“I’ve had a little training with my dad,” I said. “But certainly not enough to keep me from getting my ass kicked.”
We were past the bulk of the buildings now, heading down toward the icy-looking lake. A group was already milling around thewater’s edge, so we just stood near the back and waited for class to start. Half the students were still dressed in theiruniforms, and the other half in sweats like us.
The professor for this class didn’t arrive on the path. Instead, he popped up in the middle of the massive lake and zoomedhis way across to us. “Welcome, I’m Professor Mordock,” he said, marching onto the shoreline. He had an open, friendly face,and I was reminded of Jensen telling me how great he was.
He pushed a hand through his slicked-back, shoulder-length brown hair. He wore only a pair of navy board shorts—nothing else—andthere was no sign he was cold. “I’m so happy to see you all down here by the lake.” His smile grew. “And I know it’s freezing,but I promise that I can keep you comfortable in the water.” The crowd spread out, so we weren’t so bunched around him. “Formany of you who don’t have a strong affinity to water, it’s still important to find the smaller connections. That’s why everyfirst-year takes classes that deal in all the elements, despite many of you not calling it as a primary affinity.”
The well-rounded nature of our education here was a part of college life I loved—except when forced into a lake in themiddle of winter. This class was much better suited to the summer months.
“Any questions?” he asked.
There was a beat of silence, and then a tall Black girl raised her hand. “Are there any creatures in this lake?”
Okay, excellent question. Thank you.
Professor Mordock’s smile never wavered. “Absolutely.”
No one laughed, because it was nearly impossible to tell if he was joking or not. I started to back away, until Belle caughtmy arm and rolled her eyes at me. “Wimp,” she whispered.
The professor was the one to break the silence. “Okay, okay,” he said with a chuckle. “There’s absolutely nothing dangerousin the lake. This is my second home, and I can keep you safe. Now, get into your suits and hit the water.”
Belle and I moved to the side, and I shivered harshly when my nice warm sweatshirt was sitting on my towel on the ground.The wind was brutal for all of five seconds, then a warm breeze washed over us. Professor Mordock had been joined by ProfessorDamone, and she stepped in to give the class a break from the arctic air.
“Told you I had your back,” Professor Mordock called out. “Now hurry up, the water is lonely without us.”
Belle’s face was wreathed in excitement, while I wondered if I could just drop this class completely. “I’m so freaking excitedfor this,” she said, and I could feel her energy surging. It boosted my own witchy powers. They roiled in my chest, settlingagain soon after.
This was the first time I’d stepped outside since arriving. The power was stronger here by the lake. Traces of energy traversedmy spine with force. With them came the slightest sense of unease, no doubt about entering this lake in winter.
Students were already strolling in, including Marcus and his friend Troy, who dove into that torture chamber like it was aheated swimming pool. With the professor’s help, maybe it was. “Come on, witch,” Belle called, all but running to dive in.
“Slow and steady,” I muttered back, warm water swishing around my ankles. It wasn’t bath temperature or anything, but it waspleasant, especially with the air still heated around us.
The deeper I got, the cooler the water grew, and I figured that not even Professor Mordock could heat the whole lake. Still,it wasn’t freezing, and I decided just to dunk under a couple of times, before sitting my ass in those shallows.
“Feel the water surrounding you,” Professor Mordock called. “Let it cover your skin and fill your energy. Try to touch theindividual elements of the hydrogen and oxygen particles, so you can control the way they move around you. Once you learnhow to draw those elements from the water, you will be able to breathe below. You can also use it to propel you through thewater.”
A skill he’d demonstrated quite successfully earlier. Almost everyone was submerged now, swimming around and moving fartherfrom the shore and into deeper water. I continued to step slowly until the water lapped at my waist, and I tried to ignorethat unnerving race of energy down my spine.
But it felt stronger.
Stronger and uncomfortable.
Was I reacting to the water?Could this be an indication of an element to call? I’d felt very little in class, but this was a much more immersive testinggrounds, and my energy was absolutely reacting to the power here.
Bolstered by a very slight possibility of finding my affinity, I shelved all my fears and dove into the lake, enjoying thecaress of water against my skin. When I surfaced, I turned to find the professor, but instead caught sight of a familiar figurestanding up on the hill near the buildings.
There was no mistaking who it was: Logan Kingston. Hewas huge, and even though I couldn’t feel his energy from this distance, my chest constricted the same way it had in our previous encounters.
What the Hel was he doing here though? He wasn’t in this class, that was for sure, so was he... stalking me?
Was Stalkcaster the one responsible for the shiver down my spine, and dread in my chest? It felt narcissistic of me to assumehis presence had anything to do with me, and with that in mind I decided to ignore him. Should be easy enough.
Provided my head remained under the water.
Better learn that breathing technique,stat, because I was going to need it.
Chapter 12
