26. Chapter 26
L ennox sat up front with books stacked up beside her in preparation for the lesson as she glanced around while students found their seats. The hum of the other students as they chatted among themselves filled the room. The Elder of Predator and Prey studies, Bloodfang stood at the front of the class beside Elder Andromeda Anderson who laughed about something he had whispered over to her. Watching as the barely over five-foot demon leaned toward him before she moved to the board at the front of the room. She started to write a large list of various types of magics and their subcategories. Lennox was so focused on the board as she wrote the list of elemental magics she almost missed Aron walk in at the last second.
She turned her attention to her supplies as if she hadn’t noticed him yet. For the first time this year, she felt embarrassment wash over her from the other morning. She let her hair fall forward to obscure the heat creeping to her face and used it to look like her hunt for a pen was more important. Through the pink strands, she saw his shoes as he passed and threw himself into the desk behind her own with a thud. Lennox sat back up and the wood complained behind her as Aron got comfortable. Deep down she knew she should have kept to herself, but she couldn’t resist as she turned in her seat.
“Look at you on time for once.”“I’d never miss one of Fang’s classes,” Aron leaned toward her for a second.
“Yet this is the one you dared me to miss?” She questioned.
His smile grew into a smirk as his gaze circled the room. “I said I wouldn’t miss it, you on the other hand it just happened to land that way. Where’s Wyatt?”
“I was about to ask if you’ve seen him. Maybe he’s visiting Eden since she’s sick?”
“Sounds like him, love sick golden retriever. He really has it bad for her.” Aron chuckled.
“Alright everyone, please turn your attention here.” Bloodfang’s deep voice echoed around the room.
Instantly the discussions around the room stopped. Lennox turned forward in her chair once more to face the two Elders as he turned to the list on the whiteboard Elder Anderson had just about finished with.
“Today we will be working on how dual combat can be applied by using your partner's strongest abilities to increase your own powers. In most cases, it is possible to defeat a target stronger than us when you have the option to combine your abilities with someone else. I have asked Elder Anderson here to help give a demonstration and then we will all practice in pairs.”
He motioned to Andromeda who joined him beside a small table by his desk where a single black feather rested. As if on cue, she raised her hand and a soft breeze filled the room which pulled the feather into the air slowly. Lennox watched as it spun in circles and rose a few inches, mesmerized by the magic for a moment. Bloodfang then raised his hand, a light gray smoke colored the small vortex of air and a small spark sprang to life. The air ignited the feather and quickly engulfed it in flames until it was nothing but ash.
The two Elders turned to the class as some politely clapped while others seemed to look for the best pick for a partner. Elder Bloodfang gestured his hand to them to prompt their turn. The sounds of more creaking desks as students got up to find the best match to practice with. Lennox looked around in hopes to see Rosalyn in class today. Her fire always works with mine. Quickly, she discovered Octavius had already made his way over to her and asked to partner. Lennox peered around the room and searched for someone else who she knew had fire. It wasn’t until the sound of an annoyed Aron from behind caught her attention since everyone had already paired. Shit, he’s the only other one.
“If only Wyatt was here.” He sighed dramatically as Rosalyn sat on the top of one of the desks.
“Lightning and fire don’t really strengthen each other.” She pointed out.
“Not at first but they work pretty good together in a real fight.” Aron adjusted the red bandanna.
“The assignment isn’t to burn down the school.” Ceila chimed in from behind Octavius.
“Fine, fine. I’ll just find someone else. Lenny-boo should do the trick, earth and fire.” He turned his attention around the room after shooting a glare at the wolf.
He adjusted his jacket collar and made his way to her. A smile formed and eyes filled with determination and the hint of something she couldn’t read. Something remained off about him as he stood beside her and his gaze stayed fixed on the front board where Andy and Bloodfang stood. He won’t even look at me… Maybe the other morning was too awkward. For a few moments she tried to resolve the wave of anxiety that crashed into her. No, he hasn’t even made fun of me about the night. Something else is going on.
