Tempest Awakening (The Dragonne Library #1)

Chapter 22

Tess

I rushed towards the Guild building, my damp hair a reminder of the hasty shower I'd taken to wash off the morning's mud. The massive wooden doors loomed ahead, their intricate carvings of dragons and riders almost mocking me.

Pushing open one of the heavy doors, I was hit by a wave of voices and a faint smell of ozone.

"Holy crap," I muttered, taking in the scene. The hallway opened into a huge auditorium-style classroom. There had to be at least two hundred applicants milling about.

My stomach growled, protesting the measly bagel I'd scarfed down. I'd barely had time to clean up and grab a quick bite before rushing here. Note to self: adrenaline and nerves do not make a good breakfast substitute.

I was not at all ready for this "Magic Integration and Ethics" class. How was I supposed to integrate magic I didn't even have? The ethics part I could handle, but the rest? I was way out of my depth.

"You can do this," I whispered.

I scanned the room, searching for a familiar face among the sea of supernatural beings. The auditorium was impressive, with tiered seating that curved around a central stage area. Ornate pillars lined the walls, each carved with symbols I didn't recognize but assumed were magical in nature.

My stomach dropped as I spotted Selena and Valen holding court among a group of other applicants. They caught my eye and smirked, whispering something to their friends that made them all laugh. Great. Just what I needed.

But relief washed over me as I spotted Mason's broad shoulders near the middle of the room. His dark eyes met mine, and he gave a slight nod, gesturing to the empty seat next to him with a tilt of his head.

Grateful, I made my way towards him, carefully navigating around groups of chattering applicants. As I got closer, I noticed Kane sitting a row behind Mason, his striking white hair impossible to miss.

"Hey," I said quietly, sliding into the seat next to Mason.

Mason grunted in response, his expression neutral. "Thought you might need a spot," he muttered, his voice low and gruff.

I caught Kane's eye and offered a small wave. His response was a cold nod before he turned away, effectively dismissing me. Ouch.

A group of applicants sat directly in front of us, and I couldn't help but overhear their hushed conversation.

"Did you see her this morning?" one of them whispered, not quite quietly enough. "The human girl. She fell right into the mud pit."

"I heard she couldn't even sense the ward boundaries," another replied. "How did she even get bonded to a dragon?"

"Probably just a fluke," the first one said. "No way she lasts more than a week."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, heat rising to my cheeks. Even Mason, for all his quiet support, was part of a world I was only beginning to understand.

Mason must have sensed my unease. He leaned slightly closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "You good?"

I forced a smile, curiosity and anxiety battling in my stomach. "As good as I can be, I guess."

Trying to distract myself, I took another look around the room. It was like high school all over again, except everyone here was an adult—and supernatural. The cliques were painfully obvious, each species sticking to their own kind.

Near the front, a cluster of High Fae sat together, their ethereal beauty making them look like they'd stepped out of a fantasy magazine. To our left, a group of what I assumed were shifters huddled together, their conversation punctuated by occasional growls and barks of laughter. The vampires, predictably, had claimed the darkest corner of the room, their pale skin almost luminous in the shadows.

My gaze wandered to a commotion a few rows ahead. A group of female students were clustered around someone, their excited whispers and giggles drawing my attention. As they shifted, I caught sight of him.

Oh. Wow.

He towered over the women around him, all lean muscle and easy grace. A dark, well-fitted henley shirt clung to his broad shoulders, the short sleeves revealing arms adorned with intricate tattoos. The bold designs snaked down to his forearms, a stark contrast against his tan skin. Dark, curly hair fell past his shoulders, framing a face that belonged on a magazine cover.

As I watched, he leaned in close to one of the girls, saying something that made her burst into laughter. A smirk played on his lips, and I could practically feel the charm oozing off him from here. He was clearly enjoying being the center of attention.

I found myself staring, unable to look away. A warm flush crept up my neck, and my heart rate picked up. What the hell? I'd never had such an instant, visceral reaction to someone before.

As I forced myself to look away, I couldn't help but wonder why the girls weren't giving Kane and Mason the same attention. They were both incredibly attractive in their own ways—Kane with his striking features and Mason with his rugged charm.

"Who's that?" I asked Mason, trying to keep my voice steady.

Before Mason could answer, Kane leaned forward. "That would be Draven. He's an incubus."

"An incubus?" I echoed, surprised. Then it clicked. "Oh. That explains... a lot."

