by Olivia Ash
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” His eyes search mine and drop to my lips.
“You better.” I smile.
His lips lower to mine, and I give in. To everything. To him, to the night. To the very fact that I won’t see him around for who knows how long.
I give in, completely.
Our cocoas are forgotten as we become lost in exploring each other.
Before long, our clothes and the comforter from his bed are tossed to the floor in a discarded heap of fabric. And shortly after that, my body is sent to brand new heights of ecstasy. I ride wave after wave of pleasure that he takes me through. Once I feel like I’ve given him enough of a chance to have his fun, I flip him over and straddle him. Slowly, making sure to take my time and enjoy our time together, I ease him into his own climax. Another climax pours through me as our eyes meet and I’m lost in the pleasure and light of ecstasy in them.
At some point just before dawn, our bodies are spent. We collapse under the sheets, wrapped in each other’s arms. Spending the final hours of our last night together for a short while, we sleep blissfully.
Tonight is for us. Just Soren and me. Tomorrow morning, we’ll say our goodbyes. However short the time apart will be, I will miss him like crazy.
Although no one knows for sure how long Soren will be away from Blackbriar, I know that he’ll return to me as soon as he possibly can. His absence will affect not only me, but Jesse, Milo, Gideon, and Savannah too. No matter what the others say about Soren, they all care deeply for him.
The last fleeting thought that rushes through me as my eyes are pulled shut by a well-earned need for sleep is this… Family. Because that’s what my team is to me now.
My family.
Chapter Sixteen
My mind races with all kinds of possibilities as I sit in my Introduction to Alchemy class. I spot silver daggers, and mortars and pestles on a table in the far-left corner. A collection of herbs and potions sit invitingly on a shelf behind the professor’s desk, and I wonder if we’re going to practice making youth elixirs, healing salves, or even something I can use in pursuit of finding my father.
My gaze settles on the board where some information in a scrawling script, rich with curves and flourish, has been written down for us. I’m hoping this class turns out better than runes, though there is one thing I’ve already noticed.
Houses sit with Houses.
Bummer. It would’ve been nice to sit with Savannah.
I look over my shoulder at the corner designated for House of Kraken. The wall is painted navy blue with an orb of teal that darkens and fades into the navy blue. A large Kraken silhouette is centered in the middle of the teal orb. Savannah is smiling and chatting it up with her classmates. She seems happy. That’s good.
House of Drakon’s corner is sky blue with silver-lined white clouds. A silhouette of a dragon with wings spread and mouth opened in a silent scream takes up the corner behind me. Milo isn’t here. He’s in another class. I miss him. It would’ve been nice to have alchemy with him since it’s his thing.
House of Winterwolf’s corner is similar with a midnight blue backdrop and silver moon with a shadowy cliff and silhouette of a wolf in the middle of a silent howl. Jesse is also in a different class, and I wonder what he would say right now to sitting with his own house instead of with me. However, Anderson is here, and I can’t help but wonder what the hell he is up to. My shoulders tense, a painful pinch entering them, and my hands form into fists so tight my nails bite into the palms of my hands. He’s not a first year, but he’s in a first-year class. It doesn’t make sense.
He keeps showing up where he’s not wanted.
Like a bad penny.
Looks like, for this class at least, I’m stuck with him. Maybe Gideon will take pity on me and let me switch my class to a different time. Though, I doubt that would do much good since Anderson has a habit of being a bit of an annoyance. Like a pebble in my shoe.
I blow out a raspberry.
Sooner, rather than later, I’m gonna have to put my foot down again. Forcefully. My focus needs to be on my coursework, training, and finding my father. Not dealing with a man who seems to be nurturing an obsession with me.
I roll my eyes and then steer my gaze elsewhere.
Finally, my corner, and probably the most vibrantly colored of all, is painted in the colors of a fire with vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges which make the dark silhouette of the phoenix stand out in contrast. My classmates are busy chatting it up, but I don’t join in. Soren couldn’t share this class with me since this is his last year and this class is beneath his abilities, which makes my house corner feel empty.
The door at the opposite end of the room opens, and a man struts in. His dark brown hair is cut close to his head, with the sides shaved. His almond-shaped brown eyes flit toward me as he moves through the classroom. He then reaches the front of the class, where a table set up for some sort of experiment stands between the lines of blocked off desks and the white board.
He stares out over the students who slowly stop talking as they realize the professor is waiting for them to shut up.
His expression is stony, cold, and he gives off an air of superiority. Neither a smile nor a word of welcome crosses his lips. I wonder if he hates teaching.
The last of the voices quietly hush as the professor drags his eyes over the thirty or so students.
“I sincerely hope you got all of your ridiculous chatter out of the way. If not, too bad. From now on, there will be no talking before class. You are to use the time you have to brush up on the reading or finalize your assignments. Pointless gossiping has no place in this classroom. Understood?”
Yeah. He’s going to be super fun to learn from.
“I’m Professor Remo. For the next quarter, you will learn the basics of alchemy, including transmutation circles and the correct way to write the symbols. My goal is to teach you well enough so that you fools don’t blow yourselves up—or take me along with you. Now, turn to page twenty-eight.”
