15. Reverie
Chapter 15
Reverie
W alking up to the guys, I channeled my inner cocky bitch. I had defeated this obstacle course and left with a legendary companion. The first anyone had seen in years. I deserved to have a little strut in my step.
“What the fuck is that, Reverie Cleopatra?” Nathan asked as if I had done something wrong.
“Did you just middle name me, Dickface?” I questioned in my not-to-be-fucked-with voice. Being extremely familiar with the voice, Nathan changed his tone.
“I would appreciate it if you would step away from the large animal until we know what it is and if it’s dangerous.”
“Your middle name is Cleopatra? And you’re a Minion fan?” Zane asked, looking me up and down with raised eyebrows.
“Forget the middle name. Nathan will be punished later for blurting that out. And everyone loves Minions.” I dared him to prove me wrong.
“I never have, but I’m starting to see the appeal,” Zeke grinned at me.
“I’ll take my punishment like the strong, secure man I am. Now get over here and away from the giant panther, alien thingy. Right, fucking now!” Nathan growled while stomping his foot.
“It’s a Fellat, you dumb motherfucker!” Oren yelled at Nathan. “Fuck you need to study if you’re this clueless about the Aurathion culture.”
Nathan took a big step and punched Oren in the mouth in such a quick, smooth motion that there was no defending against it. It didn’t seem like he tried to hide the extra strength he had gained since becoming Faction, either. “Looks like this dumb motherfucker just knocked you on your ass.”
Zeke leaned down to help Oren up, “You had that coming. If you try to report him to the dean, you’ll regret it.”
Wiping the blood from his nose, Oren growled out, “I’m not reporting shit, but the next motherfucker that punches me is getting fucked up. I don’t give a fuck who you are. Just try me.”
I walked in the direction of my clothes. I was physically and emotionally exhausted and didn’t have the time or inclination to referee these fools. Though I was getting a thrill at seeing ShitStorm knocked on his ass so many times. I rubbed between my breasts; it was stinging unmercifully. I glanced down, lifting my bra slightly, I didn’t see anything.
Pantar stayed near me, never taking his eyes off the guys.
“I don’t disapprove of your first Faction member. The other potentials need to prove themselves before performing the ritual.”
I looked at him and gave a small nod. I didn’t want anyone to know of my newfound ability. I would later let Pantar know that Oren was certainly not a potential candidate for my Faction. I was still in shock that I could communicate with the Fellat. Getting a new ability without adding another Faction member was unheard of. I really needed to talk to my parents. Maybe they could help me figure out what was going on. Honestly, I needed to see them and make sure they were alright after that horrible illusion I had just experienced.
Stopping to get dressed, the twins and Nathan headed my way. Pantar let Nathan pass but stepped between me and the twins. Zane frowned at him and made a shooing motion with his hands.
“What the hell are you doing?” Zeke asked incredulously.
“Trying to get him to move,” Zane continued shooing the giant animal out of the way.
Pantar stared Zane in the eyes, then slowly sat back on his haunches.
“I think he has zero intentions of moving until she’s changed. Apparently, you must be Faction to have the privilege of standing close to her,” Nathan smiled smugly.
“You better enjoy being the single member now. Cause I think we’ll get to join you sooner than expected, possibly before initiation, in fact. It would have been feasible to wait until after, for Reverie to emerge as Nexus, but now I think the three-hundred-pound cat is out of the bag.” Zeke said to Nathan while staring at Pantar in awe.
“I think he’s right.” I finished dressing and slipped my boots on. “I’m going straight to Dean Mathew’s office. There’s no way I want ShitStorm to tell him first.” I absently rubbed at the spot between my breasts again, it had stopped stinging but was still a little painful.
“ShitStorm?” Zeke asked, smirking in Oren’s direction. The man in question was standing next to the obstacle course, watching us.
“Makes complete sense to me.” Nathan and Zane said in unison.
Zeke started laughing, and before long, everyone joined in. I was overjoyed to see them getting along. This was what a Faction was supposed to look like.
