Academy of the Elites: Untamed Magic

by Alexis Calder

“Luka,” I started but couldn’t think of anything else to say.

  He shoved the underwear into my chest and I automatically grabbed them, too dumbfounded by the situation to argue with him. Was he really going to confinement over this?

  Luka paused next to me and leaned down to whisper in my ear. “They really are your panties.”

  I squeezed my hand around the fabric so tightly that my fingernails dug into my palms before I realized I was holding on to someone’s underwear. Snapping out of it, I marched toward a trash can and tossed them in.

  When I looked back to where Luka had been, he was gone. And so were most of the other students.

  Violet stood alone in the center of the room. “You know, you might just bring the excitement I was craving to this school. Things have been too dull lately. Too normal, you know? I have a feeling you’re going to shake all of that up.”

  “Ms. Winters,” A male voice boomed into the locker room. “It’s Dr. Green. When you’re decent, you need to be in my office.”

  My insides twisted and the ground seemed a little unstable. This was it. He was going to send me to magic jail. I was so, so fucked.

  “You better go,” Violet said. “The longer you keep him waiting, the more pissed he gets.”

  “Hey, thanks for not trying to hypnotize me or threaten me or anything,” I said.

  “We just met,” she said. “No promises I won’t try something in the future.”

  I laughed, then headed toward my fate.

  14

  Raven

  I knocked on Dr. Green’s closed door and tried to swallow down my fear. Now that I’d had a taste of this place, I really didn’t want to leave.

  “Come in, Ms. Winters,” he called.

  I opened the door and stepped inside, pausing just beyond the threshold.

  “Sit.”

  Swallowing against the lump in my throat, I complied. The room wasn’t quite as creepy during the day. Sunlight streamed in through the open slats of the wood blinds, making a pattern on the dark red carpet.

  The ominous clock even looked more subdued in the sunshine. The owl’s eyes weren’t glowing now, and the tree appeared more brown than black. I could have sworn it was as black as night last night.

  The chair creaked as I settled into it and I kept my eyes on Dr. Green’s massive hands.

  “Raven,” he said.

  I looked up, startled by the causal use of my name. “I swear I didn’t ask him to come in the bathroom.” Suddenly, I felt like I was sixteen all over again, denying that I’d spray painted the boarded up temporary buildings in the back of the school. Of course, then I was lying. This time, I wasn’t.

  “I know,” he said. “But you’re on thin ice here. Do you know how many strings were pulled to get you into this school? How many phone calls were made on your behalf?”

  Fire simmered in the pit of my stomach. “Of course, I don’t know. I didn’t even know this place existed until I was dragged here.”

  “Calm down,” he said, his tone level.

  I didn’t want to calm down. “Why am I here? There’s no such thing as a scholarship fund, and it’s clear I don’t fit in. I’m not wealthy and I’m not important. I don’t belong here.”

  “Do you want to leave the school?” He asked.

  “No,” I said, startled at how quickly I answered. I knew I wanted to stay, but I usually wasn’t so open with others until I knew their personal agendas better.

  “You’re here because you belong here. Even though you don’t know it, you were meant to be here, so it was arranged for you to attend when you were found.”

  “Why?” I asked, desperation sinking into my tone.

  “I’m not the right one to explain all this to you, but you’ll have answers soon. I’m going to need you to trust me.”

  “I don’t even know you,” I said.

  “I’m trying to protect you. Your options are limited. You stay here, you prove you’re not dangerous and you can move on with your life after you pass the trials,” he said.

  “If I pass the trials,” I said. “I keep hearing how dangerous this place really is. I’m not sure it’s much better odds than prison.”

  “You’re right, the trials have their own risks as all things with magic do. But I can assure you, it’s a better place than magic prison. You have food and shelter and clothing and you still have use of your magic here,” he said.

  My brow furrowed. What exactly was he saying? Would they take away my magic if I was sent away?

  As much as I wanted to stay here, I’d clearly upset something or someone. I didn’t want such a fuss made over me when I didn’t even know why I was here in the first place. My skin crawled thinking of the fact that I owed a favor to strangers without even asking for the favor in the first place. “Look, if it’s such a big deal, just send me back. I was making it just fine on my own.”

  He shook his head. “You can’t go back. When you used your magic, you sent a signal into the world. A signal that many were tracking. You won’t be safe until you can learn to control your magic. And even then, you’re always going to be at risk.”

  “You’re going to have to start giving me some answers,” I said.

  He sighed and picked up a folded piece of paper that was sitting on his desk and handed it to me. “You received a letter about an hour ago.”

  I lifted my eyebrow. “You read my mail?”

  “You told me nobody knew you were here,” he said. “So, who would know to send you a letter?”

  “Touché,” I said, taking the paper from him. I unfolded it and read quickly. The paper shook in my trembling hand. This had to be a joke. Some sort of hazing.

  “This isn’t real, right? It was probably sent by the sirens or one of the other students,” I said.

  He took the letter from me and set it flat on the desk so I could see the words. “I wish that were the case. But it was tested by Ms. Halifax.”

  My brow wrinkled as I tried to place the name.

