The Beast: A Beauty and the Beast Retelling (Fairy Tale Academy Book 2) by Jo Schneider

Author:Jo Schneider [Schneider, Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Just Add Peril
Published: 2019-01-31T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Every muscle in Adem’s body tightened, and he took a step away from Belle. The fabric of his jacket and shirt ripped as his shoulders widened again. Pain lanced through his fingers, and his knees threatened to buckle. “Are you sure?” he asked through gritted teeth.

“I’m sure,” Belle said in a soft voice.

Fire exploded in Adem’s belly, and he doubled over.

“Adem?” Belle ran to him, but he shoved her back.

“Get away.” His voice came out as a snarl. Adem dropped to his hands and knees, wanting to vomit, but in too much pain to do so. A cracking echoed in his skull. His knees turned inside out. All he could see was red, and all he could feel was pain.

Belle inched toward him. “You have to calm down.”

“No!” Adem meant to say the word, but it came out as a bellow that rattled the nearby shelves.

A flash of light caught his attention, and he looked up. Belle had stopped a few feet away. A mix of fear and horror twisted her beautiful features. The sweet scent of terror filled Adem’s nostrils, and part of him wanted her to secrete more. He put his forehead on the cool floor. “You have to get out of here.”

“But—”

“Now!” The shelves rattled again. The floating balls of light seemed to cringe back. “Before I hurt you.”

“I’ll be back,” Belle said as she scrambled to her feet. She slipped out of her shoes. “Mariane might be able to help.”

He wanted to tell her not to come, but didn’t have the strength. Rage fueled the change, and the change fueled the rage. Adem pounded the floor with his fist, and stone cracked beneath the blow.

What would he become?

The curse had had a lot of time to work in him. He might become the strongest beast known to man or faerie. He would be a monster, devoid of humanity.

He had to calm down. Adem forced himself to lay on his back. One of the glowing balls had stayed, hovering a few feet away. Adem focused on the light. Focused on not turning into a beast. Focused on staying himself.

“My name is Prince Adem of Staton,” he said in a raspy voice. “I’m sixteen years old. I need to save my people.”

Thoughts of Gilles and those still in the castle caused another round of crippling pain, and he felt his fingernails grow thicker.

“My name is Prince Adem of Staton,” he said again. “My roommate is an insane fashion designer who is going to be really mad about this jacket.”

The absurdity of the statement drew a chuckle from Adem, which in turn drew a laugh. “It’s his fault I’m here.”

And maybe his fault that Adem now had a clue about the condition.

Somewhere in his musings, Adem’s breathing and heartbeat had slowed. The fire in his veins cooled, and he felt sweat trickling down his neck. He brought his arm up to wipe his face and found claws instead of fingernails. Brown fur covered the backs of his hands. He quickly inspected his face and felt more fur there.

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