by Jaymin Eve
Even though I couldn’t see him, I knew Asher would be shrugging, his broad shoulders casually moving like he wasn’t stressed at all. “Probably easiest to send it into our water world. But again, that’s something I’ll assess after doing some magical tests.”
The next pause was long and filled with tension. My body was practically vibrating, and I had to close my eyes and breathe deeply so I didn’t explode everyone here. Jesse’s familiar scent helped to calm me, even if I was pissed at his manhandling. Dude better hide his balls when he let me go.
“Okay, Asher. Keep me updated,” Princeps Jones said. “I expect you to let me know by the end of the day what we’re dealing with here. If you can’t figure it out, I’ll have to bring in someone else with advanced water magic skills.”
Asher must have agreed, and the princeps must have left, because suddenly I was released. Spinning around, I punched Jesse right in the gut, not even caring that it was going to hurt my knuckles more than his hard abdomen. “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
His expression was amused, and I was reeling back to smack him again when he winked at me. “It was the only way I knew to shut you up. I could have kissed you, I suppose.”
I swallowed my next angry retort.
“If you had kissed her,” Asher said, some of his cool finally shattering, “you wouldn’t have walked away from the punch. Now let my fucking mate out.”
When he called me mate, it basically sent me into a tailspin of emotions.
Mates were like married couples in the supernatural world. Chosen mates were two who came together by choice—hence the name—with no magical bond. They could be from different species, which was how mixed-race children were born. True mates were only between the same race and it was the fairy tale that everyone searched for: an actual mystical, fate-driven bond that tied your souls together. I’d been told it could happen through sex or kissing or even touching for the first time. Every bond was different, and just because Asher and I hadn’t formed that sort of bond yet didn’t mean it couldn’t happen.
But it was highly unlikely after all we’d been through and our level of intimacy.
And yet he’d still called me mate like that.
“She’s going to cry, man,” Calen said, sounding strained. “You know I don’t do crying chicks. All that emotion scares me.”
He was totally full of shit, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m not going to cry.”
I was.
Tears were burning my eyes, and when Jesse and Rone stepped aside to let Asher at me, I swallowed hard. “Mate?” I said softly.
His hand cupped my face, the other tangling in my hair so that he was cradling my head. “Baby, you’re the only supernatural I want or need. There’s no other like you, Maddi, and I will protect you whether you like it or not.”
Ah, he was reminding me about Princeps Jones. “You gave the guys the signal to shut me up?” I guessed.
Asher nodded. “Until we know what we’re dealing with, I don’t want you to admit to anything. There are already members of the school faculty, and some parents, who are uneasy about you being here with your unknown powers. I won’t give them another reason to look your way.”
I blinked, having had no idea that anyone was uneasy about me. It made sense though … especially for parents, because their children went to this school and I’d already brought trouble to the Academy’s doorstep. “Why didn’t you tell me that?” I asked softly.
“You’re dealing with enough,” Asher said seriously. “There has only been some talk, nothing concrete enough to worry you further. But for now I need you to keep your head down. Don’t create waves.”
As one, all of us looked up at the ocean above. “There’s no waves at least,” I said.
Asher’s chuckle brought my attention back to him, and hopping up on my tiptoes I pressed my lips to his—he still had to lower his head for me to reach. “Are we going to figure out how to fix this together?” I asked when I pulled back.
He shook his head. “You’re going to go to class, and I’m going to figure out how much power is needed to move this amount of water.” He turned to Axl. “I might need your help with the calculations.”
Axl nodded, already pulling his notepad out of his satchel … or man bag, as Calen called it.
“I want to help too,” I protested, lowering my voice. “You’re probably going to need me. I did this after all.”
“It can wait until after class,” he said, and I relented because I really didn’t want to miss classes.
“Yeah, okay,” I said, “but I’m going to be back here this afternoon, so you better not do anything until then.”
His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, but he at least nodded. For Asher, that was as good as his word. Larissa linked her arm through mine then and with vampire strength dragged me away from the guys. I really didn’t want to leave. I looked back multiple times before we ended up in the commons.
When I couldn’t see them anymore, I let out a huff of air, shoulders curving forward. “It’s going to be okay,” Larissa said, squeezing my hand tightly. “There were always going to be small hiccups while you’re figuring out your powers. Don’t despair, we all went through it. Most of us are still going through it.”
I nodded. Her reassurances rang true but they didn’t make me feel any better. “I’m scared I’ll never be able to handle this energy,” I admitted. “Maybe I shouldn’t be here, around other students. What if I hurt someone?”
Larissa ground to a halt, and even though she was much shorter than me, she was strong, stopping me as well. “This is the best place for you,” she said fiercely. “Here you will learn to harness your strength. Strength you would not have been born with if you couldn’t handle it.”
I searched her blue eyes, trying to find some unease in them, but there was none. “I’ve got this,” I said, hoping if I said it enough, one day I’d believe it.
Larissa snorted. “Girl, you’ve got this and everything else the world throws at you. Don’t dull your light for anyone. You’re the most powerful supe in this school … maybe in the world, if Louis is right. Own your awesome.”
