I flew into his arms as tears of joy streamed down my face. “I can’t believe you let me think you were leaving me.”
The other four stepped toward me, and Vac lay down in front of the door to guarantee our privacy.
“We can’t believe you thought we would.” Tanwyn stepped to my back and rested his chin on my shoulder.
Ashe ran his fingers up my leg while Beryl rubbed my lower back.
The professor cupped my cheek. “Now, I think we have a lot we need to make up for.”
My breath hitched. I squeezed my thighs together. “You certainly do.”
Three years later
I ran my fingers over the smooth wood grains in Director Flemmings’ desk, hopefully for the last time. A cheap black gown draped across my shoulders, hiding the chair I sat in. A gold tassel swayed where it hung from a matching cap on my left. Although I couldn’t see them, my guys stood behind me.
“My favorite moment,” Tanwyn said excitedly. “Was definitely when Vac ate all the wild magic Magnus Terra released from the glacier.”
Saffron groaned. “Stop. I’m so tired of hearing about your summons.”
“Because we can’t hear enough about your Golem, between you and the news,” Tanwyn snapped back testily.
Beryl chuckled. “I don’t know. Do you remember when Dot obliterated the shield and then the six of us all stripped—”
Ashe’s growl rumbled through the room louder than Vac’s. “Fucking shut up.”
I couldn’t see him, but I would bet money. Keith shook, holding back his laughter.
Director Flemmings looked up from the paperwork on her desk. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Heat blazed on my cheeks.
The director and I spent the last three years dancing around each other. Although technically, I was just a student. My magic flowed through five of the most powerful mages here. When I felt it was needed, I stepped in.
No one could stopped me.
We both knew if I wanted to leave, I would have.
But I hadn’t.
Every waking moment I spent studying and learning. I passed the new version of the Aptitudes with flying colors, demonstrated control, and an understanding of the complexities of morality. Now, for the first time in my life, I would be free.
The guys quieted as the Director sat back and folded her hands on her desk. “I’m sure we could find a job for you. You’ve done so much for our Academy, not to mention you’re taking away five of my best staff.”
Beryl snorted, and I bit my lower lip. That might be true about Ashe and Keith, but the others had been a pain in her side.
Beryl abused his title as manager as often as he could. Saffron’s controversial experimentation had gotten international attention, especially with his completely functional Golem still partially fused with crystal dragon scales. Tanwyn repeatedly summoned his demons to do his job for him, with mixed results.
All of us were ready to go. As much as the Academy was our home, we’d outgrown it. I wanted to see the world.
I looked up, my heart fluttering as fear and excitement raced through me. “No, I don’t want a job here.”
The Director nodded as if she expected the response. “Then you’re headed to Colorado. Boulder was it?”
I bobbed my head. We talked about this a lot. I didn’t want to go to a big city. Ashe wanted to be near his son. Saffron needed to be near a major portal and an airport. Keith wanted to teach at a University. Tanwyn needed privacy to work with his demons on whatever project he’d come up with, and Beryl had no idea what he wanted.
A medium-sized university town at the base of the Rocky Mountains was a perfect compromise.
“Ashe has already been accepted into Boulder’s Technology Task Force.” I smiled. “And Keith has an interview at Colorado University next week.”
The Director leaned forward. “What will you be doing?”
I stood and cocked my head to the side. “I don’t know yet. I’m at least part raw magic.” I looked down at the long black gloves covering my crystal skin. “I want to find my origins and maybe find a way to help girls like me.” I stepped around the chair and into my guys. “Whatever I do, it will be because I want to.” I wiggled my hips. “And with the men I love.”
Ashe let out a satisfied growl. “Fuck yes, Kitten.”
My guys whooped. Keith pulled my cap off my head and tossed it into the air. It was time for my real life to begin.
