Page 31 of Self Studies
Professor Garnet clapped once. “Saffron will walk you to your dorm.”
I flipped my hood over my head and slowly got to my feet.
Saffron covered his stone slab with a blanket. The tablet and tools spread around him disappeared into an invisible bag at his side. An interdimensional pocket, I suspected. My master had one as well. It took time, control, and skill to construct one. Accessible from anywhere, it could hold anything that didn’t need to breathe.
Our footsteps sounded loud in the quiet halls. Only a few students moved about. I trailed behind Saffron’s stiff shoulders. Our path took us through the massive central foyer of the castle and down a corridor. I quickened my pace to keep up with Saffron and reached for his hand. As our skin made contact, Saffron pulled away and guided us into a shadowed alcove.
“Remember Keith’s warning,” Saffron growled.
I playfully cocked my hip to one side. “Which one?”
My heart raced with excitement. Saffron pressed my back against a wall. His fierce scowl bore into me. I found myself trapped within his arms.
“Keith’s a bleeding heart and a recovering magic addict,” Saffron warned lowly. What I thought would be sexual tension transformed into something darker. “Do you think you’re the first student he’s taken an interest in? The first student we’ve shared?” His clenched his jaw. “Whatever your end game is, I’m watching you. I might have gotten caught up in the moment, but do not let it fool you into thinking we’re friends. I’m a year, maybe less, from escaping this place. You will not hold me back. And I will not let you take advantage of Keith.”
The blood drained from my face as I tried to sink into the wall behind me. Saffron’s intense gaze pinned me for another second before he put his hands in his pockets. With a final scowl, he turned and started walking again.
I followed behind him on shaky legs, trying to reconcile the mage who kissed me so tenderly with the angry God in front of me.
By the time we got to my dorm, I still hadn’t.
“Sleep well,” Saffron said, turning and walking back the way we’d come.
I shook my head in disbelief. His backside disappeared at an intersection without looking back.
My swipe card worked with a light beep, and I slid through the doorway. Five pairs of eyes watched my entrance.
“Welcome home, noobie,” Roisin greeted. “How was your first day?”
Mercedes’ gaze bore into me as if she could smell Saffron on me from across the room. The lipstick still stained my mattress, and Roisin’s warning this morning rang in my head. Mercedes seemed to think she had some claim on Saffron, but the mage hadn’t even mentioned her. And if I learned anything tonight: Saffron’s loyalty was to Professor Garnet before anyone else.
My heart squeezed. “It was exhausting,” I finally managed to mumble.
A headache bloomed across my forehead. Before any more talking could happen, I slipped into the washroom. I couldn’t believe I’d only been here for a day. It felt so much longer. I didn’t have the energy for a long shower. After a quick soap-filled wash, I curled up in my oversized hoodie on my bare mattress. The pillow Sandy threw at Roisin this morning resting under my head. Despite my whispering roommates, exhaustion dragged me into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Chapter 6
The following morning the Dealerships alarms woke me. I pretended to be asleep while the trio dressed in a set of matching stretchy pants and tank tops. Quietly, they slipped out of the room.
Once they were gone, I rolled out of bed and took my time in the shower, thoroughly washing my hair with more stolen soap.
The hot water ran between my breasts. My body shook with the memory of being trapped between the two mages last night. I smiled.
My thoughts this morning weren’t focused on the negative. Not my dragon destroying Alchemist Blickenstaff’s lab. Or Saffron’s angry warning, confusing the piss out of me. Instead. I focused on the good. The Director apologized for my start here and was personally fixing it. Professor Garnet was sure I could use my magic, and I had friends for the first time in my life.
I turned a circle in the water, suddenly not feeling so alone.
Beryl’s protective comfort surrounded me, followed by Professor Garnet’s powerful yet thoughtful need. A complicated mix of shame and lust filled me as Saffron’s smirk appeared in my memory.
I’d no idea what I was doing. But the freedom to do whatever I wanted was incredible, even within the frustrating limitations of my current situation.
I grimaced at the feel of my unbrushed teeth and did the best I could with my finger to clean them off. I seriously considered gargling soap. I hadn’t realized how much I took my toothbrush for granted.
Done with my shower, I danced back to my bed. Halfway through putting a Dutch braid into my long hair, someone knocked loudly on the door.
“There’s a ‘no knocking in the mornings’ policy,” the lump in Roisin’s bed said groggily.
I hopped to the door and opened it. Saffron, looking as handsome as ever, stood in the hall. He pushed a large black trash bag into my arms. “It’s your uniform and welcome package.”