I'd read enough paranormal romance novels to know what an incubus was—a demon that fed on sexual energy and could manipulate desire. Suddenly, my body's bizarrely strong reaction made sense. It wasn't just his looks; he was literally radiating sensuality.

I shifted in my seat. "So, all that attention he's getting... it's not just because he's attractive? It's like, food for him?"

Kane rolled his eyes. "Essentially. An incubus needs sexual energy to survive. The more attention he gets, the more he feeds."

I couldn't tear my eyes away from Draven. The confidence in his posture, the easy way he commanded attention—it was mesmerizing.

A sharp elbow to my ribs broke the spell. I blinked, turning to find Mason's dark eyes fixed on me.

"What?" I whispered, rubbing my side.

Mason's jaw clenched. "You're drooling."

"I am not!" I hissed, heat flooding my cheeks. I swiped at my mouth anyway, just in case.

He leaned in, his scent—stone and earth and something wild—washing over me. "Incubi are dangerous," he rumbled, his breath warm against my ear. "Especially to humans."

A shiver ran down my spine, and not entirely from fear. I forced my gaze back to the front of the room, gripping my pen so tight my knuckles turned white.

"Right," I muttered. "Thanks."

Mason grunted, settling back in his seat. But I could feel his eyes on me, watchful and intense.

I took a deep breath, trying to clear my head. Focus, Tess. You're here to learn, not ogle your classmates—no matter how supernaturally hot they might be.

Mason shifted beside me. "You know," he started, his voice low, "incubi aren't the only Supes humans need to be careful around."

"Oh?" I turned to face him, curious. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, not quite meeting my eyes. "Well, take vampires for instance. They can be... persuasive. And some fae have magic that can enthrall humans."

I nodded, thinking back to the paranormal romances I'd read. "Right, I've heard about that. What about shifters?"

"We have our own risks," Mason grunted. "Heightened emotions, protective instincts. It can be... intense."

"Sounds complicated," I mused. "I guess relationships between humans and Supes must be tricky, huh?"

Mason's eyes snapped to mine, an unreadable expression on his face. "What do you think about that? Relationships between humans and supernatural beings?"

The question caught me off guard. I blinked, my mind racing. Why was he asking me this? I glanced around the room, taking in the fae's grace, the shifters' strength, and Draven's magnetism. Then I looked down at myself—just plain, human me.

A wry smile tugged at my lips. "I don't think—"

I was about to say "I don't think that's something I need to worry about." After all, these gorgeous, powerful creatures were so far out of my league, they might as well be a different species.

Oh wait, they were.

What supernatural hottie would ever be interested in someone like me? But before I could voice any of this, the classroom door burst open.

A tall, imposing figure strode in, silencing the room with his mere presence. His weathered face, etched with the wisdom of centuries, was framed by fiery hair streaked with silver. Intense hazel eyes swept across the room. Despite his apparent age, he moved with the spryness of a much younger man, his steps light yet purposeful.

"Good morning, class," his deep voice resonated through the room, carrying the weight of ancient oaks. "Welcome to Magic Integration and Ethics. I am Professor Elijah Hawthorne."

His voice commanded attention as he outlined the day's activities. "Today, we'll be working on advanced Core Magic application, specifically focusing on physical enhancement. You'll be required to channel your Core Magic to amplify your strength, speed, and agility."

My stomach dropped. Enhancing physical abilities with magic? I wasn't even sure I had access to Core Magic, let alone the ability to use it like that.

"This exercise is crucial for your development as potential dragon riders," Hawthorne continued, his eyes sweeping across the room. "In high-stress situations, you may need to push your physical limits beyond what's naturally possible. Mastering this technique now, in a controlled environment, will prepare you for those critical moments when lives may depend on your enhanced abilities."

As he delved into the details of the exercise, I felt increasingly out of place. This was so far beyond anything I could do.

"Form groups of four," Hawthorne instructed.

I glanced uncertainly at Mason and Kane. Would they even want me in their group? I mean, what could I possibly contribute to this exercise?

Mason caught my eye and gave a slight nod. Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived as I saw Kane's lips twitch into a sardonic smile.

"Well," Kane drawled, his voice low and crisp, "this should be an enlightening experience for all involved." His tone made it clear he meant anything but.

I tried not to let his words get to me, but I could feel my cheeks burning. Focus, Tess. You're here for a reason.

Scanning the room for a fourth member, my eyes landed on a figure dressed all in black. It took me a moment to place her—Anya, the girl I'd jogged with this morning. She sat alone, her dark clothes a stark contrast to the colorful attire around her. Small charms dangled from her outfit, catching the light as she surveyed the room with a look of jaded disinterest.

