You didn’t want to mess with my crazy.
Theodore graced me with a harsh look, probably because I didn’t open my mouth and shout some ridiculous “Understood” to show that I was one of his sheep, too. My mouth had better uses, like kissing and suckling—
Not here and not now, Marigold, I warned myself.
Axel didn’t loosen his fingers from mine, despite Zak’s frown and Paxton’s glare. Instead, he brought my hand to his mouth and brushed his lips over my palm, caressing a slow-burning desire inside me.
I managed to put on a blank mask, despite that my toes curled, and Theodore pretended that he didn’t see us.
“Our powers are different than those of other magic users, such as witches, mages, druids, fae, and many other kinds,” Theodore continued. “Other magic users draw their magic from this planet. They harvest and manipulate the earth’s energy and elements. Your power doesn’t come from Earth but from the Olympian gods. Your power is in your blood, a heritage the gods graced you with. The ritual of the Blood Runes confirmed your birthright and enhanced your power. Now it’s up to you to become as strong as you can be and make the power your second skin.”
He clasped his hands. “Team leaders, take your groups with you. I’ll supervise overall. And today, the Demigods of Sky, War, and Sea have honored us with their presence. They’ll observe your progress.”
The students straightened their backs, looking proud, all wanting to impress the demigods.
Demetra and her clique constantly shot flirty gazes at Zak and Paxton. Mostly they fixated on Paxton, knowing well that he was my enemy.
All the students, except me, followed the team leader from their own house and spaced out.
Yelena fell into a line behind a tall third-year student, who played with two columns of water, twisting them in the air as if the streams were solid. I didn’t know whom his performance was for, but a few students from Poseidon’s house looked impressed.
Nat trailed after a brunette girl whose hands suddenly turned to blades, which was really cool. I hoped I could get a pair of hands like that.
Demetra went with a pretty blonde who had vines around her neck and arms like hissing snakes. She made me think of the legend of Medusa.
It seemed everyone had a house to go to, except me.
“Cookie, stop pouting as if you don’t belong,” Axel said.
“But I don’t belong, Axel,” I said in a small voice.
“You belong with me,” he said. “We don’t come here to train the others. We’re here only for you. You’re our task.”
“I don’t want to be your task.” I extracted my hand and planted both hands on my hips. “Nothing good will ever come out of it.”
He grinned while veering me away from the others.
“Your arm is heavy.” I looked at his muscled arm draping over my shoulder.
“Good, that means that your spunk is back,” he said. “You’ll need it, Cookie.”
Zak headed directly toward us. “Don’t lead Marigold too far away from the other students. She’ll need to observe and see which house she feels an affinity to.”
Don’t let me be in the sea god’s house.I silently prayed.I’ll even amend my past sins, though I don’t know what they are, but I’ll figure it out.
I could feel Paxton’s eyes trailing after me, as if he could hear my prayer.
Then I relaxed, thinking of the fire I possessed. No way could I belong to his house. He was water and storm, and I was fire. They were opposite forces. They were enemies to each other, just like Paxton and I.
That must be the fundamental reason we couldn’t stand each other.
None of the Olympian house’s specialty was fire.
Apollo had sun power. I heard that he could use solar blasts to destroy his foes, but solar blasts and fire, though they both contained intense heat, were different elements.
The elemental’s warningnot to show anyone the Living Flame in you,rang in my head, along with its next words:They haven’t recognized the true nature of your flames, but they will when you tame the two opposite forces within you and merge them.
I swallowed. Somehow the warning echoed true deep within me, even though I had no idea what the elemental was talking about.