“Yes, but there’s one name I’m focused on. The other sixty-two…” Flashes creep back into my mind of the men who took my innocence and laughed. “It’s not important.” He remains quiet, but my peripheral finds him staring, scanning for something.
“I’ll grant this favor under one condition. On top of you divulging about Rosie, I’m permitted two questions of my own.”What the hell does he want to know from me?Thinking it over, I know it doesn’t matter. I’m in no position to refuse. Not now.
“Okay. It’s a fair exchange of information. What do you want to know?” I ask, praying he doesn’t ask about my breakdown.
“Another time, we should return. There’s another fight brewing, and I need to prepare.” Ethan gazes up, spanning his vision across the sky and taking in its beautiful tones.
I’m not surprised he’s headed to fight someone else. Insane, remember.
“Seeing you have your own sigil, it’s best you take yours. Whichis another topic for discussion on how you obtained one.” He adds, “Also, never speak of what happened here. Though your abilities are impressive, they’re equally dangerous. Understood?”
Ethan acknowledges my magic, but after witnessing what he can do, those promised threats hold a little more weight. His durability, speed, and recovery will be questioned, but not now.
“I never planned on revealing tonight’s disaster to anyone. But it’s good we’re on the same page.” Giving a smile, I wait to see how he will respond.Nothing.“I can keep secrets, despite you thinking my magic is impressive.” My small smile broadens into a full-fledged, buy one get one free type of deal, and he chuckles.
Shock lifts my eyebrows, and I’m left in awe. He actually chuckled. Holy shit.
“You’ll never hear me say this again, but I see why the old God of Creation chose you.” OMGacknowledgement.He is praising me, and for whatever reason, it feels damn good to hear. “Once we get back, only a few hours will have passed. And before you waste time asking about how, do your research.” He gives me a side-eye, acting like he’s figured me out.
Out of nowhere, my spirits lift, feeling my aura full and thriving with energy, and we both summon our sigils in tandem. “Don’t forget, Kyra. Your life’s mine for the taking,” Ethan reminds me as the gold of his magic shrouds him.
I throw up a middle finger, catching a faint smile before he vanishes. Filling small gaps in my broken heart, I realize tonight we did more than destroy a temple, regardless of if he ever admits it.
With a red flash, my workout gear is no more. Rebirth’s uniform occupies the space, and I run a hand through my hair, prepping a redo of the halo braid.
“That asshole!” I notice smooth skin under the touch of my fingers. A good chunk of hair, gone. I’m reminded of his motives and the truth he speaks.
Before panic manifests, I once again test the limits of my creationand lay a palm flat against the patch of missing hair. Magic tingles as it flows over my head, regrowing red strands that match the length of my curls.
Revenge will be mine, and I plan to collect in full.
Chapter 28
I see and hear red
CASPIAN
She’s back.A sweet, red wave of wine stimulates my thoughts, slithering past the many barriers in place for such invasions. Something happened after my encounter with one of House Death’s leaders, and for a few hours, Kyra went dark.
Irretrievable and untethered from this reality.
Realizing they fought, to what extent remains a mystery, I’d planned on killing Ethan and sending his soul to meet Hades. More-so had she not returned. And if Alex intended on intervening, we would have been down both Death Leaders, and I would not have batted an eye.
Either way, Kyra is back, nonetheless.
Now she is meeting Yasmine over missing her class with intentions of stopping by mine. I duck my head back beneath the water, drowning out everyone else’s voices. Despite the drum of my energy raging from Ethan taking her, it gave me time to self-reflect on how Rebirth almost lost its Assistant Dean.
Thinking about it boils my cells, and magic crackles at my fingertips, convulsing the water with ripples of waves.Drown out the noise.A few minutes under this chilling liquid does what it can inmuffling the noise, but I resurface, taking a breath and plunging once more.
I’ve kicked everyone in House Earth out of our pool, and no students contested me. Good. Rarely do I discipline their actions, but today has me fuming with an insatiable urge. My inner beast desires a fight.
A few more minutes elapse, and I’m back up for air. It beats the purpose of forming an air pocket underwater, and I need this element’s thickness as a blocker.
“Damn, Cas is in the pool. I’m trying hard not to walk in there and suck his cock under water. A trick I’ve learned that males like. Gods that man is fine. More than fine, he’s…”And I plunge. Everything becomes a whisper. One minute–two–three–I breach on minute four, emerging with havoc, pushing against my shield.
“I’m dreading seeing Caspian. Please don’t let him be pissed at me. It wasn’t my intention to witness him and Rebecca.”I hear Kyra think. She will be on her way to my lecture room soon.
I step out of the pool. Flicking a wrist, I remove thick droplets of water from my skin and hair. Another reason for vacating everyone, I swim in the nude.
