Forbidden

Shifter Day

Van

The day went by faster than Van anticipated. Most of her classes were ordinary fare, like math and English. In those classes, she found herself surrounded by students her own age. No trembling thirteen year olds were in sight, but as she made her way to the final class for the day, she noticed she was once again surrounded by Novitiates of all ages.

"Van, wait up."

Hailey's voice rose up from the crowd, and Van swept her eyes across the hallway until they landed on the blonde girl. Her round cheeks were flushed and wisps of hair escaped the intricate braid hanging over her shoulder.

"What are you doing here?"

"I have early release at school everyday because this class is mandatory for all Novitiates."

"They teach gym at the Academy."

Hailey giggled as she looped her arm through Van's and tugged her into the cavernous gymnasium where the other students were waiting. Immediately, she knew exactly what caused the other girl's mirth. Weapons hung on the walls, their wicked edges gleaming with menace, but despite the pristine condition, Van knew with certainty that each and everyone of those blades had ripped through flesh.

It made sense that the Asylum would use the gym for combat training instead of softball games and track. She bounced on her toes, getting a feel for her balance and reflexes, suddenly very grateful her father had insisted on the private lessons with Trixie before sending her to school here. Even with her supposed bloodline enhancements, she worried she wouldn't be able to hold up against students who had been training since they could walk.

In her peripheral vision, she caught sight of Isaiah moving toward them. His gait was so different from Luca's. His steps heavy and his posture rigid where the young shifter revealed his feline grace in every motion. But he shared the same confident swagger. Beside her, Hailey sighed.

"Isaiah Abbot is so handsome. I've never seen anyone else who comes close to him. I mean his eyes look like ice against his dark skin."

Van glanced over at the girl and frowned. Hailey's bottom lip rolled between her teeth while she tracked the boy's approach with lust, lidded eyes. The wanton expression looked strange on a face so angelic.

"Hello ladies," Isaiah said, sparing Hailey a glance before latching all his attention on Van. "You tell yourself anything interesting yet?"

"All the time," she said, "which is more than I can say for you so far."

"Van!"

"It's okay, Hailey. Vanessa and I got off on the wrong foot. I wasn't aware she was so prickly."

Van rolled her shoulders, trying to alleviate the itch forming between them. She couldn't argue the prickly statement, but that wasn't what caused her irritation with Isaiah. It wasn't that he had said anything worth raising her ire. She replayed the incident in her mind. If someone else had caught her talking to herself, she'd probably have been just as aloof, her embarrassment driving her to coldness, but after the shame faded, she would have felt silly. Might have even apologized for acting so foolish.

No, she didn't like Isaiah. It was that simple. There was something off about him. Deeply, fundamentally wrong.

She shook off the feeling and tuned into the conversation Hailey had started. Isaiah was doing a passable job of looking like he was paying attention but every so often, his blue gaze would slither to Van, lingering longer than was comfortable before shifting back to Hailey.

"Slayer Frances is going to lead today," he said in answer to a question Van had missed. "She always handles Shifter Day."

"Shifter Day?"