“Impressive,” Professor Blackwood murmured. “Earth elementals are notoriously difficult to summon cleanly. Most students end up with something that looks like a mud puddle with an attitude.”
I grinned, feeling the elemental’s presence like a weight in my mind. It was stubborn, just as she’d warned, but not hostile. More like a patient teacher waiting to see if I was worth its time. I guided it through a series of movements, watching as it flowed from solid form to loose earth and back again.
The connection I felt with the elemental reminded me strangely of the bond with Valen. Not the same, obviously, but there was that sense of two separate consciousnesses touching, sharing energy and intent. The thought made my cheeks warm. I definitely wouldn’t be fucking the earth elemental though.
When I dismissed the elemental, my classmates actually applauded. The sound surprised me so much I nearly stumbled stepping out of the circle.
“That was amazing, Archer,” one said. “I’ve never seen anyone make an earth elemental move that smoothly.”
“Thanks,” I managed, still a bit stunned by the positive reception.
Professor Blackwood was practically glowing with pride. “Mr. Quinn, I think your father would be very pleased to seethat level of magical control. Perhaps I should write him a letter about today’s performance.”
My heart skipped at her words. A letter to my father about my not one, but two successful summonings would go a long way toward making up for last week’s disaster. Maybe it would even get him off my back about making me quit the fencing team.
“That would be wonderful, Professor,” I said, and meant it.
As the next student took their turn in the circle, I found myself thinking about how different this felt from last week. It was the same classroom, and the same spell, but I was a completely different person. More confident, more centered. More myself.
And I knew exactly why that was. Valen had shown me what it felt like to be wanted for who I really was, not for what others expected me to be. That knowledge, that connection, had given me a strength I hadn’t known I possessed.
I was still lost in thought when class ended and we began filing back toward the main building. Professor Blackwood caught my arm as I passed.
“Archer,” she said quietly. “I hope you know that what happened last week wasn’t a reflection of your abilities. Sometimes external pressures can affect our magic in unexpected ways.”
I nodded, grateful for her understanding. “Thank you, Professor. For today, I mean. For giving me another chance. And… for letting me show off a little.”
“Everyone deserves a chance to show their true potential,” she replied with a warm smile. “And I’m very much looking forward to writing that letter to your father. Between us, he irritated the shit out of me by showing up.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “He irritates the shit out of me too,” I replied.
As I walked back across campus, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. The successful summoning had restored my confidence, yes, but it was more than that. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was becoming the person I was meant to be rather than the person everyone else wanted me to be.
And that person was brave enough to fight for what he wanted, even if it was complicated and dangerous and might not have a happy ending.
I thought about Valen’s words from the night before, about how hard it would be to break the feeding bond between us. Maybe he was right about the complications, about the risks we were both taking. But as I felt the lingering warmth of his energy still humming beneath my skin, I realized I didn’t care about any of that.
I was going to fight for this. For him. For us.
Whatever that meant.
But first, I had to get to fencing practice. If there was one thing Valen didn’t tolerate, it was late captains. And the last thing I wanted to do was get on his bad side. Then again, if I was late, maybe I could talk him into punishing me for it later in more creative ways.
Chapter 21
Archer
As the athletic complex came into view, I saw a crowd gathering around the entrance. For a moment I thought there must be some sort of game or sports thing going on. But it was the middle of the week. Big games were almost exclusively on the weekends. And then, when I saw a handful of security officers blocking the students from getting into the building, I knew something must be wrong. Not to mention, each of them were armed with battle wands. That wasn’t something often seen at Widdershins Academy.
For a moment I thought of trying to push my way through, to find out what had happened. My fencing team was in there and most likely Valen too. I felt my heart skip a beat. Was he alright? Had he been hurt? Was he in danger? I had to know.
A hand on my shoulder was the only thing that stopped me in my tracks.
“Archer!” I knew it was Amelia before she even came into view. “Oh my god! I thought you were inside!” She pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m glad you’re okay!”
“What happened?” I asked, my voice tight with worry as I pulled back from her embrace. “Why is security blocking thebuilding? Where’s—” I caught myself before I said Valen’s name, but Amelia’s sharp eyes caught the slip anyway.
“There was an attack,” she said, her face pale. “Someone hurt a guy named Wigard? They found him unconscious in the locker room about an hour ago. He’s alive, but barely.”
