“Runic curses are a type of magic one learns themselves. They draw regular runes but twist them by imbuing them with dark contexts and negative aura. It’s not necessarily something that can be taught by another.”
He turns the page and I take another step so I’m now right beside him and I’m able to better look at the page. Hestiffens next to me but I focus everything onto the page and the runes drawn out on it. Words I can’t understand scribbled with diagrams and arrows.
“Because of that there isn’t an exact way to break them. Depending on what the curse is someone who is an expert and has explicitly studied runes could possibly counter the effects, but it’s unlikely that the curse would be fully broken.”
Turning the page, I study the runes drawn here and read the words associated with them in my head despite not knowing what they really mean. I shift my weight and place a hand on his desk as I turn the page again.
“Would it be possible to counter a runic curse with another? Two negatives making it neutral?”
Something shifts and without looking at him I focus on his aura. His feels a lot like Nana’s with all its power and death. But his is stone still. Same with his body, though a heady scent trails around him and his blood is rushing. I can almost hear the beat of his heart pounding against his chest.
Following his blood from his heart it trails down until. . .
I tense my own body. He had stiffened while speaking but I had only asked if runic curses could be countered with another curse. So why is his blood rushing? Why is his blood rushing likethat? Is he. . . is he turned on by runes? Isthatwhy they don’t teach this kind of magic anymore? People get off because of it?
Oh my fucking god.
I didn’t think they were sexual in any way, but then again what the fuck do I know?
Snapping up, I scoot a few steps away from him. Clearing my throat I gesture towards the book.
“So – uh. . . “ Fuck. Way to make it awkward, Mavyn. I shake my head. I always told myself I would not kink shame and I do not judge sexual preferences, but just. . .okay. I shake my head again. “Sorry. Uhm. . . countering. Is that possible, or would someone who’s an expert just need to know the curse and see the runes and then possibly counter that way?”
I shift in place and refuse to look at him. That had been Ms. Elaycia’s only request when she took me in. Everyone has preferences and different things that get them off and unless it’s nonconsensual and harmful without any sexual gratification for any party we shouldn’t judge.
And I’m not judging him! If he gets off from talking about runes or practicing runic magic or anything of the sort I will not judge. It’s just. . . surprising. He’s a professor, and while he’s hot, it’s one of those things you shouldn’t know about your teacher.
Cordellia liked those kinds of romances books. I’m sure Jullia would too, but I would prefer no part of that.
He’s watching me. I can feel his eyes on me despite me looking anywhere but at him.
“That I’m not sure about.”
Sixteen
Varian – August 21
It has been almost two weeks since the last time I spoke to the bloodsucker. And in those two weeks she hasn’t looked at me once after the infirmary. I haven’t been much better, but she is purposefully keeping her attention away from me.
And right now all I want is for her attention to solely be on me.
An irrational thought. A remanent of the lust Castiel tries his best to hide from me for her. But I made it worse when I told her to come. Her scent was slightly sweeter when I had opened the door to what it normally is. A scent I now know is because a devil had marked her when she was younger and his fangs were embedded with blue belladon.
It’s extraordinary how she’s semi-immune to it. Thorne had also reiterated what Castiel had said about that night when she and him were cut with a blade embedded with the poison that kills all. Castiel discreetly flaunted her bitemark on him all weekend. He explained in full detail how her venom felt flowing through his blood.
Then his mood sobered after subbing for my class on Monday and Callahan had seemed more irritable than normal. Neither have told me what happened – if something did happen.
Thorne also let me know there’s a second bitemark near her collarbone. She didn’t say there was another last weekend to Thorne and Castiel, so it makes me wonder if there are more.
“It would just depend on the curse,” I continue. Trying my best to ignore her scent. “I would have to know what it is in order to know if I could counter it or not.”
Her scent changes. It dips more floral and I wonder if she knows most races can scent when someone is aroused.
It shouldn’t make me as prideful as it does because I shouldn’t be feeling anything towards her at all. I believe I’ve kept my own scent hidden well enough. I had to concentrate hard when I opened my door to sweet berry and florals. Darian had already been halfway down the hall and I almost gave myself away when I looked at her.
I haven’t seen her in anything other than her uniform, and even that has made me take more cold showers than I have ever needed to before. But at least the blazer they all wear hides whatever shape she has. Right now in her fitted long sleeve and tight jeans I can see every curve.
But she shouldn’t scent me at all, so I wonder what made her jump back. And why is she asking about runic magic and curses. How does she even have any of this information?