  “Our Spellcasting teacher,” he added, “I believe you’ve met her. She’s the best spell caster we have.”

  “Oh,” I said, as it dawned on me that I never learned her name. “Right. She seems good.”

  “But why threaten me?” I looked at the note, reading it again. “They can’t be serious, right?” I read the letter out loud. “Your time is coming to an end, just like your brethren. Enjoy each breath as soon you’ll breathe your last.” It sounded sort of silly now. I mean, who writes threats like that?

  “So this was sent by someone outside of the school?” I asked. “Nobody even knows I’m here aside from the cops that brought me in.”

  “Like I said, when you used your powers, you left your unique magical signature. It’s possible you were being hunted, and it’s possible, whoever is after you even suspected you before you released your magic.”

  I shook my head. “None of this makes sense. I’m nobody special and I’m not a threat to anyone.”

  “The two dead men in the alleyway would disagree.”

  “That’s not fair,” I said.

  “Raven, you have magic that is different from most mages and just as in the human world, some supernaturals have a difficult time accepting those who are different.”

  “You’re kidding, right?” I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation. “We’re talking about a world where creatures suck blood, and get magic from sex, and can compel you to do things you don’t want to do. What could I possibly have that would mark me as a threat to random strangers?”

  “The basic term is Untamed Magic, as I mentioned before. It’s not just about magic that’s not controlled, but it’s about magic that we don’t understand. I’m not sure what yours is yet, but I have suspicions.”

  “Dr. Green, you gotta give me some answers here,” I said.

  He interlaced his large pink hands on the desk in front of him and leaned closer to me. “You are a mage. By any count, a powerful mage. It seems like you have an affi
nity for fire and I think you need to learn how to control that. As for whatever else you are, you’re going to need to give me some time.”

  I felt trapped and even more confused than I was when I arrived last night. Some first day. “Fine.”

  “I expect you’ll be focused and on your best behavior,” he said. “You have no choice but to learn how to control your magic.”

  “What about the threat?” I asked. “Do you think I should worry? I mean, is someone going to sneak into my room while I’m sleeping?”

  He shook his head. “Our grounds are warded. Only students and teachers can enter or exit. Anyone else must have permission from me. And I’m not about to let any threats to my students into this building.”

  I wasn’t sure why, but for some reason I believed him.

  “Now, go to class.” Dr. Green looked back at the documents on his desk, as if I wasn’t even in the room.

  Just as abruptly as the meeting started, it was over. A heavy weight settled into my stomach as I left his office. Not only was there the Untamed Magic to deal with, which I still didn’t even understand, there was someone hunting me. It had to be a mistake, right? Why would anyone care about some random mage without a penny to her name?

  15

  Luka

  “Raven?” I whispered her name, afraid to startle her.

  She looked up, her face tear streaked. We were in the dungeon cell again and she was wearing a filthy dress made of rags. She sniffed, then wiped the tears from her face.

  Quietly, I walked toward her and sat down next to her. I’d planned on storming in, showing her how much I wanted her, making her toes curl.

  But I couldn’t bring myself to do it once I walked into her dream. “Is this recurring for you?”

  She nodded. “I didn’t want to tell you before. It’s kind of my go to. But now that you’re here, at least I know it’s a dream.”

  I set my hand on hers. “It’s just a dream. Want me to change it for you?”

  She shook her head. “We can’t keep doing this. I meant what I said. Dr. Green reminded me that this school is my only option.”

  I loved how vulnerable she was in her dreams. There was no way she’d open up like this to me in the real world. She was too tough on the exterior. Here, it was like she let her guard down. Or maybe she was willing to let her guard down with me.

  My insides twisted with guilt. I’d barged in on her when she wasn’t ready for me. I’d caused her pain, which was the last thing I ever wanted to do. Unless of course it was in the bedroom and she was into that. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

  “I can’t be around you, you know,” she said. “Not in real life.”

  I squeezed her hand as my whole body tensed. There was no way I could handle being tossed out of her life. I needed her. She needed me.

  “I can’t trust myself around you and I’m not ready to go that route,” she said. “I’m going to need you to help me on this.”

  I slid my hand up to her arm. “I can do my best, but Raven, I have to admit, I’ve never felt a pull to another like what I feel to you.”

  She tugged her arm away and stood abruptly. “Something is wrong with me.” She started to pace the room, her hands on top of her head, fingers woven into her hair.

  I jumped to my feet. “What are you talking about? You’re amazing. There’s nothing wrong with you.”

  She stopped walking and dropped her hands to her side. “Luka, I’m dangerous. There’s something inside me that shouldn’t be.”

  “That’s how we all feel. Look at me. If I don’t get enough sex, I could take it from someone. I’m a fucking monster.”

  She shook her head. “No, don’t say that. You have a gift. You give pleasure and happiness and make people feel good. So far, all I can do is destroy.”

  “You don’t know that. You accidentally used your magic once, right?” I asked.

  She nodded. “But Dr. Green says I’m dangerous. That if I don’t get it under control, I could be locked up.”

