5. ~Kai~ #2
When I didn’t understand something, I didn’t run or hide from it, I investigated and explored until I had it figured out.
That was exactly what I planned to do with her, beyond the experimental aspect of testing out my unique ability with her.
My phone buzzed in the pocket of my hard leather black trench coat, and I pulled it out to find a text from Nyx.
Because of the closeness of our friendship, we technically had the ability to mind-link, but he didn’t like doing that too much.
He worried that he’d lose control of his Incubus allure while inside somebody else’s mind and accidentally influence them, or even harm them.
Nyx: Where are you? I thought we agreed we’d unpack together before classes start tomorrow?
For the last three years, we’d had separate dorm rooms, but for this last year, I’d agreed to share a double suite with his insistence that it was our last chance for closeness before everything changed forevermore.
Yeah, he could be unduly dramatic. And overly emotional.
Fortunately, that slammed up against my stoicism, and struck a good balance between us.
Kai: Be there in thirty. Running an errand.
Nyx: Thirty? So you took the car?
Normally, I’d merely teleport. Hell, I used my abilities at any given opportunity.
But with coming here to my secret lab, I hadn’t wanted to risk any of the authority figures—or nosey students—at Maven Academy tracking my teleportation path.
So, I’d brought my car instead. I was thankful for that now, because it meant I’d be able to use the soothing drive back and doing things the rare mundane way, to try to re-center myself through the whole Ariana mind-fuck of it all.
If that failed to work, then I’d have to perform a Ruminat.
It was a special type of meditation that magic-wielders practiced in order to restore clarity of mind and control, especially during times of emotional upheaval or stress.
Kai: I did. See you soon.
Nyx: Fine. They’ve opened up the Cafeteria already, so I’ll hit the Dessert Station and grab you something for when you get back. Sounds like you’re stressed. Desserts always help you. Cool?
Kai: Sounds perfect, sweetheart.
I smiled to myself and pocketed my phone.
I took one look back at my failed experiment, grimaced at the fucking thing, then headed on out of the caves.
The short drive through the backroads toward Maven Academy was like a dream in my sleek, matte-black Audi. Every turn was smooth and fucking perfect, my surroundings rushing by in a blur was so soothing it was almost meditative, really.
A heavy mist enveloped the car as I reached the turnoff to the dirt pathway that led all the way to the gates of the Academy. The mist was a protective magical shield that essentially guarded against humans entering the area or being able to view the mammoth structure itself.
As I made the turn, enchanted lanterns lined the pathway leading toward the wrought iron gates that I could make out in the distance.
The main Academy building towered like a stunning modern masterpiece, its dark, twisting spires stabbing toward the sky.
It possessed a sleek, black stone facade that glittered from the magic humming through its walls.
The front face was also carved with ancient sigils—a nod to our supernatural heritage.
There was a circular fountain in the center of the courtyard, color-changing water rippling across the surface.
Above it all, loomed a clock tower with skeletal hands constantly ticking. Massive stained glass windows added another distinctive element, depicting old Guardian Movement battles, and revered magical beings.
It was quite the sight to behold.
The gates opened as I approached. They were enchanted and had the ability to register the identity of all students and faculty.
I’d just passed on through when the screeching of tires behind me drew my attention.
In the next second, another vehicle tore right past me, driving like the owner was on a suicide mission, and cutting me off so dangerously, that it almost collided with my Audi.
I smashed my hand into my horn, the sound blaring out through the courtyard, as I glared at the vehicle shooting on by and headed for one of the parking lots.
It was a crimson muscle car with gold flames painted on the hood, a Dodge Challenger.
Well, so much for me calming and centering myself.
The asshole ahead of me had just fucked all over that.
I followed his Challenger to find it coming to a jarring stop and parking on a fucking angle, essentially taking up three spots.
I pulled in a couple of spots over, then shot out of my car, just as someone emerged.
I took him in, a towering, musclebound hulk of a being.
A white fitted henley stretched over all that hard muscle of his wide chest, giving way to a pair of maroon leather pants that were tucked into a pair of heavy boots.
He rounded the car and swung his head my way, molten gold eyes fixing on me.
His long, black hair was windswept and wild.
I noted the gray tint to his skin that was adorned with black and crimson tattoos of scales. Dragon scales.
He was a dragon shifter.
Before I could get a word out, he spoke in a booming, resonating voice, “Figured it would take you another ten minutes at least to make it in here with the way you were driving.”
“You cut me off,” I ground out, striding over to him, my trench coat sweeping behind me with my forceful movements.
He lifted a shoulder, completely unapologetic. “You were driving like an ancient mageling, hella slow.”
“And you were driving like a reckless cunt.”
His eyes blazed. “You know what I am?”
“It’s clear as day,” I bit back.
He frowned, clearly surprised that I wasn’t reacting the way most did when in the presence of a being as dangerous as his kind. “And what are you?”
“Kai Hunter. Sorcerer.”
“You’ve gotta be extremely accomplished to have the balls to come at me.”
“That would be an understatement.”
He stepped closer, but then stopped and scented the air all around me.
“Mmm… I can taste it. All that power radiating off you.” The corner of his mouth turned up. “Impressive.”
Yeah, if there was one thing dragons respected, it was power and might.
“Maybe I’ll let go of the fact you called me a cunt, on account of me being a dick when I cut you off.”
“That would be in your best interests.”
He chuckled. “I love it.” He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Kai. I’m Vorzyr Titanus of House Titanus.”