I look down, and a dated book of alchemy instruction is already on the desk. I didn’t even see it appear.
Man, I love magic.
I flip to the correct page, and I quickly become enthralled with the different transmutation circles, their purposes, and the symbols of elements. Instantly, my eyes are drawn to a symbol of fire. It’s a simple triangle, but when infused with energy, it becomes a powerful, destructive weapon.
“Practice individually. Work on your form. Trace the symbols twenty times before you draw them on your pages.”
A short stack of parchment paper materializes in front of me, along with a pencil with no eraser.
A student raises his hand. The professor huffs as he pointedly stares at the student. “Well, what is it?”
I spin in my seat to see who the student is. He sits with House of Drakon and mumbles out, “What if we make a mistake?”
“There’s a stack of pages on your desk for a reason. I suggest you use them.” His voice carries an edge of annoyance.
This guy needs to get laid. Might improve his mood and make him a fraction more tolerant of his students.
I shake my head and start to trace the first transmutation circle for earth. A circle within a circle, and a diamond within a square. It takes my complete concentration, and I immerse myself in the simple strokes of my pencil. I forget that I’m in close proximity to Anderson.
I’m too focused to care about him.
With the first transmutation circle complete, I sit back and study my work, comparing it to the one in the book.
Looks close enough.
I don’t dare infuse energy into the symbol, given what happened in my rune class at the beginning of the year. Knowing me, I’d probably open the wrong portal and who knows what could come through. That, or the entire class could end up in an unpleasant spot.
I nod, satisfied with my work.
Professor Remo snatches the page from my desk and analyzes it with a sour
expression.
“Partners. House with House. Now.”
He hands the page back and he can’t even bring himself to look at me properly. Instead, he makes it seem like it’s too much work to do more than just shift his eyes.
“Mr. Stone, kindly show Miss Blackwood the proper way to form a transmutation circle beyond simply drawing what her eyes see.”
Anderson stands up. “Gladly, Professor Remo.”
Oh no. Anyone but him.
Where’s Milo when I need him…
“Profe—”
“Enough. Assuming you didn’t flunk math as a child, you’ll notice that you don’t have an even number of members in your house. Therefore, I designated him to pair with you. Problem?”
I stare at him blankly. What the hell happened to him to make him so callous?
“No? Good.”
I groan as Anderson slides a chair to the other side of my desk and plops into his seat. I lean away from him to create more distance between us. He smiles. My eyes narrow on every single minute movement. I shake my head and groan.
“What a surprise having a class with you. Good thing I failed this class last year. Spent the summer studying under him. Great guy. Spending time partnered up with you is an unexpected but welcomed bonus.” He reaches out with his hand.
I lean back farther into my chair. “If you so much as act like you’re going to touch me, I’ll break your hands off and gouge out your eyes with your own fingers. Got it?”
He hangs on to his smile as he hides his hands in his lap. “Now, now, Wren… no need to be hostile. We can take things as slow as you want.”
I give him the dirtiest look possible. “We’re not taking anything at any pace. I don’t like you.”
He chuckles under his breath. “Though a man like Soren gets to have every inch of you.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, I do. I know of your… extracurricular activities.” He leans forward slightly and lowers his voice to barely above a whisper. “If a guy like him has a shot with you, so do I. I won’t accept anything other than you agreeing to a date with me.”
I reward him with a look that would stop a mermaid’s heart. His knowing about me and Soren could be dangerous. He could use it against me, and somehow manipulate my relationship into something twisted, dark, and entangled versus the beautiful, powerful and amazing thing that it is now. And there is no way in hell I’m going to let that happen. He’s pushing all the wrong buttons with me. Unless his intention is to piss me off, then he’s pushing the right ones.
Either way, I can’t show him that what he’s saying is bothering me as much as it is. Not a teeny, tiny bit. I know him well enough to understand he’s manipulative and will do and say anything to get what he wants. I have half a mind to ask if he paid his way into this class. Of all the classes he could join to “make up,” he chooses this one.
He knows more than he’s letting on as well, which not only puts my relationship with Soren at risk, but my relationship with all my men. That is not something I will let slide. But now isn’t the time to retaliate.
But if he thinks throwing my relationship with Soren in my face is going to get me to cave into him, he’s got a rude awakening waiting for him.
“How ‘bout it, Wren?” His eyes take in mine and I’m overcome with a serious bout of nausea.
“No.” I shift once more in my seat, turning my attention to the assignment. But that doesn’t stop Anderson from continuing.
“I promise I’ll make it worthwhile.”
I sigh. “Why? So you can steal more of my energy?”
“Steal? Oh, no.” He chuckles. “That’s not what happened. You allowed me to take some, I most definitely didn’t steal anything.”
The hell I did. My magic burns through me as strong and swift as my anger, pushing against my hands, begging to come out. My eyes return to the text, focusing on reverse circles, and I desperately want to reverse this class. But I can’t.
Right now, I have a choice. I can either give in to my magic’s need to be released and burn Anderson to a crisp right now, or I can take the higher ground and remove myself from this situation before I cause damage to the other students and the classroom.
