Chapter 16
It feelslike I’ve been hit by a truck and run over. Repeatedly. Sleep was non-existent last night. Every time I closed my eyes, it was like I relived Professor Asshole dragging me through the academy and breaking my wrist. And then, to make matters worse, the entire time, him calling me his mate played like a bad record in the background.
Needless to say, I’m freaking exhausted and want nothing to do with my schedule today. Especially since my first class of the morning is Combat. My body twinges with phantom pains from yesterday at the thought, even though I’m fully healed.
Thanks to Olga, I now have a little more of a handle on my magic. Granted, I can’t do the big things, but being able to partially heal myself is one that I’m grateful to know. It’ll take real work to get myself to the point of fully healing injuries, but I’m confident that one day, I’ll be able to do it—along with the multitude of other things I should be able to.
After Olga popped me back to Stonewell yesterday, I spent hours sitting under the hot spray of the shower, just thinking about it all. Especially the mates part.
The entire concept of mates is an idea that I fell in love with while I was in the human sector. Knowing that, as supernaturals, they have one person who is created specifically for their soul. Their other half. Someone who will love them unconditionally. It didn’t even cross my mind after I came to at the lagoon that there may be someone like that for me.
But now that I know there is? The whole idea of mates and soul mates can kiss my ass.
How in the world did anyone think that someone who could abuse another person so easily would be my perfect match? I’m the most non-combative person I know. I avoid scenarios that could potentially cause hurt and strife in someone else’s life.
But him? It was almost like he thrived on it.
That just makes him a disgusting person, and me sick to my stomach that he’s supposed to be the other half of my soul.
Whoever is responsible must have been high off their ass the day they paired us together.
The alarm on my phone shrieks from next to me on the pillow. Where it’s been all night. For a good portion of my awake time, when I wasn’t thinking about all the bullshit, I was on it scrolling the internet. Newsflash. Nothing new to report. Just the same old shit.
A quick tap stops the annoying sound, and I reluctantly drag myself out of bed, stumbling all the way to the bathroom. After flushing, I toss my hair up, letting loose pieces fall around my face and brush my teeth. My gaze snags on the necklace firmly around my throat once again. When I got back last night, I found it sitting on my coffee table, along with my black bag and a note from Thaddeus, who dropped it back off. From the scribble of his words alone, I could tell he was pissed. But it’s not going to make a difference. What’s done is done. And as much as I hate saying it, I just need to move on and pretend it didn’t happen.
Famous last words, right?
My hands reach for the first clothes I find in my closet: leggings, a sports bra, and a loose T-shirt. Combat class is sure to involve a lot of, well, combat, so I should be dressed accordingly. Once dressed, I slip my feet into a pair of white trainers, totally dragging ass all the way to the kitchen, grumbling the whole way.
Coffee is about the only thing I’m even remotely looking forward to. And I swear I hear it whispering to me to skip classes today as I take the first sip. Sounds so good, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Steamy. But no. I freaking wish. It’s only my second day of classes. I can’t start skipping already.
Except for Transmutation. That class can go to hell. And I think I’ll add Spells and Potions to the list while I’m at it.
With a quick check of the time, I grab my bag from the coffee table and reluctantly head to Combat class.
Nope. This entire day can suck a dick like Professor Asshole.
All day long I’ve felt eyes on me. But I could never pinpoint where they were coming from. Every time I looked around, everyone else was busy doing other things. Not paying an iota of attention to me. Not that I want it. But the principle of the matter is that someone was watching me.
Fuck. The last thing I need is a damn stalker. If I could wish upon a star right now, I’d ask the universe to give me a freaking break. Too many things are being piled on my lap at once. Supernatural. Last of my kind. Real parents dead. Abusive soulmate. I guess adding a stalker to the list isn’t so far-fetched to the other shit that’s happened.
My steps quicken as I traverse the halls of the academy, heading to the one place I’ve yet to check out. The library. I know during self-study, I could easily go back to my dorm like the rest of the students, but for some reason, something in my gut is guiding me there. Telling me that’s where I need to be.
And I’d be stupid not to trust my gut.
The double doors to the expansive library come into view, and as soon as I step inside, it almost feels like everything is right in the world again. Even if I know that’s not possible.
It’s eerily quiet behind the doors, not another student to be found. Dark mahogany walls make up the expanse of the space, the walls lined with bookshelves, overflowing with different texts and tomes on any subject you can think of.
More shelves line themselves in rows behind a few full-length tables, each surrounded by eight chairs. A small light is perched on the table before each one, offering a bit of ambiance to the room. A few windows shed some natural sunlight into the space, while a few well-placed sconces help with the rest of the visibility.
Off to the right is a massive desk with a cart next to it. But the cart is empty. So whoever the librarian is must be doing their job and keeping the place nice and tidy.