I laughed and shook my head. “The life I grew up with … it’s hard to ever think of myself as powerful or special. But I am a survivor. I’ve survived everything that has been thrown at me so far, and I’m not ready to give in yet.”
Which meant I was going to class and I was going to figure out how to control this power.
9
Sword and Sorcery was held in the same room as last year. I enjoyed the familiar sensation of walking across the magical bark from the jujeniat tree that covered the floor. It was squishy but somehow still firm, and it brought back immediate memories of last year’s classes.
“Maddi!” Simon shouted as he raced for me.
I wrapped my arms around him for a quick hug, so happy to see him again. He’d gone home over the Christmas break, as had most of the other students, arriving back only yesterday.
“I hoped you’d be in this class with me,” he said, pulling back so I could see his blue eyes, black curls dancing about his face. He looked to have filled out a little since I’d seen him last, and was over six feet now.
“How were your holidays?” I asked as we strode over to where everyone was gathering.
Simon shrugged. “Went on a few archeological digs, which was amazing, but also had to spend a lot of time with the family, which was terrible.”
Simon’s family were snobby fucks, treating him like he was this random powerless moron they got saddled with. They couldn’t see the kind, extremely intelligent supe he was. A supe who loved history just like them. A supe who had done very well at school last year despite not being the most powerful magic user around.
They were missing all of his amazing, and I knew it hurt him, no matter how dismissive he was of them.
I squeezed his hand but didn’t say anything; class was starting. Striker stood at the front of the room, near the
wall of weapons. He was near seven feet tall, rocking his bald head, tribal tattoos, and badass attitude. Striker was a warrior first and a teacher second, and his life experience made him an invaluable member of the Academy faculty.
“Quiet,” he said bluntly. “I’m happy to see so many of you return this year.” His scary, overtly masculine face did not really look happy, but whatevs. “Especially the two of you who graduated last year top of the class.” He nodded at me and then Damon. My eyes met the buffed-up magic user’s and a few shared memories passed between us. Damon was someone I considered a sorta-friend. We talked occasionally and had danced together at one of the school dances before Asher swept me away, but that was as far as it had gone. All I really knew about him was that he was a competitive bastard and he was really good at this supe thing. He’d topped a lot more classes than me.
“First part of the class, we will spend with our weapons,” Striker said. “You need to go deeper with the connection until eventually it becomes one with you. An extension of your own arm, hand, leg… whatever limb works best.”
He clapped his hands, and we all moved toward the weapon wall. I hadn’t found “my” weapon yet, not really, but the bow and arrow worked well enough that I was sticking with it. I actually really liked developing skills with weapons and hoped to try some others.
Simon had his blades, and with his new longer limbs, it took him a few tries to find his groove again, but when he did, it was quite the sight to behold. His parents might want to be careful about pissing him off if he had a blade in his hands, that was for sure.
About halfway through the class—I’d managed to hit every target and not blow anyone up—Striker raised his voice again. “Shelve your weapons.”
I exchanged a glance with Simon, wondering what was happening. Striker had said only the first part of class. This must be part two.
“It’s time for you to learn combat with something new. You’re not always going to be lucky enough to have the one weapon that resonates with you on hand, so it’s in your best interests to learn adequate skills on multiple weapons. Off you go.”
By the end of class I’d tried Simon’s blades, which I quite liked—I’d managed to throw them into the targets and almost hit the bull’s-eye multiple times—and an axe-looking beast of a weapon, like I’d expect a Viking god to wield, with ornate detailing and filigree etchings in the metal. It was heavy and cumbersome though, and I seriously needed to hit the gym or something to improve my bicep and shoulder strength. Swimming clearly didn’t give me the muscles required to wield heavy weapons.
“I can help you with that,” Damon said with a laugh as he moved to help me adjust the axe on its shelf. I waved him off, because I was doing fine on my own. Bloody heavy hunk of metal
“I need to start working out,” I groaned, finally getting it situated correctly. “Does this school even have a gym?” I’d never been there.
Damon shook his head, his dark hair shorter than last year. “How can you not know about the arena?”
I lifted an eyebrow at him. “Sounds like a place where dudes dick measure and pretend they’re working out.”
His cocky grin grew. “So you have been there?”
Turning, I started to follow the rest of the students from the class, and he stayed by my side. “Seriously, though, you should head over one day. It’s right by the library.”
A library I hadn’t been into because I’d just never had the time. I’d spent most of last year searching for an Atlantean library, but maybe it was time to check out the Academy library. And the arena.
“I might stop by,” I told him as we exited the classroom. “Maybe after my next class.”
“Attack and Defense?” he asked, tilting his head toward me.
I nodded. “Yep, after lunch.”
“Guess I’ll see you there.” With a wink, he turned away and hurried along the walkway between the class areas.
I was starving, so I headed toward the commons. Simon had gone in the other direction as well, since he had another class, so I was on my own.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I saw I had two messages.
