***
“I cannot believe I’m spending my Sunday in the library. This is how you know I love you,” Ruby admonishes, shaking her head as she drops the pile of books she’s collected onto the table.
“I know, I’m sorry, but thank you. I just need a break from the amount of testosterone around me at the minute you know? Plus, now this is all being turned into some huge event, I need more information about who I am and what this craziness really is. I need to understand what it is I’m meant to be able to do. There’s just so much to do and so little time.” I sigh, dropping my pile of books opposite hers. “Luckily, the archives in this library literally go back like a millennia.”
“I don’t know how lucky that is,” Ruby huffs as she sits and opens the first book in her pile. “The trials and tribulations of the Fae Trials. Wow, these guys really knew how to make an intriguing read.” She rolls her eyes and starts reading. I pick up an ancient looking tome titled, The wonders of power sharing and start to read.
After about five hours, my eyes start to blur the words in front of me, and I look up to find Ruby dozing on her book. I nudge her softly to wake her and she wakes and has the decency to look sheepish.
“Oops?” She laughs.
“I’m going to go grab some coffee for us so we can keep going. Do you want anything else?” I smile, since it’s my fault we’re in here at the weekend.
“Sugar. All the freaking sugar, man. These trials might be terrifying and shit, but these guys’ writing is boring as hell.”
“Sugar I can do.” I nod and grab my purse, leaving her in the quiet depths of the library to seek out caffeinated wonder. I head through the halls to the cafeteria. Thank God that it’s open twenty-four-seven and find the goodies I was after before heading back with four takeout coffees and more sugar than I care to think about. The crash later is going to be real. I head back to our table in the library, and find Ruby sat with Ethan, talking in hushed tones.
“Hey,” I say popping the coffee down on the table and emptying the bag of goodies too. I look between the two, neither giving much away. “Fancy seeing you here, Ethan. Where have you been hiding? I swear I hardly see you anymore.” He has the decency to look a little sorry and smiles at me.
“Sorry, Eden, I’ve been working with Laney a lot recently. We’ve been trying to research the prophecy and see if we can find anything to help you with what’s coming up.”
“Oh, well, thanks I guess, and sorry for being so snarky.” I sit and grab my coffee. “Help yourself to this lot if you’re staying.” I tell him as Ruby just watches us.
“Thanks. I can always help you guys. Turns out I have a bit of a knack for this research lark. I’ve been compiling stuff with Laney for you. I’ll get it all for you later, but I’m happy to help. What are you reading?” He says, but Ruby looks uncomfortable and I don’t know why. That’s another thing to add to my list to find out. Man, I hate how long that list is getting.
“Ruby’s researching past trials and the sort of challenges and tasks they had so I can try to work out what’s more important for me to learn. I’m looking into power sharing to try to get a grip on my powers. Every time I try to access it, it’s so overwhelming.”
“Power sharing? I might have a better solution if too much power to channel is your problem. You want an emblem of Aeynera. I read about it a week or so ago, but it basically helps the wearer to channel their powers. It was used in the old days for Fae and Mer kids who have access to their powers from a younger age; for those whose power was too much to handle. They’re pretty rare these days, but I’m sure between all of us we can find something.”
“Oh wow, yeah that sounds amazing, and then I don’t have to worry about hurting anyone while I’m training.”
“Should make training more effective too,” Ruby adds. “So, does this mean we can all look at these boring as shit books about ancient trials that are making my head hurt?” I laugh at her and take the book from her, pushing the tray of coffee toward her.
“I guess it does.” I smile and dive into my new task, finally feeling like I’ve made a step forward with all of this. I’ll worry about how to get the emblem later.
***
“You need to focus harder, Eden.” Kane shouts as I lay flat on my back panting from where he just basically tried to annihilate me. “We know you have elemental magic now, that’s part of your Fae magic. It can be defensive and offensive, and it could be vital in the trials.”
“I know,” I groan as I push myself up so I’m sitting. “But it’s not that easy. So much of my concentration goes into making sure I’m not unleashing everything that I can barely focus on controlling the elemental parts. I need that stupid emblem.” I grumble.
“What emblem?” Kane asks, putting out a hand to help me up.
“I was researching about all sorts again the other day, and Ethan mentioned the emblem of Aeynera. He said it might help me focus my power.” I take his hand and pull myself up and brush myself down.
“Shit, why didn’t I think of that? Sneaky asshole. Come on, let’s go.”
“What? Where are we going?” I ask as he walks out of the defense training room and I follow behind quickly.
“We’re going to my house.”
“I’m sorry, what?” I stop and grab his arm and he turns to face me.
“I told you my family are the keepers of our histories. Well it’s not just knowledge we hoard. Now come on, before the others find out and our trip turns into a freaking escapade.”
“Fine, but can we change first?”
“No, come on. We can train more when we get back.” He drags me through the halls and down a corridor I’ve never been down before which leads to an underground garage. He walks straight up to the shiny black sports car and the door opens at his touch. “Get in,” he motions and climbs in.