My fingers graze over titles as I walk slowly up and down each row, hoping to find something to immerse myself in. I have no general idea in mind of what I’m looking for, but I’ll know it when I see it. Maybe, just maybe, there is a book about my kind. Doubtful, since they don’t exist anymore, but it’s a library, so there’s a small chance.
“Bailey?” a deep, masculine voice calls from behind me, one that sounds suspiciously familiar. Not one that I’ve heard a lot, but a tenor that spoke to me recently.
Spinning around like I’ve been caught doing something naughty, I tuck my grabby fingers behind my back, offering up a blinding smile to whoever called my name.
And to my surprise, I do know him.
“Hey…” I trail off. “I’m sorry,” I mutter sheepishly, “I never got your name, but I think Axel said it was… Luke. No. No. That’s not right.” I shake my head. Then it clicks. I snap my fingers and point finger guns at the massive man before me. “Luka. Right?”
He guffaws as my cheeks heat, my fingers still raised in the air between us, poised like little guns in my hands. Ugh. Can this situation be any more embarrassing? On second thought, don’t freaking answer that.
“Yeah, I’m Luka. It’s nice to meet you officially, Bailey. I’m sorry for the circumstances in which we met last week.” I grimace, knowing he’s right. First, I was bitch because of what he is, and then my life shattered, and I ran away. “You seem to be adjusting okay, though.” His heated dark blue eyes caress every inch of my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.
Shit. Put your hands down, Bailey. They slowly lower on their own accord as I shift from foot to foot, my belly swooping from his attention.
“Yep. Yeah.” For fucks sake, get it together. I clear my throat. “Yeah, I’m doing okay. Everyone has been pretty nice.” Expect Professor Asshole, but I don’t say that out loud. Luka doesn’t need to listen to me bitch about what the jerk has done since I got here. And he sure as hell doesn’t need to know about yesterday. He’s practically a damn stranger and wouldn’t care. “So, what are you doing here? I thought you handled the Awakenings.”
“Nah,” he says with a smile that lights up his whole face. “I did that as a favor for Axel. Particularly for you. Only so many people know, so it was better if it was me and not one of the regular attendees who would have turned you into the council.” A dark glint flashes over his eyes, sucking the blue from his orbs, but it’s there and gone in an instant, making me question if I saw it at all.
“Oh. Does that mean you’re a student here?” What I’m really asking is if this is a one off thing or will I be seeing more of the sexy man before me. But I don’t dare say those words out loud. I’ve already embarrassed myself enough today, and that would be the cherry on top of my mortification sundae.
“Nah, goddess. I’m not a student here.” Goddess? Why does that nickname make butterflies riot in my chest? “I’ve actually taken a temporary position here as the librarian. The actual librarian is out on maternity leave. So, on that note.” He shoots me a sly smirk as he starts backing down the aisle. “Is there something you’re looking for?” Would it be bad if I said you? Yep. Probably. “A book on your kind, perhaps?”
Wait.
“Are there any?” I call out, damn near chasing him down the aisle.
“No,” he snickers, knowing he piqued my interest, only to shoot me down. “But…” he trails off, wiggling his eyebrows.
“But what?” I damn near stomp my foot at his teasing. Doesn’t he know I’m desperate to know something about my kind? Probably not. I doubt he’s ever been in my position. Then again, I know nothing about the man, so he very well could have been at one point in his life.
“But it’s going to cost you.” Bastard. Even as I think that, though, I can’t stop a smile from tilting my lips.
“How much?” I huff, rolling my eyes.
“First,” he points directly at me as he stops near the main desk, “don’t do that again. Next time, I’ll turn your ass red.” Heat crawls up my chest and into my cheeks as that same heat pools low in my belly. I don’t know why I like the sound of that so much.
Deep breaths, Bailey.
“Second?” I rasp when I finally get my hormones under control. Or not. Hopefully, he couldn’t hear the neediness in my tone.
“Second, you tell me why you’re skipping class.” He leans back against the desk, his face stern as his arms cross against his barrel chest. His eyes beg me to roll mine again so he can enact the first part, but I refrain. Barely.
“I’m not. It’s my self-study period.” A deep sound that sounds suspiciously like a laugh follows my words.
“You’re probably the only person using self-study to actually study.”
“I mean, technically, I haven’t studied a thing since I’ve been here because the librarian interrupted me,” I tease, wiggling my brows right back at him.
Good lord. I’m…flirting. With the librarian. With the supernatural who was there for my awakening. Whose arms I awoke in after my magical block broke.
And after kissing Axel last night.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
But I have to remember that Axel and I aren’t together. Hell, I’ve never dated a supernatural. Period. Up until my awakening, I wanted nothing to do with them. And now, here I am, flirting with one after kissing another.
Can my life get any weirder?
