In the week and a half between finals and graduation, I fall into a steady routine. I spend my days with the omegas, driving up there with Ian after leisurely coffees and breakfasts. I finally get to ride in his sleek, low-slung black coupe—a more ostentatious car than I would have guessed for him. And no doubt pricier. Saints, he must have been making good money as a professor.
Driving with him is also a revelation. Normally so controlled, he drives like it sets him free, taking the roads around Deer Island with a speed that should make me queasy with worry. Instead, all I feel is perfectly safe.
It’s also a nice break from driving everywhere with Marcus, something I desperately needed.
“Plans for the day?” I ask Ian, taking his hand between our seats.
“Third order sigils, if you can believe it,” he says wryly.
“Saints, already?”
“Already,” he confirms. “With as intensive instruction as I’ve been giving them and their determination, I’m notsurprised, but I’m still amazed. They’re learning to cast quickly and well, too. If I was their professor, most would be getting top marks.”
I smile to myself. “You’ve done such an amazing job teaching them, Ian. They’re lucky to have you.”
“And I’m lucky to have you,” he says, raising my hand to his lips and kissing the back of it before returning his attention to the road as he takes a curve well above the marked speed limit.
As soon asI’ve left Ian to his students, Cora approaches me hesitantly. “Can you work on my magic with me today?”
“Absolutely,” I say with a grin. “I hope you’ve been studying.”
“Studying but not practicing. I’ve been afraid to practice alone after that first night,” she admits. “My magic was too… explosive.”
“You could practice with some of the other omegas,” I suggest. “I’m sure they’d be happy to work with you.”
“I don’t want to hurt them. All my magic has ever done is hurt people,” she says, her voice low and sullen.
“Oh, Cora,” I say, wishing I could take her hand or set a hand on her shoulder, but knowing better. Even if she didn’t zap me, I’m sure the touch wouldn’t be welcome.
“I’m afraid of it,” she says softly. “My magic, that is. I always have been, ever since I got it early. It’s always been harmful, not helpful. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to use magic like you do. What if I keep hurting people?”
“You can control it,” I promise her. “I know you can. Let’s go get started, shall we?”
We head to the room where Ian’s safety chamber stillstands. Cora eyes it with apprehension, but steps inside gingerly once I give her a nod.
“Were you ever assessed to see your magic levels?”
She shakes her head. “I was already on the street by then. I didn’t see the point and couldn’t afford it, anyway. Why?”
I worry my lower lip between my teeth. “My theory is that you have a lot of raw power, like me. It can be hard to control. This time, focus on drawing up the thinnest thread of your magic possible. Barely a speck.”
She eyes me doubtfully, but nods, and then centers herself, drawing in a deep breath. Magic flares from the tip of her scribe, less explosive than in our previous practice session.
“Again,” I encourage.
She tries again, and again, until she finally lights just the tip of her scribe.
I beam at her. “Perfect. Keep practicing doing just that. You can always come into this room and work alone. You’ll be safe in the safety chamber. As will anyone else in the room if you decide to work with the others.”
“Still not sure about that but thank you for helping me.”
“We’ll start casting real spells next time, so keep studying. Use your flashcards.”
She rolls her eyes at that, and I can’t help but grin.
Though my days are full,I feel a freedom I haven’t since Yule break, when all that mattered was my pack. I remember those days fondly, days spent reading on the couch, curled up in my nest with my pack, drinking coffee and sampling candies with Simon. And if not for the shadow of Baphomet’s Prince and his army of Soldiers hanging over us,our lives could always be like that. Easy. Loving. But that shadow does loom, so I try to make the most of the time as I can.
I finally get to find out where my visions with Luca were taking me when he shows up in my nest with my motorcycle helmet under one arm. I let out a squeal of delight and launch myself into his arms, laughing, needing this adventure with my mate more than anything.
