“Only because you’ve handicapped me,” I seethed. “Take off my bindings and let’s see what happens.”
His resulting smile oozed condescension. “As entertaining as it would be to put you in your place, I have other plans tonight that are far more important than indulging a little Earth Fae.” His palm landed on my ass this time, pushing me forward.
I elbowed him in the ribs. “Do not touch me there. In fact, do not touch me at all.”
He smirked and produced his wand. “Fine.” With a flick of his wrist, he created a strand of magic that wound around my waist. He gave it a little tug and I jolted forward.
“Oh, come on!” I snapped. “I can walk on my own without all the theatrics.”
“I know, but this is more fun.” Another yank had me nearly falling on my face, but his magic righted me before I could fully trip.
A growl caught in my throat. “Stop.”
He chuckled. “Make me. Oh, right…”
I ground my teeth so hard my jaw popped.
As soon as this rope disintegrated, I would introduce my fist to his arrogant jaw.
We walked the rest of the way in silence, my fury boiling hotter with every step. At least there wasn’t anyone around to witness this humiliation. I nearly asked why the Academy was empty but decided against speaking again. He didn’t deserve my words, my questions, or my compliance.
Instead, I studied the campus around me, searching for escape points.
There had to be a portal somewhere, because the gargoyle-guarded entrance was out of the question.
Of course, I had no way of knowing if my codes would whisk me home or to another part of this realm or to nowhere at all.
Trial and error, I decided. I just needed an exit.
“These are the Elite Blood quarters,” Kolstov announced, his amusement seeming to have faded into a serious tone. He escorted me up the marble stairs to a set of grand doors. “To enter, you need to know the right spell. It also requires a wand.” He glanced at me. “I’ll ask Zeph to get you set up with one this week before classes begin.”
Zeph? And they intended to give me a wand? Does that mean they expect me to learn dark magic? The questions all lined up behind my lips, but my teeth held them at bay.
This monster had already proven to be unhelpful. Why bother opening up to him now?
He arched a brow. “Silent treatment?”
“I’m cooperating,” I bit back at him.
His lips twitched. “Indeed you are.” With a muttered word, the magical lasso around my waist disappeared, and I launched myself at him. My palm connected with his cheek while my opposite hand formed a fist that he caught deftly before spinning me around and trapping me in his arms.
“I’m adding warrior training to your curriculum,” he said, his lips at my ear. “Your form is atrocious.”
“Sprinkle dust!” I shouted at him, squirming against his too-hard body.
“Sprinkle dust?” he repeated, his humor palpable. “Who taught you how to curse? A dessert pixie?”
Gah! “Release me.”
“No.” He held me captive with one arm and pulled out his wand with his free hand. “Listen and learn, as I won’t be repeating myself.” Hypnotic words fell from his lips, the language foreign to me. “Al’damu almalakia.”
The tip of his charcoal-colored wand created an infinity pattern, causing the doors to creak and open beneath his command.
He kissed my temple, his arm releasing me. “After you, gorgeous.”
I practically sprinted through the threshold, just to escape him, but my face burned from where his mouth had brushed my skin. As though he’d branded me with his power via that simple act alone.
He fixed his cloak and hid his magical tool once more, then snapped his fingers.