Intrigue led the way, and I took his hand, and we shook firmly, heat radiating from his palm and burning into mine briefly, before he let go.
He played with one of the pendants hanging around his neck in amongst a whole lot of gold chains. Even his brown leather belt was studded with gold and silver gems, and his fingers were covered in thick rings.
The pendant in question was a dragon’s head encrusted with rubies. It was really something and judging by the way he was touching it, the item had sentimental value.
“You mind pointing me toward the A-Wing? Apparently, that’s where my dorm is waiting and ready for me.”
“I’m heading that way, too.”
“You’re located over there then?”
“All fourth years are.”
“Huh. Well, that’s me as well. Coming in as a fourth year.”
“That’s highly uncommon.”
He lifted his shoulder. “Yeah, well. Issues, right?”
“Ah, you were forced here.”
“That, I was. Maybe I’ll tell you about it some time. You know, if we continue hitting it off, now we’re past the whole reckless cunt of it all.”
That actually had me laughing.
He was quite the character.
Time would tell as to whether that would prove to be a positive or negative thing.
“Sounds promising.”
I gestured for him to follow me to the lot door that led into the main building, but we were both pulled up short from moving another muscle by a rumbling thunder, a moment before a tricked-out silver motorcycle rode into the lot.
The familiar golden waves belonging to its owner were what stole my attention more than anything else.
My pulse picked up and my fucking body reacted before I could even begin to get a handle on it, as I watched in an oddly mesmerized state as none other than Ariana rode over to the farthest corner and parked her bike.
She swung her leg over it, then headed around to her saddlebags.
There was no need for a helmet, because she was basically invulnerable, so a crash wouldn’t so much as even scratch her a little.
She was dressed in her familiar edgy way again, thankfully no elegant dress to speak of that really hadn’t suited her at all.
A pair of distressed jeans did amazing justice to her curvy hips and her shapely ass.
They gave way to a pair of chunky boots with buckles on the side.
A black tank with a sexy lace bust stretched across her full breasts, with her well-worn brown suede jacket over the top.
She slung two tan duffel bags over a single shoulder, then shoved a hand through her windswept waves with her free hand, before making her way across the lot.
She must have been in her own little world inside her pretty head, because she only just noticed that she had company, and she started when she lasered in on me.
She mouthed “ asshole” at me, gave me a nasty look, then meandered away from my path.
But before she could reach the door, Vorzyr was there, jogging up to her.
She pulled up short as he stepped in front of her and held out his hand.
“You’re the angel, yes? Ariana Martel?” he asked her, gazing at her in awe.
And with a whole lot of heat that had me clenching my fists down at my sides.
“The angel. Yeah, that’s me,” she responded with a worn out tone, clearly preparing for the worst, and to face some bullshit.
He picked up on it right away and shook his head. “No. It’s not a slight. I think it’s incredible. I’ve wanted to meet you for a really long time. And now… wow… here you are. And you’re… motherfucker, you’re gorgeous. And all that power radiating off you… there’s nothing else like it. I’m honored.”
“Uh… okay,” she murmured, not sure what to make of it.
Things got even more disconcerting when he actually bowed at the waist. “ Very nice to meet you, Ariana Martel.”
A giggle burst from her.
I jolted at the sweet, liberated sound.
I hadn’t heard that from her since we were kids.
What was happening?
How was he doing this?
And, more worryingly, why?
What was his game?
It had to be something to do with her power. Dragons were known power whores, and he’d already exhibited that several times over in the last few moments.
“You’re sweet,” she told him, as he beamed down at her, clearly enjoying her giggling, and happy response to him.
“ Sweet, huh? I’ll absolutely take it, gorgeous.”
Another giggle came from her.
What the—
“Hey, Kai, don’t worry about showing me to the A-Wing. I’ll go with this beauty here, all right?” He gazed at Ariana. “If that’s okay with you?”
“Sure. I’m headed there anyway.”
He gestured at her bags. “I would offer to take them from you, but you’re stronger than me. Than all of us. So that seems kind of stupid, and a little insulting to you.”
“I appreciate the chivalry of it,” she told him. And then she held out her hand to him. “Really nice meeting you…?”
“Vorzyr,” he said, shaking her hand, his eyes blazing as he touched her.
I noticed how hastily he released her then, as though he could barely control himself just from that slight touch. Again, another thing that didn’t bode well.
The way he’d charmed her and told her everything that she’d wanted to hear… it was almost predatory. Like he’d been drawing her in, all to pounce and then… and then I didn’t know what.
But I would find out.
I always did.
And he’d certainly be no exception.
He let her lead the way through the door, but not before she gave me another bitchy look, before disappearing into the building with him following all-too-eagerly at her back.
Grinding my teeth, I pulled out my phone and texted Nyx.
Kai: I have a puzzle I need your assistance with.
Nyx: Interesting. What kind of puzzle?
Kai: New student. Dragon shifter. Vorzyr.
Nyx: Never heard of him.
Kai: He’s from House Titanus.
Nyx: Damn, those fuckers are fierce. What do you need?
Kai: A little dreamwalking will be a good start. I’m headed up. We’ll talk.
I pocketed my phone, then grumbled to myself under my breath as I headed back to my car to grab my bags.
Well, this final year hadn’t exactly started off ideally.
No matter. I’d turn it around, like I did with everything.
I’d force things in my favor by sheer force of will if I had to.