His hand paused, and he nodded. “That’s right.”
He wouldn’t look at me. Was he embarrassed? Ashamed? I knew there was a stigma around hybrids, and I wished I could tell him I was too. But I didn’t know him. Not well enough to trust him with my life.
“And that’s unusual for supernaturals.”
He nodded again and sucked in a deep breath before holding it and slowly relaxing. “Yeah, our generation is the first to broadcast what we are. The council wants to make it seem like it’s the first time we’ve ever existed, but I think people were just more careful to hide it. The world, at least the non-supe world, has become more progressive and accepting and a lot of supes want that too. I was the first known hybrid student at the academy, but about ten or twelve are here now. I was the guinea pig, but I think once other parents saw that I was alive and well here, they felt safe sending their kids.”
I couldn’t believe he was the first. “That must have been terrifying.”
“It was. My parents raised me to be proud of who I was, and I never knew I was different. Not until they sat me down the summer before I came here. They told me most kids’ parents were the same species, and that some people might not like that I got to have two different powers.”
“How does it work? Do you have all the same abilities as a vampire and a witch?” I was dying to know about shifters, but he couldn’t help me with that.
“My witch side makes my vampire side stronger because I have witch blood constantly in my system.”
“Oh, and when vampires feed on witches they get powers.”
“Exactly.” He smiled. “So, in a way, I’m feeding off that power, but at the same time, it’s a part of me.”
So, vampire and witch blood was more compatible? Was that why he had the abilities of both species while I only had one? It was all so confusing.
“What kind of witch are you?”
“Fire.” He raised a brow. “And you?”
“Water and Earth.”
His head shot back. “Really? You have two affinities?”
“Yeah, I heard that’s unusual.” I swallowed.
“That’s so cool. You’re kind of like me.” He seemed happy about that. If only he knew how right he was.
“Yeah, you have twice as much work too.”
He groaned. “Yeah, that part sucks.”
At least I knew someone that could relate and commiserate with me. “I don’t think I’ll ever get to where you and the others are.”
He patted Rex’s back and angled his body toward me. “You will. Hannah told me about your study group. I’ll come when I can and help you too.”
I wasn’t sure how much he could do for me since he was a fire witch, but I appreciated the gesture. “Thanks.”
Our gazes locked, and I felt something. It was like I knew him. Something about him was familiar. Comfortable. He was so easy to talk to, and I felt better now than I had all week.
“Saige!” A stern voice called from behind me, and I spun to see Niall Kelly marching across the field toward us in his all-black glory.
Chapter 21
Even from this distance, I could see the fire in his eyes and practically feel the hate emanating off of him.
I waited until he was closer before responding. “Niall? What’s going on?”
He never took his attention off me. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I’m not some dog that’s willing to chase you around.”
“What’s your problem?” Theo stepped in front of me but not blocking me entirely from Niall’s wrath.
“She is,” he ground out. “Headmaster Goldstein called me to his office this morning and reprimandedmefor her teachers’ concern. They don’t think she’ll be able to reach the level to keep up with the rest of us, and somehow that’s my responsibility.”