The door opens for me as I approach and I have to sink down to almost the floor before I hit the seat, which I melt into. I pull on the safety belt as he fires up the car which purrs underneath us.
“Is this seriously your car?” I ask, trying not to sound so incredulous. The car screams money and opulence, and I don’t want to admit I’ve never been near anything that costs as much as this car does. Even the house Dannika and I had didn’t cost as much as this.
“It was a ‘gift’ from my father. Just trying to buy my affection and loyalty because he’s never around. But I love cars, so I took it.”
“I didn’t know you liked cars.” I say quietly. “I don’t know much about you guys really. This is all so fucked up.”
“You’ve not really had chance. Give yourself a break, Eden. A lot has gone on in the what, nine months that you’ve known us? We’ve not exactly had chance for the ‘get to know you’ stuff. You know who I am, and that’s more important than knowing my hobbies.”
“I know, but still. I feel a bit ashamed of myself, you guys seems to know me so much more.”
“In your defense, there are more of us,” he chuckles as he puts the car in gear and pulls out of the garage.
“Do you live far from here?” I ask as we drive down the extremely long drive to the main gates.
“Not really, but I like having my car here rather than having my father’s drivers drop me off. Means I can do things like this without needing to rely on anyone else.” He swings out of the gates and puts his foot down, opening her up and making me laugh.
“You’re not going to kill us, right?”
“Fae reflexes, I got you.” He drives hard and fast, and it’s so exhilarating. I never thought I’d like it, but his hand on my knee relaxes me enough to just enjoy it. Before I know it, we’re pulling up to black metal gates, which open at a button on his dash. He crawls the car through and pulls up into the drive.
“Kane, this isn’t a house, it’s a goddamn mansion.”
“Hardly.” He laughs as we climb out of the car.
“Don’t give me your hardly shit. This place is a goddamn palace. If you’d seen where
I grew up,” I bark out a laugh. “House!” I look up at the white brick monstrosity, with its pillar columns either side of the triple front door. I have to lean back to see the top, because it’s four fucking story’s high! House, my ass.
He walks up the steps to the door shaking his head and waves for me to follow as he pushes the door open and we come face to face with his goddamn butler.
“Afternoon, Master Kane. Can I get you and your guest any refreshments?” I try so hard not to gawp because Kane looks a little embarrassed.
“No thank you, Stanley. We’re just going to look at my grandfather’s collection.”
“As you are, sir. If you or the young lady need anything, just let me know.”
“We will. Is my father in, Stanley?”
“No, sir, he went out early on this morning.”
“Thank you, Stanley. Go put your feet up.” He winks at the older man who looks at him with love and adoration.
“If only, young sir.” He smiles and leaves us alone in the foyer, and I follow Kane up the stairs to the left as I try not to stare as I take in my surroundings. This place is insane. I follow him through the halls and round a corner, where he pushes on the wall, and a door opens that I couldn’t see before.
“Come on,” he beckons and disappears into the room. I hurry after so I don’t get locked out. I glance around the room in awe. It looks like something out of a museum, but for otherworld artefacts.
“This is… it’s incredible,” I gush as Kane stands watching me.
“Thanks,” he rubs the back of his neck. “My family have curated quite the collection over the years. I’ve spent hours in here, so I forget the impact it gives. So much magic in the room. If you focus, you can feel it.”
“Oh my goodness, you’re right! I thought I was just panicking about breaking stuff.”
He walks over to a glass cabinet at the back of the room and opens the top glass pane, pulling out a necklace and a ring on a velvet sheet.
“What are they?” I examine them closer, and the magic I feel on them calls to me.
“These are the amulets of Aeynera. Alone they work well enough, but together, well let’s just say with these you should have no more issues controlling your magic.”
“I can’t take these, Kane!”
“You’re not. I’m gifting them to you. Everything in here, my grandfather left to me. What good is it in here, when you really need them?”
“I don’t know what to say.” I gush and hug him.
“Thank you, Kane. They’re amazing, Kane, just like you. Can you help me put them on, Kane?” He jokes and motions for me to turn. I lift my hair and he places the necklace around my neck. Its red gem nestling just above the dip on my shirt warms my skin. He fastens the clasp and I drop my hair. When he holds out the ring to me, I put it on my right ring finger and I feel their magic sing as it joins with mine.
“Let’s go down to the gym and see if they work.” He says and takes my hand, pulling me from the room. He takes me back down to where we came in the house, then down a back staircase to his underground gym, which easily spans the entire floor space of the house.
“Holy shit,” I gasp as I take it in.
“Yeah, yeah I know. It’s too much, I get it.” He laughs and shrugs out of his jacket. “It’s also completely magic proof, so you can’t ruin a single brick or foundation which makes it the perfect place to unleash all of your power and test the amulets.”
I let out a breath and pull my hair up into a ponytail.
“I guess it’s now or never.” I move to the center of the mats in the room, and Kane stays on the edge of the room. I guess he’s not bulletproof even if the room is.