“Are you ready to show them how it’s done?” He finally spoke as the room filled with a low hum of chatter.
“Only if you use my name for once.”
“Begin!” Elder Anderson’s voice called to the room.
Lennox turned back toward the stack of books and quickly moved them to the seat. With only a glance to see if he was ready she started after he gave her a nod. She pulled at the inner thread of magic and pulled enough to allow a small trickle. Easily the magic obeyed as her sigils lit around her arms and lifted her hands in front of her. She quickly grew a multitude of vines that covered the top of the desk entirely. Slowly, they twisted their way up from a thick base about a foot tall, the top of the base draped over the sides which mimicked a willow tree.
It came to a halt as she held the magic and knew this should be enough to fuel a small fire. Lennox prepared to help control the flames if necessary and kept her right hand up as she glanced over at Aron. He had taken off his jean jacket while she prepared their display. Now with his forearms visible, she could see the same orange glow that traced his veins under his skin as the other night. As her eyes moved from his arms to his face as she noticed he watched her closer than usual. The look from earlier returned, worry coupled with something she couldn’t recognize hidden under his usual demeanor. Is he afraid I’m going to break?
Before she could ask him anything, he turned to the small tree she had created. He held up his left hand, his usual forest green eyes glowed orange as he lightly touched one of the branches. Flames ignited into existence around his hand just above his skin and trailed their way onto the plant life before it traveled into the base. The flames grew much taller than expected and almost touched the ceiling.
Lennox grimaced as she had forgotten to cut off the right amount of magic to disconnect herself from the tree. Fire burned the thread as she held it and forced her to attempt to sever the flow. As she watched the fire travel and burn the vines her heart sank as she realized she couldn’t let go. Every inch of her body started to heat almost unbearably. She couldn’t pull her gaze away from the burning willow, and in her mind’s eye, she was reminded of the time in Hell. Armaros had done the same to her wings. Her heart raced and every muscle tightened within her as she froze in her spot. A dull ring filled her ears as the demon’s black and green ringed eyes took over her memories.
She couldn’t move, her lungs rattled as she drew air in. You’re not there. She tried to convince herself but the ringing was louder and blocked out the noise around her. Her magic pulled back on the thread as it started to drain her. Instinctively, she could feel the vines grow taller and reach for her though they were on fire, they aimed to protect and stop her from the dangers of overexertion. The heat in front of her grew so hot she could feel it on her cheeks.
“Clocks ticking… Those will reach your already scarred back before you know it… unless you tell me some stories.” Armaros’s voice echoed over the ringing.
“Len, enough demonstration.” Aron’s voice echoed and joined with Armaros’s.
She shook her head and attempted to pull herself out of the memory and cut off the magic. The thread fell from her grasp and she lost control as the vines snaked toward her. Lennox suddenly yelled out as the fire inside her chest fought to come out and the vines from her back threatened to appear as Amraros’s voice echoed again.
“Come back to me.” The combination voices called to her.
Through all this her body had remained utterly motionless. Suddenly, a set of hands took her by the shoulders which caused her attention to finally shift away from the fire. The magic stopped and she came face-to-face with Aron. Her eyes met his except this time they were pitch black from his own magic as the smell of a quenched fire filled her nose. Worry was clearly written across his face as they looked at each other silently. She blinked at him and her eyebrows joined in confusion as his hands held her in place.
Elder Bloodfang had already extinguished the flames and the heat had died down. Elder Anderson was over with a group of people with their attention on another demonstration. However, Wyatt and Rosalyn all peered over at them with various reactions between fear and concern. Lennox swallowed the hard lump that had formed in her throat and returned her eyes to Aron who hadn't let her go yet, his eyes on her expressions.
“Are you back?”
“I- think so,” she confirmed and moved to step away from him but swayed only to be held up by the demon. Will I ever stop embarrassing myself in front of him?
“Take a second, are you feeling dizzy?” Bloodfang asked as quietly as his deep voice could allow.
