Upended Life (Artemis University Book 1) Page 14

  We kept going though to… I wasn’t sure, giving her a look to start talking.

  “I forget the name of the building but it’s got all the labs and magical rooms, which means late hours or even overnight sometimes with brewing potions and whatnot,” she explained as we walked up the steps. She opened the door for me, waggling her eyebrows. “Meaning it’s open twenty-four hours since the professors use it a lot too for getting published in journals.”

  “Are there magical journals?”

  “Of course. We have a lot of everything of our own, even social media that’s supe only and protected by magic.”

  She glanced left and right and then went left. So she wasn’t exactly sure where we were going. A few wrong turns and some backtracking and she gave a happy squeal.

  “Yes, it was for real.”

  “Holy shit,” I whispered, my eyes going wide as I looked over what I could only think of as a vending machine mecca.

  There were at least twenty of them. A few were normal drink ones but then there was one with all kinds of premade sandwiches and salads. Next was full meals, and not like crappy frozen meals, but the nice premade meals at the grocery store already cooked that you just reheated.

  There was a popcorn one that offered movie theater popcorn but with way more flavors and toppings. I groaned as I saw there was an ice cream one—correction, two—one was pints of Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs and the other all kinds of frozen desserts, from fruit bars to frozen pieces of pie and ice cream sandwiches. There was one to get a ton of different ramen, and not the dime packages.

  “I better start running more.”

  She snorted. “I might have to start. This is dangerous but the meal plan is expensive and I was thinking it might be a real option to cut back.”

  I opened my mouth but had no idea what to say. “Will you judge me if I admit I don’t even know how much tuition is, much less the dorm or meal plan?”

  “No, as you were clearly thrown in too deep and are just trying to manage everything.” She glanced at me with a frown. “You might not want to look if it’s not an issue for you to pay it instead of rich parents footing the bill. You’ll be even harsher on the school if you know the full ridiculous price tag.”

  Fair enough. It was good advice for sure.

  “So we’re doing ice cream and fun in our gowns?”

  She shrugged. “Sounds great to me.”

  It did. I handed her two twenties and went right for the popcorn. There was just something so comforting and nice about eating the good popcorn flavored to perfection.

  While that was going I actually added a sandwich for real food but then a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food. Having regular access to that would be dangerous for sure.

  “I see what you mean about cutting back,” I muttered, shocked how reasonable the prices were. “And you don’t eat a lot for breakfast. Let’s order some stuff for you and I can grab you a coffee when I stuff my face if you teach me how to make it.”

  “You’re the best roommate ever,” she cooed.

  “I doubt that. I sleep with a knife under my pillow,” I drawled.

  “I can’t tell if you’re kidding or not.”

  “I’m not. Don’t shake me awake,” I warned, feeling bad I hadn’t warned her before.

  She shot me a worried look, not for herself but more like she was upset I went through whatever I did that made me sleep with a knife under my pillow.

  “Fuck, this one is a whole pizza,” she groaned, going to the last one in the row. “I heard they went to Asia to get some of their cool vending machines but this is unreal.”

  It was, but I didn’t think even I could handle a whole pizza with what else I had. Instead, I just grabbed a drink as she finished up.

  She wanted to go back to the room but I talked her into enjoying a night picnic on the quad, reminding her we wouldn’t have too many warm nights before it got cold. Plus, the quad had really cool benches that actually slid out into picnic tables.

  I had to admit there were a lot worse places to get stuck besides Artemis University. Hopefully I could figure out a way to make it a place I could call home for the next six years.

  13

  The next morning a loud banging on the door woke me. I groaned, not happy this was becoming a habit. It wasn’t good for my nerves for one.

  “Get your ass up, lazy bitch,” Mel said through the door.

  “Sorry, Izzy,” I muttered when she sat up and blinked around. I jumped out of bed and raced to the door, opening it after fumbling with the lock. I about tackled Mel the second I could.