Looking past the guys, I saw Oren looking between Pantar and me in contemplation. What was that asshole cooking up? I wondered nervously. No matter, I’d deal with it as it came.
Heading toward the Dean’s office, Pantar didn’t attempt to hide his presence. He stood directly behind me, allowing only Nathan to walk by my side. The twins followed as close as he would allow.
People in the hallway were looking on in shock. I’d never seen a Fellat; most Aurathions had only seen them in books. So, the reaction was to be expected. The attention was a little unnerving, but I held my shoulders back and stood tall. I’d just decided to own my shit, and that’s exactly what I did.
Professor Lee stood at the end of the hallway, staring in our direction. He bowed his head reverently to me when I walked by. It was odd. I needed to remember to ask my parents about the letter he had given them. I leaned close to Nathan, “You can’t go with me to the office.”
“Why the hell not?” He frowned.
“I don’t want to hide what we are to each other but, no one can know about our bond until we do the ritual, and no rituals will be performed until after initiation is complete. Unless this changes things.” I glanced at Pantar.
“OK, my Nexi, I’ll wait for you in my dorm. Let me know if anything goes wrong, and I do mean any little thing.” Turning to give the twins a look, he let go of my hand and reluctantly headed outside.
The twins continued to follow me, and when I looked at them in question, Zeke motioned for me to keep walking. Trusting they knew what they were doing I continued heading toward the front office. Dean Mathews was headed out by the time I reached the office. Stopping, he looked at Pantar in amazement.
“I was just coming to look for you. I’ve had no less than twenty students, and ten professors come here to tell me about the Fellat in the hallway. I had to confirm it with my own eyes.”
“I came straight here, Dean Mathews. I thought it important to let you know and possibly, get permission to contact my parents.” I said in a respectful tone. I wasn’t sure he even heard me. He couldn’t take his eyes off Pantar.
“Where did he come from?” he asked reverently. “How did this happen?”
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Instructor Storm appeared from behind the dean. How in the hell did he get here so quickly?
“I’m curious about that also. How did this happen, Miss Hawthorne? Is your family somehow involved in this?” Storm smiled, with what looked like mischief.
What a fucking asshole. Trying to involve my family, the nickname ShitStorm genuinely fits him. “I was in the tunnel confronting what Emberhold deemed my greatest fear, and out of nowhere, the Fellat appeared. I don’t know any more than you do.” I said to him sincerely, ignoring Storm.
“I think we need to call Callum of the Rossi Faction. He’ll know if she’s telling the truth.” Storm said, still standing behind the Dean. He then winked at me like this was all in fun. What fuckery was this?
“I’m not sure that action is necessary. Let’s head to my office and discuss this without an audience.” Dean Mathews glanced up, noticing the crowd gathered in the hallway for the first time.
When Zeke and Zane started to follow, the Dean stopped them, “I don’t think your presence is needed. Instructor Storm was leading her group and should be able to answer all my questions.”
Zane frowned, “We were there when the Fellat came out with Miss Hawthorne. My brother and I would be more than happy to give an accounting from our perspective.”
“It’s not needed at this time. I’m sure Instructor Storm will have all the insight I need.” The Dean said sternly.
I saw ShitStorm smile smugly at the twins. When the Dean turned to walk into his office, Zane flipped him off. Hopefully, I’d get to see Zane knock him on his ass in the near future.
Smiling reassuringly at the guys, I entered the Dean’s office with Pantar right behind me. The Dean sat at his desk with me and Storm taking the chairs in front. Pantar prowled around the room, sniffing various objects. I was thankful the office was large. Otherwise, it would be a tight fit. Pantar was a massive Fellat.
“Thank you, Nexus. I am exceptional, that is true.” The giant beast preened.
“I need an accounting of the events that start with you entering the tunnel.” The Dean said, still spellbound by Pantar’s every move.
“Well, as I explained, I was confronting the scenario that Emberhold had shown me, and Pantar just appeared and snapped me out of my fear. I have no idea where he came from.” I explained.