Ilia: Girl, I’ll be back in a few days. Don’t burn the Academy down while I’m gone. P.S did you make an ocean in the fucking sky? Calm down, overachiever, we already know you’re powerful.
Fuck, I’d almost forgotten about my little magic that went astray. Of course Ilia would have heard about it; it was probably the talk of the school. I shot her back a quick text telling her to be careful and adding a “fuck you” in response to her postscript.
The next text was from Asher.
Asher: So … I’m wet. Which is not as much fun as when you are...
My body burned. He was getting far too good at this sexting thing. I fucking liked it too.
Me: Wet? I added the three dot spray emojis, which I was well aware had a lot of sexual connotations.
Asher: I’m talking about swimming, of course. Which I’m sure was your first thought.
Jesus.
Another text came through straight away.
Asher: Had to check out your ocean. It’s definitely from the area around Atlantis. The water elements are the same.
Me: This is bad. I really fucked up.
Asher: It’s going to be fine, baby. Don’t stress. I have a plan.
Oh, great. The Atlantean-five often had plans, and they often ended in disaster. Like the time Asher decided to sacrifice himself by taking a goddess down on his own.
Me: Don’t do anything until I get there.
I was running through the commons, phone back in my pocket. When I reached the field I was slightly out of breath, but nothing like I would have been before my powers were unlocked. Suppressing my supernatural side had done a lot more than just stop me using my powers. It had weakened me.
Fuck ever being like that again.
Asher, Axl, and Jesse were standing under the ocean in what looked like a serious discussion. All of them turned toward me when I arrived and I had to chuckle—they were all looking rather damp.
“Maybe I can just send it back?” I suggested.
Asher and Jesse shook their heads; Axl looked more intrigued, his eyes lifting to stare at the blue mass of water above.
“By my quick calculations, it’s too risky,” he said a moment later. “Even if it is the best plan of action.”
“We’re going to put it into our water world here,” Asher said. “There’s enough room there.”
Jesse grinned at me. “At least overachiever here didn’t bring any whales with her ocean.”
I flipped him off, but I couldn’t really argue. What I’d done here was stupid and insane and … powerful. Owning my power had to be part of controlling it, so I wasn’t going to pretend that I was weak. Nope. But that also meant I had to own it when I screwed up.
So here I was, owning it.
“Do you need me to help?” I asked.
I waited for them all to say no again, but Asher shocked the shit out of me. “It might be best if you helped,” he told me. “Your magic is already tied to this body of water, and I believe it will follow your command. If we show you where we want it, you can make it happen.”
I was surprised. Asher was protective, usually to the point I had to fight not to be “saved and protected” all the time. This felt like a bit of a breakthrough for us.
Jesse and Axl stayed close as we entered the water world, moving past the ocean room and deeper into the quadrant. I’d never been this far before and I was quietly excited about what I might see back here. As we passed through a dark archway, made from stones in varying blue and green colors, Asher turned to me. “This particular entrance is for the creatures from the moat to travel in and out when they need shelter,”
A few more steps in and we stopped by a … wharf. There was a rocky inlet, and the water stream got wider the further out it spanned. “What creatures are in the water around the Academy?” I asked, remembering Ilia’s warning from my very first
day last year.
“Mermaids, selkies, the giant crustaceans, and the jelly blob,” Axl said, quick and succinct. “Plus a few that I haven’t had a chance to examine properly, like the baby kraken that acts as a sort of guard for the school.”
Asher nodded. “The omlong. It’s best we don’t have to face it, because even Atlanteans can’t control their race.”
Omlong. I committed the name to memory, deciding that was the first thing I’d look up in the library when I visited this afternoon. “This omlong is not like Alex?” I mean, he was the closest thing I could think of as a kraken.
Asher shot me a slow smile. “Alex is an omlong, and in normal circumstances he would be very dangerous, but I raised him from a small hatchling.”
“Alex is the only one you should trust,” Jesse added.
I nodded, not needing any more danger in my life. Turning back to the water, I waved a hand across the inlet. “Will the sea creatures be okay if we place them in the same area as the moat creatures?” I felt protective of my ocean, especially since it was my fault they were no longer out in the beautiful Aegean Sea. “Is there nowhere else?”
Asher’s lips thinned. “Possibly. The only other option is for us to put them straight in the ocean room. That water was pulled from the Aegean Sea. The dolphins might get upset, but I think they can adjust fairly quickly. Alex is rarely seen and never bothers anything in there, outside of normal feeding, but that’s the great circle.”
I nodded. I couldn’t fight nature. “The moat sounds like it’d be a bit too hectic for them—I vote the ocean room.”
Asher wrapped his arm around me, pulling me into his body and pressing a kiss to the top of my head. It was such a sweet, loving gesture, and my heart was pitter-pattering in my chest. His energy and fresh salt air scent filled my senses, and I could have just stayed there like that all day. But there were things to do and lunch to eat, and I was running out of time.
We moved back into the perpetually sunny ocean world, and I was surprised to see a class there. Students turned our way and I recognized most of them as fey. This must be part of their elemental water studies.
