“You wouldn’t have bothered us, but it was really nice having a carefree night. I haven’t had one of those in way too long.”
She smiled softly. “You deserved it. Want me to wait for you or meet you in the office?”
“Go on ahead. I’m just going to take a quick shower and I’ll be there shortly.”
She slid off the bed and waved goodbye as she closed the door behind her. When I heard it click shut, I trudged out of bed and into the bathroom. I had forgotten to remove my makeup the night before and looked like a raccoon, so I washed my face before hopping in the shower.
When the scalding water sprayed over my shoulders, a sigh of relief left my lips. There was nothing better than a scorching shower to wake a person up in the morning. Okay, maybe there was, but that wasn’t an option for me at the moment.
Finishing up, I quickly got dressed in casual clothes: skinny jeans and a black tank top with my favorite boots. If I didn’t have to go to class, I certainly wasn’t going to dress for it.
As I headed down the hallway, I wondered how different the dragon realm would be and if I would stand out as being a hybrid. JayLeigh didn’t seem any different than me, so I hoped not.
When I arrived at the office, I didn’t bother to knock on the door since they were expecting me, and I was glad I didn’t, because I walked in on a conversation I probably shouldn’t have and couldn’t decide if it was a good thing or not.
“I won’t do this to her. She’s made her point, and I’m going to respect her decision until she chooses otherwise,” Enzo’s voice sounded.
I kept the door cracked and didn’t move a muscle as they continued.
“Enzo, you don’t really have a choice here, and it makes me feel better knowing Raegan won’t be alone. Don’t you want the chance to prove to her you’re on our side?” Headmaster Stone pushed.
“Of course, but not this way. Not when I know she won’t agree. It will only piss her off further.”
Well, at least he wasn’t a complete idiot.
A throat cleared. “If I may chime in here,” JayLeigh began. “Enzo, you belong there almost as much as she does. If you won’t do it for her, then do it for yourself. I don’t know what I’m sensing within you, but I know Marek can figure it out and you don’t want to miss this opportunity. I promise you that.”
Shit. This couldn’t be happening. Considering how much hesitation I had about going, Enzo joining me was going to make it even worse.
I knocked on the door as I opened it all the way and avoided the heated gaze I could feel coming from Enzo. When I entered all the way, I directed my attention to JayLeigh.
“I’ve decided to come with you only if I can bring Gemma.” If Enzo was going regardless of what I wanted, then I at least wanted my best friend to help me through it.
“I’m sorry, Raegan, but I can’t grant that request. To enter Drakken, a person needs to be all or at least part dragon. Unless there’s something about Gemma I couldn’t sense late last night when I checked on you, then she wouldn’t survive trying to go through the portal.” JayLeigh’s eyes said she was sorry for the bad news, but I didn’t understand.
If Enzo was coming, did that mean he was…
No, he couldn’t be part dragon. Could he?
Without blowing my cover, I pretended like Gemma not being able to come didn’t crush me. “So, it would just be me and you?”
“Actually, that’s why I didn’t come back earlier in the evening.” Her eyes flicked to Enzo briefly. “I sensed something in the forest after I left you yesterday, and I came across caveman over there. He was throwing a tantrum like a dragon, but I didn’t see any scales, so I decided to have a friendly little chat with him.”
Enzo grunted. “I’d hate to see what you do when you’re not being friendly.”
An evil spark lit in her eyes as she grinned at me, and I wondered if whatever she had done was for me. Maybe having Enzo tag along wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. He might get his ass kicked every day, and that was something I could be okay with. Torture without death would leave my conscience relatively guilt-free.
“Anyway, it’s small, but there is a trace of dragon within him, and I believe he’ll make it through the portal. If I’m wrong… well, I’m leaving that risk up to him to take, but the invitation is there.”
I choked on my own breath. “Are you saying he could die by coming with us?”
“There is a minuscule chance I’m wrong, and if I am, then yes, he could die.”
My heart constricted at the thought of Enzo risking his life over just a trace of dragon within him that may not even be there. I might have been pissed at the idiot, but I still didn’t condone him risking his life.
“No, he’s not coming,” I said firmly, hoping I was giving my best serious face.
JayLeigh’s brow cocked. “Does his life matter to you? I was under the impression that it didn’t.”
Oh, she was trying to stir the pot. Not today, dragon.
“Any life matters to me. I’d say the same no matter who was trying to come. I’ll be telling Gemma as well when I see her later.”
“I see. Good to know. Anyway, Enzo is coming as long as he wants to. End of story. I’ll be back at around six tonight to head to Drakken. Make sure you’re ready. My dragon isn’t known for her patience.”
Before I could open my mouth to object once more, JayLeigh disappeared.
“Ugh, that little—” I began to say but was cut off.
“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you,” JayLeigh’s voice floated through the room before the door slammed closed.
“Her little disappearing trick is annoying,” I grunted.
Jules laughed. “I don’t think she’s disappearing; that would be more of an elf thing. I think she’s camouflaging herself with her surroundings, and it’s pretty badass. You need to learn how to do that while you’re gone.”
