“What do you think detention entails?” Shadrie asked. The tone of her voice told me that my answer had no chance of being correct.
“I mean… I’d assume you’re stuck in a classroom with anyone else who has detention, and you just have to sit there until they release you. That’s how it is back home, but they don’t have detention past high school.”
“Oh, you sweet, ignorant thing. No.” Shadrie laughed, causing me to scowl at her. “A guy in my potions class has detention all week. You know what they’ve been having him do? He said they alternate between planting for the potions master and cutting crystals for advanced spellcasting, which is not nearly as easy as it sounds. My sister even told me about a student who had to use his abilities to repair one of the old stables. I can only imagine what sort of twisted punishment Thrackborne would concoct.”
“That sounds intense. How do they get away with that?” I demanded. “There have to be laws against using students as laborers.”
“It’s not like the human realm,” Shadrie shrugged. “The Academy can do whatever they like so long as it hones a skill.”
“That’s really messed up.”
“Welcome to the supernatural realm, B.” She grinned. “We should probably head to breakfast before that mate of yours comes looking for you, though. After the way he acted at dinner, I’d bet my life Zypher is impatiently waiting for us outside.”
Shaking my head at how absurd it was that the Academy could abuse its power the way Shadrie described, I snagged my messenger bag and followed her from our dorm. I caught sight of Zypher waiting just outside of Magus House for us, two paper cups in his hands. Some part of me was soothed by his presence, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to examine that feeling any closer yet.
“Good morning, Dilectus.” He smiled, handing me one of the cups.
“Good morning,” I replied, taking a sip from the cup he’d handed me and nearly groaning in satisfaction as delicious coffee filled my mouth. “God, this is good. Thank you. And thank you for the potion, too.”
“You are very welcome for the coffee, Dilectus. I noticed it was your preferred morning beverage yesterday. However, I didn’t send you any potion.”
“Well, somebody did. B had a restoration potion sent to her this morning,” Shadrie chimed in, linking her arm through mine and turning me so that I was between her and Zypher.
“Maybe it was from the infirmary. I did have to go there yesterday after Rumlock paired me with a fucking bear for class,” I said.
“He did what?!” Zypher demanded, pulling me free of Shadrie and positioning me in front of him so his eyes could scan over my entire body.
“I’m fine, big guy.” I smiled, patting his chest. “I got swiped on the shoulder, but the infirmary fixed me right up. And I’m not even sore thanks to the potion I got this morning.”
Zypher’s chest rumbled under my palm as he let out a low growl. “Unacceptable. You should haveneverbeen injured. I will speak to Rumlock.”
“You really don’t need to,” I replied.
Zypher looked down at me, his gaze softening. “I do, Dilectus. I told you that I would prove myself worthy the night we met. I cannot do so if I knowingly allow you to be injured again.”
“Just go with it, B,” Shadrie spoke, grinning at me.
“Fine,” I said with a sigh. “But nothing crazy, okay?”
“On my honor,” Zypher grinned. “Now, let’s get you fed, shall we?”
We chatted about our class schedules for the day as we made our way to the dining hall. Zypher was a third-year student at the Academy, and his commentary about some of the professors was enlightening. By the time we entered thedining hall, I’d learned that Professor Vatorgan, who taught astrology, was an elemental mage who’d once served at court. With the strange abilities I’d been manifesting in my sleep, I was looking forward to my first class of the day despite my personal thoughts on astrology being a sham.
“Sit, Dilectus. I will retrieve your breakfast.” Zypher smiled as we stopped at what was becoming our usual table.
I opened my mouth to argue with him just as a body slammed into mine, knocking me off balance. Faster than I could blink, Zypher steadied me and grabbed the person who’d run into me, slamming them into the table. My mouth fell open in shock as I recognized Gabriel being pressed into the wood by the back of his neck so hard it bowed slightly. His honey-brown eyes locked on my face, and his lips twisted into an angry scowl.
“You dare touch my Dilectus?” Zypher snarled, squeezing Gabriel’s neck slightly.
“I see the dud has found a powerful ally,” Gabriel hissed. “What did you promise the demon to keep you safe?”
Zypher growled, lifting Gabriel by the neck and slamming him into the wooden table again. I shifted uncomfortably on my feet as the attention of everyone in the dining hall turned our way.
“Zypher,” I said softly. “I’m sure it was an accident. Just let him go, and let’s get our breakfast.”
Gabriel let out a derisive snort and rolled his eyes. I reached out my hand and ran it down Zypher’s arm, drawing his gaze away from the rude vampire. Unsure how to proceed, I glanced over my shoulder at Shadrie, who just shrugged.
“His accident”—Zypher started, saying the word like it left a foul taste in his mouth—“could have caused you to become hurt.”
