Not Even Human

Chapter Eleven

I opened my locker the minute I got to school, looking for my last pencil. It certainly wasn’t in my backpack…

“So what? Now you’re dating my brother?”

I sighed, thinking of how Benjamin clearly stated not to say anything, to keep up the rude in order to get me officially instated. “Listen, I’m sorry… but I really like him. And he likes me.”

Nico’s face was obviously annoyed. I couldn’t help but feel guilty. “He’s just using you, Kim. That’s what he does, he uses people for their bodies.”

I huffed, “That’s not true, Nico. He told me that… I’m the one person that’s like his equal. That he can talk to, and relate to a little...”

I trailed off, thinking about how I knew Nico was a little right. There were a lot of problems with this thing between me and Gabriel, even if its not real. I wish I could tell him it’s just a fake relationship…

Nico peeked into my locker, and gasped, “He gave you his journal from the first hundred years of his existence?”

“Shh! People can hear you-“

“Huh. Maybe you guys do have a connection…” He looked at me with an impressed expression, as if my tying him down was a challenge. It was all a ruse, and for a moment I wondered if Gabriel felt something more than kinship.

I raised an eyebrow, looking to the journal. I haven’t read it at all, yet it intrigued me tremendously. I was scared what I’d find… Then I remembered something.

“Nico?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you… what are you?”

Nico’s eyes widened in surprise, as if not expecting that question before he scowled. “You know, I don’t get why everyone in high school has to ask. Like, maybe I’m pansexual or maybe I’m bisexual. I just don’t know yet- I don’t even like labels so-“

“I meant supernatural-wise.” I almost wanted to laugh at the way he had been ranting, though I agreed it was annoying for people to constantly question your sexuality.

“Oh.” His mouth made a small ‘o’, “Oh. Well, since my mom is a witch and my dad is a super powerful vampire I’m half royal vamp and half witch.”

I c****d my head as I leaned against the locker, “So how does that work?”

“Well, my immortality can be finnicky. I’ve never died and I don’t plan to ‘cause I might not come back. But I have speed and senses stronger than humans, just not as strong as my brothers or you.”

“What about your witch-warlock side?”

“Ah. Well, I have magic of course…” He looked around before grabbing a pencil out of his bag. He whispered something in another language as he waved his hand over the pencil, and it turned into a pen. I gasped.

“That’s cool.”

“Right? I’m still learning the ropes, it’s a little hard going back and forth between my parents but I learn what I can.”

I didn’t wanna pry into that, so I got to what was on my mind. “Is there anyway to detect my power?”

“Your power?”

"Gabriel said royals have powers. From what I can tell is that your guys’ dad is mind-reading.”

“Oh. Oh, um, well there’s not really a spell for that. They mostly acquire their gifts accidentally… see, Victoria can make people think they’re in pain with a single touch. Super excruciating, so she only uses it when she really needs to or if someone messes with her. And Gabriel has mind-control.”

My eyes widened, “Wait, did Gabe-“

“Oh, no. No, no, no.” He chuckled, “You'd know if he used it on you. It’s mostly like compulsion or suggestion except you’re self-aware about it. Like, he could tell you to do something and you know in your head that he’s controlling you, and you’ll do what he says even though you don’t want to. He’s super self-conscious about it, he’ll never force anyone to do anything unless he absolutely needs to.”

“What if I don’t have a gift?”

“Well...” He thought for a second, “You kind of have to have one. Every royal is born with one. Even me, I have the gift of being pleasant to others.”

I scoffed, “That’s not a real gift.”

“Well, it actually is. Like I'm really charismatic and persuasive, and people actually listen to me.”

“Then why aren’t you on the cheerleading squad?”

“Well, that’s actually because my gifts don’t work on the supernatural sometimes. I mean, other times yeah when they’re more agreeable, but not for the super stubborn. And since Monica is a werewolf-“

“Ohhhh.” I nodded, understanding. “That’s really cool. I wish I had one…” I had an idea suddenly and looked to Nico in excitement. “Can you teach me magic?”

Nico laughed, and I frowned as he spoke. “Vamps can’t have magic, silly.”

“Have they ever tried?”

“Well, no-“

“Then what's the harm in trying?”

He scoffed before grinning, “Failure. It'll be fun to see you try though.”

I closed my locker with my books, and the journal in hand. It was about time I read it anyhow. But first, before class, I had to go to the restroom.

I walked into the empty restroom and set my books on the counter, going into one of the stalls to do my business before coming back out. I sighed as I washed my hands and observed my appearance briefly. I had a pimple…

What? There was a guy behind me now.

I looked at him through the mirror with disgust, “This is the women’s restroom, creep.”

He c****d his head, and my eyes widened when I spotted his earring. A werewolf earring…and his hair was the same shade as the werewolf I… stepped on.

Two other guys walked into the restroom, and I tensed up. Another girl around my age walked in, looking concerned.

She spoke softly, “Do I need to get someone-“

“I’ll be fine.” I smiled at her, wanting her not to see what might or might not happen. “Don’t worry.”

A brief look of disgust washed over her features, and I scowled at what she thought and would no doubt spread as a rumor. ‘The new girl had a threesome in the school bathroom.’ Great.

The one whom I stomped on, his eyes narrow and his lips plump, and his tall stature looming over me with a glare spoke, he really did resemble Monica. I looked at his ear, memorizing the small lupis lazuli jewel. “Remember me?”

