Dragon Scorned

15. River

“How is it already Wednesday?” I asked Natalia, yawning and rubbing my eyes. We decided to stay home again yesterday because she was still sore and healing.

Tate was not happy when we told him we were skipping again, but he stopped over after his classes to join in our continuation of the Grimm marathon. Nikolai left shortly after Tate arrived, making some excuse about needing to do something.

Watching movies all day was nice, but surprisingly, I was ready to get back to school. The only way I would be able to find the hunters was to ask people about it. I groaned at having to interact with people, but it was time to put on my big girl panties. I would get nowhere if I didn’t start doing something.

Natalia deserved vengeance, and I would be the one to extract it for her. I would be her monster, hunt down the people that harmed her.

“We spent the last two days as couch potatoes, stop whining. I’m fine, and we need to get back to our classes.” She told me, pushing a mug of coffee, and a plate filled with eggs and sausage my way.

“You”re right. Plus, I need to see if anyone has any information on Moonbeam. It’s time for some fucking answers.” I told her, before quickly eating my food.

The accident hit me like a left hook, and my eyes are wide open now. It”s time to stop hiding and to start taking action. If not for myself, then for her, because she was my best friend, and I would move mountains for her.

“So what”s the plan?” She asked as I finished my coffee and put our dishes in the sink. I needed to unload the dishwasher before I put the dirty dishes in it and that was a task for later.

I grabbed her keys and headed out to her hot pink MC20 Cielo, cringe. I loved the car, just not the color.

“Excuse you, I’m not letting you drive so you can wreck my car like you did yours. Hand them over.” She held her hand out to me, requesting the keys.

I laughed at her, “You just had a traumatic head injury two days ago. You”re not driving the rest of the week. Deal with it.”

I dipped around her, hopping into the driver”s seat. Laughing as she sulked around and yanked the passenger door open before climbing in and slamming it closed behind her.

“Ooh, are we feisty today? I’m game. Who’s getting our bitchy attitude first?” I laughed, starting the car and putting it in gear, making our way down the driveway.

“You are bitchy every day, you overgrown lizard. I’m allowed to be bitchy every once in a while.” She snapped at me, a scowl on her face.

“Point taken,” I told her, snapping my mouth closed.

“So, are you going to tell me the plan?”

“The plan for what?” I asked, giving her a confused look. I know she was talking about how I intend to take down Moonbeam, but I just wanted to mess with her a little bit. Plus, if she didn’t know, then she wouldn’t feel the need to join, and I really did not want to see her end up hurt again because of me.

“You know what, River. I want in. You can’t keep me out of this. They attacked me, too. So whether you like it or not, I’m helping.” She crossed her arms and glared at me. Her eyebrows were pinched down, and a scowl was on her face.

I looked at the faint pink line on her head, almost completely healed now thanks to Lainey’s help and their witchy healing balm. My chest tightened at the thought of putting her in danger again, but she was right. There was no way I could keep her out of this. Her stubborn ass would insert herself anyway.

I sighed, “First, we need to see if anyone knows where we can find a hunter. Then we question them and find out who owns Moonbeam. Go straight to the source and cut off the head of the operation. Then, sit back and watch it crumble.”

“Easy.” She scoffed.

“Easy.” I echoed her, knowing nothing about it would be easy. The only thing I did know, though, was the operation as a whole needs to be destroyed. They fucked with the wrong person, and now I was pissed. I would bring the wrath of hell down on their asses.

I parked in the student parking lot, shutting off the engine and grabbing my bag. My phone dinged in my pocket and I pulled it out, seeing two new messages.

Unknown

Don’t forget about our session today, Miss Moonstone.

My brow furrowed as I tried to remember what the mystery person was talking about. Then the light bulb went off when I realized it was Wednesday, and I had a one-on-one session with Professor Knox. I quickly messaged him back and hit send, groaning as I reread my reply. Stupid River, where’s that fucking filter you’re always yelling at Nat for not using.

Me

Yes, sir. I’ll be there.

Hot Prof

I’ll see you at one.

Beastly

I saved you a seat, and got you coffee. You are coming today, right?

Me

Heading in now.