Our eyes met, and I saw a flicker of recognition in her gaze. Without thinking, I waved her over. "Want to join us?"

Anya hesitated, her eyes darting between me and the others. "Sure," she said with a shrug, her voice tinged with resignation. "Not like I have better options."

As she approached, I caught a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "At least you're a familiar face," she murmured, just loud enough for me to hear.

As Anya settled in, I noticed both Kane and Mason tense up. Kane's eyebrow arched slightly, while Mason's jaw clenched. They exchanged a loaded glance, clearly communicating something I couldn't understand.

"Well," Kane murmured, his voice barely above a whisper but dripping with disdain, "this should be... interesting."

Mason grunted in agreement, shifting almost imperceptibly away from Anya.

Anya rolled her eyes. "Don't strain yourselves with the warm welcome," she said dryly, but I caught the hint of hurt beneath her sarcasm.

I shot her an apologetic look, which she returned with a half-smile and a barely perceptible shrug.

Professor Hawthorne’s voice boomed across the room, "Today, we'll be using Core Magic to enhance our physical abilities. Let's start with something simple."

He gestured, and suddenly, a collection of what looked like solid metal cubes appeared around the room. Each was about the size of a microwave, but I had a feeling they weighed a lot more.

"These cubes weigh approximately 500 pounds each," Hawthorne explained, confirming my suspicion. "Your task is to lift them using Core Magic to enhance your strength. Remember, the goal isn't just to move the cube, but to maintain control and precision."

My heart sank. I could barely lift my oversized purse most days, let alone a 500-pound metal cube. Though, to be fair, it was usually full of books.

"Disperse into your groups," Hawthorne instructed. "Each group will work with four cubes, one for each member. Remember, this is about control as much as strength."

Our mismatched quartet approached our set of cubes. Kane and Mason eyed them like a welcome challenge, while Anya and I hung back, considerably more cautious.

"So, uh," I whispered to Anya, trying not to broadcast my ignorance to the whole class, "what exactly is Core Magic?"

Anya raised an eyebrow, but there was no judgment in her expression. "It's the fundamental magical energy all supernatural beings can access," she explained quietly.

"Oh," I nodded, then paused as her words sank in. "Wait, all supernatural beings? Does that mean humans don't have it?"

Anya's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Actually, humans do have it, just in very limited amounts. Most don't even know it exists."

My eyes widened. "Seriously? How come I've never heard of this before?"

"Well," Anya lowered her voice further, "humans usually can't access it consciously. They might call it intuition or a gut feeling. It's not enough to do big magic, but it's there."

"Great," I muttered, eyeing the imposing metal cube. "So I'm supposed to lift this thing with my 'gut feeling'?"

"Don't worry," Anya said, a hint of dry humor in her voice. "I'm not exactly thrilled about this either. My kind of magic isn't great for feats of strength."

Curiosity piqued, I was about to ask Anya what kind of magic she had when Kane stepped forward, a smirk playing on his lips. He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and bent to grip the cube. As he straightened, the cube rose with him smoothly. He held it steadily at chest height, then with a controlled movement, lifted it over his head.

"Show-off," Anya muttered, but I could hear the impressed note in her voice.

Mason grunted, stepping up to his own cube. He rolled his shoulders, the movement drawing my attention to the broad expanse of his back. I found myself holding my breath as he bent down, his t-shirt stretching taut across his muscular frame.

When Mason gripped the cube, I could see the muscles in his arms and back tense. Then, with a powerful motion that made my mouth go dry, he lifted. Unlike Kane's smooth movement, Mason's lift was a display of raw power. The cube didn't just rise; it shot up as if it weighed nothing at all.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from the sight of Mason holding the cube overhead, his arms steady, veins standing out against his skin. A bead of sweat rolled down his neck, and I had the sudden, inexplicable urge to... No. Focus, Tess.

"Now who's showing off?" Kane muttered, but there was a note of respect in his voice.

As Mason set his cube down with a resounding thud that shook the floor, I realized I'd been staring. I quickly averted my gaze, hoping the heat I felt in my cheeks wasn't visible.

The knot in my stomach tightened. The difference in their strength was clear, but both were so far beyond what I could do that it hardly mattered.

Anya stepped forward next. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, her hands gripping the cube. I watched closely, curious to see what she would do.

Her fingers twitched, and the cube began to rise, albeit slowly and with a bit of wobbling. Anya's face was a mask of concentration, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She managed to lift the cube a few inches off the ground before gently setting it back down.