“Are we really expected to believe that?” ShitStorm asked. “How does she know the Fellat’s name?” He smirked at me. God, I hated his stupid face.
Pantar forced himself between me and Storm’s chairs. Then looked down on Storm and growled in a low, threatening manner. Take that dick!
Storm looked shocked and strangely hurt by this and leaned away from Pantar. I tried my best not to show any amusement, but from the way Storm glared at me, I wasn’t sure I succeeded.
“When we bonded, his name just came to me,” I replied to Dean Mathews. No way was I going to say the beautiful beast told me himself.
“You’ve already bonded?” The Dean asked in amazement.
“Yes, we bonded while still in the tunnel.” I showed him the bite marks around my wrist that were already starting to heal. I rubbed my chest but stopped when I noticed Storm staring at the motion.
Storm leaned closer, like he was trying to see through my shirt. Pantar blocked him and lifted a massive paw, knocking him from his chair and to the floor. This was the third time today I had seen him on the ground I really hoped it would trend. #ShitStormonhisassonceagain, I lifted my hand to cover the smile on my face at the thought.
Oren jumped to his feet, glaring at Pantar. I thought it odd that he hadn’t shown any fear of the Fellat thus far, my Pantar was extremely fearsome.
“He isn’t too bright, but he would make a brave faction member,” Pantar spoke, surprising me with his comment.
“I didn’t think you liked him,” I said, finding it much easier to speak to the Fellat this way than when I communicated with Nathan.
“He needs to remove his head from his ass, but he does have good qualities that would enhance your Faction.” He yawned, showing all his teeth.
“I haven’t seen any proof of them yet.” I looked again at the Dean, who had pushed his chair as far away from the Fellat as he could.
Storm scowled at them both and said to the Dean, “She shouldn’t be allowed to keep him at the Academy. It could pose a danger to the other students. I would be glad to keep the Fellat with me.”
Pantar began growling again. The Dean stared at him fearfully, “You know as well as I that a Fellat will not be separated from their Nexus after they have bonded, which brings us to the following matter. Even though you haven’t performed any rituals, you are obviously Nexus. It’s highly unusual, but do you already have potential Faction members in mind?”
I needed to be extremely cautious here. Bonding with Pantar was strange enough without the Dean finding out about Nathan becoming my Faction with a simple blood exchange—no ritual needed.
“There are a few Passives I’ve felt a connection with. Of course, I have no intentions of getting serious about it until after initiation.” I told him.
“Zeke and Zane seemed upset when they couldn’t attend this meeting. That Nathan fellow, who I believe is from your human school, has also been rather invested in you since you arrived. Going so far as insulting my dear sister in a perceived slight against you. Seems serious to me.” ShitStorm looked down his nose at me. I hoped to have the opportunity to knock him on his ass soon. Maybe even start a club. I bet there would be plenty of Passives wanting to join.
Dean Mathews looked a little bewildered by Storm’s hostile tone. “There was a mishap with your sister, but it was cleared up —just a tiny misunderstanding. I’m surprised at your hostility, Instructor Storm. This is a fascinating development and a chance for our Passive students to become Faction.”
“I apologize if you felt like I was being harsh, Miss Hawthorne.” Storm said in a fake-as-shit, apologetic voice. He turned to the Dean, “I just wanted to point out she may have led some of our Passives to believe they would be first in line to perform the ritual. It’s unfair to make them think that if she’s not really interested.”
“Nexi, are you alright? I can feel your anger. Do you need me?” Nathan suddenly asked.
“No, ShitStorm just really pisses me off.” I replied.
“I’m here and waiting. Let me know as soon as you get out of there.” My Psycho said sternly.
“I will.” Oh, how I loved that man.
“Well, be that as it may, with so few Nexus, all Passives should expect a little competition. My dear nephew hasn’t found a Nexus yet, so I must introduce you.” Dean Mathews said casually.
I heard a growling noise coming from Storm, it must have been in annoyance at the Dean’s fawning. Glancing at Pantar, I saw him watching Oren with an expression that seemed almost smug. I wondered what that was all about.
