Page 26 of Self Studies

He walked away from me, and I immediately missed his heat at my back.

“Professor Garnet,” Beryl acknowledged.

The professor stood to the side to let the larger mage pass.

And then it was only the two of us. Butterflies filled my stomach. My core ached, my magic begging me to complete the transfer.

Instead of trailing behind him, Professor Garnet motioned for me to walk next to him. It took all my willpower not to reach for him. I focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

We didn’t go to the office wing. Our path took us up to his classroom. My legs shook by the time I got to the top of the ten flights of stairs. Severely lowering my libido.

“No one wanted the top floor,” he explained while I stopped to catch my breath. “It’s not only my office and my classroom. My apartments are up here as well. All of the staff live on-site, not all of them by choice.”

I nodded, unsure what to make of the admission. The professor was painfully careful not to touch me as he led me into his office. Like his classroom, low furniture and soft meditation areas filled the space. Thin blankets and gauzy materials of whites and creams hid the cold stone walls. Skylights, cut into the slanted ceiling and draped in more sheer fabric, diffused the evening light.

“Shoes off, please. Find a spot and make yourself comfortable,” Professor Garnet directed the minute his door closed behind us.

His sandals slipped off his feet and onto a shoe rack. I copied him, doing the same with my slippers. Although this room was very different from the apartment I’d spent my life in, it was also comforting in its similarities. I sunk into a massive brown bean bag chair in a cozy corner under the lowest skylight. The warm sunshine helped ease my worry.

The professor walked to the far corner and did something with his back turned to me. A few minutes later, he moved to a low table in the center of the room and set down a small silver tray. The swirling smoke of incense released a frangipani scent into the space. Two mugs of tea and strawberries dipped in chocolate sat on either side.

I joined him at the table, sitting cross-legged on the pillows across from him. Unlike the cookies earlier, I managed to savor the strawberry as we silently adjusted to being in each other’s space. He said we needed to talk, and I had so many questions.

My crystal magic sparked like electricity between his still spiked hair. I grinned. Heat tingled between my legs, adding to the burning need still throbbing in my core. I squeeze my thighs together.

Professor Garnet finished his tea before speaking. “What happened in class can not happen again.”

I shook my head. “But it’s what I exist to do.”

“It. Is. Not.” Professor Garnet set down his teacup. “You are so much more than whatever your master taught you.”

“How would you know?”

“Because I had a master.”

I stilled, my gaze slowly coming up to meet the professor’s. His ruby rimming, so much like Damon’s, made me pause.

My heart squeezed. “Did he…” I didn’t know why I couldn’t voice the whole question, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to be a victim; I refused to let that be my identity. I loved Damon. Not everything in my past could be wrong.

“He did,” Professor Garnet answered. “I was twelve when he bought me. He stole my childhood and tried to re-make me in his image.”

I swallowed.

Professor Garnet took my hands. The kindled heat of our transfer blazed into an inferno. I’d never gone this long without completing a transfer before, and it physically hurt. Professor Garnet’s eyes dilated as his erection tented his pants. His hand shook as he fought his own need.

“This connection you feel, we feel,” he continued. “It isn’t real. It’s magic. It’s hormones. It’s the lust of power.”

“But it feels real,” I said breathily. “It’s not just my magic that wants to complete the transfers; it’s more. I never craved my master’s touch hours after a transfer.”

“Anyone you transfer your magic into will respond like this,” Professor Garnet insisted. He let go of me, and I felt his loss immediately. “Until the magic’s gone from my system, I’ll crave more from you than you should ever have to give. It's why magic transfers are illegal. It’s black magic, Aphy.”

I bit my bottom lip. “Aphy?”

Professor Garnet blushed slightly. “I’ve had your magic coursing through my body all day,” his voice dropped. “I’ve not jerked off this many times since I was sixteen.”

I lowered my gaze, letting it come to rest on his crotch. Absently, I ran my hand up my neck.

He ignored me and his erection. “I believe in the Institute, but it’s not set up for people like us.”