Page 47 of Class Studies

“I’m not asking for any commitments right now, Aphy.” He frowned. “I’m obviously not able to have many biological kids with Keith, so maybe I don’t know what I really want either.” He ran a hand through his hair. “This evening isn’t about honesty, and it isn’t truly about us.”

Saffron put two fingers under my chin, and I met his cool gaze. “I’m using you to gain my independence. Once that’s done, I want to start over. No more hook-ups when we’re both blind with need. I want this to be real.” He looked at our twined hands. “Other than knowing your favorite type of cookie, I don’t know anything about you, and I want to.”

The foghorn sounded from the main building, making me jump. My heart raced. As his words sunk in, warmth flooded my chest.

He tugged me forward.

We were The last to make it to Metaphysics. Every head in the room swiveled toward us as we entered. Ashe and Beryl sat with a space between them for me. They eyed our connected digits. I tried to untangle my hand, but the Greek God held tight, pulling me between him and Tanwyn.

I hadn’t spoken to the tattooed summoner since he learned about my socket. But he pulled my pillow out and gave me a timid smile.

I took the fluffy cushion with a raised eyebrow. Ashe picked it up after last class, had the two spoken?

Ashe and Beryl’s gaze burned into my backside. This wasn’t the time to ask. I placed the pillow onto the floor and sat before peeking across the room. Ashe and Beryl both studied me with the empty spot between them. Beryl gave me a wink, making Saffron stiffen. Opposite Beryl, Ashe’s face pinched as even his beard scowled.

I dropped my gaze to the runes covering the floor, my stomach fluttering.

My Gentle Giant spent our entire time together protecting me from Mercedes and Saffron. He hated Saffron, and I waltzed in with no explanation, choosing the Greek God over him. I hated this.

Our seating arrangement echoed my split emotions too well. Ashe and Beryl sat opposite me in the circle, with Ghalen on their right and Professor Garnet on their left. Ghalen and the professor created a physical line between the warring factions in my life.

Officer Keres cleared his throat, eyeing the new seating arrangement. “Aphrodite, please take your usual spot.”

I stared back at him, suddenly worried the officer had learned how to read minds. “Does it matter?”

Officer Keres narrowed his eyes. “Ashe is still your boyfriend?”

I nodded, remembering Natural Mages didn’t usually participate in harems. The man didn’t need to be judgmental, though maybe he was responding to Ashe’s evident anger.

Officer Keres scowled at Saffron.

Instead of keeping his head down, Saffron puffed out his chest. “Aphy can make her own choices, and today she’s sitting here, sir.”

I bit my lips shut. The intelligent thing to do would be to move to my usual spot. Ashe had my scales, and after this, we would meet Nitis. But I didn’t want to do what Office Keres said.

He wanted to control my very future.

When I still didn’t budge, Officer Keres cleared his throat. “Fine, it doesn’t really matter. Aphrodite, move to the middle. Everyone, please readjust your spacing. We’ll start today with testing the limits of Aphrodite’s ability to shut off a mage before moving to control bodily functions.”

I looked down at my hands and wrinkled my nose. I’d not thought about my mind control being that specific. After another reminder to go to the middle, I dragged my pillow over the rune for spirit and prepared myself.

The next hour went by too fast and too slow. Magic touched my skin and lit my nerve endings on fire. Cutting off spells and runes was easy with physical contact, and we quickly moved on to part two of Officer Keres’s plan. Halfway through class, I’d made everyone need to take a piss and wiggle their toes.

“Last exercise Aphrodite,” Officer Keres said, smiling at me proudly.

I looked at him flatly, trying to control the lust rippling across my body. It didn’t reach for anyone specifically but danced.

Officer Keres cleared his throat and crossed his arms. “Give Tanwyn an erection.”

My palms flipped up in the air. “Why? What purpose could that possibly serve?”

“We need to know if your mind control is connected to your unique transfers,” Officer Keres explained. “Tanwyn was clearly upset when you exposed your socket yesterday.”

I snarled. “I didn’t expose my socket.”

Officer Keres ducked his head. “You didn’t. However, my point remains. According to the Institute’s files, he’s the only mage in the room who’s been celibate since arriving here.”

Officer Keres turned to him, and Tanwyn’s lips flattened. He traced one of the tattoos on his inner arm and nodded once.