Hidden in Smoke Read online

  I grabbed my clothing from the dresser drawer I’d claimed while I stayed with the guys. I made my way down the hall to the bathroom and tried not to slip on the wooden floors in my stockinged feet. One thing about me that definitely hadn’t changed was that my feet were always cold. The colder weather of Alaska had not helped that matter in the slightest. However, running around polished floors in thick socks did tend to mean I took more tumbles than I would have preferred. I avoided looking in the mirror as I stripped down and let the shower water heat. I had gained a little bit of my lost weight back, but I knew I was not back to my healthy self yet.

  I stepped into the steaming water, tilting my head back with a sigh as I absorbed the stinging heat. This was what I needed. To feel normal. I sighed as I remembered the time and began to hurry through my routine. The last thing I wanted to do was to have argued my way around the guys only to be late to class due to my newly developed lazy streak.

  Regretfully, I twisted the handle of the shower to stop the stream of water and dragged myself out to dress. What was even on the schedule today? I tried to organize my scattered thoughts as I went. I think it was my freshman orientation class and Biology. Freshman orientation was one of the most boring—and useless—classes I had ever taken. I had heard other students talk about it when I was in high school, so apparently, it was a relatively popular way for colleges to introduce their new students to a college lifestyle. The professor gave each student a random topic—I had been assigned to the History of Feudal China—and instructed us on the “proper” way to study, prepare reports, use the college’s resources, and other things that were—at least in my opinion—just a way for the college to make us pay for a useless class.

  Finally dressed, I plaited my damp hair back into a quick braid. I didn’t have the time to bother drying it this morning. I slid out the door with a quick glance at the hall clock. Twenty minutes. That should be enough time to grab a bite to eat before I let one of the guys drive me to campus. I wondered who would get the straw today. I giggled as I thought about their crazy antics. Rock, paper, scissors was only one of the ways they decided on who got to do what. So far I’d seen them do everything from draw straws to thumb wrestling to Ryder attempting to have a dance off with me as a judge. Unfortunately, that one hadn’t flown with anyone but Ryder, though I was quite a willing volunteer.

  Hiro stood at the stove, a pan of scrambled eggs on the flame. I smiled at the memory of my first day of classes. “Are those for me?” I teased. He glanced over at me, a smile lighting up his face.

  “Of course. I wouldn’t let you head out for classes without a little breakfast. I like that this is our routine.” He shot me a wink and turned back to the eggs.

  At least it wasn’t Ryder cooking. I shuddered, remembering his last attempt at scrambled eggs. How could such a brilliant man be incapable of something as ridiculously easy as scrambled eggs? It had to be willful. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, chugging it down as I reached for plates, glasses, and silverware with my free hand. I tossed the bottle towards the trash can, hooting at my three-pointer. Hiro snickered and rolled his eyes, effortlessly plating the eggs and joining me at the table.

  “Hiro,” I began, toying with my eggs after I’d eaten a few bites. “Do you think things will settle down soon?”

  He looked at me, his eyebrows raised as he studied me, his fork still against his plate.

  “I mean, one of the reasons I didn’t want to talk about my past with you guys is because I didn’t want the fear and the pity. I don’t want to be treated with kid gloves. I wanted you all to just be my friends—to treat me the way that you treat Rini.”

  He smirked and leaned forward to brush my hair behind my ear. “I hope you don’t want us to treat you the way we treat Rini. Our feelings for you are quite a bit different than that.”

  I tried not to grin but couldn’t help it. I loved when he teased me. “I know, but I want us to be friends first.”

  Hiro's eyes were gentle. “Nix, I understand. We all do. We are trying. We all feel very…” He paused, searching for the right word, “… very drawn to you. I think you feel the same way toward us.” Reaching toward me again, he ran his thumb over my cheek and gave me a small smile that went all the way to his eyes. “I think getting you into a normal routine will really help those of us who are struggling. You just have to realize that we care about you. We feel guilty for you getting hurt.” He held up his hands before more apologies could fall from my lips. I had been apologizing to them almost every day, despite their reassurance that no apologies were necessary. “Friends help each other. They worry about each other. It will calm down. Give it a few days being back in the swing of things. If things are still tense, I’ll handle it.” The smile he shot me was sweet as he waved at my food. “Keep eating. You’ll need your strength.”

  I scarfed the rest of my food down as I mulled over Hiro’s words. With a sigh, I tried to refocus my brain back on classes and started thinking of everything that I would need to bring with me for the day. “Which of you is going with me?”

  “Me.” Damien spoke from nearly right behind me, and I squeaked as I caught the table to avoid falling over. Riotous laughter echoed around me, and Hiro outright grinned, his eyes flashing behind his glasses.

  “You said you wanted it to be normal.”

  I rolled my eyes as I turned to face Damien and Ryder. Ryder looked as though he was still having trouble breathing, his hands gripping his knees as he continued to chuckle. “You sounded like a wounded mouse.” The words were dragged from him, his smile bright and sincere, the worry lines finally missing from around his gorgeous, russet eyes.

