“Can you show me?” he asked.
Sighing, I held out my hand, calling the power to my fingertips. And of course, nothing happened. “I think Shade sucked out all my energy for today,” I muttered.
Zephyrus considered me for a long moment, then nodded. “Perhaps tomorrow, then. We’re late for the dining area anyway, and you need to eat.”
“Is it your job to feed me now?” I wondered out loud.
“No. I just want you to survive,” he replied. “Follow me if you feel the same way.”
Unable to fight that logic, I did what he asked.
Ate a disgusting humanlike dinner in silence.
And found my books waiting for me on my bed when I returned to my room. Beside them was a black rose and a note that read: Sweet dreams.
Chapter Sixteen
Aflora
Day two of my schedule centered around Warrior Class.
Because apparently Midnight Fae enjoyed fighting.
At least the wardrobe worked for me—stretchy black pants, a T-shirt, and my hair thrown up into a ponytail. I even had on tennis shoes. All the guys were similarly dressed, including Kols and Shade. Only the Malefic Bloods wore black T-shirts instead of white.
“You were right,” I said to Ella. “The different types are becoming easier to identify.” The Sangré Bloods were the easiest with their colorful heads, then the Malefic Bloods because of their penchant for obsidian. The Death Bloods I recognized because of class yesterday, and the Elite Bloods seemed to be gravitating toward Kolstov.
The Warrior Bloods weren’t in this class because it was defense basics and they would slaughter us all. Or that was how Ella explained it, anyway.
Regardless, I was ready for a physical course. I had a lot of pent-up annoyance to burn, thanks to Shade’s mental gymnastics last night. He’d taunted me with his tongue over and over, never letting me orgasm, and I woke up panting and hot and very frustrated.
His smirk now told me he knew it, too.
“I can’t tell if you want to fuck him or kill him,” Ella remarked, following my glower to the source of my anger.
“Kill,” I said. “Definitely kill.” I tugged on my collar, irritated by its presence. I’d give anything to be able to create a tree and use its branches to smash the willow stump’s head into the ground.
Of course, it’d probably be a burning thwomp.
Uh, yeah, I didn’t want to play with those again.
A hush fell over the students as Zephyrus appeared in a pair of loose pants and a sleeveless shirt. He didn’t acknowledge me or Kolstov, just picked up a thick wooden stick from the ground, gave it a twirl, and ignited both ends with green flames.
“You all know who I am. You all know why you’re here. Defensive magic is a key part of your continued education. But I’m not going to waste your time teaching you spells from a book you can read. Instead, we’re going to practice them. However, before I can assign you to groups, I need to assess your skills. So today will be about what you know and what you can handle.”
Ella and I shared a glance.
I was pretty sure what group I’d be assigned to.
“We’ll go for old-fashioned duels with winner and loser circuits. I’ve already assigned your first pairings.” He snapped his fingers, and names began scrolling through the air in emerald script crafted from fire.
“Ha. Well, our friendship was short-lived,” Ella remarked, pointing to our pairing. “You’d better bring more than flowers to this fight, earth chick. I’ve been practicing with Tray.” She wiggled fingers lined with dark red magic, her gaze taunting in a playful manner.
Her teasing warmed me slightly, making me relax just a bit.
Until the first fight began.
Vibrant sparks flew through the air as physical attacks were blocked with defensive spells.