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“I honestly cannot tell you that. Not because I do not desire to, but because I simply do not have the answer you seek. I have been researching since before you arrived to try to discover how a human could carry the Korrena mark to no avail, but I can only assure you it is no mistake.” The professor gave her a resolute nod. “I honestly was not sure myself when Lukas first visited me and told me of the human girl with his mark, but after speaking with him, it is clear to me you are truly a fated pair.”

Professor Velastra stood and walked over to the window, looking out toward the large building on the edge of the academy grounds.

“I can at least say with certainty it would be wise to seal your bond soon, as it is the reason you were accepted into Blackthorn Academy in the first place. While unbonded Vasirian attend the school, the Order will see no need for a human to remain here if they have no purpose in being here.”

Blaire gave the professor a quizzical look. “The Order?”

“The school’s administration.” Professor Velastra opened her mouth as if to say more but stopped, simply shaking her head, and returning her gaze to Blaire. “That is all I had to say. You are free to return to class now.”

Blaire slowly got up without saying anything and left the professor’s office, uncertain about her future at the academy.

Lukas met Blaire outside Professor Velastra’s office when she exited.

“Everything okay?”

She didn’t know how to explain to Lukas that if she didn’t bond with him, she was going to have to leave. She still struggled with the whole idea of it.

“Yeah…”

Before they could say much else, Vincent approached on the cobblestone pathway.

“Blaire, how are you feeling?”

Lukas glared at him, and Vincent rolled his eyes. “Settle down. I’m not here to take your toy away.”

Blaire’s eyes widened. “I’m not his toy, or anyone’s for that matter,” she huffed and put her hands on her hips. Her expression soured, affronted by being referred to as an object.

Lukas growled. “Fuck off, Vincent.”

“I’m here to check on Blaire, considering her condition in class earlier.” He turned his attention back to Blaire. “I apologize. I meant no disrespect to you. He’s just behaving like a petulant child who doesn’t like to share.”

Blaire didn’t like how Vincent was talking about Lukas, but Lukas wasn’t acting much better with his attitude out of nowhere. His mood swings were really starting to wear on her.

“She’s fine. Now get out of here,” Lukas spat.

Blaire shot a look at Lukas, narrowing her eyes. “I can speak for myself.” She looked back at Vincent. “I’m fine now that I’ve eaten. Just a little under the weather.”

Vincent nodded quietly.

After several beats of awkward silence, he spoke. “Do take care of yourself, Blaire. We don’t want our jewel to lose her shine.” He chuckled as he walked away.

Lukas cursed under his breath, then snapped, “What is his problem?”

Blaire rounded on him once Vincent was out of earshot. “What is your problem?” she demanded, pointing at him.

Lukas looked at her in confusion and she sighed in exasperation, turning and walking through the main courtyard, Lukas hot on her heels.

“Wait up!”

Blaire stopped once she entered into the hallway of their dorm building and turned to face him. “What?”

“What did I do?” He looked like a lost puppy, and it pulled at Blaire. If he wasn’t going to act like an ass anymore, she could at least explain things to him. Maybe he didn’t see what he was even doing. The only way she would know is if she talked to him.

She sighed heavily. “I might like that you’re demanding, and possessive at times…” She held a finger up. “But only when we’re alone.” She cleared her throat as her cheeks flushed. Talking about this sort of thing felt awkward, but she needed to be honest, or he wouldn’t know where she stood—and while she found the dominant part of his personality exciting on a gut level, she needed to set limits or he would become insufferable. Like today, nothing about the way he lashed out at Vincent was attractive. “I especially don’t like what you just did. But what I might like in private… I don’t like it around others. They’ll think you don’t respect me.”

“But I do respect you.”

“What you just did says otherwise.”