I had precisely zero experience with Bellatis, but the suppositions I’d heard had been riveting. Certainly, the man radiated a cold, menacing energy that put my every instinct on full alert. They screamed that this was someone to be wary of—more so than anyone else I’d run into at this academy.
So naturally, I wanted to know more about him. My curiosity was a useful trait—but it also had the tendency to land me in trouble.
Anna gave no sign that she detected the energy focused on her. She had a set look to her jaw that indicated she treated this run very seriously, but she ignored the lust-filled stares. If she sensed their intent, she was fending it off more successfully than me.
Matt wouldn’t sense the energy. But his nose would tell him that the focus of these Dires wasn’t on running. He repeatedly cast glances back to them, and his beast shone through in his eyes.
I told myself it didn’t matter. The Bellati would not permit things to explode. If any single one of these Dires stepped out of line, I had little doubt Sebastian could handle them. But a niggling iota of doubt remained, because there were a lot of Dires here. And only one instructor.
Well, one Bellati and an addled Dragon to back him up. Although, based on the demonstration yesterday, Matt could certainly contribute in a fight.
I needed to sharding well get a grip. This woman had me flying in circles. And despite a firm resolution mere moments ago to run alone, I found myself, once more, just a few strides away from her. Like my wretched feet had a mind all their own.
Just as everyone had settled into their rhythm, things went from bad to worse. The surrounding energy ratcheted up and altered to a drivingneed.
Lust.
It sent shivers rippling over my skin, threatening the integrity of my scale clothing. And I found myself moving right up to one side of Anna, with Matt on the other.
So much for keeping my distance.
I glanced back to the rabble that followed. Their beasts broke through in their focused gazes.
My shoulders twitched, my wings desperate to break free and bring my Dragon with them. It wanted to spin and tear into those that stalked her. To teach them that she did not belong to them.
She doesn’t belong to you, either,I reminded myself. I didn’t have any more right to be here, right beside her, than any of the Dires panting behind us.
Anna ran beside me, her body moving as though it was no stranger to such exercise, her strides smooth and fluid, her ponytail of golden hair swinging back and forth. It felt dangerouslyrightto be running beside her. And oddly, I didn’t even mind Matt being so close. It meant she was protected from that direction, too.
I was in serious trouble here, whether I wanted to admit it or not. Her scent swirled around me as we ran. Every inhalation was another chain snapping onto my soul.
And yet, if they were chains—what was this elation? Why did I feel the same high running on this gravel path as I did when I soared through the clouds?
I wanted to know more about this woman. Her revelation about her past, or lack of it, shocked me to the core. And it was followed by a fierce longing—if only I could forget my own past. Wipe the slate clean and start over...
To be reborn. I admired her resolve to focus ahead and not dwell on the past. It was good advice for me to follow, if only I could.
Our strides moved in a synchronized rhythm that soothed my soul. But the energy following us poked at me like a giant invisible erection.
And it was threatening much more than just my calm state of mind.
24
Anna
Talakai, Matt, and I split to move up between Team Firelizard. One member almost bumped into me. When a second actually did from the other side, I shot him a look.
The intensity of his stare put a hitch in my stride. It glowed gold with his beast.
“Run with us,” he panted, “pretty lady.”
I was quite sure I’d never met this Direshifter. Before I could reply, a tall form shoved between him and me. Matt snarled at him, his eyes glowing emerald. The other Dire snarled back, but he moved away.
“I’m…good,” I protested. But I increased my pace, worried about what Matt might do.
Matt came with me. And on my other side, Talakai closed in, the Dires parting for him without contest. They tried hard to keep up with us, but they didn’t stand a chance. We pulled away, and one growled in frustration.
“Too much time on four legs,” Talakai breathed.
