Quantum Entanglement Read online

  “What’s that?” My ears perk up at that. It’s the first silver lining in all of this mess.

  “Well, as I stated before, our students aren’t prisoners here. Once a student shows maturity and accountability with their abilities, they are able to request time away—whether it be a day pass, weekend pass, or even an extended vacation, depending on their course load. Upon approval, that student is granted a special object that acts as a compass to be able to find their way back here.”

  “This all so much to remember. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t overwhelmed.” I sip on my tea. Online classes don’t offer the same experience, but what else can I do? I can’t do this on my own.

  “And you don’t have to, dear.” The professor smiles. “That is the whole point of this academy. I’ll get you enrolled, and we can talk more later. You’ve had quite a day, and I don’t want to overwhelm you any more than you already are. We can discuss your classification later.”

  “Wait. Does that mean you know what kind of supernatural being I am?” I ask, surprised.

  “I’m almost certain, but I don’t know for sure. We have distinctive ways to narrow down a class, and thus far, I’ve been able to rule them all out. This brings about new possibilities not found currently on Earth, but I have one specific class in mind. I won’t discuss it now on the off chance that I’m wrong. Your DNA will confirm if I’m right. Until then, let’s get you to your new room.”

  She gets up so I stand as well. “And when will you get my DNA? The sooner I know what’s going on with me, the better.”

  “I already have it.” She smiles, waving the nearly empty tea cup that I left on the tray. “Now let’s get you settled.”

  Patience has never been my strong suit, but the answers I seek are at the mercy of Professor Winters. I know I should embrace this reprieve before my life changes forever. What happens after I find out? What do I tell Jan and Steve? Will I ever get married or have children if I’m only half human? So much hangs in the balance. This all feels like a bad dream, one that I’m hoping I wake up from in my dorm room. The professor pats me on the shoulder before walking over to a desk in the corner to make a call. Undoubtedly, she was reading my thoughts again, but for once, she chose not to comment on my internal monologue. I listen as she speaks with someone about coming to take me to my new room. I don’t hear much else. My own sordid thoughts are too loud.

  Chapter Four

  Elysian

  “He’s not a werewolf,” a voice whisper hisses in the near distance. “There is no distinct smell. Well, other than dried sweat of an athlete.”

  “Maybe he has yet to transition for the first time,” the other voice challenges. “What else could he be? His core body temp is 109 degrees.”

  My eyes struggle to focus. I recognize the white-haired man’s voice, but their conversation isn’t making any sense. Why are they discussing werewolves? Where am I, and how did we get here? That flash of light that struck us hurt like a bitch. I can barely move, though my head hurts worse than my body.

  “You weren’t supposed to bring him directly here, Bishop. We have protocols in place for a reason. You were supposed to take him to the clinic first to identify what he is and whether he’s stable.”

  “I know that, Randolph. In my haste to get us out of there as fast as possible, I teleported us here without thinking.” There is a brief pause between the two men before the white-haired man who I now know as Bishop begins to speak again. “He’s coming to. Let’s get him cooled down. His temp could very well be from the stress of the teleport. Maybe I’m wrong.”

  I feel hands grab my wrist and turn it over. “I recognize this brand. A young woman I brought here earlier today had the same infinity symbol embedded into her left wrist in the same spot. This can’t be a coincidence.”

  My eyes flutter open as I take in the two men standing over me. I try to move, but a jolt of pain runs down my spine, and an involuntary groan slips past my lips.

  “Easy there, son,” Bishop warns as he helps me sit up from the sofa I was lying on. “Where did you get this brand?” he asks, pointing at my left wrist.

  “I don’t know,” I grumble. I’m the one who needs to be asking the questions here. “Where am I, and what the hell was that light?”

  My head throbs as I try to bring everything into focus.

  “You’re at the Legion of Supernatural Academy, Elysian. That light you experienced was teleportation. You’re safe here in Snoqualmie Falls,” Bishop assures.

  “I’ve never heard of Snoqual whatever. Are we still in Pennsylvania?”

  “No. We’re in Washington, not far from Seattle,” the blond dude known as Randolph corrects.

  “How is that even possible?” Things are getting weirder by the second. Add in all the insane things that have been happening to me, and I think I may be losing my mind. None of this can be real. I close my eyes and count to ten before opening them again. The two men are still standing over me.

  “This is very much real,” Randolph says.

  “Man, stay out of my head. Both of you,” I yell a little too loudly. “Aargh.” I wince in pain, rubbing my temples in agony.

  “Here, let me help,” Randolph offers.

  His hands replace mine at my temple. I’m about to knock his hand away as he begins some sort of chant mumbo jumbo. But I can feel the pain begin to dissipate. Whatever he’s doing is working because even the soreness in body is gone. How did he do that?

  “I’m a warlock,” he answers. “We both are.”

  “A war what?” I ask, ignoring that he is once again reading my thoughts.

  “Warlock. It’s the male version of a witch.”

  I scoot back on the sofa, trying to put some distance between us.

  “You have nothing to fear from us,” Bishop says. “I’m Professor Bishop Guenther, and this is Randolph Blakey, the headmaster of the academy.”