"Not bad," she muttered, wiping her brow. "But not exactly my forte."

Now it was my turn. I approached the cube, my palms sweaty and heart racing. I placed my hands on the cool metal surface, trying to summon... well, anything.

“Thalon?” I called out mentally. “ Any chance you could lend a hand here?”

“I'm here, little one,” his voice resonated in my mind. “ Try to feel the energy within you. It's like a ball of power deep in your chest.”

I closed my eyes, concentrating hard. A ball of energy in my chest. Right. I tried to imagine a sphere of power nestled behind my sternum, willing it to expand and flow into my arms, my hands.

Nothing.

“It's not working,” I thought, frustration building.

“Patience, Tess. Focus on our bond. That connection is your gateway to magic.”

I took a deep breath, thinking about the moment I first saw Thalon, the instant connection I felt. A warmth spread through my chest at the memory, but when I tried to channel it into lifting the cube, it fizzled out like a damp match.

"Ms. Whittaker?" Professor Hawthorne's voice cut through my concentration. "Is there a problem?"

I opened my eyes to find everyone staring at me. Kane wore a smirk, while Mason looked concerned. Anya gave me a sympathetic grimace.

"I... I can't seem to..." I stammered, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Hawthorne's brow furrowed. "Remember, Ms. Whittaker, while most humans have only trace amounts of Core Magic, your bond with your dragon should allow you to access more. Try to channel that connection."

Channel the connection. Right. Because it was that easy. I gritted my teeth and tried again, straining to lift the cube. It didn't budge an inch.

“Don't force it,” Thalon advised. “ Let it come naturally.”

But there was nothing coming, naturally or otherwise. I was just a regular human, trying to lift something impossible with my bare hands and sheer force of will.

After what felt like an eternity but was probably only a minute, I stepped back, defeated. "I'm sorry, Professor. I can't do it."

"Well, keep practicing, Ms. Whittaker. Perhaps it will take some time for your bond to fully develop."

“Don't worry, little one,” Thalon's voice soothed in my mind. “ We'll work on this together. Your magic is there, we just need to find the key to unlock it.”

I wanted to believe him, but the weight of my failure sat heavy in my chest.

"Alright, class," Hawthorne's voice cut through my thoughts. "That's all for today. Remember to practice your Core Magic exercises, and come prepared to discuss the ethical implications next time."

The room filled with the sounds of shuffling feet and murmured conversations as students began to pack up. I reached for my bag, my movements slow and defeated.

"Hey," Mason's gruff voice startled me. "Want me to walk you to our next class?"

I looked up, surprised by the offer. Mason stood there, all broad shoulders and quiet strength, just like when we were kids. A warmth spread through my chest, chasing away some of the disappointment from the failed exercise.

"Oh, uh, sure. Thanks," I managed, trying to ignore the little flip my stomach did.

As I stood, Mason offered me his arm, an oddly gentlemanly gesture that seemed at odds with his rugged appearance. I hesitated for a moment before linking my arm with his, acutely aware of the solid muscle beneath my fingertips.

We headed towards the door, and I couldn't help but think that maybe this whole dragon rider thing wasn't all bad. Sure, I couldn't lift a cube to save my life, but reconnecting with Mason? That was definitely a plus. It was nice having a familiar face around, especially one that had grown into such a, well, attractive familiar face.

As we walked, I caught sight of Kane watching us, his eyes narrowed. The tension between him and Mason was palpable, crackling in the air like static electricity.

Before I could dwell on that thought, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway, stopping us in our tracks. Theron Blackwell stood there, his emerald eyes scanning the room until they landed on me.

"Ms. Whittaker," he called out, his deep voice carrying easily over the chatter of departing students. "Come with me. The Headmaster wants to see you."

My stomach did a little flip, but not entirely from dread this time. Of course—I was the human who'd somehow bonded with a dragon before even becoming an applicant. They'd want to talk to me about that.

"Now?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Theron's expression remained impassive, bordering on cold. "Now," he confirmed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I turned to Mason, reluctantly letting go of his arm. "I guess I'll see you later?"

He nodded, concern etched on his face. "Good luck," he murmured, giving my hand a quick, reassuring squeeze.

As I followed Theron out of the classroom, my mind raced. Was this just a formality? Or were they having second thoughts about letting a human—one who couldn't even lift a cube with Core Magic—train as a dragon rider?

With each step, the knot in my stomach tightened. Whatever this meeting was about, I had a feeling it was going to be intense. I just hoped I was ready for it.