I turned, clenching my jaw slightly before grinning. I was feigning confidence, but in reality I was terrified. “How could I not? My favorite doggy.”

A growl escaped his chest, and the two beside him had snarls.

“Hey!”

The two beside him moved to restrain me by the arms, and I couldn’t stop them even though I tried. They just gripped my arms, holding me in place by arm’s length. I glared up at who seemed to be the ‘alpha’ as he smirked.

“What’s wrong?” He leaned in, his eyes glaring at me harshly while he pouted in a mocking manner.

I laughed briefly, “Heh. Just thinking of all the ways I could kill you.”

“Oh really?” He squared his shoulders while standing straight, and I nodded.

“Really.” I huffed, “What do you want?”

“You.” I gasped as he lunged, and I reflexively put both of my legs out to kick him. He grunted as he fell back, and I let myself fall to the floor on my back while the two guys who held my arms clashed into each other. My arms slipped from them, and I used my supernatural speed to grab my books and dash out of there.

The hallways were empty, I must’ve missed the bell amid the commotion. I walked a little ways before I heard the door behind me burst open, and I gasped as I saw them looking at me. I broke into a normal paced run, using only a fraction of my supernatural speed, clutching my books to my chest still. I wanted to flash away, but I couldn’t risk someone seeing me.

I didn’t know where to go, where could I go? I could still hear them behind me…

A classroom. They couldn’t do anything to me in my classroom. I frantically tried to remember where to go while I kept running away from them. That’s when it hit me; after a couple minutes of turning left and right, I finally found my classroom and burst in with a huff. The teacher looked at me incredulously, and I smiled sheepishly as I closed the door and quietly went to my seat.

I pulled out my phone under the desk, frantically texting Nico and Gabriel about what just happened. I waited all period, and neither of them responded. I knew those three would be waiting outside…

Just ten minutes before the period ended, the door opened. I looked up out of instinct, bored and worried and eager for distraction when I gasped.

In a white button up and black skinny jeans was Gabriel with a little lanyard and ID, and glasses? His hair was slicked back, and I melted with relief at the sight of him. From where I could see, it said he was a teacher’s aid?

“Sorry I’m late, Miss Ronald.” The teacher grinned with a blush, and I rolled my eyes with a smirk as he walked down the aisle and towards me before he looked back to the teacher, “Mind if I sit here? I heard she’s a new student and might need help.”

The teacher eagerly nodded before going on with her lesson, and I smiled at Gabe who sat beside me.

“I take it you got my text?”

He nodded with a smirk before his face fell. He leaned closer, glancing up at the teacher before whispering and casually pointing to the paper in front of me to pretend to help me. “Was it the wolves from last night?”

I nodded, “Three of them cornered me in the restroom. They said, and I quote, ‘they wanted me’. And I’m pretty sure they didn’t mean for fun.”

Gabe scowled, “Looks like we’re gonna have to announce our relationship earlier than planned.”

I nodded with a relaxed sigh. Having him here was definitely relieving, “I don’t mind. It’s better than waiting and trying to keep it under wraps from people…”

He gave me a confused glance before catching onto the fact there might be other supernaturals here. He nodded, not so subtly squeezing my hands in reassurance and for others to notice, before leaning away and walking away to other students to see if they needed any help following along.

The bell rang signaling the period ending, and Gabriel went to the teacher briefly before walking me out of the classroom. He subtly placed a hand behind my back, and I tensed as I felt others stare. This was for my safety, yes, but I was also self-conscious about this whole thing. The three guys from earlier were just waiting by the hall, and their eyes widened at the sight of me with Gabriel. He raised an eyebrow at them, glaring at them openly.

I slightly smirked, making them scowl as we turned into the other hall. Nico suddenly went up to us with an alarmed expression, “Hey! I just got your text, what is SOS for- Gabe?”

I nodded, “Yeah. Three werewolves totally cornered me in the restroom.”

“Are you okay?” He walked alongside us, concerned.

Gabe huffed, “She’s fine. What’s not fine is the fact they thought they could just kidnap her whlie in school and get away with it.”

I raised an eyebrow, “So what now?”

“We need to go tell my dad.” Nico sighed, shaking his head.

I frowned, “But what about school-“

“We can’t follow you around constantly.” Gabe gave me a pointed stare, and I nodded in agreement.

-

“Well, this is indeed troubling.” Benjamin interlaced his fingers, standing and tapping his fingers against the desk. “Sounds like we’re going to have to announce your arranged betrothal today.”

Nico gasped loudly, and I winced as I looked away in embarrassment.

“Excuse me?! Arranged bethrothal?!” He sped over to me, and I sheepishly rubbed the back of my neck. “Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Gabe laughed, “Because it wasn’t any of your business?”

I rolled my eyes, “I just didn’t know how. It is a little soon-“

“Soon?! It’s literally been like three days since we met. And he's my brother!"

“More like four, but whatever.” Gabe sighed. "And I'm your half brother."

“Enough. I’ll call a meeting with the council heads of the witches and werewolves. I'll state how this was all arranged between our two lineages as far as the wolves are concerned."

"What? It was? Since when? I'm sorry. I'm so lost right now-"

Benjamin ignored Nico's concerns, talking over him. "Nico, contact your mother for me. Gabriel, Kim…” Benjamin looked at us with a raised eyebrow, and I tensed as I awaited what he would say.

“Go get a ring.”