  I took her hands in mine and tugged her closer to me. Staring down into those green eyes, I knew we were meant to be together. “Raven, you and I are going to figure this out together. If that means I wait for you in real life, I wait for you. But we have a bond. I need you and you need me. Can’t you feel that?”

  She let out a shaky breath. “I feel something for you, but it’s not just you.”

  My brow furrowed.

  She tugged her arms away from me and took a couple of steps away from me. “It’s like my hormones are on overdrive since I arrived. It’s like I’m craving sex all the time.”

  “Maybe because you’re not getting what you need.” I had every intention of respecting her boundaries, but I approached her anyway. My cock twitched at the sight of her round ass through the sheer fabric of her nightmare. It was transparent, showing me all of her curves.

  She turned so she was facing me and I could see the mounds of her soft, round tits. Her pink nipples hard against the thin fabric. I groaned at the sight of her. The want in me making me feel nearly drunk. “Do you even know how sexy you are?”

  She frowned. “I was trying to open up to you.”

  “I know,” I said. “And I’ll leave if you want me to. But have you considered that maybe you need the release? Maybe your body is craving this for a reason?”

  Her eyes dropped, and I knew she was looking at the tent in my jeans. There wasn’t any way to hide my arousal from her. Even with my ability to control dreams, I couldn’t control my feelings for her.

  “Dreams only,” she said. “Never during the day.”

  I was willing to take what I could get, for now. As long as I could have her. “Agree.”

  Reaching for her, I cupped the side of her face, rubbing my thumb on her soft cheek, then down her lips.

  She held her breath, then she batted my hand away. “Wait a minute, you’re in confinement. You went there for me.”

  I shrugged. “It was my fault. I shouldn’t have followed you.”

  Her eyebrows knitted together in a look of concern. “Are you okay? They say it’s terrible.”

  “It’s not so bad. Especially if you’re someone like me, who can escape in a matter of speaking.” I didn’t want to go into the rumors about reduced magic and lower powers after a trip to confinement. It was too depressing and would definitely ruin the mood. Besides, I was able to get to Raven’s dream. That was all I needed.

  Taking a chance, I leaned in, hesitating only a second before I claimed her mouth with mine.

  She wrapped her arms around me and I pulled her closer to me. Our lips moved together in ravenous, hungry fashion. Her fingers spread through my hair, tugging the strands as she pulled my head closer to hers.

  My hands moved below her ass and I lifted her. She instantly wrapped her legs around my waist.

  Tongue in her mouth, tangling with hers, I carried her toward the wall until her back was pressed against it. Using the wall as leverage, I let go with one hand so I could pull down my pants.

  She lifted her dress so it was hiked up around her waist.

  I didn’t even bother to remove her panties. I just shifted them to the side before thrusting into her. Her head rolled back, breaking the kiss as she cried out at the force of my entry.

  Moaning in pleasure, I pounded her as her fingernails dug into my back. It was fast and dirty and exactly what both of us needed.

  As my cock thickened, I buried my face in her neck, nipping at the sensitive flesh. She let out a scream as wetness covered me from her orgasm. I released into her, my whole body feeling like an explosion went off inside me.

  Panting, I rested my head on her shoulder.

  She kissed the top of my head.

  I didn’t deserve her.

  16

  Raven

  The next two weeks passed by in a blur as I focused on classes, not dying in gym, avoiding the awful girls in the cafeteria, and trying not to let my hormones get the better of m
e. I took Dr. Green’s warning to heart and was a better student than I’d ever been in my whole life. I took notes, I studied, I practiced, and I avoided distractions. He still hadn’t called me to his office to explain anything. But thankfully, nothing had come of the letter and I didn’t receive any other threats.

  Well, at least not from outside sources. This school had its share of bullies and assholes, but I avoided them and continued to hang out with the shifters who lived in the dungeon.

  While I was finally starting to figure out how this place worked, I still hadn’t managed to make any friends with any of the other mages.

  Not that I was trying too hard.

  I spent lunch with the wolf shifters and most of my free time with Makayla. The two of us had even spent a day off school at the nearest mall. It was ridiculously normal.

  And it turns out I do have an allowance. A huge allowance. Part of me wanted to argue about it, but mostly I was thrilled with the new lamp and really amazing headphones I’d purchased.

  Makayla shoved a bag in my hands as we stopped in front of the stairs leading to the dungeon. “I got this for you while you were distracted.”

  My brow furrowed. “You really didn’t need to get me anything.”

  She shrugged. “I wanted to.”

  With a smile, I opened the bag. It had been years since anyone had got me a present. Inside was a pair of earrings in the shape of flames. They were silver and subtle and beautiful.

  “Maybe they’ll bring you luck,” she said. “Since I know you haven’t really tried using magic yet.”

  I frowned. The earrings suddenly felt like they weighed a ton. During lunch and down times, I saw other students use magic to create horses made of fire that could dance around the room and butterflies made of smoke that moved so effortlessly it seemed like they were breathing. Once, I’d even seen another mage draw a line of fire between himself and another mage in an act of self-defense. I knew I’d have to use my magic sooner or later and I knew fire was important to mages.