Alex steps forward, reaching for my hands with slow movements. “Take a seat, please.” He grabs hold of me as a few tears fall.
“Is she okay? I need to know that much.”
“Angie’s tough, and you’ll see her tomorrow. You have my word,” he reassures.
“I’m holding you to it. If she’s not–”
“I’ll ensure it personally. Before your lecture starts, she’ll be standing there. Now please.” He gestures a hand towards the sofa, and I follow, dispersing my sigil and feeling a burst of energy return.
He follows, sitting beside me with clasped hands over his knees. Alex’s appearance is more rugged than his normal attire. His aura pushes against mine in sporadic patterns as though his mind is everywhere, all at once. Thanks to Yasmine and Blaise, I’m understanding the sensation of other fays auras.
“Hey, you were telling me about what happened.”
“Right. My apologies.” His throat clears, and I’m trying hard not to indulge myself in his bourbon and mint fragrance. Shaking a leg, I force out these inappropriate fantasies. “As I stated, Angie was hurt, but I’ll never lie to you. We were close to losing her–Ethan and I.” Alex huffs, taking a moment for reflection. “We were on a mission, and things went south. Fast. But the details aren’t important. As per the reason I’m here, from today until I deem fit, you and I will train after classes,” he says, turning and gauging my reaction. “Starting today.”
Well shit. This is a lot to take in. Here I thought things couldn’t get any worse.
“Use your words, Kyra. What are you thinking?”
“Umm.” Thinking he can’t be serious, I rebut, “You’re insane, showing up with news about Angie, your missions, and now this little cherry on top. Training with you after my classes every day. What the hell is wrong with everyone here? That’s what I’m wondering.” Standing, I try to focus on something else.
I shake out my hands, not knowing what to do with them. Or me.
“Understandable. I won’t force you against your will, but at least hear my reasoning behind it,” he says, moving alongside me. “What we witnessed is far worse than imaginable. Horrors of fays’ souls being plucked from their bodies, transforming into something…dark. We all should be strengthening our magic.”
Alex turns, peering beyond my balcony. “Earlier today, I stumbled across an ancient scroll dealing with a similar magic to yours. From what we know, there’s a single fay who wielded creation magic. They were also the first to ascend into Godhood. With this, perhaps it’ll shine light on what you can do. Agree to train with me, and let’s see if you can surpass even the original God of Creation. A magic unknown to our world for thousands of years.” He smirks, and his throat vibrates a deep sonance, as if he agrees with his own idea.
“Shit.” Excitement blazes along my veins, and without question, I realize, hell yes, I’m doing this. But I can’t show my eagerness. “On two conditions,” I say, holding in this spark of passion.
“Name them, and it’s done.”
“Angie better be here before I wake up, and I’d like to see the scroll you found.” I dare him to make this promise.
Flicking his wrist, a small, black sigil hovers above his hand, then vanishes, leaving an old scroll. He places it on one of my sofa cushions and asks, “Are you ready?” He is keeping his word without any push back, and honestly, it makes me feel a bit warm on the inside.
“Yes.”
“By the way, soon, we’ll have a conversation about your sigil. Until then, we can use mine.” He grins, holding out a leathery gloved hand, and I accept, finding myself swooning, giggling like a schoolgirl, which prompts an embarrassing burn over my cheeks. I’m thankful we’re not using my sigil. No telling where the hell we’d end up.
Alex conjures a larger sigil beneath us, and I think back on the many failed attempts of mine. “How’d you get control over it? Can you show me?”
“Kyra, I’ll show you everything and more.” His velvet voice is low, sending a chill down my spine as he smiles. He is intoxicating, exuberating confidence.
Heat builds between my thighs, and without a doubt, I know this fay has done something no one else has done in years. Turned me on.I’m in trouble. Big trouble.
We vanish and spawn inside the now empty training room from earlier. I stretch my hoodie’s collar, allowing air to cool my skin when Alex takes a few steps away, saying four words I don’t expect to hear.
“Take off your clothes.”
Chapter 24
Between a Rock and Hard Muscle
KYRA
I’ve faceddeath more times than I have fingers and toes. Teetered on the precipice of fear and faith. Trespassed into a realm of belief and wrestled insanity. But dare I say, nothing has rendered me more speechless than what I’m witnessing now.
The embodiment of desire.Stimulating…Irresistible…Nirvanic.
