The lesson continues, quickly turning into a Q&A session where Aesir questions students’ motives in their attack methods and points out flaws in their execution. Then he suggests alterations in attack patterns and group formations, going so far as to emphasize various talents and magics that were underutilized or improperly cast. Even the three witches who charmed Graham into their puppet are criticized for focusing too much on their offense and leaving their flank undefended. On and on it goes, and my anger seeps out the longer I’m suspended in midair.
Professor Aesir may be harsh with his methods, but he’s calculating and fierce in his own way. I can understand why he was assigned as our instructor...begrudgingly.
In order to survive, we have to be stronger than we are today.
As the hour comes to a close, Aesir closes the lesson with a still image of Graham’s frozen body, his figure misshapen on account of the shift he failed to complete. It’s a grotesque reminder of both the power one wields and its fragility if not wielded properly. A few shifters in the crowd flinch and look away, with more than a few of the other magical races gaping atthe image. It’s not often that shifters are caught mid-stride, and Graham suffered an unusually cruel fate.
His pack will be mourning their loss through the next moon cycle.
After a brief moment of silence, Aesir waves away the projection. “I do not show you these moments of weakness in cruelty.” Hooking his arms behind his back, he levels me with a stern look. “Nor do I blame you for your failures. But it is through failure that we learn—that we grow—and we must take each opportunity to improve our abilities and sharpen our minds, or we will end up like all the others who came before us...Dead.” He stands perfectly still, embodying the essence of what it means to be a member of the unliving.
Silence fills the room as his words sink in with enough melancholy to drown a gryphon.
“Take this as a hard-earned lesson,” Aesir continues. “Trust your teammates. Follow your instincts. And if something appears too good to be true...It may be the instrument of your undoing.”
My heart clenches, its beat turning erratic as I think of my past with Revyn. Most of it felt perfect—up until the moment I found out he’d been lying to me about our prospects of joining a pack. My face flushes with a wave of humiliation I’ve longed to leave behind. To approach dozens of packs and present myself as a viable member, only to be turned down time and time again...I swallow past the lump in my throat. I threw myself at as many Alphas as we could find, and Revynlet me, knowing full well that it was futile. Pretending that everything was okay as he wiped away my tears and took me to bed over and over and over again...
The betrayal stings, the scars around my heart tearing.
And yet, Revyn needs me.
He needs me to mate with him or he may not live to see next winter.
Aesir’s shadows slide over my skin, cold and elusive, as they lower me back to my seat and slip away, returning to their original state as tricks of the light. I hardly notice, too wrapped up in my own thoughts to care about much else. Revyn’s hand finds mine, squeezing gently, and I hold on tight.
Despite everything we’ve been through—the goodandthe bad—I’m not ready to let him go.
When I mentally repeat my mantra, the phrasing has altered, and it’s Callum’s voice that whispers through my mind, not mine.
You deserve more than he’s able to give you.
Revyn. Callum. Alistair.
Three pieces to a puzzle whose final image is unclear. I don’t know how we fit together—if at all—and it makes my head spin. I don’t hear Aesir’s parting words of wisdom for the class, merely his dismissal.
“Those of you who wish for a more thorough review of your performance, you may stay for additional feedback. Otherwise, you are all dismissed.”
A rumble of chatter erupts as students gather their weary bones and head for the exit. Aesir’s voice projects over the din to remind us of our continued training tonight at dusk. “Anyone who is late will be summarily removed from my classes and thusly expelled.”
Everything feels trivial in the wake of life or death situations.
The academy.
Our class rank.
What I envision for my future.
I don’t have answers, and I barely have a sense of direction, but what I do have is determination to find a solution. One thatsaves Revyn from himself, me from my reckless choices, and the others from their own demons dragging them into early graves.
Surely if we work together, we can untangle this mess...one problem at a time, starting with purifying the rot from my lover’s heart.
Pressing a chaste kiss to Revyn’s cheek, I blow out a long breath. “Meet me in my room?”
His eyes flash silver as he cups my jaw and traces the bow of my lips with the pad of his thumb. “Anything you want, baby. I’m yours.”
Chapter 33
Alistair
