Chapter Seventeen
I go through the routine of breakfast the next day in a fog. I told the guys all about it when we first woke up and they just let me be so that I could work through it. We all agreed to keep Cole close though, which is no hardship since we all like him.
The dream plays on repeat as I go through my morning routine.
I am so happy that Cole is getting his Bonded.
I’ve been toying with telling him but it doesn’t quite sit right with me so I quickly shut that line of thinking down.
I think the best course of action is to keep him close and get to know him.
It’s obvious from the tattoo that him and his Bonded are some of the few that I’ll be able to trust.
I also sent Erin a message this morning before I dragged my lazy ass out of bed, telling her about it.
“Time to go Titch.” Maverick says bringing me out of my thoughts with a gentle kiss.
I smile and grab my bag. We’ve all taken on the advice from Domonic yesterday and we’ve made sure to bring a spare change of clothes for after combat class this afternoon.
Erin meets us in the hallway and we say goodbye to our guys before making our way to class, we all woke up too late to get to breakfast and although I’m going to be starving by lunch.
I needed my sleep more, using so much magic to fight that thing yesterday took a hell of a lot out of me and I’m sure the others too.
Before we leave, I take an extra moment just to check on Jax, he seems to be completely revived this morning but then again he spent all night in the bath tub. I have a feeling that’s helped immensely in reviving him and is something that we need to be aware of for the future.
“So we’re inviting Cole into the fold then?” Erin asks quietly as we weave our way through the throngs of students all rushing to their morning classes.
“Yeah I think that’s probably the best plan of action. He’s obviously going to be involved in the long run. Him and his Bonded.” I say quietly as we enter the room and take a seat behind Cole.
I’m hoping to get a chance to talk to Nicole when class is over to see if she can give us any information. Even if it’s just to tell us what the crap that creature last night was and how it was in the school in the first place.
“Hello class, Nicole was unable to be here today so here I am.” An instructor I’ve never seen before chuckles as he walks to the front of the room, “I suggest you practice feeling for your magic and maybe using it to do small spells. Not to worry I am on hand to help if anything does go awry but I will also know if you do so on purpose. Us fae can always tell when someone is lying, at least that’s my gift.
” He smirks and I make a mental note to ask Maverick if he has something similar, that would be handy.
I look around at the other Centres in the room to gauge their reaction.
Other than me, Erin and Cole there’s only three others including Rebecca although she seems to be missing which is odd.
Especially considering the dire circumstances that occur if we are late.
Cole turns around in his seat and smiles at us, clearly a lot more relaxed now.
“Do you guys want to practice together?” He asks, slight insecurities showing in his eyes.
“Sure.” I reply and Erin smiles.
“I loved how you dealt with Rebecca and her Bonded in the dining hall.” He grins and I smirk.
“Yeah that was pretty fucking awesome. I’d had enough by that point and so had my Bonded.” I shrug.
Without thinking I spark up my fingers and start playing with the flame moving it between my fingers absentmindedly. I realise what I’m doing when Cole’s eyes widen slightly as he watches me but he doesn’t look surprised and more than that he almost seems relieved.
Because of that reaction I don’t stop, instead making sure I’m angled so the rest of the class can’t really see what I’m doing.
Following my lead Erin starts to play with her water.
Her gift coming to her as easy as mine does to me.
She starts making a large bubble of water and then splitting it off into smaller bubbles with streams flowing from each one.
She almost looks bored as she does it but the excitement and joy in her eyes can’t be hidden.
I watch Cole curiously for his reaction.
I know my vision showed him as one of my most trusted supporters but Nyx also warned me to be careful who I trust. I have a good feeling about Cole though so I hope I’m being cautious for no reason.
I see resolve harden in his eyes as if he’s come to some sort of decision.
I sit up a bit straighter as I watch when with as little effort as me and Erin he produces several small whirlwinds setting them on the desk and controlling them enough that they spin in place.
He moves his fingers in lazy gestures as he makes them spin and dance, sometimes joining or separating into smaller ones.
He snuffs out all but one leaving it spinning and cautiously looking up at me and Erin his eyes instantly fill with relief when he sees our giant grins.