  My Phoenix squawked in outrage, and I had to ball my hands into fists to prevent the heat that suddenly scattered around my fingertips from flying forward. Damien and Hiro chuckled this time, as Ryder watched me warily. “You know better than to rile a new shifter.” Killian's voice was scolding as he joined us in the doorway. “You’re lucky she’s got amazing control, or she could have scorched you where you stood.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. Killian’s hair was nearly black from where he had wet it down and slicked it back onto his head. I hadn’t said anything, but I was thrilled he had kept the scruff that had grown in while I slept. It was incredibly sexy. I wondered if it would feel the same kissing him, or if the sensation would be more unique? He grinned and shot me a wink as Ryder began to snicker again. “Damien!” The word was nearly a howl as I whirled on him. Sometimes I hated when he projected my thoughts!

  He snickered too as he studied me. “Sorry, Nix. This one’s all on you. Make sure that what you’re thinking doesn’t come out of your mouth. You can’t always blame me, you know.” He pretended to take on an offended air as he strutted to the stove. I wanted to stare at his hips as he moved, but instead, I threw my napkin at him.

  “Come on; we need to leave in ten.” I tossed my dishes in the sink and looked around for my gear.

  “Closet by the entrance. I made sure your bag was packed.” Theo’s voice was quiet from where he leaned against the door jam. I hadn’t even heard him come in. His accent was a little heavier, so I assumed he was tired. I had noticed that it had a habit of thickening if he was tired or stressed, just as Killian’s did.

  “Thanks, Theo.” I knew he would have made sure I had the right books and notebooks for whatever class I had today. I headed for the hall to begin to don my warmer gear, and he followed quietly behind me.

  “Are you okay, Theo?” I couldn’t get my damn boot on!

  Suddenly, large, tanned hands grabbed my waist, steadying me while I tugged at the boot. I froze for a moment, looking into sapphire eyes as his lips ever so softly brushed mine—more of a whisper than a kiss.

  “Be safe for me, Nix.” The request was a low plea, and he placed my bag on the small end table next to me.

  I stood in shock as he retreated up the stairs, his hands digging into his hair as he walked. What the hell had that been? I reache
d up to touch my lips where they tingled. It had been the briefest of kisses, barely a kiss at all. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I’d spend more time analyzing everything later, but in the meantime, I couldn’t resist flicking my tongue out to see if I could taste him on my lips.

  Ten

  Nix

  I was happy to be back in school, but I couldn’t believe I had to sit through this stupid class for an entire semester. I wanted to roll my eyes but thought better of it. I didn’t want to anger the professor. I thought college was supposed to be about expanding our horizons and challenging ourselves. The most challenging thing about my intro class was not falling asleep during it. I doodled on the edge of my binder while my teacher droned on about the proper way to use the old card catalog at the library—seriously, which of us would ever be using that? A loud knock sounded, startling several of the others around me awake. At least I wasn’t the only one who found this class boring.

  “Annika Coxx?” A strange female voice requested from the doorway.

  I turned to study the speaker. She wasn’t someone I knew on sight, but that really wasn’t a surprise in a school this size, especially with all of the time I had missed. Her face was soft; her lips were set in a firm line. Her hair was pulled back tightly from her head and coiled into a severe bun of bright blonde hair. The suit she wore was plain brown wool and looked far too stiff for someone of her age. An assessing glance seemed to indicate that she dressed to try and hide both her body and her looks. It didn’t do her any good, however. Anyone who paid attention would see a pretty woman in her early forties.

  I stood, one hand remaining on my bag. “Yes, ma’am?” I didn’t want to get mouthy with her until I knew who she was.

  Her smile was sweet as she studied me, but for some reason, it instantly set me on edge. My Phoenix flapped in agitation. She didn’t smell of magic, so if she was a shifter, I doubted she was a strong one.

  My professor jumped in, her smile warm and welcoming as she took in the newcomer. “Ms. Stone. It’s been awhile. Did you need one of my students? I don’t see a guidance session on our schedule for today.” I rolled my eyes. That old bat didn’t pay any attention to anything but her own words, or she would have already realized that she was here for me. Guidance, she’d said. I knew part of our orientation class was meeting and speaking with an academic advisor. For those of us who hadn’t chosen our majors, it was a time to reflect. For those who had, it was to confirm our choice and a time to create a plan of action to achieve our goals—or at least that was what the syllabus said.

  Ms. Stone smiled at my professor, waving a hand to where I stood. “I just need to borrow Ms. Coxx for a few minutes, if that’s alright?”

  “Of course, of course. Annika, I know it’s earlier than the syllabus stated, but Ms. Stone is an excellent advisor. You’re lucky to be assigned to her.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” If it got me out of this mind-numbingly boring class, I wasn’t going to put up a fight.

  “If you want to bring your things with you, Ms. Coxx? I’ll try not to hold you through your next course, but I prefer you have your bags just in case.”

  I nodded in agreement, scooping up my stuff and wishing I had the nerve to text one of the guys and tell them where I was going. I knew they would freak out if they came to walk me to my next course and I had disappeared on them. I gave myself a mental shake. This was ridiculous. It was a professor at the college and part of my life here. I said I wanted to get back to a normal routine and that’s exactly what I would do.

