11
Raven
My hand achedfrom all the notes I’d taken in Magical Theory. I felt like I had to write down everything since it was all new to me. While I didn’t ask to be here, I knew I should get as much out of it as I could. After all, I had magic inside me, and I needed to learn how to control it at the very least.
The bell rang and the students got up, leaving their books on the table. I didn’t want to leave my book. We’d started on chapter seven and I was way behind.
I gave the others a moment to shuffle toward the door, then I walked toward Professor Herd, my book in hand. “Excuse me, professor?”
“Yes, Raven, is it?”
I nodded. “Yes. Um, can I borrow the book to read what I’ve missed?”
“You’ve missed in every class. Are you going to catch up on all of it tonight?”
“No, that’s impossible,” I said.
He chuckled. “Technically, with magic, it’s not impossible. But I suppose you aren’t there yet, are you?”
I winced. How much was I supposed to tell him? Luka had warned me about sharing that I was so different. But surely he didn’t mean teachers? “I just found out I had magic yesterday so yeah, I’m not there yet.”
He cocked a brow. “Really? That’s very unusual. We occasionally get late starts but there’s always an excuse. Travel, illness, something in the family.”
“Nobody else has had this happen?” I asked.
“Most mages come into their power during puberty. It’s very unusual to see repressed magic. Or magic that doesn’t flare until later in life.” He tapped his index finger on his chin. “Did you have an encounter or something that triggered the magic?”
“A couple of guys tried to kill me if that’s what you’re asking about.”
“That would do it,” he said. “You need to be careful while you figure out what you’re capable of. Most mages who exhibit power later in life end up incarcerated.”
My heart thumped against my ribs. I’d already had that threat leveled against me. “Why?”
“It’s odd. You’d think the late bloomers would be less powerful, but that’s not usually the case. More often than not, they’re the dangerously powerful bunch.”
The room seemed to spin. That couldn’t be me. I’d used magic once, on accident. “I’m sure that’s not me.”
“Be careful, Raven. Mind your temper and pay attention to your studies. If you lose control here… Let’s just say, you won’t get a warning and you won’t be going to magic prison.”
* * *
Professor Hurd’s words swam through my mind as I stumbled toward the door. I was only two steps out when a large figure stood in front of me.
My chest tightened in panic, then I let out a breath of relief that I didn’t want to feel. I should be annoyed by Ben hulking outside the classroom waiting for me. Instead, I was flattered. Which pissed me the fuck off. I felt like my emotions betrayed me at every turn here. From the involuntary responses to Ben and Luka, to the hottest wet dream ever, to my heart pulsing like a schoolgirl with a crush as Ben looked at me, concern in his expression.
“You all right?” He asked.
“I’m fine. And like I told you earlier, I don’t need your help.”Liar.After everything I’d just heard, I needed help more than ever. But I wasn’t about to let Mr. Possessive know that. He went from zero to sixty when he saw someone being rude to me. How would he respond if he knew what Professor Hurd said?Wait.“Were you spying on me?”
His cheeks flushed. “No, of course not. I - I thought you might need help finding your next class.”
“Going to help me yourself this time instead of sending your minions?” I felt bad referring to Makayla as a minion, but I was pissed.
“You’re right. I should have helped you myself this morning. Then that asshole panda wouldn’t have bothered you.”
“Panda?” I asked.
“Bear shifter insult,” he said with a shrug.