  “Yes, yes, missed you too, babe,” she muttered, returning the hug and kissing my hair. “I got you now, I swear it.”

  I nodded, relief filling me from tension I didn’t even realize was there. “How are you here?”

  It came out sort of muffled as I still hugged her, soaking up her strength. I wasn’t into casual touching with strangers but Mel knew my secret that if I trusted and cared for a person I was all about snuggles and hugs.

  It sort of ruined my badass bitch vibe so it was a secret better kept.

  “Caught an earlier flight that had an open seat, rented a car, and told security I was family with a student. They could tell I’m a dragon and with all the family around for arriving students they didn’t even question it.”

  “Cool, but something I should know as they were all about how secure this place was.”

  “Yeah, always be on your guard.” She glanced over at Izzy, who gave a wave and dropped back to the bed. She raised an eyebrow at me and without words I knew she was asking me if Izzy knew.

  I shook my head, a full conversation with only a few gestures. We were close enough that I didn’t even need to think about it.

  “Get dressed. I’m shocked you’re still in bed.”

  I let her go and glanced at the curtains. “I would have been up in a few with the light. Once the curtains come I might actually sleep in weekends.” I rolled my eyes when she snorted. “I might try. I’m going to be studying a lot so a normal college routine sounds nice.”

  “As long as you don’t slack off my hard work making you fabulous.”

  Of course she would say that. I nodded and quickly changed into workout clothes. I grabbed my key and ID, but left my phone. I didn’t need it for music and I was going to let Izzy sleep in since she’d bought a muffin from the vending machines.

  Mel, already dressed in workout clothes, tossed her bag into the room before I locked up, and let me lead the path. All she had to do was wave for me to get talking and I started filling her in on the ending of what happened in Illinois until now.

  She made a quit cutting signal when I almost said “fairy” and she was right. I needed to be careful no matter if I thought I was alone, with the way others could hear.

  No saying the f-word. Funny how that was no longer fuck.

  She nodded approvingly when I headed for the obstacle courses instead of just turning around. I took a time out from my story for that, noting she was right on my heels to push me even if I knew she could pass me. I wanted to push harder but I realized I was a bit tender in the best sort of way and places.

  Damn, I knew he would make me ache. Nice.

  Instead of slowing the last half mile to cool down before breakfast, Mel took off, pushing to the end. I chased her, smiling at how nice it was to have her here and feel normal instead of all over the place.

  She shot past the dorm and slowed when we hit the quad. I did the same, walking towards the cafeteria with my arms overhead as I focused on my breathing before stretching.

  Mel had other plans though, ignoring people who were all over campus already with guests leaving from the ball or whatever parents did with their kids when taking them to college.

  I felt her approaching fast and dove to the right, smirking at her when she rolled to her feet. I flipped up and met her head on, ready to take whatever she was planning to give me.

  I blocked her shots and threw
a few, one actually landing, which surprised us both. We always made sure to pull our hits when sparring but getting one on Mel was a good damn session.

  I gasped and held up a hand when that energy rushed under my skin. It was stronger this time, scarier, but I tried to reassure Mel it was fine even as I clutched my chest and sank to my knees.

  She reached for me but I quickly shoved her away. I didn’t know what this would do to someone if they touched me. It grew and grew this time until I actually whimpered.

  I heard people and felt them around, someone even calling my name, but it all sounded muffled, like I was underwater. All of my nerve endings felt fried instead of tingling this time. There was that last jolt but this time it actually made my body spasm.

  “Is she all right?” a woman asked near me.

  “Pills,” I panted, trying to signal I was okay, but I didn’t think I was this time. I was brimming with energy.

  “All right, show’s over, people, piss off or I’ll start hitting,” Mel said loudly, getting I knew what was going on. “You too, vampire.”

  I glanced over to see Darby, my body shaking from the power and what it’d done to me. “Mine.”

  Darby raised an eyebrow. “Is that so?”

  “Tu-tutor.”