That’s why it felt like the Dean was catering to me. Absolutely ridiculous. My mother never let anyone dictate to her about faction choices, and I damn sure wouldn’t either.
“I want to follow up with you directly after your initiation. It is astounding to have a Nexus revealed so soon, and it happened due to bonding with an animal we thought was eradicated due to the war. Simply amazing! I can’t wait to inform Councilman Hunter of these developments,” the Dean seemed almost euphoric. I saw Storm roll his eyes, but he said nothing further.
“May I speak to my parents?” I inquired.
“In our history it was told that Fellat had the power to create portals. Maybe your new companion would like to help with your request?” The Dean turned to Pantar in hopeful, expectation. Pantar looked around the room in boredom, not acknowledging him at all. “Or maybe not.” Annoyance showed briefly through his friendly demeanor.
“I’ll open a portal for you to visit. But I expect you back within the next couple of hours. There will be another portal waiting in the exact place you appear.” Dean Mathews gave me what I was sure he thought was a kind smile. To me, he just looked constipated. Oren looked pissed at this turn of events but said nothing. Doing us all a favor and keeping his mouth shut for once.
The Dean opened the portal; it would be nice if everyone had that ability. He then motioned Oren to follow him out of the office.
“The Dean has allowed me to use a portal to talk to my parents. Please let the twins and Chloe know what’s going on. When I get back, I’m going straight to my dorm because I’m exhausted.” I spoke to Nathan.
He answered me immediately, “I’ll let everyone know. I hate that I won’t see the shock on their faces, but you can describe it to me in detail tomorrow. I love you, my sweet Nexi. Get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Surprised at getting no argument, I replied, “I love you too.”
I looked at Pantar, “Are you ready? I’m excited to see my parents, even if it’s only been a few days.”
“Let’s go Nexus. I, too, am excited to meet the parents of the one I’ve bonded.” Pantar extended a tentacle to me to hold while going through the portal.
We both stepped through and came out near the barn. I started walking toward the house; it was supper time, so my parents should be there. I stopped when two large grey wolves came out of the barn and growled at Pantar. I forgot about Grumpy’s natural defense system.
“Your home is interesting, Nexus.” Pantar showed no fear of the wolves and why would he. The wolves on the other hand had never seen anything like him.
“Why don’t you tell them I mean no harm?” He asked.
Holy shit, that’s right I can communicate with animals now! Not wanting to wait another second I scrunched my eyes up and concentrated hard, but nothing happened.
“Just let it come. There should be no effort involved. Let the words flow and direct it their way.” Pantar encouraged.
Taking his advice, I took a deep breath and tried again, “He means you no harm. If you’re good, I’ll have Grumpy bring you a treat later tonight.” I heard a series of growls and grunts in my head but knew that they were agreeing. Jumping up and down I hugged Pantar. “I can speak to animals!”
“I know this my, Nexus. Now let us go and speak to your parents.” He turned and walked in the direction of the house. I had a massive grin on my face and was almost skipping as I followed behind him.
When I entered, I could smell cream cheese chicken enchiladas, and my mouth immediately began to water.
“Mom, I’m home.” I yelled, entering the dining room.
My parents looked at me in surprise, which quickly turned to shock when they spotted Pantar behind me.
“Holy shit!” Mom shouted.
In shock, Grumpy said absently, “Watch your mouth, Adelaide.”
Pop got up from the table and pulled me into a hug. Looking at Pantar in awe.
“It’s an honor to meet you,” Grumpy told Pantar. I was in complete shock. I could hear what Grumpy had just said.
“Holy shit!” I blurted out.
Grumpy glared at me and then pointed to Mom. “Like mother, like daughter.”
“The honor is all mine.” Pantar replied to Grumpy. “My Nexus is shocked that she can hear you communicating with me.”
“Holy shit!” Grumpy exclaimed. Everyone looked at him in astonishment, and I started laughing. I wasn’t the only one that picked up Mom’s bad habits.