  “Yeah. I got the Bishop and Randolph bit when you two were discussing werewolves. Do they actually exist too? You think I’m one?”

  I don’t want to believe any of this is real, but how else do I explain the increased speed and strength. Wait, but how does the fire play into all of this?

  “What fire?” Bishop asks.

  “Can you please stop with the mind reading thing? It’s freaking me out,” I admit.

  “I don’t think you’re a werewolf, Elysian. And yes, they do exist. Your core body temp is too high to sustain human life, so you’re definitely a supernatural being. We just need to determine what kind.”

  “Are you saying that I’m not human? I heard you saying something about my body temp being 109 degrees. Isn’t it a medical emergency for a temp of 104 or 105?”

  “For a human, yes. You’re at least half human; it’s the other half that we’re trying to figure out,” Bishop explains.

  “Are you two human?”

  “Very much so,” Randolph confirms. “All supernatural beings found on this Earth are either human or half human just with enhanced abilities—well, with the exception of vampires who are immortal.”

  “So I’m either a warlock or a werewolf, and since you’ve seemed to rule out werewolf, I must be a warlock like the two of you,” I deduce.

  “No,” Randolph interrupts. “Our body temps don’t run as high as yours. My theory is that you’re something else. Something that we don’t have here on Earth yet. I rescued a young lady earlier today under similar circumstances, and she has the same infinity symbol on her left wrist as you do.”

  This really gets my attention. “What similar circumstances?”

  “She unleashed her supernatural abilities without trying in a room full of humans, which is against the rules. This use of power sent out a beacon to other supernatural beings outside this academy. Two shapeshifters had already come to investigate when I intervened and teleported her to a safe place. You weren’t supposed to come here first until we knew what we were dealing with.”

  “But he’s here now,” Bishop point
s out.

  “Yes. I’m less guarded now that I see you have similarities with the girl. Her classification is also unknown, but the two of you are connected somehow. I’ve heard how her powers first began to manifest, so why don’t you tell me about anything that you haven’t been able to explain so I can look for similarities,” Randolph says.

  I start from the beginning. I tell him about my dream of shooting fire from my hands and waking up with my apartment on fire. I tell him about the impossible weight that I was able to lift, the speed at which I arrived to class on time, and then finally, the brand that I just noticed on my wrist today. I don’t know how any of this is possible, but I’m not sure I want to find out. I keep hoping that I’m back on my buddy’s sofa having a nightmare and just haven’t woke up yet.

  “From your recollection of the odd events, the only similarity the two of you have is the infinity brand. We need more info, but I’m certain that your classification results will be the same. Meaning whatever supernatural being she is, you are too,” Randolph explains.

  He looks over at Bishop. “Miranda thinks she has an idea. She has the girl’s DNA and is currently working to confirm her suspicion.”

  “What other supernatural beings are there? You listed four,” I inquire. “Witches, warlocks, vampires, and werewolves.”

  “Those are the ones found on Earth. You got them all correct except for the werewolves. The last one is shapeshifters. Werewolves aren’t the only breed of that class. There are other shapeshifters here beside wolves,” Randolph corrects. “As far as what other supernatural beings there are, you’ll learn that later with your studies. We will focus first on what occupies Earth.”

  “Wait … what studies? I know you mentioned this is an academy, but I can’t stay here. I have a full course load at Penn State and wrestling season to get ready for.”

  The two men look at each other with weary lines etched in their foreheads.

  “Elysian,” Bishop begins. “You can’t go back to your old life like this. We have to first identify your class and then help you control your abilities. This is what the academy is for. If you leave now, not only are you in danger because the other supernatural beings won’t stop until they eliminate you, but you also risk hurting someone else.”

  “I don’t accept this. None of this. I didn’t ask for any of it.”

  “I know,” Randolph speaks. “But what happens when you’re wrestling an opponent and your uncontrolled abilities set this kid on fire? Better yet, how could you, in good conscience, wrestle another student, knowing that your enhanced abilities are tipping the scale in your favor? It’s the equivalent of taking steroids, and it’s cheating. And when they test you, pesky things like your 109-degree body temp are going to draw suspicion. And that’s if you’re not found first and killed by other supernatural beings out there.”

  “Okay, I get it. Goddammit!” I growl. I know they’re both right, but it isn’t fair. I work my ass off to get good grades and make my parents proud. I work my ass off in the gym to give my wrestling team my best. I don’t want this life. What do I tell my parents … my girl? Well, ex-girl, but I haven’t given up on winning her back.

  “Watch your language, son. We can help you transfer to online classes at your university so that you don’t get behind academically. You’ll have to think of something to tell your team, though. Our students do get privileges to leave campus, but it has to be earned. We have to know that your abilities are under control and that you’re mature enough to use them responsibly and follow the rules,” Bishop mentions.

  “And how long does that take?” I ask, refraining from more profanity.

  “That depends on you and your discipline to learn,” Randolph says. “I have to get going to meet up with Miranda, but hopefully, I’ll see you soon.”

  He leaves the office without a backward glance.

  “What did he mean hopefully?”

