“Swap?” Lycus asked, and Tobias growled at him.
“Why, what class has Darius got this morning?” I asked while taking some clothes Kalen had managed to retrieve for me. Tugging the shirt off over my head, I tossed it on the bed before pulling the tank top on over my sports bra, only to find them all staring at me. Lycus cleared his throat as I pulled the shorts on.
“Um, what were we talking about?” Lycus asked, and I huffed.
“What class are you taking over from Darius?” I asked, shaking my head.
Chapter 61
“Apractice one,” Lycus answered.
“Then definitely not going to leave a theory class, only to have my ass set on fire for a few hours,” I told him.
Tobias smiled triumphantly, like he’d just won some prize, and Lycus groaned, stalking off into the closet to get changed. Darius wandered in after him, and I got ready to head down to the mess hall when Darius came out throwing me a shoebox. I caught it, and my eyes lit up.Finally, shoes again. I pulled the joggers out, only for him to hand me some socks.
“You go to Lycus’s class this morning,” Darius said.
“But—” Tobias whined, and I snatched the socks off him.
“Shut it,” Darius snapped at Tobias. I slipped the shoes on before standing up and moving toward the door, pissed off I would spend the next two hours getting burned.
“Where are you going?” Darius asked as I moved past him.
“Breakfast, where else?”
“You will eat with us from now on.”
“And join your morning fuck-fest? No thanks,” I told him.
“No one is fucking. I have to leave for a couple of hours. You eat with us from now on. All meals are with us. I don’t want youin the mess hall,” Darius said, pulling a jacket on before pecking Lycus’s lips as he walked out of the closet dressed in blue faded jeans and a blacktop. Then he left.
After breakfast, I sulked the entire way down to the training fields. Glaring at Lycus’s back, everyone murmured and watched me cautiously as I followed him, not willing to leave his side. Tears burned my eyes at the memory of all these men seeing me nearly wholly naked.
Lycus moved to the center and told everyone to partner up. Nobody stepped forward to partner up with me, and I thought for sure I would sit this one out.
“Aleera, you’re with…” Lycus’s eyes scanned around before he called Gerald over. “Gerald, with Aleera!”
I pressed my lips in a line, and he looked over at me before looking at Lycus. This fucker refused to let me serve myself. He was always on kitchen duty.
“But—” Gerald whined.
“You’re with Aleera,” Lycus told him, and he dropped his head and stormed over.
Everyone moved into their circles, the ones we weren’t supposed to step out of, or it was instant point deduction. Too many point deductions, and it was a fail. I was obviously failing miserably in all practice classes.
“This is bullshit, Lycus. We hurt her, Darius will fucking kill us. I can’t spar with her,” Gerald said, motioning to me.
“You can, and you will. No repercussions. Fry her,” Lycus said, and I took a step back as Gerald’s eyes sparkled at me. My back hit a wall of muscle, and I glanced over my shoulder to see Lycus. He ran his hands down my arms, and I felt his magic zapping against my skin.
“You’re a pyro,” I murmured, feeling my skin warm.
“And electro,” he murmured before I felt the urge to pull on it. I had to stamp down the desire to take it. I had tasted his power before but wasn’t sure what he could do with it.
“Take it,” Lycus whispered below my ear before pressing his face into my neck. His hands moved to my wrist before his fingers locked between mine.
“But Darius?” I worried.
“I wouldn’t be able to give it to you without him saying so,” Lycus murmured against my shoulder.