Surprise!

The dining hall carried a happy vibe interwoven with color and the aroma of baked goodies. Ariah grabbed me by the wrist, practically dragging me across the room.

Slowly, heads turned and took notice of me. Few nudged their friends, while others pointed shamelessly. I think it might be because I had my arm fully exposed, and everyone could see my marks. It became painfully clear that I was an anomaly. Not a single other student had markings like mine. Theirs were all a smaller version of the one Elijah had, minus the paw-like print.

And, minus the hideous veins—which Elijah claimed went away eventually. I really hoped he was right...

“I’m introducing you to our friends. I just know you’re going to love them,” Ariah exclaimed, steering me to the left side of the room toward a table where two other students waited.

There was confetti scattered across the table, with two large bowls; one filled with candy and the other with potato chips. In the center of the table was a plate stacked with soft-baked cookies sandwiched together with what I guessed had to be buttercream. On top of the makeshift cake was a single, pink candle.

One of the two students sitting by the table jumped up and held out a crimson balloon. “Happy belated birthday!” he exclaimed, his eyes on my marks. A smile cracked on his lips, and he peered up to me. “It isn’t much, but we hope you like it. Welcome to Academia of the Moon. You’re going to love it here.”

It took me a moment to recuperate from surprise before accepting the balloon and offering a smile. “Uh, thank you?” I glanced at Ariah. “What’s going on?”

She grinned. “We figured you deserved a proper birthday celebration. Come, sit.”

The second student, a girl with lush raven curls and perfect mahogany skin, held out a tiny wrapped package. “Hey there, I’m Celeste. This isn’t much, but trust me, this is the best.” She peered up at the boy who gave me the balloon. “That doofus is Nate.”

“Well, excuse me!” Nate turned, placing fists on his hips. “I happen to have much more class than you, madame.”

Celeste rolled her eyes. “Sure you do. But the new girl isn’t psychic, I doubt she’d know your name if you don’t tell her.”

Nate reached for a cookie from the cake, but Ariah slapped away his hand. “Birthday girl needs to make a wish first.”

He stuck out a tongue, sinking down into his seat. “Rude.”

“Wait, you’re not psychic are you?” Celeste asked me.

I shook my head, sitting down between her and Ariah. “Nope.”

“Right, just making sure.” She stuck a thumb in Nate’s direction. “This one is. He told us last week we were going to make a new friend. We couldn’t imagine making friends with any of the students already enrolled here, until you came along.”

“You owe me fifty bucks,” Nate quipped.

Celeste flipped him the bird. “Anyway, he’s gay. So don’t be nervous talking about personal girly stuff. He totally gets it.”

“Sure do,” Nate agreed, his eyes focusing hard on my cookie cake. “Are you making a wish?”

“Don’t rush her,” Ariah scowled. “All of this must be incredibly overwhelming for her. She’s completely new to this world. She comes from a human family.”

“Oh,” Nate expressed. “I’m sorry. My stomach thinks ahead of my brain sometimes. This must be a lot for you.”

“Yeah, this is going to take some time to get used to,” I admitted. “Before today I believed werewolves ate humans.”

All three of them burst out in laughter.

Nate slapped his hand on the table. “We’ve heard that one before, but it never gets old. Most of us are as mushy and sweet as a marshmallow.”

“Some really do eat people,” Celeste pulled a face. She waved me off when she noticed my nervous expression. “You know, cannibalism is frowned upon. Even around here.”

“Yep,” Ariah added. “Humans are likely inclined to that, anyway.”

“True.” Nate’s eyes were on my mark again.

“Knock it off,” Celeste nudged him in the ribs. “She’ll tell us when she’s ready.”

I passed Ariah a questioning look. She shrugged. “Everyone’s curious why your marks are so different.”

I explained to them what Mrs. Humphrey told me, leaving out the part where Luca was involved. I didn’t think getting marked by an exiled werewolf would sit well with students at this place. Especially knowing that Ariah knew who he was—no doubt they’d know too.

It left an uncomfortable feeling brewing in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t know what was worse. The knowledge that a murderer marked me, or not knowing why he did it.

I wasn’t into the whole magic business yet, but I wanted answers.

“That, girl, is awesome!” Nate exclaimed. “You must be something special. I’ve never met anyone in person with it, but I know some of the most powerful figures in our society have it.”

“It’s pretty too,” Celeste mused, and I couldn’t disagree more. Before I could voice my opinion, she rattled on. “Much better than this stamp of shame.”

“How is this a stamp of shame? You’re embarrassed of your own kind?” Ariah prodded.

“That’s not what I mean,” Celeste snorted. “I love being a wolfie. I just think this thing is ugly. Look how pretty hers is.”

“True though,” Nate admitted. “Yours look like a vine with rose-like symbols and—” he pulled a face. “Not sure what those are called.”

“They look like those symbols in the book of the divine,” Ariah sounded thoughtful.

“Is it in the library here?” I turned to her. When she nodded, I added, “I’d love to see it. I really want to know what these mean. Maybe it’ll point me to some answers. Or something, at least.”

Truth be told, I just hoped it didn’t have some sinister meaning behind it.

“Can I ask you guys some questions about our kind’s history?” I tried.

“Sure. Shoot them at us,” Nate said, biting into a muffin. “That’s what friends are for.”

A sad feeling twisted inside my chest. Was it, really? I’ve never had any friends, so I had no idea what it was like to have them.

“So,” I breathed, trying to find the right words to phrase my question correctly without offending anyone. “Let’s say you get exiled for something incredibly bad, like murder…”

“Yeah?” Celeste’s brows quirked.

“Well, let’s say they end up marking someone, is that a bad thing?”

Ariah frowned. “No, because that’s unheard of. Once you’re exiled, you get stripped from power. Without your power, you can’t access the spiritual realm. You can’t mark anyone, period.”

“But let’s say it could happen,” I explained. “Our magic is drawn from energy, right?” I recalled reading something like that on Mrs. Humphrey’s wall. “So whether the one marking you is good or evil, does their energy pass over on to you?”

The three of them exchanged looks. It was Celeste who answered. “All three of us were born into this world, born with the mark, but I’ve heard those that get marked do absorb some of their recruiter’s energy.

Just great. Mine happened to be a freaking murderer. “I see, so you’ll have some of their traits?”

Nate nodded. “I believe so, yes.”

“But why murder?” Ariah asked. “Did your recruiter do something bad?”

I quickly shook my head. “Nah, I was just curious.”

“Uhu.” I could tell by the tone of Celeste’s voice, she didn’t believe me. Thankfully, they didn’t push the subject.

“Hey, not to be pushy or anything, but have you decided what wish you’re going to make?” Nate perked.

“Nate, for crap sake!” Celeste sputtered a laugh. “You’re incorrigible.”

I smiled. “You can eat it, seriously. I don’t believe in wishes.”

“Oh, honey, you don’t want to do that,” Celeste grabbed my hand. “You’re in our world now. Wishes can come true. If I were you, I’d grab the opportunity.”

“But would it still count, since technically it isn’t my birthday anymore,” I asked.

“I say it’s worth the try,” Ariah said. “We take wishes seriously around here. Now make one, and make it good.”

“Most importantly, don’t tell anyone,” Nate added.

I sighed, leaning forward, and closed my eyes. I could wish for plenty of things, but the only thing I wanted more than anything right now was that my new friends were the real deal. I wasn’t ready for any more heartbreak and sure as hell couldn’t handle anymore.

I’ve reached my limit for emotional turmoil. I reopened my eyes to find all three of them peering at me with anticipation and encouraging smiles on their faces.

Please, be real.

I leaned forward and blew out the candle.