The choice wars within me for a few precious, agonizing moments. Finally, I settle on the latter. I stand, bringing Professor Remo’s attention to me. His scowl settles on me and I suck in a deep breath. “I’m not feeling well. I need to be excused.”
He checks the time on his watch covering his left wrist. “You can wait for the last few minutes left in class.”
Crap.
Anderson smiles triumphantly, and the restraint that’s keeping me from ripping him into shreds is rapidly diminishing.
The moments tick by as slow as molasses in winter. I clench my hands under the desk and bounce my knee as I focus all my attention and energy on not killing Anderson. When the bell chime rips through the air, I let out the breath that I had been holding and quickly rush to Savannah’s side before I wring Anderson’s neck.
The smile that stretches her lips is not one of joy but of an apology. I shrug. “I’m going to switch classes. Don’t worry.”
“Good.”
As we walk out of the classroom, I look over my shoulder, finding Anderson smirking at me. He winks. I turn around and look forward, walking away from him a little faster now. But not fast enough for him to pick up on just how much he really rubs me the wrong way.
Chapter Seventeen
I think of Soren as I make my way to Gideon’s office. It’s been a week since he’s left, and the night before his departure was so blissful. I bite the corner of my lower lip as I replay some of my more favorite, erotic moments. Though I don’t know when he’ll be back, I know it will be soon. I didn’t think being separated from him would affect me like this. It’s almost like a part of myself is missing.
With that, I realize I’m quickly becoming irrevocably attached to him.
I hope he’s keeping himself safe.
I turn a corner toward the headmaster’s office and nearly bump into him. He greets me with a smile. “Good afternoon, Miss Blackwood.”
I chuckle under my breath. “Good afternoon, Headmaster Storm.”
“Ready for your training?”
“Yes.” It just may be what I need to release the pent-up tension from my unwanted but forced interaction with Anderson.
With a nod, he escorts me to a room within his office. It’s a magical room, expanding as we enter. I stare in awe as the walls stretch and move, spreading into a massive, open area.
“Whoa.”
Gideon twists to look at me. “Like it?”
“Yes. I love it.”
He nods. “This is where we will be training. You’ll be facing dangerous scenarios to better hone your magic outside of running drills one-on-one.” He beckons me closer.
As I walk closer to him, my magic buzzes through me, growing stronger with each moment I’m in his presence. I simply adore the feeling.
I step through the threshold, gaping in awe at the expanse of the room that was no bigger than a closet only moments ago.
Gideon shuts the door, pushes me against the wall, and kisses me deeply and passionately. Delicious fire creeps through my body in ways that make me want to melt into him.
He rests his forehead on mine, panting to catch his breath.
“I was wondering if you were ever going to kiss me again, Headmaster Storm.”
He chuckles. “Damn pretenses and propriety, not lack of want, have kept me from giving into that desire.”
“Pesky rules.”
“You’ll never realize how often I want to do that, and I will take advantage of every chance I get.” His eyes darken a bit as he takes in my lips once more. “But we have to be careful.”
“I know.” I kiss him again. The tips of my fingers brush along the back of his head as the kiss deepens. His arms wrap around my waist as his lips move a
long my neck. He nibbles a sensitive spot at the base of my neck before returning to my lips. I moan against his mouth as my knees want to give out and pressure builds between my legs.
Just when I’m about to give in and start ripping off his clothes, he pulls away and takes a step back. His voice is dark, heavy with desire. “We should get to your training.”
I work to catch my breath as I nod. “What did you have in mind?”
He presses his hand against the wall. Magic pours from beneath his palm, rippling outward, spreading throughout the room. The walls sink beneath the floor, replaced by a forest with tall evergreens, pines, and aspens sprouting from the floor and stretching to where the ceiling should be. Soft light resembling a setting moon floods in through the back of the room. A dense fog rolls in, soaking what used to be the wooden planks of the floor in a murky mist.
I stare as small hills and boulders rise up to create natural terrain. All of it is mesmerizing. The imagery reminds me of the woods from the troll village, and I’m suddenly alert and ready for anything.
Gideon’s voice comes from behind me, somewhere in the shadows. “We’re going to focus on using your powers against the shadow wolves. Keep a cool head and don’t let your magic overwhelm you. You must use it to your advantage without losing control.”
I search the shadows looking for signs of the wolves.
“I must warn you,” Gideon adds, “they will be just like the real thing.”
“Oh, great.”
“Be careful…”
I look over my shoulder. “Right.”
Shadows low to the ground start to move. Growls reach my ears, and I conjure my shield to ward off any sudden attacks.
“Any word yet if they are involved with the Order?”
“It’s possible, but we don’t know for sure. However, we should err on the side of caution and believe they are, for now.”
Shadow wolves emerge from the darkness and mist, eyes glowing like lava, snarling as they approach. They move as one toward me. Though there are only four shadow wolves, the challenge will still be enormous. Especially considering how powerful they were when my men and I faced off with Jackson Cane. I know better than to underestimate what these creatures can do. Illusion or not.