“I’m fine, just a fluke. It’s no big deal.”
“Lennox-” Aron moved his head to catch her eyes again.
“I’m fine Aron, let me go.”
At her words, his hands dropped to his sides immediately and he took a step back. With enough space to breathe, Lennox forced air into her lungs until she noticed her hands were shaking. She returned her gaze to his and saw his glued to her trembling hands, his thoughts miles away it seemed. She took the opportunity to grab her bag before he could speak. With a quick turn to the Elders she opened her lips prepared to ask to leave early from class, but the Elders nodded before she could. Andy watched her with worry and moved to take a step out of the room.
Without a word she made her way to the front of the room and toward the door. Behind her, Lennox could hear Aron begin to argue with Rosalyn. Unable to catch the words between the two, she moved through the doorway and out into the hall.
“I told you I’m fine,” Lennox called to whoever had followed her.
“You can’t lie to me, I was there remember? It’s been years, but I know what happens when he comes to mind.” Rosalyn accentuated the reference to Armaros.
She turned to face her best friend as the memories threatened to force her magic through the thread. “It was just like that first day.”
“I know.” Rosalyn nodded and approached her carefully. “We are safe, he can’t hurt us here.”
“How are you handling all of this? Between Felix, Rue, and Octvaius? How are we ever supposed to feel safe? Now I can’t stop having nightmares about Armaros when I can fall asleep.”
“We are stronger than we were as fresh demons. We’ve studied and practiced for decades now. I’m not afraid of him anymore.” A dark expression took over her face. “If I ever see him again, he would get everything coming to him… eighty years worth.”
After class, Andy had searched for Lennox in the halls until she found her with Rosalyn in the students lounge. The Elder had offered to have a chat in her office down the hall, however she had turned it down much too tired to analyze every memory that had forced its way forward. Instead, Andy asked her to visit Elder Eloise Miller’s room to deliver some papers and a security schedule. The two students made their way down the hall while they chatted about the next party Omega would host closer to the holidays. Lennox and Rosalyn turned left and came to a stop beside the door to the classroom with the Elder’s name on the plaque.
“I’ll be right back.” Lennox said as she turned and walked through the doorway.
The room was as plain as the woman who taught within it. The walls were mostly bare except for posters the school had put up. The desks sat in short rows and the most exciting thing about it was the large collection of books under the long window. Eloise sat at her desk, her hair tied up in a messy bun and glasses that had slid half way down her nose. Eight books sat open across her desk and another dozen sat split into two piles on either corner of her desk.
“Elder Miller?” Lennox cleared her throat as the usually vigilant woman hadn’t taken notice of her.
Eloise jumped and her eyes shot up. “Yes, Miss. Cade?”
“I’m here to give you papers from Andy.” She stepped forward and went to place the papers down just as the woman took it from her before it could touch the books.
“Thank you, Miss. Cade.”
Eloise shoved the papers into her bag and her attention quickly went back to the book she had been wrapped up in. Lennox frowned slightly as she scanned the spines of the books in the corner piles. Most were about herbs, hexes, curses, and poisons. I’ve never seen her so untidy.
“Is there something else I can do for you, Miss. Cade?”
“I- Well.” She paused and tried to find a way to ask her question without being misunderstood. “Are you okay, Elder Miller?”
“Fine-” Her tone was harsh with an edge.
Lennox paused and remembered she was Eden’s mom and she hadn’t seen her housemate around in almost a week. “How’s Eden?”
The woman’s full attention was back on Lennox and her eyesbrow shot up. “She’s still resting. I assume you received my email about her absence from Omega Alpha.”
“I did.”
“Then you’ll know when she’s ready to come back.”
“I hope she gets well soon… If you need anything, I’d be happy to help.” Lennox offered.
“I don’t need help from you.” Eloise snapped and returned to her book.
“I-I’m sorry.” She stepped back and turned away to walk out the door.
Just before she left she heard the Elder speak one last time and it didn’t seem intended to be heard. “Only a mother can understand.”