  Ms. Stone led me across the campus to a small office building, smiling and waving at almost everyone we passed. Apparently, she was well known—and well liked—here. The office she led me into was small but comfortable. It was done up in warm earth tones and filled nearly to the brim with books and pillows. She indicated a plush armchair across from her desk as she sat. “Please, Annika, have a seat.”

  “It’s Nix, actually.”

  She smiled, though it didn’t seem to reach her eyes. “I appreciate you coming out of class to speak with me, Nix. I know you aren’t on the schedule for a few more weeks. However, some of your teachers have reached out to me with concerns in regards to your attendance.”

  Well, crap. I hadn’t even considered that any of my professors might have reached out to the administration department. “I’m sorry, ma’am, I don’t understand. I corresponded with all of my professors. They were aware of my health issues.”

  Ms. Stone frowned, leaning back in her chair as she interlaced her fingers on the desk. “I’m aware that you notified your teachers of an illness. I am also aware, however, that you have not been staying in your dorm room as is required of freshman. From our investigations, we have noted that you have been staying off campus with a group of older boys.” She sighed, leaning forward as if to confide in me and reached across her desk, her hand making contact with my arm. I tensed up and pulled away when she invaded my personal space. Recomposing herself, she seemed to latch onto my awkwardness as she continued, “I know it can be difficult to discuss, but if you’re in a…” she paused, seeming to try and find the correct words, “sensitive situation, your teachers and our staff are here to help you. We are very concerned that as a freshman who, seemingly on paper, had been enthusiastic about her schooling, has so rapidly removed themselves from student life, not made an attempt to socialize, and has failed to meet the academic requirements.”

  I couldn’t help it—I gaped at her in awe. What the hell was going on? “Are you asking me if I’m being held hostage by a group of men who are abusing me?” I could barely squeeze the words out of a throat gone tight with anger and disgust.

  My Phoenix hissed at the condescending smile she shot me. “Now, Nix, I wouldn’t put it quite like that. We’re worried about you. There are required dorm activities for freshman that you have not been involved in. You missed class, supposedly due to a serious illness, and yet you look remarkably healthy now. You also have not reported to the campus health center. You can see why your professors would be concerned. It was right of your classmate to bring this to our attention.”

  “Someone brought this to your attention?” It was like she was speaking in riddles on purpose. I was so confused and having a hard time following her overly polite, passive-aggressive tirade. What the hell was going on? I spent years being abused, showing up to school with massive injuries, to be, for the most part, ignored. Now, as a full adult, I was being questioned about my morality and my work ethic? I had made sure to catch up on all my assignments and reading. For all the days I had been out, I hadn’t allowed myself to fall behind. How did this make any sense?

  I struggled to keep my tone even and controlled as I responded. My Phoenix was hissing madly in my head, and I could feel the tell-tale heat in my fingertips, suggesting she wanted to blast this bitchy woman. “I’m not sure who came to you with this tale. Yes, I have made friends, some of whom live off campus. I went to a local doctor off campus for personal health reasons, and I have no requirement to justify that. While I have spent some nights away from campus, the majority of my nights have been spent here as my roommate is willing to attest to. I’m sorry that someone brought this to you to try and stir up trouble. I made good friends with these men, and I don’t appreciate having that friendship maligned with sly and terrible insinuations. They have done nothing but take care of me while I was ill.” I was shaking at this point, trying to keep a hold on my temper. I would need to work with this advisor at multiple points throughout this semester and potentially in future courses as well. The last thing I needed—no matter how badly I wanted it—was to start an all-out war with her.

  She cleared her throat delicately, that condescending smile never leaving her face. “Now, Nix. I’m not saying you have to justify your health concerns. And I am not saying that we are concerned about you making male friends, but you can see how this particular situation is tenuous. I know that your roommate is particularly close to a few of the men in questi
on, and it could be difficult to share if something were going on in that regards. I just want to let you know that my door is always open. A student like you, alone, so far away from any kind of family, we like to make sure you’re well taken care of.” The simpering smile was back in place, but it didn’t detract from the chill in her eyes.

  “Thank you, ma’am. I’m perfectly happy with the way things are going since I’ve moved here. If my professors have any more concerns regarding my missed classes, please let them know they can talk to me directly. I can get a notice from my doctor.” I tried to keep a pasted smile on my face.

  “Yes, yes, that’s all well and good. However, I still think you are spending far too much time away from people your age. There are so many activities for the freshman to experience, not to mention all of the activities for females we have on campus. Rush week is coming up. Have you thought of rushing a sorority? We have some fine options on campus.” I swear the bitch was nearly batting her eyes at me.

  “No, ma’am, I’m afraid sororities aren’t exactly my thing. My roommate and I have grown very close, and I prefer to focus on that friendship and my studies rather than focusing on multiple extra-curricular activities. I am fairly set in my academic plan for the next few years, and I am continuing to strive for that goal.” I wanted to rage at this woman. How dare she malign the sweet, caring, gentle men that had made me feel at home for the first time in my life? “If you don’t mind, I really should be heading back to my class. I prefer taking notes myself rather than relying on someone else’s.” She nodded stiffly.