Sighing, I crossed my arms. “I need to go unless you have anything else for me. I’ve already been gone the whole summer. I should get my stuff sorted before I leave. Again.”
Headmaster Stone shook his head. “I don’t have anything for you now, but I will have some items for you later that may help you while you’re gone. Come see me before it’s time.”
I nodded and hugged Jules goodbye before heading out the door. I wasn’t sure how many more times I would see her again before I left, and just in case something went south at this Dray Academy, I wanted to make every moment count.
Just as I was almost to the stairs to get on the platform, a familiar scent drifted my way. With a glare on my face, I spun around. “What do you want, Enzo?”
He still looked like hell with his ratted hair and dark circles under his eyes, but the heat in his gaze made the rest fade away as he moved in closer, almost seeming to stalk me like I was his prey.
“Thank you,” he whispered when my back pressed against the cool stone wall.
“For what?” my voice squeaked, betraying my emotions. Damn him for still affecting me when I was so infuriated with him.
“For giving me hope. You do care, and I’m going to prove to you it’s okay. I know what I did was wrong. There will never be enough apologies I can make for that, but I will win you back and I’m going to enjoy doing it.”
There was the cocky Enzo I had met a year ago. Though this one had more compassion in him, the confident elf that aggravated me all those months ago while I slowly fell in love with him was standing before me once more, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it.
“It’s not going to happen. You and I are done. I will work with you when I have to, but nothing else. You’re wasting your time.”
His hand hovered over my chest, just enough that I could feel the heat pulsing off him, but not close enough to touch.
“The rapid beating of your heart tells a different story. I love you, Raegan, and I’m not going anywhere. I might have brought you to the academy under false pretenses, but you always belonged here. I neve
r once lied about my feelings, and you saved me from Malina. Now, I’m going to help do the same for you. I’m going to make this right.”
My breath hitched, and my insides turned to mush. Part of me wanted nothing more than to jerk my knee right up into his balls, but my heart ached to be closer to him. To accept his words and move forward. But that wasn’t going to happen.
If—and that was a big if—I forgave him, there would be many more moments of groveling on his part. There was no making this easy for him after what he had done.
“Do whatever you want, Enzo. You’re a big boy and you can make your own decisions, but try not to be too disappointed when things don’t go your way.”
I patted his chest and then pushed him away before moving back toward the stairs. When I stepped onto the platform and turned around to press the button for the main floor, Enzo was still standing there with a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eyes.
Shit. I just gave him a challenge, and he wasn’t even remotely afraid of it. I’d done the opposite of pushing him away, and I was in trouble.
He wiggled his fingers at me as the platform lowered and he disappeared from my sight.
A headache was forming in the back of my head, so I headed to my room and figured I might as well take a nap until lunchtime when I could meet Gemma and give her the bad news. She wasn’t going to be happy, but at least it was only a few weeks and not months this time.
Although, it was going to feel like ages with Enzo along for the ride and me trying to avoid him at all costs.
Six o’clock came sooner than I expected it to. Breaking the news to Gemma hadn’t gone over well, especially when she started crying about being left behind again. I felt awful, but there wasn’t much I could do about it. I wouldn’t risk her life, and I had to go.
The more I thought about everything I could learn and accomplish in Drakken, I realized Headmaster Stone had every reason to be insistent about me going. If this Marek guy was friendly enough, he should understand why we needed him and hopefully break his vow to never return to Earth in order to stop Malina.
“Ready?” Jules asked when I grabbed my bag.
“Yep. At least this time when I’m leaving, I’ll have my stuff with me. It wasn’t all that fun taking off over the summer without my clothes or any cash.”
She laughed. “I bet not. Where is Gemma? I figured she’d be seeing you off.”
“Uh, she didn’t take the news all that well. We already said our goodbyes, and she thought it was better if she didn’t come meet JayLeigh with us, because she wanted to rip her eyes out. Gemma’s words, not mine.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep an eye on her while you’re gone. She’ll be okay.”
I nodded. “Yeah, I know. I just feel bad.”
We headed out the door, and I cast a glance at Gemma’s door, wondering if I should poke my head in one last time.
“JayLeigh is waiting. I promise, I’ll come check on her after you’re gone and bring her dinner that’s not made of pure sugar,” Jules said.
A smile formed on my face as I squeezed my aunt tight. “Thank you. Seriously, I know you dropped everything to come take care of me in Portland, and you’re doing the same thing now. It means more than I can properly describe to know that you’re here, fighting to stop Malina and keeping everyone else safe.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Linking arms, we continued toward the headmaster’s office. When we arrived, it was open and some guy was standing in front of the desk with his back to us. His hair was cut short at the sides and left a few inches long at the top. It was dark and silky-looking, making me want to run my fingers through it.
His form was on the thinner side, but I could still see the outline of muscles beneath the tight grey shirt he had on. As my eyes traveled south, I also appreciated the fit of his jeans as I checked out his ass. Whoever he was, I wished he was coming with us instead of Enzo. He would make for the perfect distraction from Enzo’s persistence.
“Oh, good. Everyone’s here. Can we go now? I’m starving and the food here sucks. No offense, Alistair,” JayLeigh said when she saw us.