I reach down to my power, and open the door slowly like normal, but instantly I feel the difference. It doesn’t rush forward, so I open the door fully and let my power out. “Holy shit.” I gasp.
“It’s working, isn’t it?” Kane beams at me and I run to him and hug him tight.
“Thank you so much, Kane.” I gush, trying not to cry. For the first time since my birthday, I feel whole again, like I don’t need to be afraid of myself. I lean up on my tiptoes and kiss him. He responds instantly and I feel his arms wrap around me.
Chapter Fifteen
Eden
I wake up feeling lighter than I have in months, and I can feel my powers running through me, available in an instant if I need them. After yesterday with Kane, I feel like I’m getting a better handle on them, even if just a little. We worked on my elemental powers some more. It turns out I can manipulate all four: fire, earth, water, and air, which is apparently rare, but he wasn’t even a little surprised. We also discovered that as well as that, and my empathic shadow walking powers, I also had telekinetic abilities, which is all kinds of awesome. My laziness is going to go to a whole new extreme in the guise of practicing control. I laugh out loud at my own absurdity and bounce out of bed and into the shower.
Today I’m going to class and I’m actually going to focus. These amulets have given me a whole new lease of life. I can catch up, train with the guys and actually have a hope of not dying before the summer is out. I hope.
I wash my hair and try not to sing too loud in the shower as the hot water beats down on me. My singing continues as I exit the shower and grab my towels.
“I didn’t know you sang.”
I squeal and turn around. Fire encases my hand, but I extinguish it when I see Cam standing at the entrance of my bathroom with coffee and pastries. He tries to keep his eyes north of my towel, but fails and I laugh.
“I don’t usually, but I’m feeling better today than I have in a long time.” I gush and saunter past him into my closet.
“What’s got you so happy?” He raises an eyebrow as he sits on my bed and starts eating.
“Kane, well I guess Ethan actually, found a way to help me control my powers. Kane had the answer and now, I didn’t blow your head off with a fireball when you scared the crap out of me. Happy days! Plus, my training with Kane went so much better yesterday after, and we discovered some more of my Fae abilities, so I am a happy little Eden.” I exit the closet fully dressed, and ready for class and look at Cam who is now scowling at me.
“What’s wrong?” I take the coffee he holds out to me and sigh as I take a sip of the beautiful nectar.
“Nothing. It’s just my beast. It’s not happy that someone else made you so giddy. He wants to make you happy. I’ll be fine. What was this magical solution anyway?” He takes another huge bite of his pastry and I can almost see him talking to his inner animal.
“The Amulet of Aeynera.” I shrug and take a pastry from him too.
“Never heard of it.” He shrugs. “But if it works, I’m all for it. Especially since you’ve been pushing your powers down. I imagine your inner animal is about ready to lose its mind at being so subdued. We should go for a run later.”
“Actually, I’ve not really felt my animal,” I frown. “I didn’t realize I should.”
“It’s okay. You have so much going on inside of you, I’m not that surprised. Believe me, when you let her out for real, rather than just your first shift, you won’t be able to shut her up.” He chuckles and I let the worry go. If he’s not worried, I won’t worry either. He pulls me in for a hug and I squeak as I try not to spill my coffee, but I sink into him. He’s so big that he cocoons me, and I feel nothing but safe and happy. “Come on, we should head to class,” he says kissing the top of my head and I reach up and kiss him softly. His arms tighten around me and he deepens the kiss, until I feel it everywhere. “Soon we are going to get some more time alone, Eden, and I’m not going to let you out of my bed.” He growls, making me shiver in anticipation and I sweat I can almost feel my animal wake up at his command.
“Later,” I tell him and kiss him again to let him know that I’m very much on board with everything he has in mind.
***
After a full day of classes, and Cam surprising me by walking me between them, my body is
completely exhausted and wound so tight and on edge from his teasing throughout the day. I shrug out of my blazer and drop my bag onto the sofa, about to sit down when the knock at the door has me sighing. All I want to do is lay down. I spin and go to open the door when it opens for me, and I come face to face with my tormentor of the day.
“Did you forget we had plans?” He tilts his head, with a predatory smile. He stalks toward me, pulling me toward him once I’m within his reach, and cups my face with both hands, drowning me in his kiss. My body responds before my mind has chance to catch up to what is happening. My hands run under his shirt. His skin is hot as fire, but solid as steel. I run my fingers over the grooves of his abs before raking my nails downwards, pulling another growl from him. He puts his hands under my ass and lifts me like I weigh nothing. I wrap my legs around him and clutch his biceps as he pins me against a wall, proving to me just how much he wants me.
I start to undo his shirt when he pulls away from our kiss panting and leans his forehead on mine.
“Not yet. I’m too worked up, and like this, I’m likely to hurt you. I don’t want to do that, Eden.”
I groan at his confession, the heat inside at its peak, wanting nothing more than to keep heading down this path.
Chosen: A Paranormal Romance Academy Series (Black Water Academy Book 2) Page 10