I pocketed my phone, a stupid grin on my face.

“What”s that smile for?” Nat teased, bumping into me as we headed for supernatural studies.

I looked over at her, with a goofy grin still stretched across my lips. “Nothing, just got a text from Tate, and the hot professor.”

“Ooh, River about to get down and dirty with the professor. Are you going to be his dirty little secret and fuck him in his office?” She gasped, laughing, “That”s so scandalous, River. I didn’t think you had it in you.”

I smacked her arm. “Will you stop, I’m not going to fuck our professor.”

“Mhum.” She winked at me before walking into the classroom; I chuckled as I followed her. She was way too invested in trying to get me laid.

Tate pressed a kiss against my forehead as I sat down next to him. He held out a cup of coffee, offering it to me.

“I fucking love you,” I said, snatching the coffee and taking a big gulp. Loving the flavor of it as it coated my tongue.

“If you only say that to me when I bring you coffee I think I need to set up a running tab. I will bring you one every hour to hear those words fall from your lips,” he said, smirking at me.

I choked on the next pull I took from the cup, coughing and sputtering as Nat laughed beside me. “Once again, I was referring to the coffee,” I told him between my gasps, greedily sucking air back into my lungs.

“Sure you were,” Nat said, leaning forward and winking at Tate.

“You two are insufferable.” I flopped back against the seat, setting my coffee in the cup holder and crossing my arms. A smack sounded beside me causing Tate to jump and rub his arm.

“Ow, okay, fuck. Natalia, River, this is my cousin Ryder,” Tate said, gesturing to the guy sitting beside him.

“Well, hello there, I’m Nat,” Natalia said, waving to the guy.

I looked over at him, locking onto his eyes. One was the same exact shade as Tate’s, and the other was a brilliant gold color. He looked so much like Tate, yet completely different. There was a faint pink scar going through his left eye. He looked so familiar, and I just couldn”t put my finger on why.

“Good morning students,” Knox said, entering the room and setting his bag down on his desk, pulling out his laptop.

Saved by the bell. I sighed. He has good timing; I”ll give him that. I glanced over at Tate, noticing he had a smug grin on his face. The arrogance of this man, I was talking to the damn coffee.

“Today, we will continue our discussion on witches,” he said, putting a picture up on the screen of witches performing some kind of spell.

“Yesterday, we went over the different bloodlines and the unique gifts each line possesses. Today, we will look into their strengths and weaknesses. Once again, if any of the witches have anything to add, please don’t hesitate to raise your hand. The only way we will truly learn everything is from the source themselves.” The professor grabbed a book and nodded to a girl in the front row.

I recognized her from the other day when she answered the question about werewolves and wolf shifters, Kate, I believe. She took the book from Knox and began waving her hand and muttering words too low for me to hear.

I was watching in wonder as yellow sparks shot out of the tips of her fingers and coated the book. I jolted as a loud bang ricocheted throughout the room. Looking down, my jaw hung open as the book now sat in front of me. I looked up and down the aisle, seeing a copy on everyone”s desk.

“Holy shit.” I breathed, gawking at the text on my desk.

Tate and Nat both chuckled on either side of me and I shot them both a glare. “I hate you both.”

“It”s a duplication spell, babes. One of the first spells every witch learns. I wouldn’t be surprised if she also paired it with a mimic cast.” As the words left Nat’s lips, the book flipped open, turning to a page about rhodonite.

I looked around to see everyone’s books had flipped open, then looked back at the professor. He had the original text in his hands, flipped open to the same page. He looked up, meeting my eyes and giving me a wicked smirk.

Butterflies took flight in my stomach as I stared at the man, there was no denying he was handsome. With his short black hair, sharp jawline, high cheekbones, and bright green eyes. They were so similar to Tate’s yet so different, where Tate’s were a dark forest green, Knox’s were a light jade green.

Stop it, River. I shook my head, snapping myself out of the daydream. I really needed to get my body under control. I already had three mates, so why was I thinking about my fucking professor like this. My dragon growled, confusing me even more. Maybe our meeting today wasn’t such a good idea.