  Dr. Craftsman dove in front of me, worry in his eyes. “You’re fucking nuclear with power. Give it to me. I can take it but you don’t know how to control this.”

  “How?” I chattered, my body feeling like it was locking up as it kept spasming.

  “Let go. Trust me enough to open it to me. Picture giving me the burden,” he guided as he took my hands in his.

  Yeah, that was easy. I basically shoved it all towards him. He grunted, closing his eyes as it flowed from me to him. He let out a long groan as I finally started to feel more normal.

  “Next I’ll teach you how to do that gently instead of making me feel like I’ve been hit with a truck,” he grumbled.

  “It felt like that but worse on my end,” I bitched, still panting a bit. I glanced at Mel so she could stop freaking. “The doc gave me pills to handle what human vaccines did to my magic. It wasn’t this bad so far.”

  “I’ll get you a magic reservoir to keep with you so you can push this into that to use later instead of the massive gift of power you just gave me,” Dr. Craftsman said.

  “Use your powers for good, young one,” I teased.

  “Yeah, you’re fine,” Mel drawled, squatting next to me and taking my hands that were no longer in Dr. Craftsman’s. “Let’s get you up or you’re going to cramp like a bitch from that run.”

  “I might go right back down,” I warned her.

  She nodded and easily lugged me up, keeping her arm around my waist to support me.

  “Melody? Melody Rothchild?” a woman called out as she came jogging over with a man.

  Melody’s eyes went wide and she about tossed me over to Dr. Craftsman—who luckily caught me—before dropping to one knee. “Your Majesties, it’s a blessed day that you are in such good health. I didn’t know you were here or I would have greeted you.”

  Crazy says what now?

  “It’s really you,” the woman rasped, rushing to her and grabbing her shoulders, making her stand before hugging her. “We were so scared you were lost.”

  “And we’re Alpha and Alpha Mate now, not King and Queen,” the man added.

  Melody snorted. “Yes, Alpha, but a woman as fierce as your mate would be a queen no matter what. I’m not taking that title away from her.”

  The woman made an exasperated sound, cuffing her on the back of the head before letting her go. “Your parents have been devastated looking for you everywhere.”

  Ice filled Mel’s gaze as it always did when anyone brought up her family. “They had other children to mate off so I’m sure they’re fine.”

  The woman sighed. “We make mistakes as parents too. They’ve taken many leaves to search for you when they found a lead.” She nodded when Mel gave her a shocked look. “I swear it to you.”

  I wasn’t sure what to do with this, but I was steadier on my feet so I pushed away from Dr. Craftsman to stand on my own. My stomach answered the question though, growling obnoxiously loud so everyone there heard it.

  “Well, that was embarrassing,” I snickered. “Sorry.”

  “No, you should eat after whatever that thing was from those pills,” Mel agreed. “Let me introduce you though. Tams, this is Mr. and Mrs. Vogel, Alpha and Alpha Mate of the North American dragons. This is Tamsin Vale, my dearest friend and adopted little sister really.”

  “A pleasure,” Mr. Vogel said, dipping his head to me as his wife did the same. “So you’ve been with her this whole time?” He glanced at Dr. Craftsman. “If she’s taken the vaccine reversing pills, wasn’t she an unknown?”

  “Ahhh, yeah, that…” I trailed off and looked at Mel as if saying to handle it since I had no idea how to.

  She smiled brightly at me. “There is no one I would trust more on this campus, I swear it to you, Tams. They would never betray a friend to one of their dragons, especially after you saved my life.”

  “She did?” Mrs. Vogel asked. “How?”

  Oh boy. Mel nodded to go ahead and tell them, but I wasn’t sure where to start. I cleared my throat and after a moment decided to go with the beginning of my life with Mel.

  “A man was trying to rape me at gunpoint,” I muttered, looking anywhere but at their faces. “Mel stopped him. I was scared and embarrassed and took off the moment I was free. I felt bad I didn’t even thank her though, so a few hours later I went back to try and find her.” I sighed, hating to think of that night. “She’d been wearing very distinct clothes.”