“That’s pretty fucking awesome.” I comment.
“Me and Sage are practicing our gifts after school in Sage’s room if you’d like to come too?” Erin asks and I quickly nod in agreement.
I think he’s holding back just like we are and I’m happy to do what we did just now and just show him the rest of our gifts.
At least I’m assuming Erin’s got more gifts.
She’s going to need them if the future that Nyx alluded to is really going to happen, and I don’t doubt the goddess.
Besides our men aren’t exactly harmless so if the practically impossible happens and he proves untrustworthy, I’m fairly sure that between us all we can convince him to stay quiet.
I sincerely hope that it doesn’t come to that though.
“Yeah, I’d like that!” He grins.
“Watch it!” I hiss and quickly extinguishing my flames.
The others quickly copy, Erin making her bubbles disappear and Cole vanishing his last whirlwind.
“How’re you three getting on then?” The substitute instructor asks, smiling warmly.
“Good thank you, Sir.” I reply smiling, making sure that I don’t lie.
Bending the truth I can do and I am fairly certain that I can talk to him without giving away the strength of our gifts or telling a lie that’s going to make him suspicious.
“Good, good.” He says before winking at us and moving on.
All three of us watch him as he goes to the other Centres and not only does he speak to them more professionally with a hard edge to his tone but he also makes them show him how far they have gotten with summoning their gifts.
“Do you think he saw us?” Cole asks, frowning and watching the instructor with suspicion.
“I don’t know. Someone else we have to keep a fucking eye on!” I sigh heavily, the list is getting longer.
Cole looks at me in interest but the bell ringing signalling the end of class stops him from saying whatever he was planning to.
“See you guys at lunch?” He asks and we both nod as he rushes out of the class and down the hall.
“Doesn’t he have combat with us next?” Erin asks as we follow him out.
“Yeah I thought he did.” I say. “Honestly though I think we have enough questions and mysteries to deal with. I’m quite happy to leave him to it.” I chuckle and Erin grins.
“Damn straight. I hope the guys can solve at least a couple of them with their research tonight. Otherwise the list is just going to keep growing.” She replies.
I’m pleased that combat class is actually combat class today. My emotions need an outlet after the past few days. Speaking of emotions I really should try and get a hold of my parents and ask why they didn’t warn me that they told everyone I was adopted.
I’m obviously still feeling slightly tender about that subject though because I forget to hold back and send my opponent flying. She stares up at me in shock.
“Shit, I am so sorry.” I grimace holding my hand out to her, she eyes me warily but takes my hand and I pull her up.
“No worries. Quite a punch you’ve got.” She chuckles flashing tiny fangs and I grin.
The rest of the lesson is fairly uneventful but I am starting get a slightly suspicious and uncomfortable feeling in my gut when I realise that Rebecca and her Bonded aren’t in this lesson either.
I know she was a giant bitch but I’d never wish harm on her or her Bonded and I’m starting to get a nagging feeling that somethings happened.
The rest of the day goes quickly although at lunch there is still a ring of empty tables around us and wary looks keep being thrown our way.
Cole doesn’t seem put off though and all the guys seem to get on with him.
He fits in like we’ve been friends for years.
Sort of like it was with Erin and her guys when I first met them in the warehouse after Brent kidnapped me.
A shiver runs through me as images from that sterile room try to flash across my mind but I viciously push them back. We make plans to meet Cole at our room at about seven-ish since we have those oddly requested riding lessons after dinner.
Which brings us to here, we learnt some interesting things about laws in the demon realm and were given a giant book all about it in our realms lesson.
We also learnt that we aren’t referred to as police but enforcers which I actually thought was a more fitting title for us.
Thankfully dinner was an uneventful affair.
The stable block is seemingly deserted save for the steady breathing and munching coming from the horses.
We got a few odd looks from the other students as all of us were walking out here but no one stopped us or followed us so I’m counting that as a win.
Compared to yesterday today has been a breeze.
I could quite honestly kick myself for thinking that because it’s almost like I’ve jinxed it.
“Hello!” Levi calls out.
“Hi, Kids. I’m Rupert.”
I study his white blonde hair and fine features, he looks familiar.