  “You’re not a prisoner here, Elysian. The students we have are here on their own free will.”

  Bishop explains that students under the age of eighteen attend their academy located in Dublin. They are enrolled by their parents once it’s discovered they have supernatural abilities. This campus is for eighteen and up. Even though it’s for advanced studies, I was brought here because of my age. I’m considered an adult, so I have to consent to being here. If I don’t, then I’m on my own. I will be subject to face any consequences for my uncontrolled abilities. This isn’t a choice at all. As much as it pangs me, I have to do the right thing. I’ll be enrolling here and doing everything within my power to get back to where I belong. When I woke up this morning, I never could have fathomed that this would be the direction my life would take me. I’m walking away from everything that means anything to me.

  “I guess it’s settled. What other choice do I have?” I mumble. “Just tell me what I have to do to get whatever I am under control.”

  “Don’t feel so defeated, son. We’re going to help you. I know all of this is a lot to take in,” Bishop says. “First let me show you to your room. Brody will be your roommate, and he’ll help get you settled and oriented to the academy.”

  He gestures for me to follow him, so I do. As we walk the grounds of the campus, I look around in awe. I can definitely see how their Dublin campus must influence the architecture. The medieval-like cathedrals are so out of place here, but it’s breathtakingly beautiful.

  “These buildings are something else,” I say out loud.

  “Yeah. It mimics our primary campus in Dublin, but it also binds without magic to keep this place veiled.”

  “Veiled?”

  He explains how the academy is situated on sacred tribal land, but it is veiled with an illusion spell to render it invisible to anyone who isn’t a member here. If I wander off campus beyond the allotted borders, I will not be able to find my way back without a special amulet. Even if the campus is right in front of my face. This keeps the students from sneaking off campus without a granted pass. We make it to my dorm room, and I’m surprised at all the space. My side of the room is bare, and the other side is filled with pics of television wrestlers and other memorabilia.

  “Brody is a big fan of wrestling. I think the two of you will hit off and have lots to discuss. He’s in class at the moment but make yourself comfortable. I’ll bring back some basic bedding and necessities to get you started.”

  “And clothes? What about my stuff?”

  “Tomorrow after we get you settled and have more answers, we’ll make arrangements for one of the faculty members to retrieve your belongings.” He is almost out the door when he turns back around. “Everything is going to be okay. We’ve all been where you are at some point. Your life will be different now, but you get to decide if you’re optimistic or pessimistic. That will be the difference.”

  He closes the door behind him, and I’m left alone with my thoughts. I stare down at the infinity symbol on my wrist and blow out a frustrated breath. I sit on the bare, full-sized bed, willing myself to find the positive in this, but I can’t. What am I? Where will my life go from here? What happened to my backpack? My phone? I need someone to talk to who’s from the sane part of my life, but what would I say? I stretch out on the bed and close my eyes. I never take afternoon naps with my busy schedule, but I welcome the reprieve the exhaustion brings. I let my mind shut off for a bit as sleep takes over.

  Chapter Five

  Genesis

  “I’m Loren,” the lithe blonde introduces no sooner than we leave Professor Winter’s office. “Did you just transfer from Dublin?”

  “Hi. Umm, no. I’m from Seattle. My name is Genesis.” I increase my stride to keep up with her. Other than a little too energetic, she seems friendly enough.

  “Oh, how cool. Genesis meaning the beginning, like in the Bible?”

  Surprised she picked up on the reference, I smile. “You can say that. My folks have a thing for biblical names.”

  “So what are you?”

  “What d
o you mean?” I know what she is referring to, so why am I stalling?

  “What kind of supernatural being are you? I hope you’re a vampire.” She giggles.

  “I’m not sure yet. That’s what Professor Winters is working on. This is all new to me. Three days ago, I was just an ordinary girl with an ordinary life. This is all so crazy—like a nightmare I can’t wake up from.” Her mouth goes slack. “Anyway, I’m trying not to be a Debbie Downer until I know more. Why are you hoping that I’m a vampire?”

  “Because they’re badass. And because you’re very pretty. Madison is going to be so envious of you. Before you arrived, she has easily been the most coveted girl here. She’s a vampire and a conniving twat. Too bad she doesn’t hold a candle to you.” She giggles again. “The pretty part, not the twat part.”

  “Well, I’m not into childish high school antics and cattiness. I’m not looking to get involved with anyone here. I was just dumped earlier today, and I’m not looking to start anything new with all the craziness that is my life at the moment. I just want to keep my head down and get through this. I have a real university to graduate from.”

  “Ouch.” Loren winces, stopping in front of a door that I’m guessing is to my room. “This academy is just as important as your precious university.”

  “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just meant I have a lot on my plate, and the last thing anyone needs to worry about is me stealing any attention. I want to be invisible.”

  “Lighten up, red.” She grins as she runs a single hand through my ginger red hair. “I’m totally screwing with you. Most of us are taking additional classes online toward a degree outside of this place too. The fact of the matter is, you’re the new girl, and you’re insanely hot. Attention is not something you’re going to be able to avoid. I’d just advise against the whole ‘real university’ remarks.”