That’s when the guy turned around and my jaw about hit the floor.
“Hi, Raegan,” Enzo said huskily.
He was not playing fair, and this did not bode well for my ability to keep him at a distance.
Holy dragon babies! I thought he was hot before, but this new look was something else entirely. It had my girly bits going wild, just like the first time I met him.
Ignoring him as best I could, I turned to JayLeigh. “Yep, we’re all here. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Enzo chuckled as I hurried right back out the door. JayLeigh had already mentioned we’d have to be outside for her to open the portal that would lead us to Drakken, and I was more than okay with the fresh air to cool down my insides.
Enzo caught up to me, putting his head close to mine as his voice lowered to a level of sultry that should be illegal. “I told you I would fight for you. The feeling you’re experiencing right now that has your pulse racing and face flushed? It’s because you still want me. I know you’re afraid, but I won’t ever hurt you again, Raegan. This is just the beginning for you and me, and I can’t wait to show you how good it can be, again.”
I was so dead.
Chapter 7
Enzo strolled up ahead like he didn’t have a care in the world. I, on the other hand, couldn’t form a coherent thought. What a great way to start my journey to an unknown realm filled with freaking dragon shifters. Just great.
“Raegan,” Headmaster Stone called from behind me. “I have the items I mentioned for you to take.” He handed me a small pouch that was heavier than I was expecting.
“What’s in it?” I asked as I tucked the pouch into my main bag.
“I’m not sure what you’ll face in Drakken, but I thought I would at least give you a leg up during the training. There are a few potions in there for endurance, healing, and strength. If you need any of them, don’t hesitate to use them.”
My heart warmed at his kind gesture. It was something my dad would have done, and I was trying hard to control my emotions as memories suddenly assaulted me. Grief had a way of showing up when I least expected.
“Thank you. It really means a lot.” Surprising him, I leaned in and gave him a quick hug.
“You’re welcome. Now, hurry along. I’ll be right behind you. I want to make sure everything goes well when the portal opens.”
I nodded and jogged off to catch up with JayLeigh. She had a bit of explaining to do, and since I was pretty sure Jules and Enzo had already headed downstairs, I was glad we’d have a moment alone—as long as she had waited for me.
A sigh of relief escaped when I saw her spiky blonde hair as she peeked over the edge of the platform.
Deciding to get right to the point, I asked, “Why are you bringing him along?”
“Because he has a tiny bit of dragon in him and that only happened one of two ways. We need to know which. It very well could be the deciding factor in Marek agreeing to help, so you should be grateful I made this happen.”
My brow pinched as I pressed the button for the main level and we began to descend. “Why do you seem so invested in making sure Marek helps? What’s in it for you?”
She sighed. “You’ve never lived in a tiny realm with a small population before. Everyone knows everyone. Women are expected to breed more dragons, so we don’t die out, and it’s hard to earn respect if you want to be anything else. There are no strangers, and you can’t even panty burp without your neighbor knowing.”
Laughter, loud and obnoxious, ripped from my belly. “Panty burp? What the hell is that?”
She rolled her eyes. “Seriously? You don’t say that here? It’s when a girl loses gas. Don’t tell me you’ve never done it.”
I couldn’t make the laughing stop. It turned into full-on hiccups as I tried to confirm what she meant. “Do you mean fart?”
“Please, don’t ever say that around me again, especially when we’re around others. I don’t think I could control myself. Gemma is going to love that one!”
My sides burned and cheeks ached from laughing. I had really needed the distraction in the moment. It brought my thoughts away from the feelings Enzo had conjured up within me, and I was more confident than ever about heading to Drakken.
When we made it back downstairs to go outside, I realized I never got a good answer out of her about why Enzo was coming, but I didn’t really care anymore. If it was important, I’d find out soon enough. Enzo didn’t seem to be able to keep anything to himself anymore, which I guessed wasn’t always going to be a bad thing.
JayLeigh disappeared outside faster than necessary. Apparently, she really was ready to get off of Earth, even though she was just bitching about her supposedly tiny realm. Or maybe she was hiding something from me and didn’t want me to ask any more questions. Both options were likely.
Jules was standing off to the side, so I headed over to her. Her gaze softened and she held an arm out when she saw me, but she seemed nervous.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as I wrapped my arm around her.
“Nothing much. I’m excited for this opportunity for you. As much as I was looking forward to training, I wasn’t the best fit. I just hope whatever they have planned for you isn’t too much all at once. Three weeks isn’t a long time.”
“Whatever happens there, I can handle it.” I tried to sound confident, but I knew what she meant.
Even though I was sure of my choice to go to Drakken, I wasn’t entirely sure about trusting JayLeigh so completely. I was taking a huge gamble going through an unknown portal with her, but I wanted answers and nobody around me seemed to be able to find them.
She squeezed me tightly. “I know you can. Doesn’t mean I won’t worry. JayLeigh mentioned they don’t have phones, but there is an email system of sorts, so you’ll be able to check in. Make sure to let me know you arrived okay.”
Deadly Declaration (Shadow Veil Academy Book 2) Page 6