“Oh. My humblest apologies, goddess. I didn’t mean to get in the way of your hard studying.” A giggle slips out as he bows deep at the waist. “But…” he trails off again as he stands to his full height. His long pause has me tempted to roll my eyes to see if he follows through on his threat. But he continues before I can decide if it’s worth it or not. “All information you’re looking for has been long since removed.”
My smile drops, and he grimaces as I deflate from the shitty news.
“I understand. It was a long shot anyway.” I shrug my shoulders, trying to mask my emotions from his news. But I know I wasn’t quick enough to hide them when he steps forward, quickly pulling me into his arms. My breath whooshes out of me as I slam into his chest, my head barely reaching his taut pecs.
“Don’t worry, goddess. I’ll find you whatever I can and drop them off to you.” His lips brush the crown of my head with every word, electric sparks firing everywhere we touch. Slowly, I melt into his strong arms, wrapping mine around his waist. It takes everything in me not to rub my face across his shirt, hoping to brand myself into his very essence. As it is, a deep sigh leaves me when I inhale his fresh rainstorm scent. Something that I don’t think I’ve ever smelled before except the few times a year it rained in the human sector.
Luka pulls back and gingerly takes my hand in his large one, a shock zapping me at the touch, and leads me over to a small area behind the desk, sporting a small leather couch with a table off to the side of it. He takes my bag from my arm and places it there before sitting on the couch and patting the spot beside him.
This whole scenario is starting to feel like something I’d watch in a movie, where the shy, weird girl gets coaxed to the couch with the hot guy, and after they do things together, he spreads to everyone that she’s a cheap whore. I should use caution, but that little part of me that told me I needed to come to the library is there once again, pushing me to get closer to this man.
There’s no clue what all of this means, but as I take the proffered spot next to him, I figure there’s nothing wrong with following my gut once more. The worst that can happen is I punch him in the balls for getting handsy without asking. But who am I kidding? The man looks like a god, and I’d gladly worship at his temple. Preferably on my knees.
Gah. Mind out of the gutter. Yeesh.I’m starting to think they got it wrong. Maybe I’m actually a succubus. A virgin succubus. Who’da thought.
“So, Bailey. Is there anything you want to know?”
Why yes, yes there is.
“What are you?” I blurt, slapping my hand over my mouth. Fuck. It’s like bad form to ask that. And the fact that I blurted it out the way I did means it’s something I’m desperate to know, even though I hadn’t thought to ask before.
He reaches across the space between us, pulling my hand from my face. “I’m a demigod, goddess. It’s okay to ask. No sense in being embarrassed. Especially when I can pass so easily for human.”
Well, I guess that answers why he looks like a god. He freaking is one. Or half of one.
“My turn,” Luka murmurs, a somber expression crossing his features. “What happened after the awakening? When your parents got home.”
My stomach turns sour as I think about how upset I was with them when they finally arrived home, mere minutes before Axel showed up. Tears gather in the corner of my eyes, but I desperately blink them away, not wanting to cry in front of this man. Again.
“Hey, it’s okay. Forget I asked, goddess.” This time he closes the distance between us and pulls me from the cushion and right onto his lap, softly rocking our bodies back and forth. This reminds me so much of when I was in Axel’s arms on Friday and again yesterday. Something about these supernatural men makes me lower my guard. I’ll have to be careful that they don’t run off with my heart before I’m ready to give it away.
Even worse though, I’ll have to choose one of them. But I’m getting way ahead of myself. Neither one of them has pledged their undying love to me. So it’s all just hopeful thoughts that I could call one of them mine. Even though the thought of saying goodbye to either one of them sends a jolt of pain straight through my heart.
Wow. At some point did I fall and hit my head? I’ve been a supernatural for only a couple days, and here I am already expecting to date one. Maybe it’s because of the whole mate thing yesterday. Or the fact that I know a human won’t want to date me. But dating shouldn’t be a concern for me. Period. I need to worry about getting a good grasp on my magic and what I’ll do with my life once I’m finished with Stonewell. Then, and only then, should I worry about who I’m dating.
The bell rings, catching me completely off guard. I jump out of his arms, putting as much distance between us as possible as I scurry away from the couch.
“That’s the bell. I should get going,” I mutter, swinging my bag onto my back and shifting awkwardly before him.
It’s crazy to think that an hour and a half has already passed, and none of that was spent studying. All because of the man before me, sporting a sheepish grin.
“Well, you know where to find me if you need me.” His megawatt smile makes me gooey, and if I’m not careful, I’ll offer myself up to him on a silver platter.
“I do. I’ll see you later, Luka.”
“Bye, goddess.”
Luka stays planted on the couch as I head toward the main doors, slipping between them and heading back toward my dorm room. It’s then that I feel eyes on me once again, something that was absent in Luka’s presence.
Instead of looking around for where it’s coming from, I beat feet as fast as I can to get the hell away from it.
Because it’s definitely not any kind of attention that I want.