Not Even Human

Chapter Seventeen

I huffed as I was pushed into the library. I could hear Nico slam the door behind him.

“What you did was not okay!”

“What I did showed that I’m not one to be trifled with.” I spoke with a grave tone. “She thought I was just a little- I’m not someone she can just push around! I’m not someone she can force into hiding away and avoiding the problem-”

“Where is this really coming from?” Nico interrupted me, his brow raised. I stilled. Was I projecting all my frustrations on her? Just because I had to leave? “Kim, you can talk to me.”

“I guess I should tell you… I should’ve told all of you.” I sighed, turning and leaning on one of the empty tables. The wood was rough beneath my fingertips… “When I was around fourteen, my mother… died, or disappeared. Either way- she was gone. I always figured she ran away to escape my dad’s abuse… but when she left…” I scoffed, my heart beating rapidly as I recounted the events. What would Nico think of me? God, I was so ashamed… I felt so gross. So disgusting.

Nico’s breath hitched with disbelief. “He set his sights on you.”

I tensed, “Not just the abuse. It would get worse at night… ” I couldn’t say it. I could hear him swallow, and I huffed again. “I ended up running away- but not far enough. He’s always one step behind me. Always right on my trail.”

“We won’t let him touch you-”

“He’s like us.” I clenched my jaw, “I’m sure of it. He has to be.”

“My dad- my whole family is plenty powerful-”

“The point is, Nico…” I turned to him, my eyes glaring through the tears. “I’m not letting anyone think they can just push me around. Never again.”

Nico looked away, a frustrated sigh leaving his lips as he ran a hand through his hair. His expression changed within a moment, and his eyes brightened. “Maybe we can channel that rage into something else.”

“Oh really?” I scoffed, “Not likely-”

“Didn’t you want me to teach you magic?”

“Well, yeah but-”

“Then I’ll make you a deal.” He held his hand out- palm facing upwards as he moved his hand on top of the other one. “I’ll teach you magic…”

I gasped as he lifted his hand and a small shadow swirled around to develop into a spider- a real one.

“And you don’t hurt anyone else. Deal?” He smirked.

I stepped forward and held my palm to his, allowing the small shadowy spider to crawl into my palm. I grinned, amazed at the capabilities magic allowed. As the spider dissolved, I looked up with a determined stare. “Deal.”

“Good.” Nico chuckled, placing his hands behind his back. “Wanna begin lesson one?”

“Uh… well, I’m not doing anything else.” I shrugged, trying to think if I was even busy.

“Alright. Let’s go to my spot.” He turned, and I began to follow him.

“Your spot?” I questioned.

“It’s in Haven- witch territory.” He stepped into the elevator, and I sighed before entering as well. “Which reminds me…” He turned to me, taking my palm in his hand and murmuring something in latin. I raised a brow, pulling away.

“What was that?” I frowned, looking at my palm in confusion.

“Non-witches AKA non-humans need an invitation- kind of like a pass to access the area. I just gave you one.”

I nodded, “To make sure nobody trespasses.”

“And to make sure the next time someone starts a war- no one can enter.” He coyly added. “Plus it’s just a badass feature.”

“Heh.” I chuckled.

-

I could feel the barrier into Haven wash over me- it felt like a soft waterfall. I followed Nico into the forest, and gasped at where he led me to.

It was a wide and beautiful meadow- with a variety of flowers with it’s beauty accentuated by the sunlight. “Nico… this is beautiful.”

“I grew them all myself, you know.” Nico grinned as he walked past the flowers, and into the middle of the meadow. I approached him, looking all around with amazement. “Us witches draw power from the elements… Earth, water… fire, air. Even our energy- our life force can be something to draw from if you’re powerful enough.” He sat down with his legs crossed, and I mimicked him as I sat in front of him. “Close your eyes.”

I furrowed my brows, “Why-”

“Just do it, Kim.” He sighed in annoyance.

I grumbled under my breath as I followed his instruction.

“Breathe in deeply. In… then out.” I obeyed. “Focus on the dirt below you. The sun on your skin… the flowers around you.”

I felt myself calm down- my emotions and thoughts fading as my body started to relax.

“Focus on the air you’re breathing in. Focus on the slight perspiration on your skin… and... “ He paused, “Look up at the sky.”

I opened my eyes, looking at the bright blue sky.

“Repeat after me.” I nodded, and Nico started to chant. “Elementum recolligo huic commodo locus mihi vestri vox. Elementum ego unda dico vos. Permissum pluit es est meus nos sic vadum is exsisto.”

His voice faded, allowing me chant by myself. “ “Elementum recolligo huic commodo locus mihi vestri vox. Elementum ego unda dico vos. Permissum pluit es est meus nos sic vadum is exsisto.”

The wind picked up suddenly- the slight breeze turning into a strong gust as I continued to repeat the latin words. The sky darkened; Non-existent clouds suddenly formed, and the sun was gone. Thunder sounded throughout the sky, and I heard Nico stammer.

“Th-That’s new.”

My lips quirked up in a smile as I felt a drop of rain hit my cheek. Then another.

It was raining. I looked to Nico, and his eyes were wide with shock.

“Did I do it right?” I asked, the rain wetting both of our clothes and hair.

He scoffed, “Did you do it right? You did it perfectly! You mastered that spell without even trying!”

I frowned again, confused. “Is that bad?”

“Well… more like concerning. I mean, I’ve never met anyone else who could do a spell while also being a vampyr.”

“So this shouldn’t be possible- is that what I’m hearing? Then why did you want to teach me?”

“It’s not impossible to learn- there's always potions and elixers you can make without magic- but you… You have a gift. A natural talent for it.” Nico paused, looking down in confusion before looking up at me. “What exactly are you?”

“This one has potential, I see.” A familiar voice spoke up. I turned, recognizing the woman from that one meeting with the wolf leaders and Gabe’s father. I stood along with Nico, shaken from her intense gaze.

“Mom…” I heard Nico start, and I looked at him with shock this time.

“Mom?” I asked, and Nico shrugged with a sheepish smile. First, the wolves had a problem with me. Now Nico’s mom could have it in for me too? Godammit.