Page 25 of Class Studies
“Oh, to be so innocent.” Officer Keres sighed wistfully before his features hardened. “Focus on the task at hand. Show me what I want to see.”
I swallowed. Every eye in the room watched me, waiting to see what I would do. I could still give Officer Keres an order, but then what? Go on a rampage and try to take over the Institute? How long would that last? “I guess I’ll start with a thought.”
Professor Garnet’s nodded, his face notably pale and tight as he sunk into a mage trance. A light mist of cool magic floated through my skull, making me momentarily light-headed before magic rippled through my body, lighting my core. This wasn’t the time for lust, but my body didn’t listen, still raging with need from my uncompleted transfers.
If I couldn’t stop it, I could at least focus on something else.
I formed a Bead of Will, my magic singing with joy as I described every detail aloud. My stomach twisted each word giving one man control over my future.
* * *
I squirmed on Tanwyn’s pillow as Metaphysics ended. The last hour had been awkward at best and uncomfortable for everyone. Whether they wanted it or not, every mage in the room now had my crystal magic influencing their actions. I needed more pictures and string for my workstation wall.
Ghalen stood, his usually happy face a neutral mask. He left without a word. Tanwyn walked to the door and hovered, clearly torn between waiting for me and wanting to be gone as badly as Ghalen.
Ashe stood, stretching his back, while Beryl pulled me into his side. Pure need flared at his touch. I did my best to ignore it and straightened my legs. The uneasy feeling in my stomach mixed oddly with the lust coursing through my veins.
I filled my fellow students with a command not to talk about my socket and only my socket. It had taken a few different tries on the wording. I was one hundred percent sure Beryl couldn’t talk about any type of sockets, mine or not, after my first less successful attempt.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Officer Keres ranked my friends by their Aptitudes and expected me to experiment on them in that order. Like they weren’t even people—and I had. My stomach rolled.
“Ashe, take her back to her tower.” Officer Keres frowned at Ashe. “Do whatever is needed to help her focus so she can find a way to isolate her magic. Beyond servicing Aphrodit….”
My eyes widened as I blinked in disbelief. I wasn’t some piece of equipment.
“....I’m releasing you from your duties as an officer, pending review.” Officer Keres clapped Ashe on the shoulder. Ashe grunted unhappily.
“I know you understand.” Officer Keres frowned. “In this situation, too many of your actions have been questionable. Once this mess is over and you’re cleared of her influence, you’ll be welcomed back with open arms. Until then.” He glanced at me. “Enjoy yourself and stay out of my way.”
I gaped at Officer Keres, but he didn’t give me a second glance before catching Professor Garnet’s attention and motioning toward the door. Before I said anything stupid, Beryl squeezed me hard to his side.
“Let the Peacecock have his moment,” Beryl mumbled in my ear before kissing the side of my face. He stood, pulling me up with him. “There is a time and a place for everything, and this is not it.”
“Beryl, it’s time for GS,” one of the two agents who tailed him barked from the door.
Beryl rolled his eyes. “Can’t today, sorry.”
The sound of a bullet firing split the air. Beryl yelped and fell to one knee, pushing me to the ground. Memories of my burning apartment flashed before me. I covered my head, trembling.
“Relax,” the officer laughed from the doorway. “They’re rubber, this time. But give me an excuse. I fucking dare you, Beryl. They’ve let you run wild for too long, and it’s either go to class or eat a bullet.”
Anger fought through my flashback. I forced myself up, feeling Beryl’s body for wounds.
The corners of his mouth pinched in discomfort. “I’m fine, Dot.”
He steadied himself on my shoulder before directing me to a lump on his butt cheek. “It’s a flesh wound, and it feels better already with your hand there.” He gave me a quick kiss before standing and limping toward the agent who shot him. “No hurt feelings, dude. I’ll shoot you in the ass if given a chance too.” He rubbed his ass suggestively. “Do unto others as you’d like to do or however that goes.”
I shook my head.
Beryl looked back with a final grin before grabbing Tanwyn and limping out of the Sphérique. Saffron followed them, leaving Ashe and me alone.
My heart still raced from the gunfire, and my body begged to be fucked, but everything felt so wrong. I was once again Ashe’s assignment. The MA had physically taken Beryl from me, and Professor Garnet was stuck in the middle of it, playing a role he didn’t want.
How did everything get so messed up so fast?
Even my new connection with Saffron didn’t help me. He was knee-deep in his family problems, ones which felt like my fault even though I knew they started long before I got here.
Ashe glanced at the camera. “Let’s fucking git.”