nothing I could say, not with Quinn sitting on my other side. But I really didn’t have to. He knew. I knew. And that was all that mattered. We were synched. Period.

Quinn nudged me away from my thoughts and Jagger. “When does Pascal arrive?”

I couldn’t wait to see my brother, Pascal. “In a few days. He’ll be here for the start of Initiation.” I didn’t really want to say much about him; he had some serious issues. Quinn knew all about it. Pascal looked up to Quinn and had already requested Quinn as his mentor. Good luck to Quinn; Pascal was a real monkey, and there was something odd about him. Mom said he had some unusual powers.

Everyone became silent as Frau Schmelder made her way onto the stage with the rest of the staff. They all wore their graduation ceremony robes and looked as though they’d spent the morning primping with hair and makeup. I wondered if they got the beauticians from St. Moritz to come or if there had been a staff outing to town for the occasion. I guessed I would find out next year. As Professor Bern’s apprentice, I would be counted as one of the staff. I could even wear my own clothes. There was a fun thought. Jimmy Choos and Chanel at the Academy!

Even Professor Bern looked nice with her face all evened out with foundation, her round eyes elongated with cat-eye liner, and her hair gleaming in a tidy bun. Why didn’t she do that every day? She looked so much nicer. Or even better, why didn’t she just cast a spell to turn herself into that version of herself? She was a witch, after all. Or go even further and turn herself into an Angelina Jolie lookalike.

A very regal-looking Frau Schmelder took her position behind the podium. She wore the most elaborate graduation regalia I’d ever seen; she’d clearly been shopping.

She looked out at the audience and cleared her throat. “Welcome to the Initiation graduation!” She paused and smiled at the front row dignitaries. “I am delighted to welcome the parents, especially. Thank you, not only for taking the time to join us today, but also for your continued support during the year. It’s very much appreciated.

“This has been an unusual year at the Academy. Starting the year with ongoing construction was tricky, but we managed to pull through it. I want to thank King Sebastian for all his input in getting the school back to normal after the fire.” She nodded at him.

“Our buildings have been updated and new security and other equipment added. We have a completely new and updated tech lab, with state-of-the-art computers and other equipment. We’ve added an herbal wing to the school, where we have the most extensive collection of plants, grown in our new hothouse, available for us to use in our labs.

“I am really pleased with the results of the rebuilding and upgrading efforts. In fact, check out my new robe.” She twirled for the audience, amid a lot of whistles, claps, and giggles.

“Okay, simmer down! I’m also really pleased with how great all you students have done. I’m proud of each and every one of you. Even those of you who broke into my office.”

I cringed while another round of giggles filled the auditorium. I guessed she knew. Ugh.

 
After throwing Jagger, Quinn, and me a look, she continued. “Due to the fire, we only admitted about half the number of students to this Initiation class, the majority of those being the vampires who made it through last year’s beginners’ camp. I am incredibly pleased to say that the vampire initiates had a smooth transition, and they are all here ready to graduate today.”

I grinned, feeling proud. The whole vamp thing was totally due to Faustine. The new vamp Initiates had come to worship her after the last merge, and they followed her around like puppies. I had been super concerned at first, as had Ryker. But Faustine was totally cool with it. I suspected that she even enjoyed the adoration.

“I want to thank my staff and the president of our Student Council,” Frau Schmelder continued. “I couldn’t ask for a more dedicated group, so thank you.” She paused and smiled.

“Now, let’s begin.”

As their names were called, the Initiates went up on stage, one by one, to receive their scroll and have their pictures taken. I stood when it was Faustine’s turn and snapped a quick pic with my cell phone, hollering and clapping at the same time. She turned and beamed at the audience, then transformed into full demon mode to loud cheers from the students, and gasps from the parents witnessing her transformation for the first time. She stood tall, letting herself be photographed, then transformed back into her human form. She really had that down pat. She took a bow and headed off the stage to her seat.

Jagger squeezed my hand as I sat back down. It was all I could do to keep from bursting. I was so incredibly happy to have been a part of Faustine’s Initiation year. But I was even happier to be sitting next to the guy I had fallen in love with.

I stood up when all the students had received their diplomas and Frau Schmelder rose to say her final words.

“Congratulations to the new Integrates!”

Boone Academy, Whistler

I
had never seen her so furious; she was practically blowing steam out of her ears. I turned away from the decrepit old witch and looked out the window. As I imagined snowboarding down the Whistler Blackcomb mountains, fury rose within me because
imagining
was all I could do. I hadn’t even been close to actually hitting the slopes, neither here nor at St. Moritz. In fact, ever since I had been sent to school, all I had done was pander to her every little whim.

“Mason, what the fuck were you thinking?” She continued with her rant. “Not only didn’t you catch her and bring her to me like I asked, but you almost allowed yourself to be killed by that pesky demon princess from Paris. What’s her name again?”

I turned around and glared at her. “Cordelia.”

“I guess you’ll just have to fly back there and get her. I haven’t got until eternity. Look at me! I’m not getting any younger.”