“Our first lesson will be creating a light orb. If you would turn to page fifteen in your textbooks, you will see the sigil you need to draw out with your hand as well as the coinciding spell.”
I turned my attention to the text, opening to the correct page as the professor waited for everyone. Once she was satisfied we’d all followed her instructions, she carefully went over the steps laid out in the book, producing a brilliant yellow orb of light in her palm. After a few more demonstrations, we were instructed to try the spell on our own as she flitted around the room to help.
The sigil seemed simple enough as I moved my hand in the jagged lines displayed in the text. After a few failed attempts, I began to grow frustrated.
“Lux or,” I huffed, dragging my fingers through the air to the left, then upward to the right before flipping my hand palm up.
“May I?” Miles asked from beside me, his hand reaching as if to grab mine before pulling away.
“You can touch me, you know.” I chuckled. “I don’t bite.”
Miles flushed a bright red all the way to his ears. “It’s not that. I just don’t want to end up pounded into oblivion by your mate.”
“What?” I demanded, my jaw falling open in shock.
“Most male supes can scent other people, and they get pretty territorial about their mates. I don’t want to leave my scent on you and end up getting my ass kicked because of it. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, B, but I’m kind of wimpy compared to most of the guys here.”
A shocked laugh burst from my lips before I clapped a hand over my mouth. “I promise I won’t let Zypher hurt you,” I said when I finally dropped my hand. “Next time I see him, I’ll makesure to lay down some ground rules. I didn’t know about the whole scent thing, or I’d have told him to keep that alphahole shit to himself this morning.”
Miles chuckled and shook his head. “I’d love to witness that. Anyway, I can help you with this spell if you want. The problem is your fingers.”
“Show me,” I said, holding my hand out for him to manipulate.
Miles carefully folded my hand into a fist before straightening my index finger and forcing my thumb flush with the side of my hand. My eyes narrowed in concentration as I tried to memorize the way my hand felt as he sliced it through the air in the correct pattern, before forcing my remaining fingers open mid-turn.
“See, you’re just opening your hand a little too late. Now you try.”
I closed my eyes and took a breath before moving my hand the way Miles had. “Lux or,” I whispered.
“Look, B, you did it!” Miles cheered, causing my eyes to pop open to find a small glowing yellow orb floating just above my palm.
“Fuck yeah, I did!” I whooped, throwing my arm around his shoulders. “Thanks, Miles, you’re the best!”
The rest of the class went by in a blur of practicing the light orb spell. Miles helped make little adjustments to my hand motions until I had it down, having learned the spell in his coven already. By the time we were dismissed, I was able to consistently cast the orb without any issue.
My second class of the day, Introduction to Supernaturals, wasn’t nearly as interesting as I’d hoped. Professor Sabelus introduced himself as a vampire before instructing us to read the first chapter of our textbooks in silence while he napped at his desk. When he finally dismissed class, I was all but certain Shadrie had been right about the course being an easy pass for me. I hadn’t learned anything new from the first chapter after the books from the library I’d spent my first several days at theAcademy reading, and the professor hadn’t bothered to do any actual teaching. I was so desperate for coffee to perk me up after such a boring lesson that I didn’t notice Zypher outside of the classroom until I ran face-first into his rock-hard chest.
“I am pleased to see you too, Dilectus,” he chuckled, using one hand to steady me while handing me a steaming go-cup of coffee with the other.
“How did you know?” I asked, nodding toward the cup as I took it from him.
“Sabelus teaches a few upper-level courses. Even when he’s not sleeping at his desk, his method of instruction will bore anyone to tears.” Zypher smirked. “I noticed you heading into the classroom and knew you’d need a pick-me-up.”
“Thanks,” I replied, taking a sip of coffee and nearly moaning in delight. “This is amazing.”
“It pleases me greatly to hear that.” He grinned, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. “I wish for nothing more than your happiness, Dilectus.”
“Woah there, big guy,” I said, patting his chest. “Let’s get to know each other first, yeah?”
“I would love nothing more. Perhaps we can dine together again this evening?”
“I would, but I have a meeting with my head of house this evening.” I cringed. “Maybe tomorrow?”
“Certainly. I will see you then.” He smiled. “Unfortunately, I need to get to my next course, but I look forward to spending more time with you, Dilectus.”
I smiled and shook my head at the strange demon as he took my hand and kissed it before turning and leaving. Not really sure what to do with myself, I headed to the dining hall and grabbed a sandwich for my lunch before heading to the library. If Professor Sabelus wasn’t going to teach us anything, I was going to have to take it upon myself to learn about the world I found myself immersed in—starting with figuring out the whole demon mate thing.
Chapter Ten