  “Ahh, the fashion mistakes we make in the strive to feel special and an individual,” Mel gushed, the sarcasm dripping from her statement.

  I snorted. “I saw a guy carrying one of her boots and jacket saying they’d gotten a girl and that was the rest of the cleanup. I freaked out that she was there because of me and someone got her so I followed them. There were a lot of them. Long story short, it took me a few days to figure out where they had her and how to get in. I kept stealing stun guns and—”

  “And you didn’t think to go to your parents, the authorities?” Mr. Vogel cut in.

  “Orphan, ran from foster care,” I answered, trying not to bite out my words given he was the boss of Mel in a way. “I was fifteen so who knew if they’d even listen to me. I was a runaway and issues around it.” I shrugged, giving him a look that was the end of it, glad when he nodded in acceptance. “There was an event so there were fewer guards. I stunned them and found Mel, got her out.”

  “That is one serious downplay,” Mel drawled. “She freed two dozen of us.” She shot them a hesitant look. “You got a tip several years ago about a fighting ring of humans forcing supes to fight.”

  Mrs. Vogel’s eyes went wide. “In Vegas, yes.” She looked at me with joy. “That was you?”

  “I had no idea that’s what it was. I thought they were human trafficking them. I about fainted with a panic attack when I found all of them in cages, cuffed and beaten.”

  “You were a terrified little thing back then,” Mel teased me. “Squeaking all the time and racing off.” She beamed with pride when she looked at them. “Yes, she set us free and I called in the tip so you could close it down and get the rest.”

  “We scorched the ground as well, making it clear it should never happen again,” Mr. Vogel said firmly.

  “I knew you would.”

  He nodded, glancing at me again. “And the situation she ran from?”

  Mel snorted. “I took care of the foster father and made sure he would not have anyone looking for her. She was under my wing after that.”

  “You did what?” I gasped.

  She shrugged. “You were so scared back then. I thought you might run from me if I said what I did to that guy.”

  “You idiot,” I rasped, launching myself at her. “Thank you. He was the wo
rst and… Yeah.”

  “Yeah, I know,” she murmured, patting my back before letting me go. “But we were with humans when we met and a while after that. The time to bring up the normal stuff passed and I assumed she knew I was a supe too, a dragon, but it turns out I’m not perfect.”

  There was a deep snort and I turned to see Mr. Panty Soaker, shocked I didn’t feel the energy when he was near. Then again, I was a bit fried out.

  “Well, you grew up massive,” Mel greeted him.

  Mrs. Vogel chuckled. “Have you met?”

  “Yes,” he answered.

  Unfortunately I said “no,” rushing to clarify and noting the hurt in his eyes. “His friend Juan keeps badly flirting with me but I didn’t catch his name yet.” I reached over to him and held out my hand. “Tamsin Vale.”

  “Hudson Vogel.” Heat was in his eyes as his larger hand engulfed mine. Shhhit. I about had a flashback to those hands on me.

  I nodded and let go. “This is Dr. Craftsman, my species advisor, and Darby Moore, the unfortunate scholarship student they’re forcing to tutor me.”

  Mel snorted but Mr. Vogel had a much different response, curling his lip.

  “A scholarship student is best for you?”

  I shot Mel a WTF look like I was doubting we should have told them anything. She nodded it really was okay and Mr. Vogel caught the interaction, clearing his throat.

  “I have trouble with the lack of pride the scholarship students have, selling themselves to the faculty, school, and donors like rats scurrying around for scraps and cheese, accepting that. Being without means is nothing to be ashamed of, but how one advances themselves means everything.”

  I snorted. “Spoken like a true elitist who’s never had to go hungry.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “That is not only totally biased from your Alpha perch but a perversion of pride. He’s working his ass off to pay off that education you can just write a check for, for your son. The problem are the students, faculty, and donors taking things too far.