I tuned into the professor as he began talking again. “For those of you that don’t know rhodonite is a manganese silicate mineral that symbolizes compassion and love. This is why it”s a common crystal for the witches, unless they practice dark magic. We will explore more on that subject tomorrow. But, for a common witch they often pair rhodonite with a crystal linked to their lineage.”

I turned to look at Nat, how did I not know any of this. There was so much everyone was keeping from me, I didn’t understand why.

“White sapphire,” she pulled a necklace out, showing me a beautiful stone surrounded by smaller pinkish stones. “It’s the only thing I have from my mom.”

“No, I’ve met your mom, surely there”s more.” Confusion slammed into me, I met Nat’s parents, I had dinner with them, and spent the night at her house. Her mom was the nicest person ever, I didn’t understand.

She looked at me with a sad look that broke my heart, “No, babes. Those are my adoptive parents. I never met my birth mother.”

“How did I never know this, you”re my best friend, we tell each other everything. Yet, you”ve been hiding this from me.” I hissed at her. How could she keep that from me, we always shared secrets. I felt betrayed, just now finding out her parents weren”t actually her parents.

“It’s not something I openly tell people, River. They took me in when I was really young, so they”re all I know. I wasn’t keeping it from you. It just never came up. They are my parents, whether they gave birth to me or not.” She snapped back. Her fingers tingled with purple magic.

“Miss. Moonstone, would you like to share your conversation with the class?” Professor Knox asked, snapping my attention to him.

“No, Sir.”

“Well then I suggest you pay attention instead of chit chatting with your friend next to you. I’m not standing up here just to hear myself talk.” He said in a demanding tone that sent shivers down my spine.

I nodded my head, trapped in his deep stare. It felt like an eternity before he finally looked away, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“We’re not done with this discussion,” I whispered to Nat. She nodded, knowing we were going to finish the conversation later.

My mind whirled at what else she was hiding. Why did it seem like everyone was hiding something from me? I wanted to scream. I was so fucking frustrated. My phone vibrated, and I pulled it out, seeing a message from Nikolai.

Dragon Dick

I feel your anger, my star. Who do I need to kill?

I scoffed as I looked at the text. This man is fucking deranged. I closed my eyes and was pulled into the safety of my room, my grounding spot. Walking over, I cracked open the window I created to block him out, allowing his power to flow into me. A second later, Nikolai appeared in front of me. My mouth fell open. What the fuck.

“Our bond is solidifying more as the days go on, my star.” His raspy voice filled my ears. How is this happening right now?

“How are you here? This is my mind.”

“The bond, you let me in, and I came. I’ve always been able to be in your head. You just never saw me because you didn’t know what to look for. Now that you”re learning more, here I am.” He told me, a stupid grin on his face.

“Now tell me who I’m killing.” Anger filled his eyes as he looked down at me.

“You’re fucking crazy, you know.”

A devilish laugh left him. He reached out to wrap me in his arms, pulling my body against his. He leaned down to nip at my ear before whispering his next words. “I will slaughter everyone on this planet that dares to cause you harm, my star. Now, I’m only going to ask you one more time. Who hurt you?”

“It’s a misunderstanding, I promise. I just found out Nat was adopted and felt betrayed, but we’re going to work it out later. Professor Knox yelled at us for talking in class.” I told him honestly, hoping my words would convince him to not go on a killing spree.

“Do work it out. I’m quite fond of the witch. It would be a shame to have to kill her.”

I slapped him on the shoulder, “Nikolai, you”re not killing my best friend.”

His eyes darkened, and a mixture of terror and excitement hit me, trapping me under his intense, dark blue eyes. I could see the light blue swirling, almost concealed within the cerulean pools.

“Let me make this perfectly clear, my star. I don’t give a fuck who the person is to you. If they cause you harm, I will show them no mercy.” Kai growled, and then he was gone.

I looked around the room, searching for him, coming up empty-handed. “Fucking infuriating dragon,” I mumbled as I walked over and slammed the window closed. Locking it for good measure.

I opened my eyes and was brought back into the classroom, a room that was now empty except for Tate, Ryder, and Natalia beside me and a very pissed-off professor glaring directly at me.

Fuck, you really did it now, River.